Patents by Inventor Bruno Frischknecht

Bruno Frischknecht has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5533371
    Abstract: A rolling or continuous casting and rolling mill facility includes a roll set comprising working rolls defining a roll gap therebetween and support rolls, at least one of the working rolls and the support rolls having coaxial reduced diameter barrel portions defining measurement surfaces thereon; a measuring element for determining the roll gap by measuring a distance between the measurement surfaces, comprising a measurement head and a contact-free double sensor positioned on the measurement head; and an element for moving the measurement head between a working position wherein the double sensor is positioned in a rolling plane drawn through axes of rotation of the working rolls and aligned with the measurement surfaces and a rest position wherein the measurement head and double sensor are withdrawn from the rolling plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Frischknecht, Peter Messerli, Daniel Fankhauser, Rudolf Roder, Rolf Eigel
  • Patent number: 5353861
    Abstract: The process relates to the early detection and prevention of sticking when roll casting metals, especially aluminium and aluminium alloys. The strip movements in the region between the roll nip (W) and the first deflector roller (46) in the direction perpendicular to the strip surface (42, 44) are measured continuously or almost continuously and process parameters are altered in a programme-controlled manner when vibrations appear. When this microsticking is detected, process parameters can be altered before damage is caused by sticking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Bruno Frischknecht
  • Patent number: 5176198
    Abstract: Molten metal (15), in particular molten aluminum or aluminum alloy, is fed to the adjustable roll gap (42,44) between two casting rolls (42,44) of the horizontal strip caster by means of a nozzle which is horizontally displaceable and vertically adjustable on a carriage. The feeding of the nozzle is interrupted to exchange or clean the latter and the carriage is removed from and returned to the region of the casting rolls. The metal feed from a stationary launder into a mobile launder and/or into a molten metal distribution trough of the nozzle is continued even during interruption of the casting. A stationary launder having an outflow in the region of the end face which can be closed by an adjustable plug is arranged above a mobile launder having a molten metal distribution trough for the nozzle which is isolated via an adjustable aperture, this mobile launder being arranged on a carriage, in a manner such as to be longitudinally displaceable or longitudinally displaceable and laterally swivellable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Frischknecht, Rudolf Roder
  • Patent number: 4991420
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the roller nip in a stand for rolling and/or roll casting. In adjusting the roller nip, the first (lower) bearing housing remains substantially stationary while the second (upper) bearing housing pivots about a pivotal connection located in one of the outer recesses betweeen the first and second bearing housings. The roller nip adjusting means, which is located in the outer recesses between the first and second bearing housings opposite of the pivotal connection, supports a portion of the second bearing housing and can be used to apply a dynamic upward force on the second bearing housing which causes it to pivot and thereby increase the roller nip. The roller nip adjusting means can also be used to decrease the roller nip since when such means are retracted, gravitational forces will cause the second bearing housing to pivot downwardly and remain in indirect or direct contact with the roller nip adjusting means, thereby narrowing the roller nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering AG
    Inventors: Bruno Frischknecht, Rudolf Roder
  • Patent number: 4934444
    Abstract: The device serves to cool rolls (10, 12), especially in continuous strip casting and in rolling metals. The rolls are covered by hoods, each of which extends from the vicinity of roll nip (26) over a portion of roll surface (28). Spray devices are also provided for supplying a cooling medium (56) to parts of the roll surface. Liquid cooling medium (56) is collected and carried away in the lower part of hood (30). Hoods (30) are sealed off from the corresponding rolls (10, 12). A plurality of spray devices (32) in hood (30) serves to supply an at least partly liquid cooling medium (56) and extends axially over the entire length of the roll. Devices for removing liquid cooling medium (56) from roll surface (28) conduct the latter into a drain or suction device. Spray devices (32) and devices for removing cooling medium (56) are arranged individually or alternately in groups, with removal devices provided at both ends to remove cooling medium (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Frischknecht, Rudolph Roder
  • Patent number: 4649986
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the size of the gap between casting rolls wherein the rolls are situated in bearings in supporting frames which are a variable distance apart. At least one of the supporting frames features, at its corner regions facing the other frame, bearing plates having faces inclined at an angle (w) to the axis (A) of a spindle. Moveable adjusting blocks are provided with wedge-shaped surfaces which rest against the inclined faces. Each of the adjusting blocks feature teeth which mate with threads on a spindle, the threads running counter to each other. As the spindle is rotated the blocks are moved either toward or away from each other thus raising or lowering the at least one supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Frischknecht, Rolf Wurgler
  • Patent number: 4577672
    Abstract: A device for casting metal strip is such that molten metal is fed via a nozzle into a gap between two rolls of a roll type continuous casting unit. The nozzle (4) is mounted on a nozzle beam (6) which is in turn mounted on a slide (34), the latter (34) being moveable in direction (x) by means of a power drive (37). Provided on both sides of the slide (34) are handwheels (40) which permit movement of the slide also at an angle to direction (x). The nozzle beam (6) is moveably mounted on a supporting section (7) which is connected to the slide (34) via a frame (33), the height of which frame (33) being adjustable via a ratchet type facility (41) or the like with suitable gearing and linkage facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Frischknecht, Rolf Wurgler