Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Dennis

Thomas M. Dennis 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: 11400533
    Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Syntex Super Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahlon D. Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis, Richard W. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20200346292
    Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Mahlon D. Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis, Richard W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10384284
    Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Syntex Super Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahlon D. Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis, Richard W. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20160016244
    Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Mahlon D. Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis, Richard W. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130182982
    Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventors: Mahlon D. Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis, Richard W. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20030220157
    Abstract: A head for a golf club used for hitting balls long distances, or for putting, has a hitting or contact surface formed by an insert placed within a pocket formed within the club head face. The insert has at least a surface layer made of polycrystalline diamond or cubic boron nitride. The insert may be polished very smooth to place less backspin on the ball and reduce surface flaws. The edges of the insert may also be rounded or chamfered to reduce chipping or cracking of the insert. Furthermore, the pocket into which the insert is set may be reinforced to reduce deformation of the pocket during ball contact that places stress on the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventors: Mahlon D. Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis, Mark C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6488103
    Abstract: A drilling tool having a pilot bit on an end of a main shaft is surrounded by outer shafts having mills on their ends. The bit and mills employ cutters with PDC. The pilot bit rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the mills. A transmission for rotating a main shaft, on which the pilot bit is mounted, and several secondary shafts, on which the mills are respectively mounted, is carried within a housing using diamond thrust and radial bearings. Power is applied to the main shaft and transmitted to the secondary shafts through diamond hardened gears. Drilling fluid is used to cool and lubricate the bearings and gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Mahlon D. Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis, Eric M. Twardowski
  • Patent number: 5722497
    Abstract: A gage surface cutting element (22, 30, 50, 70, 100, 120) for a cutter (20) in a roller cone drill bit (10) has a generally cylindrical body (32, 52, 72, 102, 122) formed of a hard and wear-resistant material. The cutting end (34, 54, 74, 104, 124) of the cutting element (22, 30, 50, 70, 100, 120) has a generally conical cutting surface (38, 58, 78, 108, 128) substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body (32, 52, 72, 102, 122). A plurality of generally parallel shallow and elongated grooves (40-42, 60-63, 80-82, 110-112, 130-132) are formed in the conical cutting surface (38, 58, 78, 108, 128), and a plurality of elongated strips of an ultra hard material (44-46, 64-67, 84-86, 114-116, 134-136) is disposed in the grooves. The result is a conical cutting surface (38, 58, 78, 108, 128) that has alternating hard and ultra hard cutting surfaces that can be oriented at 0.degree., 90.degree., or any angle in between with respect to the rotational direction of the cutter cone (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Gum, William D. Vanderford, Thomas M. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5566779
    Abstract: A drag bit is formed of an elongate tooth made of tungsten carbide and having an elongate right cylinder construction. The end face is circular at the end of a conic taper. The tapered surface is truncated with two 180.degree. spaced flat faces at 15.degree. to about 45.degree. with respect to the axis of the body. The end is capped by a PDC layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5498081
    Abstract: A mud motor bearing assembly is defined by and constructed with a support or base ring having an exposed upper or planar face. On the planar face, a number of PCD disc are attached to define a bearing surface at a common plane. The improved bearing assembly further includes a separate ring or an integral lip serving as a deflector ring brazed to the face of the support ring. The brazed deflector ring alters the fluid flow patterns of drilling fluid in the bearing assembly to reduce support ring erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventors: Mahlon Dennis, Thomas M. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5477034
    Abstract: The present system is directed to both a method and apparatus for manufacture of teeth for use in drill bits. The desired tooth is formed by a hard carbide, a protective disc placed on the end of the support, the joinder being accomplished by a braze metal layer. The process contemplates positioning the disc in a matching receptacle within the head of a molding apparatus wherein the head and cavity of the head are exposed to the terminus of several coolant flow lines through the head so that the disc is brought into contact with flowing coolant. The fluid coolant is delivered by a compressor at elevated pressure and is a flow of cooled gas after dehydration. Rapid flow of heat into cooled support at the base prevent deterioration of the diamond layer while allowing use of higher temperature braze metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5458211
    Abstract: A spade in a bit body is disclosed to have a planar body shaped with two intersecting cutting faces. The cutting faces extend to side faces defining spade width for cutting a hole to gauge. Inserts positioned in the body are at the comer of the spade. The inserts are formed of very hard material, and provide longer life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventors: Thomas M. Dennis, Mark Hunt
  • Patent number: 5456329
    Abstract: An improved bifurcated drill bit is set forth. It has a shank for connection with a chuck, a cylindrical head having an outer face, and duplicate cutter faces. Each cutter is formed of PDC inserts which are cylindrical (or segments thereof). The PDC inserts are formed from a circular disk or ring which has an alignment hole in the center. When mounted, the insert presents a PDC face which bears against the drill hole. The drill hole is formed by cutting action of the inserts. Impact and shock loading occurs at the PDC surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Dennis, Mark Hunt
  • Patent number: 5452843
    Abstract: The present system is directed to both a method and apparatus for manufacture of teeth for use in drill bits. The desired tooth is formed by a hard carbide, a protective disc placed on the end of the support, the joinder being accomplished by a braze metal layer. The process contemplates positioning the disc in a matching receptacle within the head of a molding apparatus wherein the head and cavity of the head are exposed to the terminus of several coolant flow lines through the head so that the disc is brought into contact with flowing coolant. The fluid coolant is delivered by a compressor at elevated pressure and is a flow of cooled gas after dehydration. Rapid flow of heat into cooled support at the base prevent deterioration of the diamond layer while allowing use of higher temperature braze metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5379854
    Abstract: A cutting element which has a metal carbide stud having a plurality of ridges formed in a reduced or full diameter hemispherical outer end portion of said metal carbide stud. The ridges extend outwardly beyond the outer end portion of the metal carbide stud. A layer of polycrystalline material, resistant to corrosive and abrasive materials, is disposed over the ridges and the outer end portion of the metal carbide stud to form a hemispherical cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5342129
    Abstract: A method of forming a bearing assembly is set forth. A PCD disk typically of circular construction is joined to a cylindrical plug formed of support metal. The plug is registered with respect to an internal shoulder in a passage formed in a ring for the bearing assembly. Multiple PCD disks are installed in the same fashion. In assembly, the disk is attached to the cylinder, the cylinder is wrapped in brazed material, then the cylinder with the brazed material wrapping is registered on an internal shoulder in a drilled passage in the bearing assembly. A brazing temperature which is too low to damage the material is applied to complete joinder. Then, multiple disk faces supported by individual disk in a circle around the bearing assembly can be lapped to assure that they are brought to a common height with respect to a reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Dennis, Mahlon D. Dennis
  • Patent number: 4419756
    Abstract: A full duplex, synchronous data set (10) includes primary signal processing circuitry which generates a modulated transmit data signal in response to serial data from a terminal interface (17). The modulated data signal is transmitted over a primary channel of a transmit line (11). The primary signal processing circuitry also receives modulated data signals from a primary channel of a receive line (12) and recovers therefrom a serial bit stream for presentation to the interface. The operating parameters of the primary signal processing circuitry are specified by a primary controller (30) over a plurality of buses (PA, PC, PD). The primary controller includes a microprocessor (310) and associated peripherals (315, 320, 325, 330, 335). The data set also includes secondary signal processing circuitry (40) which transmits and receives diagnostic and control information over respective secondary channels of the transmit line and receive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: Enrique Cheng-Quispe, Thomas M. Dennis, Emanuel J. Fulcomer, Jr., George Malek, Shih Y. Tong
  • Patent number: 4398299
    Abstract: A voiceband data set network includes a control data set (10), a plurality of tributary data sets (4a, 4b . . . 4n) and a diagnostic control device (5). User-provided data is communicated between the control data set and the tributary data sets via a primary channel within a four-wire private telephone line (11, 12). Diagnostic and control information is communicated between the control data set and the tributaries via a secondary channel within the private line. Diagnostic and control information is communicated between the diagnostic control device and the control data set, with which it is co-located, via a control channel. Each data set includes a data set diagnostic unit (50), or DDU, via which it transmits and receives the diagnostic and control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald W. Darling, Thomas M. Dennis, Stevan J. Thayer, Bonnie A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: RE33368
    Abstract: A voiceband data set network includes a control data set (10), a plurality of tributary data sets (4a, 4b . . . 4n) and a diagnostic control device (5). User-provided data is communicated between the control data set and the tributary data sets via a primary channel within a four-wire private telephone line (11, 12). Diagnostic and control information is communicated between the control data set and the tributaries via a secondary channel within the private line. Diagnostic and control information is communicated between the diagnostic control device and the control data set, with which it is co-located, via a control channel. Each data set includes a data set diagnostic unit (50), or DDU, via which it transmits and receives the diagnostic and control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Donald W. Darling, Thomas M. Dennis, Stevan J. Thayer, Bonnie A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: RE33380
    Abstract: A full duplex, synchronous data set (10) includes primary signal processing circuitry which generates a modulated transmit data signal in response to serial data from a terminal interface (17). The modulated data signal is transmitted over a primary channel of a transmit line (11). The primary signal processing circuitry also receives modulated data signals from a primary channel of a receive line (12) and recovers therefrom a serial bit stream for presentation to the interface. The operating parameters of the primary signal processing circuitry are specified by a primary controller (30) over a plurality of buses (PA, PC, PD). The primary controller includes a microprocessor (310) and associated peripherals (315, 320, 325, 330, 335). The data set also includes secondary signal processing circuitry (40) which transmits and receives diagnostic and control information over respective secondary channels of the transmit line and receive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Enrique Cheng-Quispe, Thomas M. Dennis, Emanuel J. Fulcomer, Jr., George Malek, Shih Y. Tong