Patents by Inventor Robert R. Niblock
Robert R. Niblock 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).
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Patent number: 9278462Abstract: A method of machining a component including a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface defining at least one interior space includes: disposing a distributed medium having a plurality of irregularly shaped particles in the interior space and forming at least one hole in the substrate, while the distributed medium is disposed within the interior space, such that the distributed medium provides backstrike protection for an opposing wall during the formation of the hole(s). Each hole extends through the substrate to provide fluid communication with the respective interior space; and the method further includes removing the distributed medium from the interior space.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert R. Niblock, Paul H. Tacheron, Steven J. Craigen, Mohamed A. Hashish, Ronald Scott Bunker, Andrew Lee Trimmer
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Publication number: 20150135512Abstract: A method of machining a component including a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface defining at least one interior space includes: disposing a distributed medium having a plurality of irregularly shaped particles in the interior space and forming at least one hole in the substrate, while the distributed medium is disposed within the interior space, such that the distributed medium provides backstrike protection for an opposing wall during the formation of the hole(s). Each hole extends through the substrate to provide fluid communication with the respective interior space; and the method further includes removing the distributed medium from the interior space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert R. Niblock, Paul H. Tacheron, Steven J. Craigen, Mohamed A. Hashish, Ronald Scott Bunker, Andrew Lee Trimmer
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Patent number: 7267134Abstract: A shockwave cleaning apparatus cleans one or more surfaces within a vessel. A sensor senses one or more thermodynamic properties associated with the vessel. A control system is coupled to an initiator and a fuel/oxidizer source to control the firing of the apparatus responsive to input from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: James R. Hochstein, Jr., Michael J. Aarnio, Donald W. Kendrick, Thomas R. A. Bussing, Robert R. Niblock
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Patent number: 5448894Abstract: A disk flake ice machine (10) includes a cooling member (12) mounted for rotation about an axis(52) and defining a first and second annular cooling surfaces (24) and a peripheral edge (25) in which is formed an annular groove (32). A motor (16) drives rotation of the cooling member. A refrigerant supply (18) supplies refrigerant to cool the cooling member. Liquid material to be frozen is introduced to the cooling surfaces of the cooling member by spray tubes (28). Ice removal blades (30) are disposed adjacent the cooling surfaces of the cooling member to remove flakes of frozen material. A guide member (34) engages the groove in the peripheral edge of the cooling member to limit wobble of the cooling member relative to the ice removal tools during rotation.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1994Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: North Star Ice Equipment CorporationInventors: Robert R. Niblock, Don S. Bartholmey
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Patent number: 5363659Abstract: Apparatus for continous production of flake ice comprises one or more refrigerated discs mounted on a hollow shaft. Each disc rotates in the vertical plane and includes a plurality of narrow internal channels which extend substantially over all of the operative portion of the disc and are of substantially equal length. The discs form the evaporator of a refrigeration circuit, and an evaporative refrigerant is circulated to the channels in each disc via the hollow shaft. During each cycle, water is applied to both external flat surfaces of each disc at a first angular location and the film of water which adheres thereto freezes as the disc rotates. The ice sheet so formed is removed from both sides of the disc at a second angular location by scraper blades.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: Heat and Control, Inc.Inventors: Douglas J. Lyon, Stefan S. Jensen, Jeffrey B. Cage, Robert R. Niblock
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Patent number: 5307646Abstract: A flake ice machine (10) including a rotatable cooling member (12) defining cooling surfaces (20) and a plurality of internal refrigerant flow passages (76). The machine includes a spray tube (18) for introducing liquid material onto a portion of the cooling surfaces of the cooling member. A refrigerant supply system (30) supplies an excess of evaporative liquid refrigerant to the inlets (78) of the refrigerant flow passages, so that a portion of the liquid refrigerant evaporates within each passage to freeze the liquid material introduced onto the cooling surface, and a remaining portion of the refrigerant flows from the outlet (80) of each passage in the liquid state. Resilient removal blades (38) mounted adjacent each cooling surface remove frozen material from the cooling surface to form solid flakes of material.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1991Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: North Star Ice Equipment CorporationInventor: Robert R. Niblock
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Patent number: 5157939Abstract: Apparatus for continuous production of flake ice comprises one or more refrigerated discs mounted on a hollow shaft. Each disc rotates in the vertical plane and includes a plurality of narrow internal channels which extend substantially over all of the operative portion of the disc and are of substantially equal length. The discs form the evaporator of a refrigeration circuit, and an evaporative refrigerant is circulated to the channels in each disc via the hollow shaft. During each cycle, water is applied to both external flat surfaces of each disc at a first angular location and the film of water which adheres thereto freezes as the disc rotates. The ice sheet so formed is removed from both sides of the disc at a second angular location by scraper blades.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1990Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignee: Heat and Control Pty. Ltd.Inventors: Douglas J. Lyon, Stefan S. Jensen, Jeffrey B. Cage, Robert R. Niblock