Paul D Mortell

US Patent:

6517411, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Mar 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/804169

Inventors:

Paul D Mortell - Eden Prairie MN
Chi Hoang - Tustin CA
David M. McElrone - San Jose CA
Gary P. Erpenbeck - Laguna Hills CA
Charles Shafee Slemon - Encinitas CA

Assignee:

Tycom Corp. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B24B 4900

US Classification:

451 5, 451 48, 451 67, 451339

Abstract:

A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

US Patent:

7070483, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Apr 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/135607

Inventors:

Paul D Mortell - Eden Prairie MN, US
Chi Hoang - Tustin CA, US
David M. McElrone - San Jose CA, US
Gary P. Erpenbeck - Laguna Hills CA, US
Charles Shafee Slemon - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

Kycera Tycom Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B24B 1/00
B24B 51/00
B24B 49/00

US Classification:

451 48, 451 6, 451339

Abstract:

A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

US Patent:

7338344, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Oct 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/243009

Inventors:

Paul D Mortell - Eden Prairie MN, US
Chi Hoang - Tustin CA, US
David M. McElrone - San Jose CA, US
Gary P Erpenbeck - Laguna Hills CA, US
Charles Shafee Slemon - Encinitas CA, US

International Classification:

B24B 49/02
B24B 49/12

US Classification:

451 5, 451 6, 451 8, 451 48, 451 67, 451339

Abstract:

A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

US Patent:

7479056, Jan 20, 2009

Filed:

Feb 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/704097

Inventors:

Paul D Mortell - Eden Prairie MN, US
Chi Hoang - Tustin CA, US
David M. McElrone - San Jose CA, US
Gary P Erpenbeck - Laguna Hills CA, US
Charles Shafee Slemon - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

Kycera Tycom Corporation - Costa Mesa CA

International Classification:

B24B 49/02
B24B 49/12

US Classification:

451 5, 451 6, 451 8, 451 48

Abstract:

An automated drill bit sharpening and verification system employing one or more electronic optical assemblies for gathering orientation data of a drill bit to be sharpened. The drill bit is rotated and aligned to a grinding assembly based on the orientation data. The orientation data of the drill bit may be gathered by illuminating a cutting tip of the drill bit with an illumination ring. Additionally, the orientation data of the drill bit may be gathered by capturing two views (e. g. , orthogonal views or front and side views) of the cutting tip of the drill bit.

US Patent:

20060128272, Jun 15, 2006

Filed:

Feb 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/349448

Inventors:

Paul Mortell - Eden Prairie MN, US
Chi Hoang - Tustin CA, US
David McElrone - San Jose CA, US
Gary Erpenbeck - Laguna Hills CA, US
Walter Frandsen - San Diego CA, US
Charles Slemon - Encinitas CA, US

International Classification:

B24B 49/00
B24B 51/00
B24B 1/00

US Classification:

451006000, 451008000, 451048000

Abstract:

A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

US Patent:

60302763, Feb 29, 2000

Filed:

May 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/082590

Inventors:

Paul D. Mortell - Eden Prairie MN
Chi Hoang - Tustin CA
David M. McElrone - San Jose CA
Gary P. Erpenbeck - Laguna Hills CA
Walter James Frandsen - San Diego CA
Charles Shafee Slemon - Encinitas CA

Assignee:

Tycom Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B24B 4902
B24B 4912

US Classification:

451 5

Abstract:

A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring repositioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

US Patent:

62838245, Sep 4, 2001

Filed:

Oct 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/421824

Inventors:

Paul D Mortell - Eden Prairie MN
Chi Hoang - Tustin CA
David M. McElrone - San Jose CA
Gary P. Erpenbeck - Laguna Hills CA
Walter James Frandsen - San Diego CA
Charles Shafee Slemon - Encinitas CA

Assignee:

Tycom Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B24B 4902
B24B 4912

US Classification:

451 5

Abstract:

A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

US Patent:

56553544, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

Mar 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/411419

Inventors:

James C. Baker - Woodbury MN
Robert C. Henningsgard - Maple Grove MN
Benjamin Mihai - Corona CA
Paul D. Mortell - Eden Prairie MN
Tim L. Taylor - Newport Beach CA

Assignee:

Tycom Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B65B 5902

US Classification:

53474

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for automated loading of a drilling machine package having a plurality of drill bit receiving openings arranged in a known configuration with verified precision drill bits from a drill bit container is disclosed. The apparatus includes an automated transfer machine which is connected to a control device, a package frame, a container receiving member, and a diameter sensing device. While not necessarily connected to the automated transfer machine, the package frame and the container receiving member are located at positions which are accessible by the automated transfer machine. Further, the diameter sensing device is operably associated with the automated transfer machine. The method of operation includes the control device recalling data specific to a particular job. A drill bit container is placed on the container receiving member.