Richard E Christensen

US Patent:

20060200964, Sep 14, 2006

Filed:

Mar 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/077263

Inventors:

Edward Cameron - Minneapolis MN, US
Richard Christensen - Osceola WI, US

Assignee:

ARCA, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

H01B 15/00
B07B 13/00
B01D 19/00

US Classification:

029403300, 241068000, 096155000

Abstract:

A method of recycling substantially all materials in a major household appliance comprises the steps of placing the appliance on a slip-sheet. Then, the slip-sheet and the appliance are transported along a conveyor system through a plurality of spaced stations. Then various materials are removed from the appliance and stored for recycling or disposal. At least one station has a band saw to saw the appliance into a plurality of pieces. At one station polyurethane foam is removed from the appliance. The removed polyurethane foam is then placed into a bag. The bag containing the polyurethane foam is then sealed, and the sealed bag is then vacuum packed.

US Patent:

20120265352, Oct 18, 2012

Filed:

Apr 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/085044

Inventors:

Edward R. Cameron - Edina MN, US
Richard Gordan Christensen - Osceola WI, US
Magalage Neville Perera - Eden Prairie MN, US

Assignee:

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

G05D 7/06

US Classification:

700282

Abstract:

Systems and methods are described with respect to refrigerant recovery techniques. In one example, a system for recovering a refrigerant from an appliance includes a valve module, a separator, a degasser, and a system controller. The valve modules include a valve and a valve controller configured to control the valve and transmit data. The separator separates the refrigerant from an oil and is in fluid communication with the valve. The degasser further separates the refrigerant from the oil and is in fluid communication with the separator. The system controller is configured to receive data from the valve controller.

US Patent:

53559835, Oct 18, 1994

Filed:

Jul 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/088240

Inventors:

James V. Radomski - New Brighton MN
Richard G. Christensen - Brooklyn Park MN

Assignee:

Horton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F16D 2304
F16D 2510
F16D 43286

US Classification:

192 56F

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) is disclosed including a friction clutch (12) and an overload apparatus (14) connected in parallel between an input (16) and an output (18). Encoders (20, 22) are provided for separately detecting the rotational positions of the input (16) and the output (18). A microcomputer controller (580) controls actuation of the friction clutch (12) and the overload apparatus (14) in response to the rotational positions detected by the encoders (20, 22) allowing the clutch (12) to bring the output (18) to be generally aligned with a select rotational position of the input (16) at which time the overload apparatus (14) can be actuated to rotatably relate the input (16) and the output (18) at the select rotational position and actuation of the clutch (12) can be removed. The microcomputer controller (580) also removes actuation of the overload apparatus (14) when the encoders (20, 22) detect rotation of the input (16) relative to the output (18) from the select rotational position. In the most preferred form, the encoders (20, 22) include codewheels (500, 501) rotatable with the input (16) and the output (18), respectively, and relative to slotted optical switches (502-505), with the codewheels (500, 501) including 64 evenly spaced slots which rotate past the slotted optical switches (502-505).

US Patent:

47947110, Jan 3, 1989

Filed:

Nov 6, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/117301

Inventors:

Richard A. Christensen - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

G09D 302

US Classification:

40122

Abstract:

A perpetual engagement calendar and wallet includes a daily calendar panel having a numbered day pocket for each day in the longest month. Cards indicating all twelve months are provided and at the beginning of each month, a card indicating the name of that month is associated with the day pocket numbered one and all of the other days of that month. As the days pass, this month card is moved down daily to the current day, and the card bearing the name of the next month is positioned adjacent the day pocket numbered one. As engagements are made, memo cards are filled out indicating the day and month of the engagement together with any other information regarding the engagement, and each card is placed in the day pocket associated with that month and that day in such a position that the user can see at a glance the engagements committed to. Cards identifying the days of the month which fall on Sunday are positioned within the appropriately dated pockets so that the user can see at a glance which days of the week are work days and which are weekends.

US Patent:

52420361, Sep 7, 1993

Filed:

Aug 16, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/749046

Inventors:

David R. Hennessy - Minneapolis MN
James P. LeClaire - St. Paul MN
James V. Radomski - New Brighton MN
Richard G. Christensen - Brooklyn Park MN

Assignee:

Horton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F16D 552265
F16D 6512
F16D 65847

US Classification:

188 716

Abstract:

A torque and/or rotational control apparatus is disclosed in a preferred form of a brake (10) including a plurality of pairs of actuators (18) positioned on opposite sides of a friction disc (16) by spacers (120) having tear shaped cross sections. The pads (32) of the actuators (18) are removably held by a slideable locking pin (70) biased by a spring (80) into an aperture (68) of a backing plate (62) for the pad (32). A notch (64) formed in the pad (32) and the backing plate (62) is slideably received on a rail (66) axially extending from the housing (35) of the actuator (18) to prevent rotation about the locking pin (70). The friction disc (16) includes elongated and shortened fins (42, 43) upstanding between and equally circumferentially spaced intermediate first and second component discs (40, 41). The fins (42, 43) are free of circumferential interconnections to allow air to radially pass freely between the fins (42, 43). The elongated fins (42) extend generally tangentially from the inner edges of the component discs (40, 41).