Patents Examined by I.-H. Lin
  • Patent number: 7438119
    Abstract: A system for reclaiming sand from a casting process includes a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of baffles defining a circuitous path for the sand therebetween, a heating element for providing heat to the chamber, and a fluidizing distributor for directing the sand through the chamber. A method of reclaiming waste sand also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Shanker Subramanian, James R. Garrett
  • Patent number: 7401636
    Abstract: A flexible die case system for forming a variety of face plates used in telecommunications equipment without having to replace the mold base is provided. The system includes a main insert for forming a first portion of the face plate and a sub-insert for forming a second portion of the face plate. The second portion includes the minor variations that might be required to accommodate minor variations in face plate requirements. For example, the second portion can be used to change the number, size and location of apertures used for light emitting diodes, as well as the number, size and location of ports used to make connections to the electronics carried by or associated with the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Brian P. O'Donnell, Daniel C. Krebs, Lawrence D. Fox, Albert N. A. Pedoeem
  • Patent number: 7401637
    Abstract: A new pressure-only molten metal valving apparatus and method is provided. This novel approach to controlling the flow of liquids eliminates the need for active, moving valve components. Using the natural surface tension properties of liquids, the gas pressure either activates liquid flow when a threshold is overcome or retains the liquid in a head, even when lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Glen N. Biggs, John J. Garant, Peter A. Gruber, Bouwe W. Leenstra, Christopher L. Tessler, Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 7401640
    Abstract: An exemplary die-casting mold core includes a mold body, an intermediate layer and a diamond-like carbon film. The mold body is made of a steel alloy containing carbon, chromium, manganese, silicon, vanadium, and iron. A molar percentage of hydrogen in the diamond-like carbon film is in a range from 2% to 25%. The die-casting mold core has excellent mechanical hardness, good corrosion resistance, good wear resistance, long lifetime and ease of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 7370687
    Abstract: A molding machine able to stably detect an abnormality of a squeeze pin, for example, a die cast machine having a squeeze pin able to apply pressure to a melt of a cavity repeatedly performing a molding cycle including a pressing process making the squeeze pin advance and applying pressure to the melt of the cavity in a state where the melt is filled in the cavity and a spray process making the squeeze pin advance and performing at least one of lubrication and cooling of the squeeze pin in the state where the melt is not filled in the cavity, and, in the spray process, detecting a stroke of the squeeze pin and detecting an abnormality of the squeeze pin based on a comparison of the detection result about the stroke and a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Mizota, Shunichiro Ito
  • Patent number: 7363959
    Abstract: A partial SEN capable of having flow diverter parts installed therein, and a method of using the SEN in a continuous casting system are disclosed. The partial SEN includes a hollow distribution zone at a bottom portion of the SEN which is designed to allow the installation of at least two different types of flow diverter parts, one type of flow diverter parts for a first type of caster mold, and a second type of flow diverter parts for a second type of caster mold. The design of the flow diverter parts and the resulting angles achieved when the flow diverter parts are installed in the partial SEN are matched to a caster mold such that the flow characteristics of molten steel exiting the SEN into the caster mold during continuous casting operation are of a desired and optimal nature to prevent various types of casting defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Hanna, Kirby Joe Teeter
  • Patent number: 7363958
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous casting mould for liquid metals, especially for liquid steel, comprising steel charging plates (2) which are surrounded by water reservoirs (1), cassette-type copper plates (3) arranged against the same, end plates (7), if needed, for the thickness and/or the width of the cast billet, and coolant channels (9). The aim of the invention is to take measures to counteract the high temperatures in the meniscus region (13) using appropriate embodiments of the copper plates (3) and/or the steel charging plates (2). To this end, the thickness (10) of the copper plates (3) between the coolant (11) and the hot side (3a) of the copper plates varies along the width (2×L) and/or in terms of the height (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Gereon Fehlemann, Hans Streubel
  • Patent number: 7353858
    Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a cap for servicing a molding-system valve, and (ii) a method of a cap for servicing a molding-system valve, amongst other things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Jan Marius Manda
  • Patent number: 7341093
    Abstract: Described are wrought forms of copper alloys for infiltrating powder metal parts, the method for preparing the copper alloys and their wrought forms, the method for their infiltration into a powder metal part, and the infiltrated metal part infiltrated with the novel alloys having a generally uniform distribution of copper throughout and exhibiting high transverse rupture strength, tensile strength and yield strength. Infiltrated metal parts prepared by infiltrating powder metal parts with reduced amounts of the novel infiltrant typically weigh less and have superior strengths compared to similarly prepared infiltrated metal parts prepared with standard methods and conventional infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: LLC 2 Holdings Limited, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Rivest
  • Patent number: 7341094
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metallic alloy slurry dispenser. The dispenser includes a dispensing body that defines an outlet. The dispenser also includes an outlet cover that cooperates with the outlet, and the outlet cover is configured to cooperate with the outlet more than once. The metallic alloy slurry dispenser may be used in any one of a metallic alloy slurry molding machine, a metallic alloy slurry molding assembly, a metallic alloy slurry hot runner assembly and any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Jan Marius Manda
  • Patent number: 7337826
    Abstract: Knuckle coupler castings and methods for casting the knuckle coupler castings, where the knuckle coupler castings having enhanced bearing surfaces which may include a vertically flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: McConway & Torley, LLC
    Inventors: Peter S. Mautino, Joseph L. Gagliardino
  • Patent number: 7334625
    Abstract: A method for forming an investment casting core comprises cutting a patterned core precursor from refractory metal-based sheet. The cutting forms recast along the cuts. An oxide is grown on non-recast areas. The recast is substantially chemically removed but substantially leaving the oxide. The core precursor may then be shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Judge, Joseph J. Parkos, Jr., Gary M. Lomasney
  • Patent number: 7331374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Volker R. Knobloch, Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James R. Garrett, John W. Dalton
  • Patent number: 7332049
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a reinforced matrix composite comprising the step of providing a composite preform having a fibrous structure and applying matrix material onto the preform in locations along the preform. A barrier material is applied to at least a portion of the coated preform to direct the flow of matrix material into the preform. The composite preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the matrix material viscous and insufficient to cure the matrix material. The pressure to the interior of the composite preform is reduced, while the pressure to the barrier material is increased. The temperature is maintained to flow the matrix material into the composite preform and to force gases from the fibrous structure. The composite preform is then cured and cooled to form a reinforced matrix composite having a low void content and a substantially uniform matrix distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Gregory Joseph Meibers, Robert Paul Fairbanks, Stephen Mark Whiteker, Richard Thomas Price, Matthew Bernard Buczek, Warren Rosal Ronk
  • Patent number: 7322397
    Abstract: A seal for a continuous casting furnace having a melting chamber with a mold therein for producing a metal cast includes a passage between the melting chamber and external atmosphere. As the cast moves through the passage, the cast outer surface and the passage inner surface define therebetween a reservoir for containing liquid glass or other molten material to prevent the external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. Particulate material fed into the reservoir is melted by heat from the cast to form the molten material. The molten material coats the cast as it moves through the passage and solidifies to form a coating to protect the hot cast from reacting with the external atmosphere. Preferably, the mold has an inner surface with a cross-sectional shape to define a cross-sectional shape of the cast outer surface whereby these cross-sectional shapes are substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the passage inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: RMI Titanium Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Frank P. Spadafora, Kuang-O Yu, Brian W. Martin
  • Patent number: 7322396
    Abstract: A hollow airfoil is fabricated by providing a casting mold assembly including a casting mold, a casting core, and a standoff spacer that prevents the casting core from contacting the casting mold to define a casting space. A first nickel-base superalloy is cast into the casting space and solidified to form the hollow airfoil. The presence of a through-hole extending through a wall of the hollow airfoil is identified, and the through-hole is closed by welding using a second nickel-base superalloy, without using any freestanding closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christine Govern, Thomas Joseph Kelly, Joseph Giancarlo Sabato
  • Patent number: 7311136
    Abstract: In an injection mold including at least two mold sections which are movable relative to one another for opening and closing the injection mold and an electronic counter with an actuator and a sensor element supplying, influenced by the actuator, a signal indicative of the number of closings of the injection mold, the sensor element is disposed in a first housing and the electronic counter is disposed outside the first housing and connected to the sensor element via an electrical communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Otto Månner Innovation GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Männer
  • Patent number: 7302995
    Abstract: An apparatus for injection-molding products, comprising an injection mold (2) divisible into at least two parts (6, 8) such that consequently at least one mold cavity (14) is cleared, wherein on at least one part of the injection mold guiding means (22) are provided for a transfer device (4) for providing an insert in the mold cavity and/or for taking a product from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: I-Pac Patents B.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Antonius Alberts
  • Patent number: 7302989
    Abstract: A mold system for producing components of a turbine engine. The mold system may enable a configuration of a turbine engine component to be changed in less time than conventional systems. The mold system may include a mold formed from mold plates wherein at least one of the mold plates has at least one mold cavity configured to receive a ceramic insert and a ceramic insert positioned in the at least one mold cavity and including a core making cavity. The ceramic insert may be formed from a material having high compressive strength, good wear resistance, good corrosion resistance, good thermal conductivity, and high toughness, such as but not limited to, graphite partially or fully converted to silicon carbide, silicon carbide, graphite coated with silicon carbide, and other appropriate materials. The ceramic insert may also be formed with other near net shape processes, such as, reaction bonded metal oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Kamel, Jay E. Lane
  • Patent number: 7302993
    Abstract: Techniques for forming cast parts for medical devices suitable for contact with internal regions of patients are described herein. Such parts can be small in scale (e.g., having a major axis less than 0.3 inches, and/or a minor axis less than about 0.08 inches), and can be formed from metals that have a high melting point and high reactivity with environmental components or mold surfaces, such as stainless steel and titanium alloys. Such techniques can include injecting molten metal into the sprue of a mold tree such that the side runners are backfilled after the molten metal impacts a closed end of the sprue. Side runners can be oriented in particular directions and positions to promote backfilling. As well, flask temperatures and the use of surfactants can also promote cast part formation, hindering the formation of surface defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Crawford, Tracy J. Potter, Donald F. Heaney, Brain S. DeForce, Samardh Onukuri
  • Patent number: 5044802
    Abstract: A printing apparatus including a print mechanism for printing key-input print information; an eraser for erasing a character or symbol printed on a recording medium with the print mechanism; a first memory for storing the key-input information; a second memory for storing information on a print object erased with the eraser; and an erasure controller for controlling the eraser in accordance with a comparison result between the erased object information stored in the second memory and the key-input information stored in the first memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Sugiyama