Patents by Inventor Charles J. Upchurch

Charles J. Upchurch 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: 8137765
    Abstract: Liquid aluminum is sprayed as a fine mist onto an alloyed iron article to produce a thin tenacious non-corrodible layer. In some embodiments, air is heated and delivered through insulated tubing to a container having solid aluminum therein. In some embodiments the air is heated by an electric induction coil. In some embodiments, the container is heated independently of the heated air. In some embodiments, the container is heated by an electric induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Charles J. Upchurch
  • Publication number: 20090214888
    Abstract: Liquid aluminum is sprayed as a fine mist onto an alloyed iron article to produce a thin tenacious non-corrodible layer. In some embodiments, air is heated and delivered through insulated tubing to a container having solid aluminum therein. In some embodiments the air is heated by an electric induction coil. In some embodiments, the container is heated independently of the heated air. In some embodiments, the container is heated by an electric induction coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Charles J. Upchurch
  • Patent number: 6913841
    Abstract: Liquid aluminum is sprayed onto an iron article to produce a thin tenacious non-corrodible layer. In one embodiment, an iron article is heated to at least 400° F. or preferably until cherry red. It is sprayed with a fine aluminum mist generated by heating aluminum in a container and then passing a gas under pressure through the container and out through a heat resistant ceramic nozzle. In another embodiment, aluminum is heated to at least 2000° F. in a container to produce a pool of liquid aluminum. Pressure is applied to the container to project the liquid aluminum in the form of a fine mist through a ceramic nozzle onto the iron article. The aluminum mist produces a tenacious aluminum layer on the iron article that is workable, weldable and non-corrodible. The aluminum layer is a permanent part of the iron article and cannot be removed by conventional means, such as buffing with a wire wheel driven by a electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Charles J. Upchurch
  • Publication number: 20040253475
    Abstract: Liquid aluminum is sprayed onto an iron article to produce a thin tenacious non-corrodible layer. In one embodiment, an iron article is heated to at least 400° F. or preferably until cherry red. It is sprayed with a fine aluminum mist generated by heating aluminum in a container and then passing a gas under pressure through the container and out through a heat resistant ceramic nozzle. In another embodiment, aluminum is heated to at least 2000° F. in a container to produce a pool of liquid aluminum. Pressure is applied to the container to project the liquid aluminum in the form of a fine mist through a ceramic nozzle onto the iron article. The aluminum mist produces a tenacious aluminum layer on the iron article that is workable, weldable and non-corrodible. The aluminum layer is a permanent part of the iron article and cannot be removed by conventional means, such as buffing with a wire wheel driven by a electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Charles J. Upchurch