EDWARD C KIRCHNER
Engineering in Pittsfield, MA

6361483, Mar 26, 2002

Feb 8, 2000

09/500111

Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Morrison Berkshire, Inc. - North Adams MA

B23P 1500

492 16, 492 7, 492 20

A system for controlling vibration of a dynamic surface includes at least one sensor in communication with the dynamic surface for measuring vibration of the dynamic surface and generating a feedback signal proportional to the measured vibration and at least one piezoelectric actuator in communication with the dynamic surface and in communication with the controller for receiving the output signal. The system also includes at least one mass overlying the at least one piezoelectric actuator, whereby the at least one piezoelectric actuator lies between the mass and the dynamic surface, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor for receiving the feedback signal, generating an output signal in response to the feedback signal and sending the output signal to the at least one piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator applies a counter force between the dynamic surface and the mass upon receiving the output signal for reducing or controlling vibration of the dynamic surface.

7021905, Apr 4, 2006

Nov 6, 2003

10/702354

David A. Torrey - Ballston Spa NY, US
Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA, US

Advanced Energy Conversion, LLC - Ballston Spa NY

F04B 17/03

417356, 290 52, 310 54, 310 63, 417366

A fluid pump integrated with a motor, a fluid pump/generator device, a rotor for a fluid pump/generator device, a stator for a fluid pump/generator device and a method for pumping fluid are disclosed. Specifically, a fluid pump includes a motor rotor having a plurality of magnetic vanes that electromagnetically interact with a plurality of magnetic poles of the motor stator such that the rotor functions simultaneously as the impeller for the pump and rotor for the motor, with fluid flowing through channels on the rotor. Pump and motor are tightly integrated into one single device so that the number of parts is reduced, total size is compressed, reliability of the device is improved, and cost efficiency is increased. In addition, the use of magnetic vanes for propelling fluid improves motor efficiency. Further, the fluid flow is used to directly cool the pump/generator device, which reduces energy consumption.

5996195, Dec 7, 1999

Jul 20, 1998

9/119458

James S. White - Shaftsbury VT
David M. Ascevich - Williamstown MA
Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Morrison Berkshire, Inc. - North Adams MA

D06C 300

26 88

An apparatus for tensioning, stretching or pulling a traveling web of material (e. g. , single or multiple layers) lateral to the longitudinal or machine direction of the traveling web is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one but usually a pair of clamping devices to be disposed opposite each other on lateral edges of the traveling web upstream of a processing area where the clamping devices include stationary members, where at least one stationary member includes first and second ends and a material-engagement surface, wherein, when in operational position, the first and second ends define a direction of the material-engagement surface that is transverse to the machine direction of the traveling web. A method of stretching or pulling a single layer or multiple layer web of material laterally to the machine direction of the traveling web to remove wrinkles also is disclosed.

6299571, Oct 9, 2001

Oct 22, 1999

9/425594

James S. White - Shaftsbury VT
Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Morrison Berkshire, Inc. - North Adams MA

B05C 108

492 10

A system for controlling deflection of a dynamic surface includes at least one sensor in communication with the dynamic surface for detecting the presence of a deflecting force on the dynamic surface and generating a feedback signal proportional to the deflecting force. The system includes a controller in communication with the at least one sensor for receiving the feedback signal and generating an output signal in response to the feedback signal. At least one piezoelectric actuator is in communication with the dynamic surface and in communication with the controller for receiving the output signal and applying a counter deflecting force on the dynamic surface for removing the deflection from the dynamic surface. In other preferred embodiments, the piezoelectric actuators maintain the dynamic surface in a preferred shape, such as a curved surface.

4570862, Feb 18, 1986

Sep 12, 1983

6/531274

Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Beloit Corporation - Beloit WI

B02C 714

241 28

A plurality of axially spaced and axially resiliently flexible annular refining disks in a refiner working chamber have stock flow equalizing ports through the disks, and the pressure on opposite sides of the disks is balanced as by pressure balancing vanes associated with the ports. The vanes may be mounted on the disks at the ports or may be carried by rotor structure and aligned with the ports.

7014779, Mar 21, 2006

Mar 16, 2004

10/801280

Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA, US

C02F 1/40

210739, 210744, 210776, 210799, 210800, 210804, 210808, 210 86, 210109, 210138, 210143, 210523, 210538

A vacuum separation, transport and collection system for immiscible liquids includes a separator () for separating two immiscible liquids such as oil and a water-based coolant, and for directing the separated immiscible liquid into a holder (). A collector () is secured through a vacuum line () with the holder () and a vacuum generator () applies a vacuum to the collector () and holder (). A controller () controls the vacuum generator () to apply a vacuum to the collector () and the holder () for a predetermined vacuum duty cycle for periodically removing separated immiscible liquid () from the holder () into the collector (). Contaminants in the immiscible liquid cannot degrade performance of the system because such contaminants do not contact the vacuum generator () or controller ().

4586662, May 6, 1986

Nov 8, 1984

6/669540

Philip H. Goldenberg - Pittsfield MA
George J. Neuf - Dalton MA
Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Beloit Corporation - Beloit WI

B02C 1900

241102

A multi-disk refiner utilizing a plurality of spaced rotor disks which rotate in a housing in spaced relation to a plurality of spaced stator disks, the confronting disks having ribs thereon which abrade a stock suspension passing in the space between the rotor and stator disks. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a plurality of flexible rotors which have spokes extending therefrom, the spokes being received in slots in loosely fitting relation so as to permit relative sliding movement between the spokes and the rotor disks while transmitting torque. A resilient bumper is provided on each of the spokes to provide a pivot point within the slot such that axial movement of the rotor disks provides a simple bending load to each spoke thereby defining a soft, linear spring system.

4531681, Jul 30, 1985

Apr 18, 1983

6/486006

John B. Matthew - Pittsfield MA
Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Beloit Corporation - Beloit WI

B02C 714

241146

An apparatus and method for reducing particulate material such as paper making pulp between radially extending relatively rotatable and axially confronting refining surfaces between which the material must pass while being refined during relative rotation of the surfaces. The refining surfaces are mounted on resiliently flexible disks for operating pressure responsive clearance adjustment of the relatively rotating refining surfaces axially relative to one another, for attaining optimum material refining results from the refining surfaces.

5901422, May 11, 1999

Sep 5, 1997

8/924170

James S. White - Shaftsbury VT
Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Morrison Berkshire, Inc. - North Adams MA

D06C3/06

26 71

A finishing assembly which includes an outside treatment roll for treating both sides of an endless web without having to remove, turn inside out and reload the endless web onto the finishing assembly. The outside treatment roll is movable and adapted to contact the endless web within an opening defined between a pair of cantilever beams such that the "minimum loop length" of the endless web is preserved. The finishing assembly includes a movable non-contacting treatment assembly which is adapted to be arranged between the cantilever beams such that the non-contacting treatment assembly may be used with or without the outside treatment roll to facilitate different finishing processes.

6309333, Oct 30, 2001

Jan 24, 2001

9/768919

Edward C. Kirchner - Pittsfield MA

Morrison Berkshire, Inc. - North Adams MA

B23P 1500

492 16

A method of controlling vibration of a dynamic surface includes providing at least one piezoelectric actuator in communication with the dynamic surface, and providing a mass over the at least one piezoelectric actuator so that the at least one piezoelectric actuator lies between the mass and the dynamic surface. The method includes sensing vibration of the dynamic surface, and activating the at least one piezoelectric actuator after sensing vibration of the dynamic surface for applying a counter force between the dynamic surface and the mass for reducing or controlling vibration of the dynamic surface.