Patents Examined by I.-H. Lin
  • Patent number: 7156144
    Abstract: A spray head for a spraying tool for spraying the halves of a casting tool is described, in which the connection is made to a traveling arm provided with the media-carrying passages through distributing blocks disposed one under the other, from which the connection is made to spray bars through cross connections. The new configuration is selected such that the connection of the spray bars can be made selectively to the one or other of the media passages. By arranging a plurality of distributing blocks together, the addition of spray bars can also be performed stack-wise at varying distances from the particular distributing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Oskar Frech GmbH +Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Erhard, Hubert Pschenitschni
  • Patent number: 7150309
    Abstract: A cast-in-place cylinder bore liner (15) is disclosed for use in sand casting of engine cylinder blocks, the cylinder bore liner (15) having a protuberant portion (60) adjacent a first end (61) thereof, whereby accuracy in the positioning of cast-in-place bore liners (15) is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas P. Newcomb
  • Patent number: 7147031
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the lost pattern casting of metals employs an erodable mold including a particulate material and a binder. An erodable backing or coating may be used to support the erodable mold. After a molten metal casting is poured in the mold, the erodable backing and the mold are contacted with a solvent. This cools the molten metal so that it at least partially solidifies to form a casting. At least a part of the mold is removed. Also, the coating or backing may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Alotech Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: John R. Grassi, John Campbell, George W. Kuhlman
  • Patent number: 7143806
    Abstract: A fine metal particle producing mechanism has a metal holder for housing a body of magnesium, a tube for supplying an argon gas to the body of magnesium, an argon gas flow rate controller for controlling a rate at which the argon gas is supplied to the tube, and an argon gas heating controller for heating the argon gas supplied to the tube to a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Toshihide Sunada, Yukihiro Mukaida, Tomonori Sakai, Yasushi Iseda
  • Patent number: 7143807
    Abstract: A mold design is disclosed for sand casting of engine cylinder blocks, such as engine cylinder V-blocks, with cast-in-place cylinder bore liners, wherein a dimensional accuracy in the positioning of cast-in-place bore liners is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas P. Newcomb
  • Patent number: 7140415
    Abstract: A direct pour metal casting process and casting mold having a direct pour passage. The casting mold is filled from a bottom pour ladle that dispenses molten metal into a riser core. The riser core defines an opening that progresses from a circular opening in the top to a slot opening in the bottom of the riser core that is generally shaped as an inverted funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Wilson, Venkat Nara
  • Patent number: 7137437
    Abstract: Continuously cast products (12) are often provided with surface defects such as oscillation marks (17) and other non-homogeneous structures in the cast state thereof during production in a casting die (11) of a continuous casting plant (10). Defects which render a strip useless for superior applications also frequently occur on the strip surface during subsequent milling of the slab (12?) into a strip. The aim of the invention is to minimize said defects and provide the rolling mill with a slab (12?) having a desired preliminary profile and an improved near-surface structure. Said aim is achieved by arranging a reducing roll stand (30) in the area of the bending rolls or straightening driver rolls (24) within the continuous casting plant (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Adolf Gustav Zajber, Dirk Letzel
  • Patent number: 7134476
    Abstract: A process for the production of a braking band having ventilation ducts comprises the steps of a) moulding a core of metallic material, b) inserting the core in a mould, in a central position, c) filling the mould with at least two layers of material which are to form the braking band, in a manner such that the core is “sandwiched” between the at least two layers, d) performing a first heating of the mould to a temperature such as to bring about hardening of the at least two layers until the at least two layers adopt a three-dimensional structure, e) subjecting the semi-finished product produced in step d) to a second heating to a temperature such as to bring about fusion of the metallic material of the core, and f) collecting the molten core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Paolo Pacchiana, Ralf Siegfried Goller
  • Patent number: 7131482
    Abstract: A distributor device for use in aluminium casting includes a rigid, substantially bowl-shaped receptacle (2) of a refractory material having a base member (4) and a peripheral wall (6) that extends upwards from the base. The receptacle has an inlet opening (8) towards the upper end thereof and a pair of outlet openings (14) towards the base thereof. The device is constructed and arranged such that, in use, molten aluminium poured into the distributor device through the inlet opening (8) is redirected by the distributor device and flows outwards into the mould through the outlet openings (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Pyrotek Engineering Materials Limited
    Inventors: Mark Vincent, Sylvain Tremblay
  • Patent number: 7128129
    Abstract: A composition and method for forming investment casting shells includes using colloidal silica, zircon flour, and fused silica in a slurry which is applied to a pattern. After the slurry is applied to the pattern, it is allowed to partially or completely solidify. After the shell has solidified, the pattern may be melted or otherwise removed. A molten material is introduced into the shell and allowed to cool to form an article. Finally, the shell is broken away or otherwise removed from the article. The improved shell slurry composition and corresponding method minimizes pattern-to-pour cycle times and is environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. McGuire
  • Patent number: 7121320
    Abstract: A method of shaping a semisolid metal comprising pouring a molten aluminum or magnesium alloy which contains a crystal grain refiner and which is superheated to less than 50° C. above a liquidus temperature of aluminum or magnesium, directly into a vessel without using a cooling jig, maintaining the alloy in the vessel for 30 seconds to 30 minutes as a resultant melt is cooled to a temperature where a specified liquid fraction is established such that a temperature of the poured alloy which is liquid and superheated to less than 10° C. above the liquidus temperature or which is partially solid, partially liquid and at a temperature of less than 5° C. below the liquidus temperature decreases from an initial level and passes through a temperature zone 5° C. below the liquidus temperature within at least 10 minutes, whereby fine primary crystals are generated in the alloy, recovering the alloy from the vessel, supplying the alloy into a mold, and shaping the alloy under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Adachi, Hiroto Sasaki, Yasunori Harada, Tatsuo Sakamoto, Satoru Sato
  • Patent number: 7121318
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the lost pattern casting of metals is disclosed. In the method, a pattern is formed from a material and a mold is formed around at least a portion of the pattern. The mold includes a particulate material and a binder. The pattern is removed from the mold and molten metal is delivered into the mold. The mold is contacted with the solvent and the molten metal is cooled such that it at least partially solidifies to form a casting. The step of cooling includes contacting a shell of solidifying metal around the molten metal with the solvent. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Alotech Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: John R. Grassi, John Campbell, George W. Kuhlman
  • Patent number: 7117924
    Abstract: An automated matchplate molding machine includes a cope flask, a pattern plate and a drag flask for creating formed sand molds. A lock is provided to lock the drag flask to the platen table of the molding machine during desired stages of an individual sand molding sequence. The lock between the drag flask and the platen table may include actuated pins which engage corresponding detent structures such as tapered holes integral with the drag flask and prevent lateral migration of the drag flask relative to the platen table. Additionally, cope flask actuators are provided which vertically support and are operable to raise the cope flask relative to the squeeze head to facilitate release the cope mold from the cope flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hunter Automated Machinery
    Inventor: William A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 7114547
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a casting ring and base sized and dimensioned to be coupled together to form a cavity having one or more walls comprising an inner surface of the casting ring, having a bottom comprising an upper surface of the base, and having a form receiving member portion of the base extending into the cavity. This embodiment includes an indicator forming portion sized and positioned to form an indicator on a mold produced by at least partially filling the cavity with investment and allowing the investment to harden. In some instances the casting ring may have a lower segment sized and dimensioned to surround and receive an upper segment of the base to couple the ring and base together, wherein, the casting ring latches onto an outwardly protruding shoulder of the base when the base and casting ring are coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventors: Michael R. Sullivan, Ashwin Mehta
  • Patent number: 7111663
    Abstract: A metal flow system, for high pressure die casting of alloys using a machine having a pressurized source of molten alloy and a mould defining at least one die cavity, defines a metal flow path by which alloy received from the pressurized source is able to flow into the die cavity. A first part of the length of the flow path includes a runner and a controlled expansion port (CEP) which increases in cross-sectional area, in the direction of alloy flow, from an inlet end of the CEP at an outlet end of the runner to an outlet end of the CEP. A CEP exit module (CEM) forms a second part of the length of the flow path from the outlet end of the CEP. The increase in cross-sectional area of the CEP is such that molten alloy, received at the CEP inlet end at a sufficient flow velocity, undergoes a reduction in flow velocity in its flow through the CEP whereby the alloy is caused to change from a molten state to a semi-solid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Morris Taylor Murray, Matthew Alan Cope, Patrick William Rohan, Alan Michael Quadling
  • Patent number: 7111665
    Abstract: In a lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising a lubricant base, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of water, surfactant, and a high viscosity organic material having a low vapor pressure. It is believed that this mixture provides a method for uniformly distributing the surface oxide at the meniscus for casting applications and increasing meniscus stability. Uniform distribution of the oxide and increased stability at the meniscus reduces vertical fold formation that can lead to cracks in the aluminum ingot. In addition, the mixture promotes uniform heat transfer around the mold. Uniform heat transfer around the mold allows the solidifying aluminum alloy to stay in contact with the mold longer and form stronger ingot shells. A process for continuous or semi-continuous casting of aluminum alloys via the use of this lubricant composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia A. Stewart, James R. Anglin, Ray T. Richter, Larry F. Wieserman, Brian C. Reynolds, Dean K. Vinnedge, Jim M. Hart
  • Patent number: 7108042
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy suitable for diecasting of components with high elongation in the cast state contains, as well as aluminum and unavoidable impurities, 8.0 to 11.5 w. % silicon, 0.3 to 0.8 w. % manganese, 0.08 to 0.4 w. % magnesium, max 0.4 w. % iron, max 0.1 w. % copper, max 0.1 w. % zinc, max 0.15 w. % titanium and 0.05 to 0.5 w. % molybdenum. Optionally, the alloy also contains 0.05 to 0.3 w. % zirconium, 30 to 300 ppm strontium or 5 to 30 ppm sodium and/or 1 to 30 ppm calcium for permanent refinement and for grain refinement gallium phosphide and/or indium phosphide in a quantity corresponding to 1 to 250 ppm phosphorus and/or titanium and boron added by way of an aluminum master alloy with 1 to 2 w. % Ti and 1 to 2 w. % B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Aluminum Rheinfelden GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Koch
  • Patent number: 7108046
    Abstract: In an immersion nozzle exchanging apparatus for supporting an immersion nozzle at a flange underside thereof by a plurality of key plates parallel provided on both sides to horizontally pushing out and exchange an immersion nozzle much used with a new immersion nozzle, in order to secure high realability in the joint surface at between the immersion nozzle and the refractory positioned above thereof, the immersion nozzle exchanging apparatus comprises urge pressure providing mechanisms independent of each key plate for continuously changing a deflection amount of a spring body thereof depending on a moving position of the immersion nozzle upon exchanging the immersion nozzle and at the same time changing an immersion nozzle urging force caused on the respective key plates, and a slide frame having a spring body supporting seat surface formed with a taper surface in part thereof. The immersion nozzle to be used therein has a concave surface for holding a seal member having a depth of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Krosaki Harima Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Kawano, Nobuyuki Yokoi, Junichi Funato, Yukio Inoue, Motoki Toyota
  • Patent number: 7108044
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for machining a mold material to produce a mold. By casting based on a cast mold model (15), a mold material (20) is produced in a form having a work margin. Thereafter, a shape of the mold material (20) is measured by a measuring device (16), and measurement data and an envelope model (M2) generated based on the measurement data are stored in a storage unit (12A) of a computer (12). Thereafter, a mold model (M1) based on mold design data and an envelope model (M2) are displayed on a display unit (12C), and the envelope model (M2) is linearly moved in direction of three axes X, Y and Z orthogonal to one another respectively and rotated around the three axes to bring a product forming plane (M2B) of the envelope model (M2) into close proximity of a product forming plane (M1B) of the mold model (M1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kikuchi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Miyamoto, Norihiko Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7108043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the weight-accurate filling of ingot molds in a non-iron casting machine, e.g. a copper anode casting machine or a zinc anode casting machine, which is configured in the form of casting wheels that are use for production in a fully mechanized casting operation and are provided with the ingot molds. The aim of the invention is to obtain the desired precise-weight quality of a piece and exact plane parallelism of the bordering surfaces thereof. Said aim is achieved by carrying out the following steps: first, a liquid metal is introduced into an intermediate trough (4, 4?) at a regulated mass flow rate, the continuous dynamic weight increase being simultaneously determined; second, liquid metal is fed into a dosing trough (4, 4?) which is located on each side of the intermediate trough (4, 4?) by alternately tilting the intermediate trough (4, 4?) on one side followed by the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Erich Willems, Adolf Gustav Zajber, Heinz Josef Leuwer, Ronald Wilmes