Spencer L Gibbs

US Patent:

60139048, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Sep 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/148478

Inventors:

John M. Storm - Danville IN
Max E. Stewart - Plainfield IN
Spencer L. Gibbs - Danville IN

Assignee:

Contour Hardenting, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H05B 640

US Classification:

219639

Abstract:

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. One feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Another feature of the present invention is the use of an offset 180 degree coil which provides improved heating patterns in less time than traditional 90 degree coils.

US Patent:

61602477, Dec 12, 2000

Filed:

Jan 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/490963

Inventors:

John M. Storm - Danville IN
Max E. Stewart - Plainfield IN
Spencer L. Gibbs - Danville IN

Assignee:

Contour Hardening, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H05B 640

US Classification:

219639

Abstract:

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Each induction coil is configured with openings on an inside surface in order to deliver a quench fluid directly to the inductively heated portion of the crankshaft.

US Patent:

61112364, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

Sep 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/398245

Inventors:

John M. Storm - Danville IN
Max E. Stewart - Plainfield IN
Spencer L. Gibbs - Danville IN

Assignee:

Contour Hardening, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H05B 640

US Classification:

219639

Abstract:

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Each induction coil is configured with openings on an inside surface in order to deliver a quench fluid directly to the inductively heated portion of the crankshaft.

US Patent:

60181559, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Oct 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/959799

Inventors:

John M. Storm - Danville IN
Max E. Stewart - Plainfield IN
Spencer L. Gibbs - Danville IN

Assignee:

Contour Hardening, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H05B 640

US Classification:

219639

Abstract:

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Each induction coil is configured with openings on an inside surface in order to deliver a quench fluid directly to the inductively heated portion of the crankshaft.

US Patent:

52667650, Nov 30, 1993

Filed:

Sep 2, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/939846

Inventors:

John M. Storm - Danville IN
Spencer L. Gibbs - Danville IN

Assignee:

Contour Hardening, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H05B 608

US Classification:

219 1077

Abstract:

An induction-hardening machine for the contour hardening of machine components such as gears includes a system processor which controls thyristor power switching circuits which supply high-power signals to an RF generator. Power switching circuits include silicon controlled rectifiers or SCR's. In order to overcome the variable "on time" characteristics of SCR devices, a zero crossing detector is implemented and time periods are calculated so that the system processor activates the SCR circuits to supply power to the RF generator at predetermined times. The system processor 12 will deactivate the SCR circuits at or just prior to a zero crossing referenced from the predetermined activation time thereby effectively controlling the on time of the SCR circuits with an accuracy of up to five ten thousandths of a second. The signal produced by the RF generator is supplied to an induction heater coil which is used to case harden the gear teeth of a machine component or gear. In another embodiment, a phase angle detector circuit produces a pulse for each corresponding detection of a predetermined phase angle of an AC signal.

US Patent:

61538655, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Nov 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/431723

Inventors:

John M. Storm - Danville IN
Max E. Stewart - Plainfield IN
Spencer L. Gibbs - Danville IN

Assignee:

Contour Hardening, Inc. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

H05B 636

US Classification:

219672

Abstract:

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. One feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are prograrmned into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Another feature of the present invention is the use of an offset 180 degree coil which provides improved heating patterns in less time than traditional 90 degree coils.