Patents by Inventor Walter M. Gebhart

Walter M. Gebhart 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: 8640554
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing a roller which rotatably supports a rotating body. A tilt meter adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing, where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body. Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing can be adjusted to return the support bearing to substantially the first bearing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: FLSmidth Sioux City, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Publication number: 20130318807
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing a roller which rotatably supports a rotating body. A tilt meter adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing, where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body. Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing can be adjusted to return the support bearing to substantially the first bearing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Publication number: 20130247687
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing roller skew, which involve ascertaining first and second thrust load properties applied to a roller while a rotary body rotates in opposing rotational directions, and adjusting an orientation of at least one bearing assembly for the roller until an amplitude difference between the first and second thrust load properties is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Phillips Kiln Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Patent number: 8485052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing a roller which rotatably supports a rotating body. A tilt meter adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing, where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body. Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing can be adjusted to return the support bearing to substantially the first bearing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: FLSmidth Sioux City, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Patent number: 8407896
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing roller skew, which involve ascertaining first and second thrust load properties applied to a roller while a rotary body rotates in opposing rotational directions, and adjusting an orientation of at least one bearing assembly for the roller until an amplitude difference between the first and second thrust load properties is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips Kiln Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Publication number: 20110216991
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing roller skew, which involve ascertaining first and second thrust load properties applied to a roller while a rotary body rotates in opposing rotational directions, and adjusting an orientation of at least one bearing assembly for the roller until an amplitude difference between the first and second thrust load properties is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: PHILLIPS KILN SERVICES LTD.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Publication number: 20110197420
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing a roller which rotatably supports a rotating body. A tilt meter adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing, where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body. Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing can be adjusted to return the support bearing to substantially the first bearing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: PHILLIPS KILN SERVICES, LTD.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Patent number: 7997153
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing (52 or 56) for a roller (34 or 36) which rotatably supports a rotating body (22). A tilt meter (75 or 77) adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing (52 or 56), where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body (22). Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing (52 or 56) can be adjusted to return the support bearing (52 or 56) to substantially the first bearing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Phillips Kiln Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Patent number: 7963701
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing roller skew, which involve ascertaining first and second thrust load properties applied to a roller while a rotary body rotates in opposing rotational directions, and adjusting an orientation of at least one bearing assembly for the roller until an amplitude difference between the first and second thrust load properties is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Phillips Kiln Services, Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Publication number: 20100098363
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing roller skew, which involve ascertaining first and second thrust load properties applied to a roller while a rotary body rotates in opposing rotational directions, and adjusting an orientation of at least one bearing assembly for the roller until an amplitude difference between the first and second thrust load properties is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Phillips Kiln Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Patent number: 5491553
    Abstract: The locating of the local centre of rotation of a cylindrical body from outside the body, while the body is rotating upon supporting bearings is carried out using a number of distance-measuring diode lasers mounted upon a movable chassis. Such determination of local centres of rotation can be used in the case of hot kilns to re-align the supporting sets of bearings upon which the kiln is rotatably supported. The integrated triangulation monitoring chassis is located in sequence at respective axial stations located along the kiln, adjacent the supporting bearings, and at each station a simultaneous single set of readings from three diode lasers to the shell surface enables a computer to calculate the location of the centre of rotation relative to the chassis. The location of the chassis, relative to a selected datum, is determined by the use of an integrated total station theodolite, which is repositioned, as required, to enable it to access and locate the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Phillips Kiln Service Company of Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Patent number: 5148238
    Abstract: The location of the rotational center line of a long, cylindrical body having a number of support bearings spaced along its length, is determined during the rotation of the body. The apparatus used particularly lends itself to the re-alignment of hot kilns, during their operation, without requiring shut down and the consequent disruption and loss of product. The system utilizes a base line or datum on each side of the kiln for locating the measuring instrument. The distance measuring instrument is a radiant beam instrument such as a diode laser providing an electronic readout, to enable accurate determination of the distance of the outer surface of the kiln shell from the instrument, and hence the location of the rotational center relative to the established baseline datum, for the longitudinal station being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart
  • Patent number: 5146795
    Abstract: An alignment measuring system is used in determining the location of the rotational center line of a long, cylindrical body having a number of support bearings spaced along its length, during the rotation of the body. The method particularly lends itself to the re-alignment of hot kilns, during their operation, without requiring shut down and the consequent disruption and loss of product. The system utilizes a base line or datum on each side of the kiln for locating the measuring instrument. The distance measuring instrument is a radiant beam instrument such as a diode laser providing an electronic readout, to enable accurate determination of the distance of the outer surface of the kiln shell from the instrument, and hence the location of the rotational center relative to the established baseline datum, for the longitudinal station being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Walter M. Gebhart