Christopher Wayne Blomquist from 23413 Ecklund Rd, Ridgefield, WA 98642, age 63, Phone: (360) 887-2992

Log Rotation And Verification System And Method

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US Patent:

20060207686, Sep 21, 2006

Filed:

Feb 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/361568

Inventors:

Paul Strebig - Ridgefield WA, US
Christopher Blomquist - Ridgefield WA, US

International Classification:

B27B 1/00
B23Q 15/00
B23Q 16/00

US Classification:

144356000, 144394000, 144430000

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention provide a log rotation verification system having an optimizer configured to determine an optimized cutting solution for the log and configured to identify an optimized rotational position, and a position indicator applicable to a log to indicate a reference rotational position of the log. A log rotator may be configured to rotate the log to reduce the difference between the reference rotational position and the optimized rotational position. And, a primary detector may be configured to detect a current rotational position of the position indicator.

Unidirectional Multi-Path Lumber Kilns

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US Patent:

20210222952, Jul 22, 2021

Filed:

Apr 5, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/222865

Inventors:

- Woodland WA, US
Christopher W. BLOMQUIST - Ridgefield WA, US

International Classification:

F26B 15/14
F26B 25/08
F26B 3/04
F26B 15/10
F26B 15/00
F26B 25/06

Abstract:

Embodiments provide a unidirectional multi-path kiln with two or more chambers and generally parallel flow paths extending through the kiln, on opposite sides, from charge entry portals at a first end of the kiln to charge exit portals at a second end of the kiln. Moist heated air flowing from the second heated chamber is received in the first chamber and circulated around the lumber charges with one or more fans. The lumber charges proceed in the same direction on the flow paths through the heated second chamber, which may be an existing kiln. Charge exit portals at the distal end of the kiln and/or intermediate charge portals between the second chamber and a third chamber may be provided with insulating members configured to reduce airflow from the second chamber through the charge exit portals.

Unidirectional Multi-Path Lumber Kilns

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US Patent:

20190128606, May 2, 2019

Filed:

Dec 27, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/234479

Inventors:

- Woodland WA, US
Christopher W. Blomquist - Ridgefield WA, US

International Classification:

F26B 15/14
F26B 15/10
F26B 25/08
F26B 15/00
F26B 3/04
F26B 25/06

Abstract:

Embodiments provide a unidirectional multi-path kiln with two or more chambers and generally parallel flow paths extending through the kiln, on opposite sides, from charge entry portals at a first end of the kiln to charge exit portals at a second end of the kiln. Moist heated air flowing from the second heated chamber is received in the first chamber and circulated around the lumber charges with one or more fans. The lumber charges proceed in the same direction on the flow paths through the heated second chamber, which may be an existing kiln. Charge exit portals at the distal end of the kiln and/or intermediate charge portals between the second chamber and a third chamber may be provided with insulating members configured to reduce airflow from the second chamber through the charge exit portals.

Dynamically Directed Workpiece Positioning System

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US Patent:

20180297228, Oct 18, 2018

Filed:

Jun 15, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/010248

Inventors:

- Woodland WA, US
Scott Erling Norton - Vancouver WA, US
Christopher W. Blomquist - Ridgefield WA, US

International Classification:

B26D 5/00
B27B 31/06
B26D 7/26
B26D 7/06
B26D 7/01
G05B 19/418
B23D 59/00
G05B 19/402

Abstract:

In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Precut Processing Of Logs

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US Patent:

20180290326, Oct 11, 2018

Filed:

Jun 8, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/003977

Inventors:

- Woodland WA, US
Christopher W. BLOMQUIST - Ridgefield WA, US

International Classification:

B26D 5/00
B26D 11/00
G05B 19/19

Abstract:

A precut module with one or more profiling heads and/or circular saws may be provided upstream of a saw module. The precut module may be used to implement a portion of a cut that would otherwise be made by the saw module, thereby reducing the depth of cut required at the saw module. In some embodiments, profiling heads may be used to profile a block that is wider than a desired side board. The block may be cut from the workpiece and sent to the edger. This may provide the same or better wood volume recovery and/or throughput speed than profiling the side board or cutting the side board from a flitch. In some embodiments, cut patterns for the precut module and other machine centers may be calculated and/or selected based on a desired depth of cut at the saw module, desired throughput speed, wood volume recovery, and/or other parameters.

Multi-Pass Lumber Kilns

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US Patent:

20180252472, Sep 6, 2018

Filed:

May 7, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/973318

Inventors:

- Woodland WA, US
Christopher W. Blomquist - Ridgefield WA, US

International Classification:

F26B 15/10
F26B 15/16
F26B 25/08
F26B 15/04

Abstract:

Embodiments provide a multi-pass kiln with two or more chambers, an entrance and an exit at a proximal end of the kiln, and a reciprocal flow path extending through the kiln from the entrance to the exit. Lumber charges traveling along the reciprocal flow path may travel in a first direction along one side of the heated second chamber before traveling in a substantially opposite second direction along the opposite side of the second chamber. The distal end of the kiln may be substantially sealed, and a pressure differential between the distal end and the proximal end may draw moist heated air from the heated chamber toward the exit and entry to preheat and/or condition lumber charges traveling through the first chamber.

Systems, Methods And Apparatuses For Changing The Direction/Speed Of A Workpiece

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US Patent:

20170334656, Nov 23, 2017

Filed:

Aug 7, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/671127

Inventors:

- Woodland WA, US
Christopher W. Blomquist - Ridgefield WA, US
Mike Dockter - Kelso WA, US

International Classification:

B65G 39/00
B65G 47/76
B65G 47/34
B65G 47/26
B27B 5/18
B65G 13/02
B07C 5/14
B27B 31/08
B27B 31/00
B65G 59/12
B65G 43/00

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.

Unidirectional Multi-Path Lumber Kilns

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US Patent:

20170314856, Nov 2, 2017

Filed:

Jul 17, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/652179

Inventors:

- Woodland WA, US
Christopher W. Blomquist - Ridgefield WA, US

International Classification:

F26B 15/14
F26B 15/00
F26B 25/08
F26B 25/06
F26B 15/10
F26B 3/04

Abstract:

Embodiments provide a unidirectional multi-path kiln with two or more chambers and generally parallel flow paths extending through the kiln, on opposite sides, from charge entry portals at a first end of the kiln to charge exit portals at a second end of the kiln. Moist heated air flowing from the second heated chamber is received in the first chamber and circulated around the lumber charges with one or more fans. The lumber charges proceed in the same direction on the flow paths through the heated second chamber, which may be an existing kiln. Charge exit portals at the distal end of the kiln and/or intermediate charge portals between the second chamber and a third chamber may be provided with insulating members configured to reduce airflow from the second chamber through the charge exit portals.