Patents Assigned to American Ordinance LLC
  • Patent number: 6635197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting a molten material using a phase-change material. A funnel means is provided that includes a reservoir containing a phase-change material. The funnel means is used in conjunction with a mold. The phase-change material is heated to a temperature above its melting point. A molten material is poured into the mold, and an excess amount of the molten material is retained in the funnel means after the mold is filled. The latent heat of fusion of the phase-change material provides heat to the funnel means as the phase-change material changes from a liquid to a solid. The heat from the phase-change material maintains the temperature of the molten material within the funnel above its melting point as the molten material within the mold begins to solidify and contract, thereby permitting the excess material within the funnel means to feed into the mold and fill any voids or porosities formed by the contraction of the material within the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: American Ordinance LLC
    Inventors: John David Cortum, Michael Jaye Mathiasmeier, Louis William Stoecker