Patents Assigned to Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
  • Patent number: 4777772
    Abstract: The externally insulated window mounting is employed in the sidewall frame of a railway passenger carriage. This carriage frame comprises sidewall sections and post sections (10), an exchangeable outer skin and in between an insulating material. The window mounting is releasably secured to the sidewall sections and post sections. The inner frame, made up of at least four extrusion pieces spaced from the region of the window corners, features a lip which serves as a sealing surface for the outer skin and holds in place an outer, peripheral frame with undercut groove. A lip on the outer frame pointing away from the window opening, clamps the outer skin securely and holds in place a mounting strip of weather resistant, elastic material to retain the window glazing in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Antal Ritzl
  • Patent number: 4773797
    Abstract: A device for loading containers that are open or can be vented, containers for fine particulate materials, said device being part of a pneumatic conveyance system, in particular such a system using dense layer transportation, where the said device comprises essentially a tube-shaped casing, a lifting element, a closing element and a lifting rod which connects the lifting and closing elements and enables the distance between these elements to be varied. The combined weight of the part of the lifting element, that can be moved in the axial direction (A), the closing element and the lifting rod is greater than the elastic force of the lifting element but is smaller than the product of the difference between areas (F.sub.H) and (F.sub.M) and the positive pressure in the supply line acting on the lifting element. The distance (h) of the closing element from the lower edge of the casing is smaller than the stroke of the lifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter Merz
  • Patent number: 4756357
    Abstract: A process for controlling the rate of cooling an ingot emerging from a continuous casting mold, said ingot being cooled by application of a fluid coolant directly onto the ingot surface, comprises continuous measurement of the cooling capacity and influencing the composition and/or the quantity of coolant employed per unit time i.e. in the sense of matching up to the required coolant capacity. As such the measurement of the coolant capacity is performed at least at one place outwith the ingot and using coolant not coming into contact with the ingot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Urs Banninger, Kurt Buxmann, Miroslaw Plata
  • Patent number: 4747742
    Abstract: An unloading flap of a stationary or mobile silo for pourable particulate material having at least one outlet opening comprises an upper part that is secured to a first silo wall and a lower part that hinges on the upper part and can be tilted into the open and closed positions by means of an actuating rod that can be power driven.The lower edge of the straight or angled lower part with respect to the upper part is in the form of a projecting support. In the closed position this support rests along a line or area on a longitudinal groove in the region of the lower edge of a second silo wall. A device attached to one of the two parts of the flap exercises a moment of rotation on the other part of the flap such that the angle (.alpha.) between the upper and lower parts is reduced to an angle (.alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Jurg Zehnder
  • Patent number: 4745988
    Abstract: A device for conducting away exhaust gases from internal combustion engines comprises at least one sleeve-shaped silencer which encloses an exhaust pipe and forms an enclosed space around said exhaust pipe. The silencer is made up of at least two sleeve-shaped parts, or of a sleeve-shaped part and base part, which are joined together. The portion of the exhaust pipe in the space inside the silencer features perforations and/or sound absorbing elements. The inside of the silencer may be fitted with sound absorbers. The sleeve-shaped parts of the silencer and, if desired, the exhaust pipe and/or the sound absorbers are made of aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy.The sleeve-shaped parts of the silencer are manufactured by impact extrusion, deep drawing or a similar method and are joined together preferably radial to their longitudinal axis. The ends these parts taper down to tube-shaped extensions which fit over the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean Hardt, Jakob Widrig
  • Patent number: 4744545
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a chamber with an inner and outer sidewall wherein fluxing gas inlets are provided on the inner sidewall and a space is provided between the inner and outer sidewall with a heating element and an air space between the heating element and the inner sidewall for providing uniform heating of the inner sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Howard A. McDonald
  • Patent number: 4744512
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite section having a section or part of the rail cross-section made of light metal and also, mounted securely on the same, a section made of a heavy metal which forms a part of the outer surface of the composite section--in particular a composite conductor rail of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and a steel facing or insert joined to it by means of extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerhard Mier
  • Patent number: 4732594
    Abstract: A process for scrubbing exhaust gases from diesel engines using filter cartridges of open pore ceramic foam are such that the filter cartridges are situated in the exhaust gas stream such that the exhaust gases strike the filter cartridge end and flow through it parallel to its central axis. As a result the amount of soot deposited is greatest in the part of the cartridge first meeting the inflowing exhaust gases, and decreases rapidly with increasing throughput; consequently the low efficiency part contributes greatly to the undesired backpressure. The proposed process, in which the exhaust gases flow through the most efficient part of the filter cartridge made of open pore ceramic foam, is such that the exhaust gases flow essentially transverse to the longitudinal axis and thus does not exhibit these disadvantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Tiberiu Mizrah, Konrad Kampfer, Wolfhart Rieger
  • Patent number: 4722771
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a partially permeable membrane is such that a 20-200 .mu.m thick aluminum foil in the non-recrystallized condition is etched in an electrolyte at a current density in the range 2-20 kA/m.sup.2 and the surface given an after-treatment to prevent hydration reactions. The membrane is particularly suitable for ultrafiltration, gas separation or pervaporation and to that end can also be employed in combination with a polymer membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Marcus Textor, Martin Werner, Wilhelm Franschitz
  • Patent number: 4719013
    Abstract: A ceramic foam material and process for making same having superior strength and durability properties wherein the impregnated foam impregnated with an alumina hydrate binder is fired at an elevated temperature so as to produce a ceramic body characterized by a solid state, sintered ceramic bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry W. Brockmeyer
  • Patent number: 4717455
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a microfilter is such that a foil having an aluminum content of at least 99.95% and thickness 20-250 .mu.m is given a recrystallizing anneal, is etched in an electrolyte in stages at constant current density in the range 0.01 to 2 kA/m.sup.2, and the surface given a stabilizing after treatment to prevent hydration reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Marcus Textor, Martin Werner, Wilhelm Franschitz
  • Patent number: 4708326
    Abstract: A molten metal pouring cup is provided communicating with a transfer means for transferring molten metal from the pouring cup to a casting station. Vent means is provided on the pouring cup at the interface between the pouring cup and the transfer means to permit release of entrapped gas downstream of the pouring cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Jerry W. Brockmeyer, Leonard S. Aubrey, James E. Dore, Clifford N. Soble
  • Patent number: 4703642
    Abstract: A process and device for manufacturing a section, in particular a hollow section, especially from light metal billets. To this end a plurality of billets is simultaneously forced through the shape-giving cross-section of a die and united to form the matrix metal for the section. For this purpose at least two bores in the container are aligned with the shape-giving cross-section of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Alfred Wagner, Ulf Hodel, Adolf Ames
  • Patent number: 4703187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the determination of the thickness of transparent, clear or colored, layers of lacquer on bright rolled, metallic foil or thin strip, in particular of aluminium or aluminium alloys, wherein the optical transmission factor (D) of the layer is determined. The attenuation of irradiated light reflected from the metallic surface disposed in an arched configuration is measured in the infrared to visible range after transmission through the layers of lacquer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Erich Hofling, Zdenek Maly
  • Patent number: 4700612
    Abstract: The drive system for cells for fused salt electrolytic production of aluminum is supplied with compressed air via a compressed air network with compressor and compressed air reservoir. It comprises at least one working cylinder with piston and piston rod, a slide valve situated after the junction from the compressed air network, compressed air pipes and a microprocessor. During the thrust movement in the normal work cycle, the working cylinder forms a circuit together with a 5/2 channeling valve, a 3/2 channeling valve and the related compressed air pipelines; the said circuit is fed compressed air via a pressure reducing valve and the compressed air pipeline running from it. By briefly switching over the 5/2 channeling valve normal pressure can be employed and the positive chamber of the working cylinder evacuated, as a result of which the thrusting force supplied by the system can be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Pfister
  • Patent number: 4698941
    Abstract: A frame, in particular for dome shaped roofs, is made up of support sections which run together at junction points where they are joined together; rectangular hollow sections are employed as the support sections and at each junction point two dish-shaped plates at least one of which features a hole providing access by hand to introduce joining means such as threaded bolts, locking ring bolts to attach the ends of the hollow sections to the round plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Werner Rieder, deceased, by Margret Rieder, heir, Gabriele Uttenweiler, heir, Barbara Rieder, heir
  • Patent number: 4699204
    Abstract: A device for contactless, vertically downwards continuous casting of metals in an electromagnetic alternating field, has an inductor and an electrically conductive, non-ferromagnetic screen that tapers downwards and features at a vertical distance 9 from this screen an electrically conductive, non-ferromagnetic counter screen that tapers upwards, the distance 9 between the said screen and counter screen being at least 2 mm, at most equal of the height of the inductor and in a continuous process which employs this device the circulation of the melt in the molten head of the ingot is reduced at least in the steady-state phase of casting. The process is particularly suitable for continuous casting aluminum alloys having a magnesium content of at least 2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Raoul Sautebin, Jean-Claude Weber, Carlo Alborghetti
  • Patent number: 4693878
    Abstract: A need exists for an economical process for the production of alkali silicates of high purity, especially soda-waterglass, from waste silicic acid. From a waste silicic acid occurring in the reaction of hexafluorosilicic acid with aluminum hydroxide, which is treated with hot 15-25% wt. hexafluorosilicic acid and then calcined preferably at 750.degree.-900.degree. C. in a flow of water vapor, alkali silicates can be obtained with low degree of impurity, which are suitable advantageously for the production of precipitated silicic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Arankathu Skaria, Heinrich Goeldi
  • Patent number: 4693345
    Abstract: A multi-compartment case, in particular such a case for air travel, features a rectangular parallelpiped shaped part with a handle on one narrow side and, projecting beyond the narrow side a tall part which is provided with a hinged lid on the front wall facing the other part and in its interior a device for hanging up clothes. The narrow side projects as a wall section out of a front wall of two tall case shells which are made mainly of light weight metal and are hinged together. The narrow side features connecting elements to secure a briefcase which, when joined to the case, makes the whole into a rectangular parallelpiped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerhard Mittelmann
  • Patent number: RE32603
    Abstract: A ceramic foam material and process for making same having superior strength and durability properties wherein the impregnated foam impregnated with an alumina hydrate binder is fired at an elevated temperature so as to produce a ceramic body characterized by a solid state, sintered ceramic bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry W. Brockmeyer