Patents Examined by Kuang Y. Lin
  • Patent number: 6904949
    Abstract: A method of making an air boost device, wherein a compressor wheel incorporated therein is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. These wax patterns (21) can be used in a large-scale investment casting process, and produce an economical cast titanium compressor wheel which performs aerodynamically at high boost pressure/RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: David Decker, Stephen I. Roby
  • Patent number: 6904951
    Abstract: A casting device for metallic product includes a main unit 1 having a pressurizing chamber 14 and casting cavities 16 for accommodating a metallic material M, a pressurizing unit 3 for pressurizing the metallic material M contained in the pressurizing chamber 14 to cause the metallic material to flow into the casting cavities 16 and a blade unit 4 provided between the pressurizing chamber 14 and the casting cavities 16. The blade unit 4 includes a scraper edge 41 for scraping the outer layer of the metallic material M pressurized by the pressurizing unit 3. After the end of the scraping operation for the outer layer M2 of the metallic material M, the blade unit 4 is moved by the first driving unit 51 from the scraping position A1 to a disengaging position. Thereby, the metallic material can be readily separated from the blade unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Takaoka, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomiyuki Murayama, Ken Torii, Yukinao Demachi
  • Patent number: 6901989
    Abstract: In the lost foam casting of aluminum, coating a fugitive pattern with a refractory coating containing a thermally stable, water-insoluble, acid-gasifiable (e.g. CaCO3) compound, and contacting the casting, with the coating thereon, with an acid to dissociate and gasify the compound and rupture the coating. Preferably, any thermal degradation products from the pattern residing in the coating are neutralized to promote wetting of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Edward Sargent, June-Sang Siak, Mei Cai, Thomas C. Pederson, Sheila Farrokhalaee Kia
  • Patent number: 6899159
    Abstract: A method for uphill/low pressure casting of a liquid melt in a device which has a casting furnace lying below a casting table, a mould with an underlying pouring-in opening and a slide valve closure forming a flow-through channel having a substantially straight longitudinal course during casting the liquid melt. The casting method constitutes casting the liquid melt in the pouring-in opening of the mould, shutting off the slide valve closure by displacing an overlying opening section and an underlying opening section of the flow-through channel directly after casting the liquid melt in the mould, which liquid melt is still in the pouring-in opening. The liquid melt is lowered below the mouth opening of the riser pipe and the mould is placed on the riser pipe so that a downward pressure is set between the slide valve closure and the mouth opening of the riser pipe which behaves elastically flexibly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fischer, Wolfgang Müller
  • Patent number: 6896030
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for DS casting using one or more thermal baffle members positionable at a lower open end of a directional solidification casting furnace by movement of a ram on which a mold to be cast is moved relative to the casting furnace. A unique thermal baffle member can be used for each particular series or run of molds to be cast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Howmet Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Soderstrom, Bradley Donaldson, John R. Brinegar
  • Patent number: 6892794
    Abstract: The secondary cooling and the strand support are matched to the cooling state of a continuously cast strand cross section. The secondary cooling and support are reduced in dependence upon the solidification profile of the cast strand along the distance traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: SMS Demag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Adolf Zajber, Thomas Fest
  • Patent number: 6889747
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in casting a metal article includes a furnace assembly and a container which holds a fluidized bed. A mold support is movable relative to the furnace assembly to move a mold from the furnace assembly into the fluidized bed. A bame is disposed between the fluidized bed and at least a portion of the furnace assembly. The baffle may have a plurality of secondary openings which enable particulate to move from an upper side of the baffle into the fluidized bed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly, the container which holds the fluidized bed, or floated on the fluidized bed itself. The baffle may be provided with flexible segments which engage the mold and at least partially block movement of particulate through a central opening in the baffle during withdrawal of the mold from the furnace assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: PCC Airfoils, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Graham
  • Patent number: 6889748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the continuous casting of metals, especially steel, by means of a continuous casting mold (1) which is mounted in an oscillating frame (3). Said oscillating frame can be driven so that it oscillates in the direction of casting (2), the course of the oscillation movement and/or the frequency being adjustable. The oscillating frame (3) is mounted with spring assemblies (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) arranged symmetrically on both sides of the strand, for guiding and weight compensation. The device is used on a continuous casting mold (1) with a shaped casting cross-section (1a), which is mounted in the oscillating frame (3). The leaf-spring-mounted oscillating frame (3) can be operated with the continuous casting mold (1) in a resonance oscillation method in order to give the preliminary section a better surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Lothar Fischer, Adolf Zajber, Thomas Fest, Siegbert Schwenecke
  • Patent number: 6889744
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for foaming a hollow profile with metal foam are provided. The device comprises induction means, into which the hollow profile can be introduced, in which a foamable raw material is disposed, the hollow profile having an electrical interruption, which extends in its longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, and being in contact with the induction means at least at one place, so that, during the inductive foaming of the raw material, the hollow profile forms part of the induction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Keetman, Karl-Heinz Suess
  • Patent number: 6886623
    Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is applied to a casting roll the surface of which is cleaned by a cleaning brush device comprising a main brush extending across the roll surface by sweeper brush actuator 28A and a sweeper brush extending across the roll and capable of tangentially engaging the peripheral longitudinal roll surface in advance of the main brushing device. Both brushes are mounted on mounting frames moveable to bring the main and sweeper brushes into contact with the casting roll. The sweeper brush is independently moveable on the frame by operation of an sweeper brush actuator to move the sweeper brush into engagement with the surface of the casting roll near the start and end of the casting run and the main brush actuator to move the main brush into engagement with the peripheral longitudinal surface of the casting roll during normal casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Castrip LLC
    Inventors: Heiji Kato, John Andrew Fish, Wayne Russell
  • Patent number: 6883580
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to delay the application of pressure on a molten metal front to equalize a pressure gradient present at the molten metal front during pressurized lost foam casting processes, or other pressurized casting processes. A pressure equalization member is placed over a pouring cup to divert the direct application of pressure to molten metal present in the pouring cup. The pressure equalization member allows for increased pressurization rates in such processes, facilitating interdendritic feeding while reducing microporosity and metal penetration defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Donahue, Terrance M. Cleary
  • Patent number: 6880617
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip, the apparatus having (i) a first endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a first entry pulley and a first exit pulley and (ii) a second endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a second entry pulley and a second exit pulley, with an entry nip defined between the first and second entry pulleys and an exit nip defined between the first and second exit pulleys. Opposing surfaces of the first and second belts progressively diverge from each other in the direction of movement thereof. The apparatus may include a cooled roll in place of the first pulley and first belt with a nip defined between the cooled roll and the second entry pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin F. Wyatt-Mair, Ali Unal
  • Patent number: 6880618
    Abstract: Method of making a subcutaneous melt flow-channel in the surface of a fugitive foam pattern used in lost-foam casting process. After a refractory skin has been formed on the surface of a foam pattern, a strip of the skin is treated so as to cause the foam underlying the strip to recede from the strip and leave a groove in its stead. Suitable treatments include (1) heating the strip, or (2) applying a foam solvent thereto that soaks through the skin. In each case, the treatment is such as to cause the foam underlying the treated strip to soften and recede from the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David Douglas Goettsch, Bob Ross Powell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6880614
    Abstract: A vertical injection machine having a first chamber for supplying liquid metal, a second chamber located lower than the first chamber and a first conduit connecting the first chamber to the second chamber. The first conduit has a shutter rod disposed within and a valve head attached to a lower portion of the shutter rod. The valve head is adapted to seal a lower portion of the first conduit. A metering rod is disposed within the second chamber. The vertical injection machine also includes a vertically oriented third chamber and a second conduit connecting the second chamber to the third chamber. An injection rod is disposed vertically within the third chamber and a injection nozzle is located at an upper portion of the third chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kinji Hirai, Hisayuki Fukada, Yuuji Osada
  • Patent number: 6874562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing metal/metal foam composite components, wherein a flat or shaped metal part is introduced into the cavity of a die, the cavity being at least partially delimited by the metal part, and then a mixture comprising a metal melt and a blowing agent which is solid at room temperature is introduced into the cavity, where it is foamed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: Goldschmidt AG, Buehler Druckguss AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Knott, Benno Niedermann, Manfred Recksik, Andreas Weier
  • Patent number: 6871691
    Abstract: A method for injection molding a metallic material is disclosed in which an injecting material comprised of a half-solidified metallic material and a molten metallic material is injected into a cavity of a die from an injection cylinder through a gate thereof. A non-product portion remaining at the gate of the die is separated from a product portion while it is still hot. The separated high-temperature non-product portion is press-formed into a billet in the injection cylinder. Utilization of heat from the injecting material in melting the high-temperature billet enables reuse of the non-product portion remained at the gate and reduction of heat energy required in melting the billet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakao, Hiroto Shoji, Kunitoshi Sugaya, Takashi Kato, Takaharu Echigo
  • Patent number: 6871690
    Abstract: A centrifugal casting apparatus has a workpiece withdrawal mechanism, a cleaning mechanism, and a facing material applying mechanism which are disposed parallel to each other on an axial side of a centrifugal casting mold, a unit drive mechanism for moving the workpiece withdrawal mechanism, the cleaning mechanism, and the facing material applying mechanism in unison with each other in the direction indicated by the arrow B across the axial direction indicated by the arrow A, and a pouring mechanism disposed in an opposite axial side of the centrifugal casting mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideshi Sato, Shiro Naito, Fumio Hirai, Haruki Kodama, Masayoshi Kai, Setsumi Hatanaka, Noboru Miyao, Takeshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6871693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous casting of slabs or ingots, in particular of thin slabs in a continuous casting installation. Said installation comprises a soft reduction section in a continuous casting guide under the mould. The soft reduction section contains pressure rollers and support roller (3, 4), which are continuously restrained in relation to one another, either individually or as a segment (1), by means of hydraulic cylinders (7, 7?) and are restrained in a limiting manner by stops (30). The installation uses a hard-pressure restraining force in an area of the soft reduction section that has not yet completely solidified and a soft-pressure restraining force in an area of the soft reduction section that has completely solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Werner Rahmfeld, Jacob Wetter
  • Patent number: 6871687
    Abstract: A method of automatically placing a core package (301) in a mold (505) is provided. Locators (501) and a cavity (503) designed to receive at least a part of the core package (301) are formed in the mold (505). The mold (505) is positioned such that the locators (501) may be illuminated and one or more images are obtained of the locators (501). The images are processed to determine a target location for the core package (301) in the cavity (503), and an automated device (303) places the core package (303) in the mold (505) at the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Wick, Douglas K. Linn, William A. Crusan, Jeffrey J. Chopp
  • Patent number: 6868893
    Abstract: Provided is a directional solidification casting apparatus capable of heightening a cooling effect when molten material poured in a mold is directionally solidified. A mold (20) disposed around a predetermined area is drawn out from a heating chamber (10) heated above a melting temperature of metals for producing a casting (31), and molten metals (32) held in a cavity (21) of the mold (20) are directionally solidified. The directional solidification casting apparatus (100) comprises a driving rod (42) by which the mold (20) is drawn out from the heating chamber (10), a gas nozzle (52b) through which a cooling gas is jetted from inside a predetermined area where the mold (20) is disposed so as to rapidly cool the mold (20), and a gas nozzle (52a) through which a cooling gas is jetted from outside the predetermined area where the mold (20) is disposed so as to rapidly cool the mold (20). A baffle (15) that does not move even when the driving rod (42) moves up and down is additionally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sachio Shimohata, Yuichi Ohtani, Tatsuya Ohira, Ikuo Okada