Albert J Sturm

US Patent:

20020045172, Apr 18, 2002

Filed:

Apr 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/829269

Inventors:

Albert Sturm - Stillwater MN, US
Fred Hanson - White Bear Lake MN, US

International Classification:

C12Q001/68

US Classification:

435/006000

Abstract:

A gantry segmented support structure is provided with overlapping wall plates that can include a damping material disposed therebetween. The structure forms a tube assembly, which when configured with the damping material is adapted to dampen forces resulting from performing operations on a workpiece. In particular, the damping prevents unwanted oscillatory displacement of the segmented support structure. The overlapping wall plates allow a housing created thereby to be attached to a rigid plate without inducing strain in the rigid plate that can deform the rigid plate. This construction eliminates manufacturing of bulky weldments, which thereby reduces costs. A method of assembly and a fixture are also provided.

US Patent:

20020144622, Oct 10, 2002

Filed:

Apr 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/829267

Inventors:

Albert Sturm - Stillwater MN, US
Fred Hanson - White Bear Lake MN, US

International Classification:

B61B012/04

US Classification:

104/124000

Abstract:

A guide rail for a gantry system includes a support structure having an elongated support surface and a plate having a precision surface relative to the elongated support surface. A filler material bonds the plate to the elongated support surface. The filler material can have a varying thickness along the elongated support surface to maintain a desired orientation of the plate. A method of constructing the same is also provided.

US Patent:

20050015962, Jan 27, 2005

Filed:

Jun 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/870333

Inventors:

Albert Sturm - Stillwater MN, US
Wesley Rieckenberg - Forest Lake MN, US
Richard Weniger - Blaine MN, US

Assignee:

PaR Systems, Inc. - Shoreview MN

International Classification:

B23Q003/00
B23Q007/00

US Classification:

029468000, 029559000, 26928900R, 029464000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an aligning fixture having a support with a reference surface, an aligning member and an actuator. The actuator is mounted to the support and operably coupled to the aligning member. The actuator moves the aligning member selectively to a first position wherein the element to be aligned is spaced apart from the reference surface and to a second position where the element can engage the reference surface.

US Patent:

20080031716, Feb 7, 2008

Filed:

Aug 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/498938

Inventors:

Albert J. Sturm - Stillwater MN, US

Assignee:

PaR Systems, Inc. - Shoreview MN

International Classification:

B66C 23/00

US Classification:

414685

Abstract:

A telescoping mast assembly includes two longitudinal tube sections, the second disposed within the first, and adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the first longitudinal tube section. A drive assembly is joined to the first longitudinal tube section and to the second longitudinal tube section and operably configured to drive the second longitudinal tube section relative to the first longitudinal tube section. A support brace is mounted under the second longitudinal tube section, and is configured to help support the weight of the telescoping mast and reduce the torque on the telescoping mast at the base due to the large mass of the mast plus its cargo at often a large radius of extension. This thereby enables the telescoping mast to handle larger masses at longer radii of extension with high levels of performance and reliability.

US Patent:

60269707, Feb 22, 2000

Filed:

Mar 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/266673

Inventors:

Albert J. Sturm - Stillwater MN
Fred W. Hanson - White Bear Lake MN

Assignee:

Par Systems, Inc. - Shoreview MN

International Classification:

B66C 2304

US Classification:

212348

Abstract:

A telescoping tube assembly includes a first longitudinal tube section and a second longitudinal tube section disposed within the first longitudinal tube section and adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the first longitudinal tube section. A third longitudinal tube section is disposed within the second longitudinal tube section and is adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the second longitudinal tube section. A drive motor is joined to the second longitudinal tube section to move therewith and operates a first ball-screw assembly and a second ball-screw assembly. The first ball-screw assembly is operatively connected between the first longitudinal tube section and the second longitudinal tube section. The second ball-screw assembly is operatively connected between the second longitudinal tube section and the third longitudinal tube section.

US Patent:

54658543, Nov 14, 1995

Filed:

Apr 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/426634

Inventors:

Albert J. Sturm - Stillwater MN
Thomas E. Marrinan - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Par Systems, Inc. - Shoreview MN

International Classification:

B66C 1706

US Classification:

212319

Abstract:

An extensible and retractable telescoping tube positions test devices that inspect large stationary objects. The tube has three dimensional adjustment capabilities and is vertically suspended from a frame. The tube sections are independently supported with each section comprising U-shaped housing secured to a thicker support plate. Guide mechanisms preferably mounted only to the thicker plates guide each tube section parallel to a reference axis with improved accuracy so that the position of the remote end of the telescoping tube is precisely known.

US Patent:

58555404, Jan 5, 1999

Filed:

Jul 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/897381

Inventors:

Albert J. Sturm - Stillwater MN
Thomas E. Marrinan - Minneapolis MN
Fred W. Hanson - White Bear Lake MN
Dean R. LaValle - Centerville MN

Assignee:

Par Systems, Inc. - Shoreview MI

International Classification:

B23Q 3155
B25J 300

US Classification:

483 16

Abstract:

A system for performing work in a hot cell includes a support arm having a first end and a second end and a movable arm having an end selectively engageable with the first end to form a rigid connection. Complementary coupling devices are disposed on the first end of the support arm and on the end of the movable arm and mate together when the movable arm is joined to the support arm.

US Patent:

57624674, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Apr 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/639216

Inventors:

Albert J. Sturm - Stillwater MN
Fred W. Hanson - White Bear Lake MN
Mark W. Benoit - Cedar MN
Thomas E. Marrinan - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Par Systems, Inc. - Shoreview MN

International Classification:

B66C 600

US Classification:

414729

Abstract:

A manipulator system includes an elongated mast having a mast axis and a telescoping tube assembly having a tube axis. The telescoping tube assembly includes an outer tube section and at least one inner tube section that only moves telescopically with respect to the outer tube section. The telescoping tube assembly is joined to an end of the elongated mast for only pivotal movement. An actuator joined to the elongated mast and the outer tube section pivots the telescoping tube assembly from a first position, wherein the tube axis is parallel to the mast axis and the telescoping tube assembly is retracted, to a second position, wherein the tube axis is perpendicular to the mast axis and the inner tube section is deployable. An end effector is joined to a remote end of the inner tube section to perform work within the tank.