Patents Assigned to Nucor Corporation
  • Publication number: 20240133179
    Abstract: Joists of a structural roofing system typically comprises an upper chord, a lower chord, and web(s), which operatively couple the upper chord to the lower chord. The upper chord and the lower chord may each be formed from two angle members (e.g., otherwise described as L-shaped members). The web may also be formed from a plurality of web members, such as angle members. The joists utilize nailer members on the upper chord to provide a location for assembly with decking panels. The nailer member is attached to the upper chord through the use of nailer plates, which have a plurality of perforated apertures that form teeth. The nailer plate is bent, the teeth are pressed into the nailer member, and plate connections are used to assemble the nailer plates (e.g., manually, automatically, or both) to the upper chord of the joist to form a joist and nailer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaden Francis, Colton Kilmer
  • Patent number: 11965230
    Abstract: A hot rolled, ultra-high strength, complex metallographic structured or multi-phase structured steel that improves formability during stamping or forming process, while possessing one or more of the following properties: excellent castability, rollability and coatability, excellent structural performance, excellent stretch formability, excellent stretch flangeability, excellent dent resistance, excellent durability, excellent impact performance, excellent intrusion and crash resistance without the purposeful addition of boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Weiping Sun
  • Patent number: 11939771
    Abstract: Support members for a roof system are provided to allow for positioning panels of a roof apart from building members so that building components, such as insulation may be placed between the roof panels and the building members. The support members may be utilized in new buildings or to retrofit existing buildings. Each of the support members may comprise a single support member that has a base portion operatively coupled to an offset portion that is operatively coupled to an upper portion. One or more channels may be provided in the base portion, offset portion, and/or the upper portion to provide structural support and to allow the support members to be operatively coupled to each other and other building members without the need for additional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian K. Cluck
  • Patent number: 11920347
    Abstract: A joist assembly system that is structured for dynamic retrieval of components, dynamic and precise positioning and location of retrieved components, assembly of the components to form a joist, and delivery of the assembled joist. The joist assembly system has a plurality of material handling systems, a plurality of welding systems, and a rigging table system. The material handling systems are structured to load and position the components such as chords and webs onto the rigging table. The rigging table in turn supports the chords or webs. Subsequently, the plurality of welding systems weld the webs to the chords to form the joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Alan Freidenberger, Joseph Patrick Cagle, Christopher Ray Couch, Richard Thomas Erickson, Travis Marshall Fuhrman, John Lyman Hale, Matthew Glenn Hire, Christopher William Martin, James E. Ogburn, III, Jonathan Pressley Poston, Peter Michael Puglisi, Phillip Murray Sylvester, Jr., Adam Taylor Watkins
  • Patent number: 11913118
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coated steel strip providing the steel with cathodic protection before and after the steel is press hardened or hot formed at a high austenitization temperature up to 950° C. The coating of the coated steel strip comprises zinc, aluminum, and at least one element selected from manganese (Mn) and/or antimony (Sb).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: NUCOR CORPORATION, TECK METALS LTD.
    Inventors: Weiping Sun, Nan Gao, Yihui Liu
  • Publication number: 20240060152
    Abstract: Methods of reducing copper metal content of shredded scrap steel are provided. The method includes continuously separating a first scrap steel fraction from an amount of scrap steel concurrently with separating a second fraction from the amount of scrap steel; continuously separating the second fraction and providing a nonmagnetic fraction and, concurrently, a third scrap steel fraction; grinding the nonmagnetic fraction followed by magnetic separation to provide a fourth scrap steel fraction and, concurrently, an enriched nonmagnetic fraction; continuously combining the first scrap steel fraction, the third scrap steel fraction, and the fourth scrap steel fraction to obtain a combined scrap steel product comprising scrap steel with reduced copper metal content; and introducing the combined scrap steel product to an electric arc furnace. Systems of reducing copper metal content of shredded scrap steel are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Brad True, David W. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 11900020
    Abstract: A construction management system allows a user to capture an item identifier from an item (e.g., shipment, group of components, and/or one or more components) using a mobile device. The item identifier may be used to identify a project and access a model for the product, identify a component in a model, and/or identify the components in a shipment for staging purposes. Moreover, the system may be used to identify a status for the one or more components. The status may be that the one or more components are shipped, received, staged for assembly, installed, or the like. The status of the one or more components may be automatically updated by capturing the item identifier. Moreover, the user may also select shipment information for past, current, and/or future shipments in order to identify the one or more components associated with each of the shipments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Timothy Michael Schwartz
  • Patent number: 11898351
    Abstract: A joist tie may be designed to increase the strength of the joist tie and reduce the thickness of the joist tie, in order to provide the desired strength and the ability to make connections that operatively couple structural decking, the joist tie, and joists together using a single connector in one or more locations. The joist tie may be strengthened through the use of one or more ribs and/or one or more flanges. The one or more ribs may be formed to fit within one or more cavities within adjacent joists located in series. As such, the shape of the joist tie may be dimensioned in order to allow the joist tie to be placed on a first joist and a second joist without having to be attached until after assembly of the structural decking on top of the joist tie and joists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terence Lee Satchell, Daniel Joseph Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230407422
    Abstract: An improved direct smelting vessel comprising a smelt reduction vessel (SRV) and optionally a cyclone converter furnace (CCF). The SRV provides means for promoting metal mixing at a zone below a slag layer adjacent to a vessel wall of the direct smelting vessel. The means for promoting metal mixing may include a split-level refractory hearth with two refractory floor levels, a refractory hearth with one or more gas bubbling devices, and/or at least one pair of solids injection lances that provide alternating solids injection at any given time (or other means). The means for promoting the metal mixing reduces a stagnant region capable of supporting a semi-solid slag layer that restricts metal-slag heat transfer. The means for promoting the metal mixing maintains an effective temperature delta between tapped metal at a forehearth and metal at the vessel wall of no greater than 40° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rodney James Dry
  • Patent number: 11846004
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light-gauge, ultra-high strength weathering steel pile for use as a steel foundation in structures such as, for example, solar arrangements. The light-gauge, ultra-high strength weathering steel pile comprises a thickness of 2.5 mm or less that has been cold roll formed into a steel pile having a web and a pair of opposing flanges, each having discontinuities formed therein. The steel pile further comprises a yield strength of between 700 and 1600 MPa, a tensile strength of between 1000 and 2100 MPa, and an elongation of between 1% and 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Hansen Bogh, Kishlay Mishra, Tao Wang
  • Patent number: 11834728
    Abstract: Methods of reducing copper metal content of shredded scrap steel are provided. The method includes continuously separating a first scrap steel fraction from an amount of scrap steel concurrently with separating a second fraction from the amount of scrap steel; continuously separating the second fraction and providing a nonmagnetic fraction and, concurrently, a third scrap steel fraction; grinding the nonmagnetic fraction followed by magnetic separation to provide a fourth scrap steel fraction and, concurrently, an enriched nonmagnetic fraction; continuously combining the first scrap steel fraction, the third scrap steel fraction, and the fourth scrap steel fraction to obtain a combined scrap steel product comprising scrap steel with reduced copper metal content; and introducing the combined scrap steel product to an electric arc furnace. Systems of reducing copper metal content of shredded scrap steel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brad True, David W. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 11815123
    Abstract: Presently disclosed is a standoff fastener for use in a compound floor structure. The threaded fastener includes a threaded standoff portion designed to accept a nut which has a diameter larger than a head portion of the standoff fastener. The head portion is located centrally within the fastener in order to reduce a tendency of the fastener to pivot within a driver during the fastening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: Nucor Corporation, Asia Fastening (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Lionel E. Dayton, Richard W. Lukes
  • Patent number: 11773465
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light-gauge, ultra-high strength weathering steel sheet with a composition, material properties, and surface characteristics that make it suitable for hot-stamping applications and making hot-stamped products. Also disclosed herein is a high friction rolled carbon alloy steel strip free of prior austenite grain boundary depressions and having a smear pattern. Still further disclosed herein is a high friction rolled carbon alloy steel strip that has been surface homogenized to provide a thin cast steel strip free of a smear pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kishlay Mishra, Paul Kelly, Tao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230290549
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise; annealing steel sheets (e.g., hot rolled steel sheets or thin cast strip steel); cold rolling the sheets in one or more cold rolling steps (e.g., with annealing steps between multiple cold rolling steps); and performing one or more of tension leveling, a rough rolling, or a coating process on the sheets after cold rolling, without an intermediate annealing step between the final cold rolling step and the tension leveling, the rough rolling, or the coating process, or the customer stamping or final customer annealing. In order to achieve the desired properties for the steel sheet, stamping and final annealing is performed by the customer. The new process provides an electrical steel with the similar, same, or better magnetic properties than an electrical steel manufactured using the traditional processing that utilizes an intermediate annealing step after cold rolling and before the stamping and final annealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Theodore E. Hill, Eric E. Gallo
  • Patent number: 11697867
    Abstract: An essentially lead free steel having improved machinability while reducing or eliminating lead (except for trace impurities) and without detriment of the material properties of the steel. The properties of the lead free steel are dependent on both the composition and method of manufacture. The improved lead free steel has, in percent by weight (wt-%): Carbon: 0.39-0.43%; Manganese: 0.75-1.00%; Silicon: 0.15-0.35%; Chromium: 0.80-1.05%; Molybdenum: 0.15-0.25%; at least one of Tellurium: 0.003-0.090 wt-%, Selenium: 0.080-0.2 wt-%, Sulfur: 0.065-0.09% wt-%, and Bismuth: 0.03-0.1 wt-%; and the balance being Fe and normally occurring scrap steel impurities. The hot-rolled lead-free steel product is subjected to a heat treatment at a first temperature for a first duration, at a second temperature for a second duration that is less than the first temperature, at a third temperature for a third time period that is greater than the second temperature, and subsequently cooling the steel product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew J. Hicks, Jim L. Hill, Brook C. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 11694828
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise; annealing steel sheets (e.g., hot rolled steel sheets or thin cast strip steel); cold rolling the sheets in one or more cold rolling steps (e.g., with annealing steps between multiple cold rolling steps); and performing one or more of tension leveling, a rough rolling, or a coating process on the sheets after cold rolling, without an intermediate annealing step between the final cold rolling step and the tension leveling, the rough rolling, or the coating process, or the customer stamping or final customer annealing. In order to achieve the desired properties for the steel sheet, stamping and final annealing is performed by the customer. The new process provides an electrical steel with the similar, same, or better magnetic properties than an electrical steel manufactured using the traditional processing that utilizes an intermediate annealing step after cold rolling and before the stamping and final annealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Theodore E. Hill, Eric E. Gallo
  • Patent number: 11655519
    Abstract: This application discloses thin metal strips and methods of making thin metal strip. Particular embodiments of such methods include cooling the thin metal strip to a temperature equal to or less than a bainite or a martensite start transformation temperature BS or MS to thereby form bainite and/or martensite, respectively, within the thin metal strip, reheating the thin metal strip to a reheat temperature equal to or greater than transformation temperature Ac3 and holding the thin metal strip at the reheat temperature for at least 2 seconds and thereby forming austenite within the thin metal strip with at least 75% of austenite grains having a grain size equal to or less than 15 ?m, and rapidly recooling the thin metal strip to a temperature equal to or less than the martensite start transformation temperature MS and thereby providing finer martensite within the thin metal strip from a finer prior austenite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: James W. Watson, Paul Kelly, Mike Schueren, Walter N. Blejde
  • Publication number: 20230136290
    Abstract: Grating is formed from longitudinal members and transverse members that are operatively coupled together. The longitudinal members may be described as bearing members and the transverse members may be described as cross members that extend between the bearing members. The separation system and process of the present disclosure separates an initial grating having an initial grating width into multiple gratings have gratings widths less than the initial grating width. The separation system includes a driven die assembly having opposing dies, each opposing die having knives and spacers which interact to separate the cross members of the grating to create multiple gratings as the same time. The knives may be set up in different configurations in order to create any number of gratings having flush cross members (e.g., flush with the bearing members) and/or overhanging cross members (e.g., hang over the bearing members).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Asa O. Jeffcoat, III, James Royce Pate, Curtis Lee Waits
  • Publication number: 20230124637
    Abstract: Support members for a roof system are provided to allow for positioning panels of a roof apart from building members so that building components, such as insulation may be placed between the roof panels and the building members. The support members may be utilized in new buildings or to retrofit existing buildings. Each of the support members may comprise a single support member that has a base portion operatively coupled to an offset portion that is operatively coupled to an upper portion. One or more channels may be provided in the base portion, offset portion, and/or the upper portion to provide structural support and to allow the support members to be operatively coupled to each other and other building members without the need for additional components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian K. Cluck
  • Publication number: 20230066303
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coating of a press hardened steel strip, the coating providing cathodic protection. The coating of the post-press hardened steel strip comprises zinc, aluminum, and at least one element selected from manganese (Mn) and/or antimony (Sb).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicants: NUCOR CORPORATION, TECK METALS LTD.
    Inventors: Weiping Sun, Nan Gao, Yihui Liu