Patents Assigned to PV/T, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7896060
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for casting liquid metals into molds in a casting furnace comprising a controlled environment melt chamber and a mold lock chamber. A mold is supplied to the controlled environment melt chamber for a pour, and removed from the same chamber via a mold lock chamber. A mold transport system moves the mold through the mold lock chamber. The mold transport system comprises a rotary screw drive, a cylinder screw drive, or hydraulic drive located external to the furnace. Alternatively the mold transport system comprises a rack and worm screw drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: PV/T, Inc.
    Inventors: Lennie L. Ashburn, Robert W. Fest, John H. Mortimer
  • Publication number: 20080223538
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for casting liquid metals into molds in a casting furnace comprising a controlled environment melt chamber and a mold lock chamber. A mold is supplied to the controlled environment melt chamber for a pour, and removed from the same chamber via a mold lock chamber. A mold transport system moves the mold through the mold lock chamber. The mold transport system comprises a rotary screw drive, a cylinder screw drive, or hydraulic drive located external to the furnace. Alternatively the mold transport system comprises a rack and worm screw drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: PV/T, INC.
    Inventors: Lennie L. Ashburn, Robert W. Fest, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 7383873
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for casting liquid metals into molds in a casting furnace comprising a controlled environment melt chamber and a mold lock chamber. A mold is supplied to the controlled environment melt chamber for a pour, and removed from the same chamber via a mold lock chamber. A mold transport system moves the mold through the mold lock chamber. The mold transport system comprises a rotary screw drive, a cylinder screw drive, or hydraulic drive located external to the furnace. Alternatively the mold transport system comprises a rack and worm screw drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: PV/T, Inc.
    Inventors: Lennie L. Ashburn, Robert W. Fest, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 6947467
    Abstract: An electric resistance high temperature vacuum furnace having radiant heating units evenly spaced around the sides and ends of the furnace hot zone. Pairs of units are automatically regulated both radially and longitudinally according to the temperature required by the workload in the hot zone. The units each comprise parallel aligned elements electrically connected in series at their one ends. Each element has lengthwise surfaces angularly disposed from each other to form a beam structure of high section modulus for stiffness and resistance to sagging. Also, the angles of the element surfaces facing a heat-reflective assembly substantially enable all of the energy radiated toward the assembly to be reflected into the hot zone in addition to the direct radiation from the surfaces facing the hot zone. The furnace includes a re-circulating cooling system for rapid cooling of the furnace and workload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: PV/T, Inc.
    Inventor: Lennie L. Ashburn
  • Patent number: 6349108
    Abstract: An electric resistance high temperature vacuum furnace having radiant heating units evenly spaced around the sides and ends of the furnace hot zone. Pairs of units are automatically regulated both radially and longitudinally according to the temperature required by the workload in the hot zone. The units each comprise parallel aligned elements electrically connected in series at their one ends. Each element has lengthwise surfaces angularly disposed from each other to form a beam structure of high section modulus for stiffness and resistance to sagging. Also, the angles of the element surfaces facing a heat-reflective assembly substantially enable all of the energy radiated toward the assembly to be reflected into the hot zone in addition to the direct radiation from the surfaces facing the hot zone. The furnace includes a re-circulating cooling system for rapid cooling of the furnace and workload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: PV/T, Inc.
    Inventor: Lennie L. Ashburn