Patents by Inventor Robert M. Williams, Jr.

Robert M. Williams, Jr. 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: 7222805
    Abstract: A materials processing system adapted for the reduction of metallic materials including a material feed portion configured to convey materials to a mill portion comprising a motor driven rotor in close running fit with a cage mounted grate through which reduced material is discharged onto a conveyer. The cage is biased to a closed operating position by one or more hydraulic rams. A control system receives signals from a speed sensor operatively coupled to the rotor, and is configured to regulate the hydraulic rams, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the cage in response to rotation of the rotor. The control system is further configured to regulate the operation of the materials feed portion to suspend material feed during opening of the cage, permitting trapped or jammed material to be expelled from the mill portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6685118
    Abstract: A roll crusher having a box-like main frame, a material inlet and material outlet, a first rotatable crushing roll on the frame and a second rotatable crushing roll mounted on a roll carriage in an opposed, spaced apart relationship to the first crushing roll defining a material crushing gap. The roll carriage is a generally rectangular frame positioned atop the main frame having one end attached to the main frame near the midpoint of the main frame by pivot. The pivot is asymmetrically positioned relative to the axes of the crushing rolls. An actuator between the main frame and the free end of the roll carriage moves the roll carriage about the pivot to adjust the gap between the first and second rolls. The jack can be equipped with a servo motor responsive to a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6588829
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a power sliding door system having a power drive mechanism for propelling the sliding door and a power latching mechanism for latching the sliding door in a latched condition. The methodology provides enhanced monitoring and control of the power sliding door system to improve the operation of the sliding door in both the power-assisted and manual modes. The control methodology inhibits the operation of the power sliding door system in response to the actuation of any of the sliding door handles or if a fuel door is in the path of the sliding door. The control methodology also inhibits the operation of the sliding door system if a child guard mechanism is enabled. The control methodology includes an obstacle detection routine which detects obstacles in two directions of travel. The control methodology does not require the power drive mechanism or inertia to cause the latch mechanism to latch the sliding door in the latched condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Richard L. Long, Robert M. Williams, Jr., Robert J. Faubert, Richard C. Kapes, Thomas L. McGettrick, Jason Abraham
  • Patent number: 6467707
    Abstract: A closed loop control system for monitoring and regulating operation of a grinding mill to reduce material in quantity to exactly match a processor material demand. The control system regulates the operation of components of a grinding mill at in response to a linear interpolation of variables between predetermined set points stored in register tables, so as to substantially match the mill reducing capability with variations in the percentage of the processor material demand, without the need for operator intervention. Multiple register tables are provided to accommodate different feed materials or blends, and an operational history record is maintained to allow for reconstruction of events leading to any component failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6435600
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a power sliding door system having a power drive mechanism for propelling the sliding door and a power latching mechanism for latching the sliding door in a latched condition. The methodology provides enhanced monitoring and control of the power sliding door system to improve the operation of the sliding door in both the power-assisted and manual modes. The control methodology inhibits the operation of the power sliding door system in response to the actuation of any of the sliding door handles or if a fuel door is in the path of the sliding door. The control methodology also inhibits the operation of the sliding door system if a child guard mechanism is enabled. The control methodology includes an obstacle detection routine which detects obstacles in two directions of travel. The control methodology does not require the power drive mechanism or inertia to cause the latch mechanism to latch the sliding door in the latched condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Richard L. Long, Robert M. Williams, Jr., Robert J. Faubert, Richard C. Kapes, Thomas L. McGettrick, Jason Abraham
  • Patent number: 6323565
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power liftgate in an automobile, such as a minivan, is disclosed. The invention is comprised in a control system that includes a user input interface for receiving power liftgate actuation requests from a user. The actuation signals are carried to a body control module (BCM) where the request is broadcast to a power liftgate module (PLGM) over a serial data bus communications network meeting the SAE J1850 multiplex communications protocol standard. Upon receipt of the actuation message, the PLGM monitors several operating conditions of the automobile and makes a determination whether or not to carry out the power liftgate activation request. Power liftgate actuation is controlled by the PLGM via electric motors located at or near the liftgate. The user input interface includes interior switches as well as a RKE system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Williams, Jr., Patrick D. Dean, Richard L. Long, Ernest P. Minissale
  • Patent number: 6154948
    Abstract: An interchangeable cast metal block for mounting on a rotor shaft, the shaft having a polygonal cross-section. The block includes a substantially circular body having a central bore complementary to the polygonal cross-section of the rotor shaft such that the rotation of the shaft will turn the block. There are at least two opposed cutting blade mounting bosses for attachment of cutting blades on the external surface of the block. The mounting bosses are positioned on the block in a predetermined geometric arrangement relative to a facet of the polygonal center bore such that the block can be reversed and re-mounted on the rotor shaft to effectively double the available number of cutting blade positions. The number of available cutting blade positions is two times the number of facets on the polygonal center bore. A plurality of the blocks may be stacked on the rotor in an array to provide a plurality of cutting blade patterns along the length of the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6091162
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power sliding door in an automobile, such as a minivan, is disclosed. The invention is comprised in a control system that includes a user input interface for receiving sliding door actuation requests from a user. The actuation signals are carried to a body control module (BCM) where the request is broadcast to a power sliding door module (PSDM) over a serial data bus communications network meeting the SAE J1850 multiplex communications protocol standard. Upon receipt of the actuation message the PSDM monitors several operating conditions of the automobile and makes a determination whether or not to carry out the power sliding door activation request. Power sliding door actuation is controlled by the PSDM via electric motors located at or near the power doors. A power liftgate module (PLGM) controls the power liftgate actuation upon via electric motors located at or near the liftgate. The user input interface includes interior switches as well as a RKE system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Williams, Jr., Patrick D. Dean, Richard L. Long, Ernest P. Minissale
  • Patent number: 5988544
    Abstract: An interchangeable cast metal block for mounting on a rotor shaft, the shaft having a polygonal cross-section. The block includes a substantially circular body having a central bore complementary to the polygonal cross-section of the rotor shaft such that the rotation of the shaft will turn the block. There are at least two opposed cutting blade mounting bosses for attachment of cutting blades on the external surface of the block. The mounting bosses are positioned on the block in a predetermined geometric arrangement relative to a facet of the polygonal center bore such that the block can be reversed and remounted on the rotor shaft to effectively double the available number of cutting blade positions. The number of available cutting blade positions is two times the number of facets on the polygonal center bore. A plurality of the blocks may be stacked on the rotor in an array to provide a plurality of cutting blade patterns along the length of the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5911372
    Abstract: Material reduction apparatus for reducing waste material consisting of both metallic and non-metallic waste which is required to be rendered separable so that each type of waste material is rendered useable, and apparatus that embodies cutters on a single rotary shaft and a series of stationary cutting blades located in a position to allow the shaft mounted cutters to carry the waste material from the stationary cutting blade to effect the desired reduction of that waste material is provided with structure permitting removal of jammed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5785583
    Abstract: A material cutting shaft assembly in which a rotary shaft of hexagonal shape in cross section carries an array of material cutting discs between its opposite ends, seat means adjacent the shaft ends, and disc retainer means adjustable and removably mounted in the seat means to hold the array of cutting discs in operative positions to avoid axially directed load stress conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Williams, Jr., Paul H. Becherer
  • Patent number: 5783146
    Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods are disclosed for achieving rapid cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization in aqueous solution. A device for reducing surface tension in liquids is also disclosed. An ethoxylated aliphatic amine is disclosed as the cationic surfactant of choice, preferably with a liquid soluble germicide simultaneously present in aqueous solution to accelerate sterilization at 25.degree. room temperature. One device includes a tablet; another device includes an absorbent body, or other carriers which can carry both cationic surfactants and germicides. Another device includes an hermetically sealable envelope, which contains both the cationic surfactant and a germicide which impregnates an absorbent liner. The composition includes a germicide and a cationic surfactant. Glutaraldehyde is the preferred germicide, while bis (2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine and polyoxyethylene (5) cocoamine are, respectively, the cationic surfactant of choice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5743472
    Abstract: Material shredding apparatus having a motor driven shaft carrying a material shredding rotor operatively mounted in a housing assembly adjacent a pivotally yieldable material shredding cutter and a shredded material sizing screen pivotally movable between a position in abutment with the pivotally yieldable shredding cutter and a shredder material receiving position adjacent the shredding rotor. The assembly being provided with electrical safety cutoff circuit means operative upon loss of shear pin support means for the material sizing screen and shredding cutter for stopping current supply to the motor driven shaft to avoid damage to the housing assembly by encountering tramp material to hard to shred by the shredding cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Williams, Jr., Paul H. Becherer
  • Patent number: 5474239
    Abstract: Material shredding apparatus for reducing scrap vehicle tires to produce two sub-products of rubber and of rubber free steel wire in which the apparatus has a shaft driven set of blocks in which each block has cutting teeth in circumferentially spaced relation, the respective blocks are keyed to the shaft so the cutting teeth on the blocks are circumferentially distributed along the shaft at 15.degree. spacing to assure that the cutting teeth perform a cutting function one at a time to avoid excessive power consumption and the material being shredded is distributed along the set of blocks on the shaft to reduce local areas of wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Williams, Jr., Robert M. Williams, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5395057
    Abstract: Material reducing apparatus having a drive arrangement for a pair of shafts carrying double edge cutter discs, motor driven transmissions for each shaft having different speed characteristics for reducing motor speeds to double digit speeds, bearings mounted in pillow blocks so that the pillow blocks can be opened to allow removal of the bearings so the shafts carrying the double edge cutters can be repositioned to present the cutters selectively to reduce material with either edge of the double edge cutters. The drive arrangement is also duplicated at the opposite ends of the pair of shafts for selective connection to drive the shafts either by one of the drive arrangements or by the duplicate drive arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Williams, Jr., Robert M. Williams, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4729516
    Abstract: A fluff producing mill for converting a pulp material into an absorbent fluff product by the operation of a hammer rotor having multiple overlapping hammer clusters which describe a hammer tip circle, and a pulp material feeder positioned to present the pulp material radially into the hammer rotor between a breaker bar and a cooperating guide plate, the feeder supporting the breaker bar so it can be adjusted toward and away from the hammer tip circle to accommodate hammer clearance at the breaker bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Williams Patent Crusher and Pulverizer Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4638952
    Abstract: Apparatus for and method of reducing spherically shaped fluid coke waste by-product pellets into a pulverized condition for use as a fuel in which there is a first grinding and pulverizing mill initially receiving the waste material which, because of its spherical shape is difficult to pulverize, and accordingly the waste material is transported to a second grinding mill where its spherical shape is altered to render it more easily pulverizable upon return to the first grinding mill where the final pulverizing of the waste material takes place prior to discharge to a point of use which may be to directly fire a furnace, a boiler or a kiln. The waste material is usually rather wet and requires drying so as not to choke the grinding apparatus, and for this purpose heat generated during the burning of the pulverized waste material is returned to the apparatus for the purpose of drying the waste material during its processing in the respective mills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Williams Patent Crusher and Pulverizer Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Williams, Robert M. Williams, Jr.