Did You Know...
...that in the early 1940s GE engineer James Wright was charged with a task of utmost importance to the war effort: develop a cheap substitute for rubber that could be used to produce tires, gas masks and a whole host of military gear. Wright tackled the task diligently -- and wound up inventing Silly Putty.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7281462 | Tool guiding device A tool guiding device including a base frame and guiding rails arranged on the base frame so that they are parallel in relation to each other. At least one carriage having a machining tool is guided on the guiding rails in a linearly displaceable manner by a drive d... | 10/16/2007 |
| 7209802 | Method for controlling a robot A method for controlling a robot wherein a procedure is carried out with the robot while maintaining the robot immobile in axes that are not required to carry out the procedure. ... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7186947 | Process monitor for laser and plasma materials processing of materials A method for monitoring the processing of a workpiece includes directing an incident laser beam onto the workpiece and measuring a signal emitted from the workpiece. At least two signals are generated by a detector based upon the emitted signal. A workpiece processi... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7049541 | Cutting guide for plasma torch A guide that is used in conjunction with a plasma cutting torch includes a main circular ring having a small circular ring mounted on the outer periphery thereof. The small ring includes a bearing assembly and accommodates the plasma cutting torch. A guide bolt is m... | 05/23/2006 |
| 6947802 | Centralized control architecture for a laser materials processing system Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring the processing of a workpiece that includes directing an incident laser beam onto the workpiece and using an optical detector for measuring a signal emitted from the workpiece as a result of the incident laser beam. The... | 09/20/2005 |
| 6696012 | Ring gear mounted rack adjustable torch arm carriage assembly with out-of-round capability A torch carriage assembly for use in bevel cutting a pipe has a ring gear which rotates concentrically about the pipe longitudinal axis. A shaft extending perpendicularly from the ring gear carries a torch arm block assembly which positions the cutting to... | 02/24/2004 |
| 6649123 | Apparatus for the scanning of working levels An apparatus for scanning the working level of a cutting tool relative to the surface of a workpiece and provided with a scanning arm adapted to move relative to the surface of the work piece and movable in response to an irregularity in the surface for o... | 11/18/2003 |
| 6277323 | Cutting nozzle assembly for a postmixed oxy-fuel gas torch A novel cutting nozzle assembly for a postmixed oxygen-fuel gas torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a cylindrical shroud which surrounds and extends away from the gas discharge orifices in the gas discharge end of the cutting nozzle. The cyli... | 08/21/2001 |
| 6251336 | Installation for metal cutting provided with a cutting torch and a capacitative sensing probe Installation for working, in particular for cutting or welding, at least one metal piece. The installation includes a fixed support frame provided with a movable working torch and a sensing device. The sensing device includes a capacitative probe and driv... | 06/26/2001 |
| 6051803 | Pipe cutting apparatus Plasma arc cutter apparatus for cutting large diameter pipe from within the pipe, a frame with adjustable legs, a locking device to secure the apparatus within the pipe, apparatus to adjust the spacing between the plasma arc and the inside wall of the pip... | 04/18/2000 |
| 5989485 | Coordinate thermal-cutting machine with a means for automatically setting the initial height of a torch The invention relates to a coordinate thermal-cutting machine with a means for automatically setting the initial height of a torch, in particular a plasma torch, above a workpiece surface. In order to achieve a fast and exact setting of the igniting dista... | 11/23/1999 |
| 5939017 | Cutting torch height control system A program controlled metal cutting torch includes a torch height control system that utilizes a vibration sensor, such as an accelerometer, to provide a signal indicating torch tip contact with the metal workpiece to facilitate an initial height sensing r... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5904867 | Tool position control An apparatus with a tool position control has a base located adjacent the workpiece. A tool support is mounted with respect to the base and is movable linearly in a first direction with respect to a curved surface of the workpiece. A tool is mounted on th... | 05/18/1999 |
| 5700421 | Cutting nozzle assembly for a postmixed oxy-fuel gas torch A novel cutting nozzle assembly for a postmixed oxygen-fuel gas torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a cylindrical shroud which surrounds and extends away from the gas discharge orifices in the gas discharge end of the cutting nozzle. The cyli... | 12/23/1997 |
| 5470047 | Electrical flame sensor for use in a gas cutting apparatus A flame sensor of the present invention for use in a gas cutting apparatus is capable of directly measuring an electrical current flowing through a flame formed between the torch and the workpiece and includes a first terminal coupled to the torch; a seco... | 11/28/1995 |
| 5071106 | Apparatus for the opto-electronic control of a flame cutting machine Apparatus for the opto-electronic control of a flame cutting machine having photoelectric sensors of different spectral sensitivity. The sensors may be positioned within a cutting torch and directed during operation on a flame and a workpiece to be cut. T... | 12/10/1991 |
| 4854551 | Device for controlling operating gap of cutting head and method of using same There is provided a device for controlling the vertical operating gap between the lower end of a cutting head, such as a frame cutting torch, and a generally flat workpiece positioned below the cutting head as the head and workpiece are moved relative to ... | 08/08/1989 |
| 4773946 | Device for controlling operating gap of cutting head and method of using same There is provided a device for controlling the vertical operating gap between the lower end of a cutting head, such as a frame cutting torch, and a generally flat workpiece positioned below the cutting head as the head and workpiece are moved relative to ... | 09/27/1988 |
| 4767102 | Thermal cutting torch A hand-held thermal cutting torch of the plasma arc or oxyfuel type commonly used for cutting metal workpieces such as steel plates, employs a new concept of motorized driving to provide more uniform cutting rates and improved quality of cut. A driving el... | 08/30/1988 |
| 4695041 | Cutting torch holder The invention is for an oxy cutting torch holder having a frame with a pair of vertically adjustible posts with bearing wheels at their lower ends. A nozzle-receiving passageway is disposed in the frame with a novel nozzle retaining device. Provision is m... | 09/22/1987 |
| 4682004 | Measuring arrangement having a capacitive measuring electrode and a working tool with integrated electrode In a measuring arrangement for measuring or regulating spacing on thermal working machines (for example, flame cutting installations), two capacitive electrodes are arranged at different spacings from the workpiece. Interference signals can result from ch... | 07/21/1987 |
| 4579318 | Shield for cutting torch tip A shield for a torch tip for a hand held cutting torch with the shield being generally tubular and adapted to receive the tip in clearance relationship and being adjustable both axially and radially relative to the tip to selectively determine the radial ... | 04/01/1986 |
| 4549725 | Cutting tool guide A cutting guide for a blowtorch comprises a channel-shaped body member with front, back, and intermediate limbs, and a holder attachment for a blowtorch on its exterior. The back and intermediate limbs of the body member form a female slide member for rec... | 10/29/1985 |
| 4533078 | Welding and/or cutting torch A vertically movable welding and/or cutting torch is automatically disconnected from its drive when the torch bumps into a work piece.... | 08/06/1985 |
| 4463298 | Instrument for keeping the distance constant between a tool and a workpiece to be processed An instrument for maintaining a constant distance between a tool, such as a cutting torch, and a workpiece includes a sensing electrode connected to two different phase control system-building blocks one of which functions as an oscillator having its outp... | 07/31/1984 |
| 4439249 | Automated cutting of plate steel Method and apparatus for automated cutting of metal plates in which fuel and oxygen adjustments, as well as other parameters are controlled automatically responsive to temperature sensed at a plurality of points near where the cut is being made; for examp... | 03/27/1984 |
| 4415795 | Torch support and height sensor apparatus for shape cutting machines This invention provides an improved method for employing a plasma-arc cutting torch to cut a metal plate. The improvement consists in operating the torch with its lower portion submerged in a layer of water provided over the workpiece. In order to allow a... | 11/15/1983 |
| 4405117 | Guiding attachment for a cutting torch The present invention is a guiding attachment for use in combination with a cutting torch which includes a nozzle which has a truncated conical tip portion and a cylindrical portion, an elongated member mechanically coupled to the nozzle and a gas supplyi... | 09/20/1983 |
| 4363468 | Cutting torch height control apparatus An apparatus (10) for controlling the height of one or more cutting torches (12) above a workpiece (14). The apparatus (10) senses the actual height of the torch (12) above the workpiece (14) and compares the actual height with a desired reference height.... | 12/14/1982 |
| 4349182 | Tape-controlled metal cutting apparatus Apparatus for cutting a metal workpiece including pipe in any desired shape and in a cutting cycle governed by a numerical controller having a plurality of separate output control signal channels. The apparatus is highly versatile and automatically operab... | 09/14/1982 |
| 4344606 | Welding and cutting handpiece An oxy-acetylene torch, having a welding and cutting handpiece wherein a flame nozzle is in communication with a gas mixing chamber and a cutting nozzle is in communication with an oxygen conduit, the cutting nozzle being supported from and displaced from... | 08/17/1982 |
| 4333636 | Cutting-torch holder Apparatus for automatically maintaining a cutting torch a predetermined distance from an uneven work surface having transverse and longitudinal irregularities includes a slide member which is adapted to move in a vertical direction in response to such irr... | 06/08/1982 |
| 4333052 | Resonant circuit with two partial inductances A control circuit for measuring the distance between a workpiece and an electrode which is formed as inductance and is part of a resonant circuit as a frequency-determining element whereby the frequency variations of the resonant circuit for producing vol... | 06/01/1982 |
| 4328049 | Torch height sensing apparatus A torch height sensing apparatus (10) is provided for generating information representative of the spacing between a cutting torch (12) and an associated workpiece (14). The apparatus (10) drives a preselected current from the torch (12) through the torch... | 05/04/1982 |
| 4283043 | Cutting torch attachment A system for using a cutting torch for making accurate curved, straight and beveled cuts. A supporting and guiding device is attached to cutting torches, which may be of various sizes and shapes, and includes an elongated bar having a ring and opposed set... | 08/11/1981 |
| 4280042 | Process and installation for automatic ignition of a plasma cutting torch The invention relates to a plasma cutting plant comprising a principal generator feeding a plasma arc between a workpiece and an electrode of a torch comprising a tube, with initial ignition by means of an ignition or striking arc between the electrode an... | 07/21/1981 |
| 4274621 | Tubes and structures formed thereby A method and apparatus are disclosed for shaping an end of a tube in a configuration such that it may be joined to the surface of another body as by welding. The method disclosed involves profiling the end of a tube to conform to the surface of a body to ... | 06/23/1981 |
| 4273313 | Guide for a cutting torch A guide is adapted to be adjustably mounted on the nozzle marginal end portion of a cutting torch. The guide has a convex lower cam surface adapted to slidably engage a straight-edge. The cutting torch may be tilted to a position determined by the operato... | 06/16/1981 |
| 4168822 | Cutting torch mounting and guide assembly A mounting and guide assembly for cutting torches for mounting same on a movable frame for movement over the workpiece, with the mounting and guide assembly comprising a torch mounting arrangement including a vertically disposed double acting hydraulic cy... | 09/25/1979 |
| 4052040 | Cutting torch and guide assembly A cutting torch apparatus comprising a cutting torch arranged to be mounted on a movable frame for movement over the workpiece with the torch comprising a torch body and support therefore integrated into a double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston devic... | 10/04/1977 |
