Patents by Inventor Kenneth E. Blazek

Kenneth E. Blazek 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: 6931353
    Abstract: A method of predicting the performance of certain electromagnetic devices is based on the integrated average core loss (IACL) and the integrated average relative permeability (IAP) of the electromagnetic core material used in the devices. The method includes the steps of establishing the range of induced magnetic fields over which the device is designed to operate, measuring the core loss and relative permeability of the core material over the range of induced fields and calculating the IACL and IAP over the range. Performance parameters can then be predicted using equations based on the IACL and the IAP with coefficients and constants derived through linear regression analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Ispat Inland Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Blazek
  • Publication number: 20040088139
    Abstract: A method of predicting the performance of certain electromagnetic devices is based on the integrated average core loss (IACL) and the integrated average relative permeability (IAP) of the electromagnetic core material used in the devices. The method includes the steps of establishing the range of induced magnetic fields over which the device is designed to operate, measuring the core loss and relative permeability of the core material over the range of induced fields and calculating the IACL and IAP over the range. Performance parameters can then be predicted using equations based on the IACL and the IAP with coefficients and constants derived through linear regression analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Blazek
  • Patent number: 5858135
    Abstract: A method for producing strip cast, austenitic stainless steel strip comprises providing a strip cast strip having an initial microstructure including a detrimental amount of delta ferrite and a detrimental amount of dendritic structure is provided. The strip may have a composition comprising the following ingredients: 0.4 wt. % max. carbon, 5-38 wt. % nickel, and 15-28 wt. % chromium. The strip is subjected to a cold rolling step prior to any annealing step. Upon subsequent annealing, (a) the amount of delta ferrite in the strip is reduced to substantially below the detrimental amount of delta ferrite that was in the strip prior to cold rolling and (b) the amount of dendritic structure in the strip is reduced to below the detrimental amount of dendritic structure that was in the strip prior to cold rolling. By employing the method of the present invention, an austenitic stainless steel strip having a high quality surface is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Zofia E. Niemczura, Kenneth E. Blazek
  • Patent number: 5695001
    Abstract: An electromagnetic dam is employed to confine a vertically disposed pool of molten metal at the open end of the space between two counter-rotating, casting rolls in a continuous strip caster. The dam comprises three magnetic flux conductors each having a pair of spaced-part surfaces adjacent to and facing in the direction of the pool of molten metal. Two such surfaces of a first flux conductor define a relatively wide air gap adjacent the top part of the molten metal pool; two such surfaces of a second flux conductor define a relatively narrow air gap adjacent the bottom part of the pool, at the nip between the casting rolls; and two pool-facing surfaces of a third magnetic flux conductor are disposed between the spaced-apart surfaces of the first flux conductor in the wide air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Blazek, Walter F. Praeg
  • Patent number: 5494095
    Abstract: A non-magnetic material having a relatively high electrical resistance, such as austenitic stainless steel, is used for the material of construction of the mold utilized in a conventional continuous casting apparatus, or in a rheocasting apparatus or in a continuous strip casting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Blazek, Ismael G. Saucedo, James E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5379828
    Abstract: A non-magnetic material having a relatively high electrical resistance, such as austenitic stainless steel, is used for the material of construction of the mold utilized in a conventional continuous casting apparatus, or in a rheocasting apparatus or in a continuous strip casting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Blazek, Ismael G. Saucedo, James E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5178204
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rheocasting (slurry casting) molten metal employ a stirring chamber located upstream of a casting mold. Electromagnetic stirring is employed in both the stirring chamber and the casting mold. Structure is provided for minimizing secondary recirculating flows in the molten metal as it flows downstream through the apparatus, for preventing hangers and for eliminating the columnar dendritic zone at the periphery of the casting. The efficiency of utilization of the magnetic field is optimized as is the agitation required for producing a desired fine, spheroidal, degenerate dendritic grain structure in the solidified casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventors: James E. Kelly, Kenneth E. Blazek, Kenneth P. Young
  • Patent number: 5020585
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the likelihood of a break-out during continuous casting of molten metal in a vertical mold. A continuous determination is made of (a) the location within the mold of the molten metal level and (b) the peak temperature location within the mold, both in relation to the top of the mold. The vertical distance between (a) and (b) is noted, and that distance is continuously monitored to detect any increase therein. A substantial increase indicates the likelihood of a breakout unless corrective action is taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Blazek, Ismael G. Saucedo