Automatic Gin Blade Trainer and Method of Use
Patent Number: US 11969812 Grant Date: 2024-04-30 Filing Date: 2022-06-21
Overview
This patent describes a precision training system that automates inspection and straightening of stacked circular blade disks on a mandrel used in ginning equipment. Filed in June 2022 and granted in April 2024, the disclosure — developed by inventors based in Lubbock, TX and assigned to the inventor Gin Services — combines laser distance measurement, guided motion axes, and a controller-driven training arm to detect disk spacing errors and apply calculated bend angles to correct misaligned disks. The system mounts a mandrel in a central channel, rotates disks through rotary steps while a laser spacing assembly records outer-edge separations, and uses a programmable training assembly with a linear actuator and pivoting arm to apply controlled corrections. Early testing cited in the specification reports roughly a six-fold productivity improvement over manual training, while the controller’s program minimizes cumulative bending by distributing corrections across the disk stack to preserve component life and maintain a specified total saw width.
Key Features
- Automated laser-based spacing measurement across rotary steps
- Controller calculates per-disk bend angles and plans distributed corrections
- Linear-slide training arm with pivoting adapter and actuator for precise bending
- Validation of total saw width and per-disk separation to specification
By automating an otherwise manual, skilled task, this invention improves throughput, repeatability, and safety for industrial ginning operations and exemplifies robust patent drafting that aligns mechanical design, sensing, and control-system innovation with real-world manufacturing needs.
Invention Details
Abstract: A training system comprises a training stand, a width, a length, a spacing measurement assembly, a training assembly, and a controller. each among a plurality of blade disks comprise a blade disk having a body portion, a center aperture, a diameter, a plurality of punched teeth, a sharpened edge, a center point, an outer edge and a center aperture diameter. portions of the plurality of blade disks comprises one or more misaligned disks and one or more nominal disks. The plurality of blade disks comprise at least a first disk and a last disk. each among the plurality of blade disks are attached to a mandrel along a center axis.
Summary of the Invention: A training system for identifying one or more misaligned disks among a plurality of blade disks and straightening said one or more misaligned disks. Said training system comprises a training stand, a width, a length, a spacing measurement assembly, a training assembly, and a controller. each among said plurality of blade disks comprise a blade disk having a body portion, a center aperture, a diameter, a plurality of punched teeth, a sharpened edge, a center point, an outer edge and a center aperture diameter. portions of said plurality of blade disks comprises said one or more misaligned disks and one or more nominal disks. Said plurality of blade disks comprise at least a first disk and a last disk. each among said plurality of blade disks are attached to a mandrel along a center axis. Said one or more nominal disks conform to a blade spacing specification comprising a total saw width between said first disk and said last disk comprises a specified saw width, and said outer edge of each disk among said plurality of blade disks are spaced by a specified separation distance. Said training stand is configured to hold said mandrel having said plurality of blade disks. Said one or more nominal disks among said plurality of blade disks each comprise said outer edge being said specified separation distance from said outer edge of adjacent disks. Said one or more misaligned disks among said plurality of blade disks each comprise a portion of said outer edge not being said specified separation distance from said outer edge of adjacent disks. Said controller, for each among said plurality of blade disks, is configured for receiving a measurement of a current separation distance of said outer edge between a current disk and an adjacent disk from said spacing measurement assembly, specifying whether said current disk comprises one among said one or more nominal disks or said one or more misaligned disks.
Patent Document
Related: Agriculture | Mechanical Engineering | Robotics & Automation | Robotics | Testing And Measurement | Lubbock, Texas | Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney