Michael A Gearhart

US Patent:

20130061730, Mar 14, 2013

Filed:

Sep 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/607461

Inventors:

Jeffrey Michael Swiatowy - Crystal Lake IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Prospect Heights IL, US

Assignee:

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B26D 7/02

US Classification:

83452

Abstract:

A wire saw for cutting pipe is provided including a saddle forming a saddle surface for abutting against a cylindrical pipe, an elongate guide fixed to the saddle, a bow having a first and second end, a bridge portion joining the first and second ends, and an open end having a length L from the first end to the second end which is greater than a diameter D of the pipe, a wire loop movable along a track formed within the bow, and a cooling system for actively cooling the wire loop. The elongate guide has an axis approximately perpendicular to an axis of the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle. An exposed portion of the e loop extends across the open end. The how is moveable on the elongate guide toward and away from the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle.

US Patent:

20220243838, Aug 4, 2022

Filed:

Sep 21, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/480552

Inventors:

- GLENVIEW IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Schaumburg IL, US
Karl G. Kopija - Joliet IL, US
Ramunas Jonaitis - Naperville IL, US
Kenneth R. Pierce - Arlington Heights IL, US

Assignee:

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. - GLENVIEW IL

International Classification:

F16K 31/04
B25B 21/00
B25B 23/147

Abstract:

A valve operating device includes a defining a transverse axis extending from a first end to a second end. A motor is positioned within the housing. The motor includes a motor output shaft configured to drive at least one gear disposed within the housing. The at least one gear is configured to rotate a key extending substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis to engage a valve. A motor controller unit drives the motor in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction at a variable motor speed to deliver up to a torque limit. A user interface comprises a first motor activation throttle configured to drive the motor in the clockwise direction at a user-controlled speed when activated. A second motor activation throttle drives the motor at a user-controlled speed in the counter-clockwise direction when activated.

US Patent:

20210254745, Aug 19, 2021

Filed:

Feb 11, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/174008

Inventors:

- Glenview IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Schaumburg IL, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/04
F16H 37/04
B25B 21/00

Abstract:

A valve operating machine includes a base, a housing thereon and a motor within the housing, an output socket rotatably coupled to the housing and extending through the base, a ring lock rotatably coupled to the output socket, a locking assembly which locks the ring lock to the output socket and can be released to allow removal of the ring lock from the output socket, a plate rotatably coupled to the ring lock, and a mating assembly configured to couple the plate to the base in at least two positions, while preventing rotation of the plate relative to the base. A key that is used to exercise a valve can be connected to the output socket.

US Patent:

20210254746, Aug 19, 2021

Filed:

Feb 12, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/175022

Inventors:

- Glenview IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Schaumburg IL, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/04
B25B 21/00
B25B 23/147
H02K 7/116
H02P 23/24
G06F 3/0484

Abstract:

A valve operating device includes a base having a housing thereon. A motor, a motor controller unit, and a human machine interface controller are disposed in the housing. A display device mounted on top of the housing is controlled by the human interface controller to display control screens and receive user input. The operator controls operation of the device at a home control screen, which displays information regarding the exercise of the valve as it is acquired. Data configuration and storage functions are controlled via a valve data record screen and identifier screens accessible from the home control screen.

US Patent:

20210254747, Aug 19, 2021

Filed:

Feb 2, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/165019

Inventors:

- Glenview IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Schaumburg IL, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/05

Abstract:

A valve operating machine includes a base having a housing thereon. A motor, and a planetary gearbox are mounted within cavities in the housing. A motor gear, a planetary input gear and an idler gear are mounted within a separate cavity. The motor gear is mounted for rotation with a motor shaft of the motor and the planetary input gear is mounted for rotation with a planetary gear spindle of the planetary input gear. The idler gear is engaged with the motor and planetary input gears. An output socket is connected to the planetary gearbox for connection to a key that is used to exercise a valve.

US Patent:

20200180052, Jun 11, 2020

Filed:

Feb 17, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/792618

Inventors:

- Glenview IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Schaumburg IL, US
Jeffrey M. Swiatowy - Crystal Lake IL, US
Mark W. Wozniak - Schaumburg IL, US

International Classification:

B23D 57/00

Abstract:

A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame base plate movably attached thereto. The frame base plate has a pivotable arm assembly and an arm wheel thereon which accept a cutting member. A visual tension indicator is operably connected to the frame base plate and the arm assembly and configured to indicate an amount of tension applied to the cutting member.

US Patent:

20190143425, May 16, 2019

Filed:

Oct 17, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/162712

Inventors:

- Glenview IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Prospect Heights IL, US
Alexander S. Giberman - Northbrook IL, US

International Classification:

B23D 45/12
B24B 27/06
B23Q 9/00
B23C 3/12

Abstract:

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a low profile travelling pipe cutter is provided which is adapted to perform at least one of cutting and beveling a hollow vessel while traveling around the vessel using a cutting tool mounted thereon. The pipe cutter includes inner and outer carriages, a capstan assembly attached to the outer carriage to which a feed cable is attached, and rollers attached to the outer carriage to which a tension cable is attached. The force adjustment assembly changes the vertical position of the outer carriage relative to the inner carriage to compensate for the pipe cutter going inwardly and outwardly as it travels around a hollow vessel in order to maintain constant pressure caused by the lever tension interface. A guard assembly is provided for covering and uncovering the cutting tool during cutting.

US Patent:

20180354045, Dec 13, 2018

Filed:

Jun 8, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/003431

Inventors:

- Glenview IL, US
Michael W. Gearhart - Schaumburg IL, US
Jeffrey M. Swiatowy - Crystal Lake IL, US
Mark W. Wozniak - Schaumburg IL, US

International Classification:

B23D 57/00

Abstract:

A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame assembly movably attached thereto. The frame assembly has arm assemblies thereon which accept a cutting member. At least one arm assembly can be pivoted relative to the other arm assembly and relative to the feed tower assembly. One arm assembly can further be moved relative to the other arm assembly and relative to the feed tower assembly in a vertical direction.