Paul Douglas Wolfe

US Patent:

49076809, Mar 13, 1990

Filed:

Jan 29, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/150112

Inventors:

Paul T. Wolfe - Apex NC
Charles M. Nobles - Fuquay-Varina NC
Lane R. Miller - Cary NC

Assignee:

Lord Corporation - Erie PA

International Classification:

F16F 946

US Classification:

188299

Abstract:

An improved isolation system for time responsive attenuation control led electromechanical valve assembly comprising the piston of motion between spaced members is provided having a remotely actuator of a fluid damper for generating motion attenuating forces. The piston valve assembly employs a moving coil valve slider moveable between first and second positions to generate damper forces independently of the fluid pressure differential between opposing fluid chambers. Direct flow passages extend through the piston valve assembly between the opposing chambers. In the first position of the valve slider, fluid flow is substantially permitted through the direct flow passages to provide a substantially nonresistant damper force. In the second position, the valve slider intersects internal porting portions of the direct flow passages to substantially restrict fluid flow therethrough and provide a resistant damper force. The valving element of the slider and the internal porting portions of the direct flow passages are relatively configured so that fluid flow through the direct flow passages meets the valve element at right angles to the direction of the slider motion.

US Patent:

46805230, Jul 14, 1987

Filed:

Mar 13, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/839346

Inventors:

Peter G. Goumas - Cary NC
Paul T. Wolfe - Apex NC

Assignee:

Lord Corporation - Erie PA

International Classification:

G05B 1940

US Classification:

318685

Abstract:

An accurate high speed gripper assembly for use in handling articles in an automated manufacturing process. The gripper assembly includes a pair of movable fingers which depend from movable carriages mounted in a housing rotatably mounted on the end of a robot arm. A pair of stepper motors are mounted in the housing and are connected to rotary actuators which displace the fingers in discrete incremental steps toward or away from one another when rotated. Compliant elements provided on each finger cooperate with force/torque sensors for determining the proximity of the fingers to an article to be gripped and the gripping force applied by the fingers. The sensors generate signals which are processed in a controller that regulates operation of the stepper motors so as to achieve desired finger movements and gripper forces.

US Patent:

49530895, Aug 28, 1990

Filed:

May 9, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/192067

Inventors:

Paul T. Wolfe - Apex NC

Assignee:

Lord Corporation - Erie PA

International Classification:

G06F 1520

US Classification:

36442405

Abstract:

An improved method and apparatus is provided for estimation of absolute velocity in active or semi-active suspension systems. A controller produces a signal estimate of absolute velocity which can be implemented by a control algorithm to attenuate motion between spaced members, such as in vehicular suspension systems. The controller performs time integration of an accelerometer input signal by an analog integrator means comprising a first-order low-pass filter. A digital feedback or offset means is utilized to stabilize the signal and constrain the constant and relatively low frequency components of the analog integrated signal about an oscillatory voltage range. A digital filter means receives the stable signal and removes selected constant and low frequency components of the signal to produce a signal indicative of absolute velocities for a frequency range of interest further stabilized about a select mid-range voltage value.

US Patent:

48363421, Jun 6, 1989

Filed:

Aug 7, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/083701

Inventors:

Paul T. Wolfe - Apex NC

Assignee:

Lord Corporation - Erie PA

International Classification:

F16F 934

US Classification:

188319

Abstract:

The piston of the damper, which is of the piston-and-cylinder type, has therein at least one fluid passageway, a pair of fluid inlet/outlet ports opening from one end of the piston and communicating with the passageway at spaced locations along its length, an outlet/inlet port opening from the opposite end of the piston and communicating with the passageway at a location along its length intermediate the locations of the inlet/outlet ports, and a valve element mounted within the passageway for movement transversely thereof between an open-valve position, where the valve element permits relatively free flow of fluid through the passageway, and a closed-valve position wherein the valve element obstructs the fluid flow. The valve element has at least one pressure-equalizing opening extending therethrough and is substantially pressure balanced in a plurality of orthogonal directions. The valve element is driven by an actuator which may be and preferably is a linear actuator of a springless single acting type.