Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Shelmidine

Gregory J. Shelmidine 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).

  • Electrode immersion depth determination and control in electroslag remelting furnace
    Patent number: 7180931
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an electroslag remelting furnace comprising adjusting electrode drive speed by an amount proportional to a difference between a metric of electrode immersion and a set point, monitoring impedance or voltage, and calculating the metric of electrode immersion depth based upon a predetermined characterization of electrode immersion depth as a function of impedance or voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Melgaard, Joseph J. Beaman, Gregory J. Shelmidine
  • Control of electrode depth in electroslag remelting
    Patent number: 6496530
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling an electroslag remelting furnace by driving the electrode at a nominal speed based upon melting rate and geometry while making minor proportional adjustments based on a measured metric of the electrode immersion depth. Electrode drive speed is increased if a measured metric of electrode immersion depth differs from a set point by a predetermined amount, indicating that the tip is too close to the surface of a slag pool. Impedance spikes are monitored to adjust the set point for the metric of electrode immersion depth based upon one or more properties of the impedance spikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Melgaard, Gregory J. Shelmidine, Brian K. Damkroger
  • CONTROL OF ELECTRODE DEPTH IN ELECTROSLAG REMELTING
    Publication number: 20020141475
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling an electroslag remelting furnace by driving the electrode at a nominal speed based upon melting rate and geometry while making minor proportional adjustments based on a measured metric of the electrode immersion depth. Electrode drive speed is increased if a measured metric of electrode immersion depth differs from a set point by a predetermined amount, indicating that the tip is too close to the surface of a slag pool. Impedance spikes are monitored to adjust the set point for the metric of electrode immersion depth based upon one or more properties of the impedance spikes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: David K. Melgaard, Gregory J. Shelmidine, Brian K. Damkroger
  • Metals processing control by counting molten metal droplets
    Patent number: 6019811
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling metals processing (e.g., ESR) by melting a metal ingot and counting molten metal droplets during melting. An approximate amount of metal in each droplet is determined, and a melt rate is computed therefrom. Impedance of the melting circuit is monitored, such as by calculating by root mean square a voltage and current of the circuit and dividing the calculated current into the calculated voltage. Analysis of the impedance signal is performed to look for a trace characteristic of formation of a molten metal droplet, such as by examining skew rate, curvature, or a higher moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Schlienger, Joanna M. Robertson, David Melgaard, Gregory J. Shelmidine, James A. Van Den Avyle