Patents by Inventor Robert Long

Robert Long has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4173605
    Abstract: A liquid cooling tower has a series of vertically spaced rows of unitary louver panels for controlling air flow into the tower and for preventing escape of liquid falling through the tower. The panels are non-planar, and they are shaped so as to increase their stiffness for withstanding wind and ice loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: Ecodyne Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Long
  • Patent number: 4068687
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing nozzle is provided with a liquid discharge tube and a vapor recovery tube, both of which are adapted to be inserted into the fill pipe of a tank such as a motor vehicle gasoline tank. While gasoline or other volatile liquid is discharged through the discharge tube, a substantially equal volume of vapor is withdrawn through the vapor recovery tube to a pneumatic pump portion of a hydraulic motor-pneumatic pump device. Gasoline flowing through a hydraulic motor therein drives the pneumatic pump, which is operably connected to the hydraulic motor to be driven in synchrony therewith. The volume of vapor withdrawn from the fuel tank is adjusted to be approximately equal to the volume of liquid discharged, such that the pressure inside the tank is substantially atmospheric, and the end of the fill pipe of the tank may be sealed to prevent vapor from escaping or air from being drawn into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Inventor: Robert A. Long
  • Patent number: 4053249
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for precision overboring a variable diameter existing bore through a metal shaft supported in a position that causes the shaft to sag along its longitudinal axis. A plurality of precision-formed tool pilots are selectively mounted ahead of a spade bit on a rotary boring tool to maintain the path of the bit through the shaft-workpiece within a predetermined tolerance of the path followed by an existing bore. A plurality of fluted follower bearings are positioned around the tool driving shaft to minimize its vibration as the bit proceeds through the workpiece. Liquid coolant is passed at high volume into engagement with the bit and thence through the follower bearing exhaust passageways to flush metal shavings and chips from the overbore. According to the method of the invention, tool vibration is carefully monitored as the bit is forced into the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Phillip D. Ness, Robert A. Long