Thomas H Hudson

US Patent:

6491156, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Sep 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/660159

Inventors:

Thomas Clinton Hudson - Bessemer AL

Assignee:

Hudco Industial Products, Inc. - Bessemer AL

International Classification:

B65G 1560

US Classification:

198811, 198837, 198838

Abstract:

A fluid plenum trough conveyor support that provides a near frictionless fluid film bearing to support a conveyor belt. The apparatus of the present invention may be used as a discrete conveyor belt support element. The discrete elements formed by the method of the present invention may also be sealingly joined to form a continuous trough conveyor path for a conveyor system. An improved particulate collection system is provided at termination points of the conveyor system for eliminating particulate emissions as the bulk materials transported by the conveyor are unloaded or transferred to receiving points.

US Patent:

61679267, Jan 2, 2001

Filed:

Sep 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/392044

Inventors:

Thomas H. Hudson - Hueytown AL

International Classification:

A01G 23095

US Classification:

144 2413

Abstract:

An improved self-aligning tree delimbing apparatus for use in conjunction with a knuckle boom loader having an inner frame member pivotally mounted and concentrically received within an outer frame member, which is rigidly attached to a base member. Pivotally mounted within the inner frame member is a tree delimbing cutter head assembly having opposing pairs of tree guide arms and tree delimbing arms pivotally mounted thereon, thereby allowing for simultaneous multi-dimensional pivotal motion of the cutter head assembly within the frame members. Such motion allows the cutter head assembly to easily align with the longitudinal axis of the trees being delimbed, thereby increasing the efficiency of the apparatus while reducing the binding stresses and necessary force applied by the knuckle boom loader.

US Patent:

53221036, Jun 21, 1994

Filed:

Nov 23, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/980258

Inventors:

Thomas H. Hudson - Hueytown AL

Assignee:

Hudson Sales Corporation - Hueytown AL

International Classification:

F16N 714
A01G 2308
B27B 1712

US Classification:

144 2Z

Abstract:

A continuous chain saw lubricating system employed in a tree delimbing and topping machine having a plurality of lubricant conduits connected to a piston cylinder which is divided into co-functioning and alternating receiving and discharge chambers by a piston. The designation of the chambers is dependent upon the direction of axial movement of the piston. The discharge chamber is defined by a pressure increase and the receiving chamber is defined by a pressure decrease. The pressure variations are such as to allow lubricant to be either drawn into the receiving chamber or discharged from the discharge chamber through a series of check valves connected to the piston cylinder. The piston is reciprocated by the tree delimbing and topping machine causing lubricant to be continuously supplied to the reciprocating chain saw during its cutting and retraction strokes.

US Patent:

56997124, Dec 23, 1997

Filed:

Aug 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/697535

Inventors:

Thomas H. Hudson - Hueytown AL

Assignee:

Timberjack Corporation - Hueytown AL

International Classification:

A01G 2308

US Classification:

83928

Abstract:

A side saw assembly for a tree processing apparatus. The side saw assembly is rotatably and pivotally attached to a mounting platform on a trailer such that the side saw assembly is selectively movable between a transport position, resting on top of the trailer, and ground positions, resting on the ground adjacent either side of the trailer. A connecting arm is pivotally attached at one end to a swivel mount, which is affixed to a side saw assembly. At its other end, the connecting arm is pivotally attached to a swivel mount affixed to the mounting platform. A lift handle is attached to the side saw assembly such that it may be grasped by the grapple of a knuckle boom loader to move the side saw assembly from the transport position to the ground position on one side of the trailer or the other.

US Patent:

55335551, Jul 9, 1996

Filed:

Mar 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/403298

Inventors:

Thomas H. Hudson - Hueytown AL

International Classification:

B27L 100
A01G 2300

US Classification:

144 2413

Abstract:

A hydraulic control circuit for uniform controlled movement of stripping and guiding arms in a tree delimbing apparatus. The piston rods of said cylinders are mechanically coupled to rotate tubular sleeve members with affixed stripping and guide arms between outward and inward positions. The stripping levers and guide arms open and close about a felled tree in a uniform manner for delimbing operations. A valve is provided for actuation to permit the guiding arms to be held in an open position, while the stripping arms are closed about a tree to accommodate a bent trunk.

US Patent:

52939146, Mar 15, 1994

Filed:

Apr 19, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/047912

Inventors:

Thomas H. Hudson - Hueytown AL

International Classification:

A01G 2300
B27L 100
B27B 100

US Classification:

144 2Z

Abstract:

A hydraulic control circuit for uniform controlled movement of stripping and guiding arms in a tree delimbing apparatus. A pair of flow divider combiner valves allow equal amounts of pressurized fluid to communicate with and actuate said cylinders. The piston rods of said cylinders are mechanically coupled to rotate tubular sleeve members with affixed stripping and guide arms between outward and inward positions. The flow divider combiner valves provide equal rates of said fluid to flow to said cylinders to insure said piston rods and mechanically affixed stripping arms and guide arms are moved at equal rates of speed. Thus the stripping levers and guide arms open and close about a felled tree in a uniform manner for delimbing operations.

US Patent:

57052506, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Jun 8, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/482911

Inventors:

Thomas C. Hudson - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

B32B 306

US Classification:

428 99

Abstract:

A wear and shock resistant ceramic-cored composite panel (11) for use in equipment exposed to heavy abrasive materials comprising a plurality of commensurately shaped generally planar layers. The layers are comprised of and sequentially arranged in the following order: a ceramic layer (12); a first fiberglass reinforced plastic composite layer (13); a resilient core layer for absorbing impact energy imparted indirectly thereto by the heavy abrasive materials (14); and a second fiberglass reinforced plastic composite layer (16), wherein the layers are consecutively bonded together in the order set out above by an adhesive, then secured to various sites of wear inside equipment by known types of attachment or utilized as structural members themselves.

US Patent:

20150151925, Jun 4, 2015

Filed:

Nov 25, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/553952

Inventors:

Thomas C. Hudson - Bessemer AL, US

Assignee:

Hudco Industrial Products, Inc. - Bessemer AL

International Classification:

B65G 45/22
B65G 15/60

Abstract:

An air supported conveyor belt return reduces debris accumulation beneath the belt by shaping the belt to be higher in the center and supports it on a concave plenum wall that delivers air to the center so that debris migrates from under the belt due to the force of the air and gravity.