Patents Examined by I.-H. Lin
  • Patent number: 6899158
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a cylinder for an internal combustion engine by making use of an insert core, which makes it possible to manufacture the cylinder by a die casting method such as a high-pressure die casting method at low cost and in high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Fujihiro Matuura, Takio Shoji, Daiju Yamada
  • Patent number: 6896034
    Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous steel strip casting process based on customer-specified requirements includes a general purpose computer in which product specifications of steel product ordered by a customer is entered. The computer is configured to automatically map the product specifications to process parameters/set points for controlling the continuous steel strip casting process in a manner to produce the customer ordered product, and in one embodiment produces a process change report detailing such process parameters/set points for operator use in physically implementing such process parameters/set points in the strip casting process. Alternatively, the computer may provide the process parameters/set points directly to the strip casting process for automatic control thereof in producing the customer ordered steel product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Lazar Strezov, Kannapar Mukunthan, Walter Bleide, Rama Mahapatra
  • Patent number: 6896031
    Abstract: A closed system and method that includes a source of pressurizeable molten lead connected to a mold having a mold cavity therein with the mold maintainable at sufficiently low temperature so that a charge of molten lead located in the mold cavity solidifies to thereby form a solidified casting in the mold cavity. A housing having a runner, is maintainable at sufficiently high temperature to maintain the molten lead in a molten state so that the mold cavity can be refilled with a fresh charge molten lead when a solidified casting is removed therefrom without introducing air to the closed system. A shut-off valve, having an open position to allow a charge of molten lead to flow into the mold cavity and a closed position to prevent molten lead from flowing out of the runner as the molten lead in mold cavity solidifies with the shut-off valve configurable to intensify the pressure of the lead in the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 6892793
    Abstract: The caster roll (10) is used in the manufacture of metal plate, strip, sheet, or foil. The caster roll (10) includes a cylindrical roll core (12) and at least one metal overlay (14) formed on the roll core (12). The at least one metal overlay (14) defines a plurality of cooling passages (34) for conducting a cooling medium through the at least one metal overlay (14) to cool the roll (10) during use. Additional metal overlays (16) may be formed on top of the at least one metal overlay. (14). The cooling passages (34) may also be formed in the roll core (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua C. Liu, Teddy R. Creech
  • Patent number: 6889749
    Abstract: Device (10) to discharge liquid steel from a container (12) to a crystallizer (11) with rollers (31, 32), formed by a discharge element (13) arranged between the container (12) and the rollers (31, 32), wherein the discharge element (13) is shaped so as to define a main tank (15) provided with vertical intermediate walls (16, 18) which define a central compartment (19) into which the liquid steel is able to be cast from the container (12). Lateral walls (20, 21) define two lateral compartments (22, 23) communicating with the central compartment (19) by means of apertures (25) made in the lower part of the vertical intermediate walls (16, 18). On the bottom wall (27) of the discharge element (13), between the intermediate walls (16, 18) and the lateral walls (20, 21), discharge apertures (29) are provided through which the cast steel is able to flow downwards. Moreover guide elements (30) are provided at the sides of the discharge apertures (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 6889746
    Abstract: A material for plastic working is produced by the steps of using a mold having a mold cavity (16) partially defined by an end surface of a stopper (13) for closing a molten metal inlet (101), teeming molten metal (10) into the mold cavity through the inlet and cooling the molten metal to thereby attain unidirectional solidification of the molten metal. Regulation of the cooling rate enables the mean grain size to be graded in the direction from the cooled face (B surface) to the opposing face (T surface) and the added components to increase in the same direction. It is possible to obtain a material for plastic working that has a selected portion exhibiting an excellent function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Shigeru Yanagimoto, Masashi Fukuda, Tomoo Uchida, Kunio Hirano
  • Patent number: 6889743
    Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Mertins
  • Patent number: 6886622
    Abstract: A damped blade is provided that includes a blade structural member defining at least one coolant channel and a liner formed of a shape memory alloy extending at least partially along the at least one coolant channel defined by the blade structural member. The shape memory alloy that forms the liner is maintained generally at its transition temperature by means of coolant circulated through the coolant channel. The shape memory alloy that forms the liner will resist the onset of vibrations within the blade, thereby effectively damping blade vibrations. A method of fabricating a damped blade is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Villhard
  • Patent number: 6883581
    Abstract: A method for implementing post-heat treatment during spray forming to achieve stress control in the manufacture of a spray formed metallic tool involves applying a metallic spray-forming material onto a mold substrate and causing substantially homogenous metallic phase transformations from the austenite phase, for example, via manipulation of either or both of the substrate temperature and the spray forming cell environment temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Allen Dennis Roche, Samir Samir, Chijoke Mgbokwere, Mark Lusk
  • Patent number: 6883586
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip guide for a strip casting unit, comprising at least two segments, in particular roller segments (1-4), each with a strip input side (2.1) and a strip output side (3.1) and a pair of roller supports, each with a number of support rollers (5), running along a support region. The roller supports are adjustable by means of, in particular, hydraulic adjuster units (8). According to the invention, the strip guide can be more flexibly embodied and the assembly and disassembly times reduced, whereby a mechanical connection (9) is provided between neighbouring segments (1-4) and, on fitting a cylinder pair (8.1-8.4) to the strip input side (2.1) of a segment (1-4), the adjustment movement occurs both on said side (2.1), as well as simultaneously on the strip output side (3.1) of a previous segment connected thereto. On fitting a cylinder pair (8.1-8.4) to the strip output side (3.1) of a segment (1 4), the adjustment movement thereof affects said side (3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Axel Weyer, Peter Jonen
  • Patent number: 6883583
    Abstract: The invention achieves a more effective die changing work, reduces a time required for performing die changing of work of a die, and improves an operational availability of a molding machine, in various kinds of molding dies. A die changing operation can be efficiently performed by drawing out an exclusive portion which is automatically attached to and detached from a general portion of a molding die, from the general portion by a feeding means and pressing the exclusive portion to the general portion. Further, the exclusive portion (an old insert) drawn out to a predetermined position from the general portion can be carried out to an outer side of a die casting machine by a carrying means, and another exclusive portion (a new insert) can be carried in to a predetermined position within the machine from the outer side thereof, within the machine in a die unclamp state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiki Matsuura, Tsukasa Kato, Takashi Hirai
  • Patent number: 6883585
    Abstract: Crystallizer comprising two crystallizer rollers disposed substantially parallel to each other to define a meniscus of liquid steel arriving from a tundish. The crystallizer rollers are provided inside with cooling means and are able to rotate in opposite directions to convey the liquid steel downwards while it is solidifying in contact with the crystallizer rollers. The cooling means comprise a plurality of holes disposed in proximity with the peripheral surface of each crystallizer roller and inside which a cooling liquid is able to circulate. The cooling liquid flows through at least some of the holes in the opposite direction with respect to the remaining holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 6883587
    Abstract: This invention relates to polyisocyanate compositions comprising (a) polyisocyanate, and (b) a monomeric carbodiimide. The polyisocyanate compositions are particularly useful in phenolic urethane foundry binder systems. The invention also relates to foundry mixes prepared with (a) a phenolic urethane binder containing the polyisocyanate composition, and (b) a foundry aggregate, as well as foundry shapes prepared by the no-bake and cold-box processes, which are used to make metal castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ashland Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-hung Chen, Jorg Kroker
  • Patent number: 6883582
    Abstract: To provide a monitoring system for remotely monitoring the operation of a molding apparatus or an air-flow and press molding apparatus. The monitoring systems for monitoring a molding apparatus and an airflow and press molding apparatus include sensors, a local unit, and a remote unit. The local unit transmits the signals associated with the required attributes, which are measured by the sensors, of the molding apparatus to the remote unit via the communication network. The remote unit is designed so that it receives the signals transmitted from the local unit; thereby the user can monitor the molding apparatus or the air-flow and press molding apparatus remotely at the production and operation by them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Amano, Yasuo Moribe, Hiroshi Umeda, Mitsuyuki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6880615
    Abstract: A centrifugal casting method is provided for the manufacture of hollow molds and applications of this apparatus and method are provided. A centrifugal casting apparatus has a hollow mold (13) suitable for the centrifugal casting. For the manufacture of cast workpieees by the centrifugal casting method a plurality of mold cavities (14) formed by at least one hollow mold (13) are arranged and driven such that the mold cavities (14) rotate about a common axis of rotation (18). At least three mold cavities (14) which rotate in a single plane are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Sandor Cser
  • Patent number: 6880616
    Abstract: A method and device for producing a strand of metal by means of a continuous-casting installation which has at least one cooling device for cooling the strand, the cooling device being assigned at least one reduction stand for reducing the thickness of the strand, the strand, during the thickness reduction, having a solidified skin and a liquid core. The cooling is set, by means of a temperature and solidification model, in such a manner that the solidification boundary between the solidified skin and the liquid core when the strand enters the reduction stand corresponds to a predetermined set solidification boundary between the solidified skin and the liquid core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Kemna, Albrecht Sieber, Uwe Stürmer, Hans-Herbert Welker
  • Patent number: 6874564
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled mold for a continuous casting of metals, including mold plates made of copper or a copper alloy, which are connected respectively to an adapter plate or a cooling-water tank by clamping bolts. The mold is characterized in that the clamping bolts are fastened to plateau pedestals which project in an island-like manner from the cooling arrangement side of the mold plate, which jut at least partially into a cooling arrangement gap formed between the mold plate and the adapter plate or the cooling-water tank, respectively, and have a streamlined shape adjusted to the flow direction of the cooling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: KM Europa Metal AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Hugenschütt, Thomas Rolf, Dietmar Kolbeck, Hans-Günter Wobker, Dirk Rode, Roland Hauri, Hans-Dirk Piwowar, Hans-Jürgen Hemschemeier
  • Patent number: 6874563
    Abstract: A carbon nano material and a resin binder are plasticized and injection molded to form a preliminarily molded member. The preliminarily molded member is degreased by a heat treatment and made to a preliminarily molded porous member composed of the carbon nano material. The preliminarily molded porous member is inserted into a cavity of a product mold. A molten low melting point metal is injected into and fills the cavity. The preliminarily molded porous member is impregnated with the low melting point metal by injection pressure, thereby a composite metal product composed of the low melting point metal material integrally composited with the carbon nano material is molded. With the above arrangement, the characteristics of the carbon nano material are applied to the composite metal product to improve the functions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Koide, Kiyoto Takizawa, Yoshitoshi Yamagiwa, Masashi Suganuma, Mamoru Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 6874561
    Abstract: A method (300) and a system (100) for controlling a casting process are described herein. The system (100) generally includes a die casting device (110) and a measuring device (120). The die casting device (110) includes a mold (130) configured to produce molded parts (140). The measuring device (120) may determine a position of the mold (130) within the die casting device (110) in a casting cycle. The measuring device (120) may determine an incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140) associated with the casting cycle. Based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140), the measuring device (120) may provide a notification in response to a trigger event. The measuring device (120) may also reset the die casting device (110) for another casting cycle based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Cast Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Mandel
  • Patent number: 6871694
    Abstract: A device for treating rolled metal products obtained by continuous casting, such as bars, plates, structural shapes or the like, arranged in line with a rolling system, and comprising a cooling plate (9), an in-line cooling box (13), in-line pickling means (14), in-line quality control means (16) consisting of ultrasonic instruments or induced current instruments, a bundling and/or lashing area (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventors: Giuseppe Bordignon, Daniele Andreatta