Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Packer

Stephen M. Packer 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).

  • SERVO-CONTROLLED MACHINE LINE
    Publication number: 20250122029
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the rotation of turrets with servo motors within a machine line used in the shaping of articles. Error conditions can be detected using the servo motors for resolving issues with the machine line. Control of the turrets by the servo motors allows for each turret to be rotated relative to the other turrets independently for resolving the issues. Absolute encoders are used to return the servo motors and their respective turrets back to being aligned with a virtual axis for synchronous rotation of the turrets within the machine line, despite the turrets not being mechanically coupled together by a series of gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Larry D. McKinney, Dennis E. Green, Jeffrey L. Shortridge, Ric Keesee, Stephen M. Packer
  • Servo-controlled machine line
    Patent number: 12202685
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the rotation of turrets with servo motors within a machine line used in the shaping of articles. Error conditions can be detected using the servo motors for resolving issues with the machine line. Control of the turrets by the servo motors allows for each turret to be rotated relative to the other turrets independently for resolving the issues. Absolute encoders are used to return the servo motors and their respective turrets back to being aligned with a virtual axis for synchronous rotation of the turrets within the machine line, despite the turrets not being mechanically coupled together by a series of gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Belvac Production Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. McKinney, Dennis E. Green, Jeffrey L. Shortridge, Ric Keesee, Stephen M. Packer
  • SERVO-CONTROLLED MACHINE LINE
    Publication number: 20230024710
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the rotation of turrets with servo motors within a machine line used in the shaping of articles. Error conditions can be detected using the servo motors for resolving issues with the machine line. Control of the turrets by the servo motors allows for each turret to be rotated relative to the other turrets independently for resolving the issues. Absolute encoders are used to return the servo motors and their respective turrets back to being aligned with a virtual axis for synchronous rotation of the turrets within the machine line, despite the turrets not being mechanically coupled together by a series of gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Larry D. McKinney, Dennis E. Green, Jeffrey L. Shortridge, Ric Keesee, Stephen M. Packer