Patents Examined by Melvyn J. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5338510
    Abstract: A cast aluminum alloy and tooling fixture fabricated therefrom is provided which can be produced in thicknesses up to 32.0 inches; and which has equiaxed grains, an ultimate tensile strength above 30,000 psi after annealing, is dimensionally stable, and is free from porosity. The alloy has a nominal composition of 3.0% copper, 2.2% zinc, 0.7% nickel, 1.0% magnesium, 1.2% iron, 0.3% manganese, and balance aluminum. The alloy is direct water chill cast followed by a stress relieving anneal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Romeo A. Zuech
  • Patent number: 5338336
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing environmentally undesirable materials including petroleum coke and the sulfur and heavy metals contained therein and agglomerated waste dust from an electric arc furnace and the zinc, cadmium, lead and iron oxides contained therein and of providing fuel and a charging material for a process of making molten iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas in a melter gasifier. Metallized arc furnace waste dust material from a reduction furnace is introduced into the melter gasifier. The petroleum coke, oxygen and metallized waste dust material are reacted to produce reduction gas and molten iron from the iron oxides in the waste dust material. The molten iron contains the metals freed from combustion of the petroleum coke. The reduction gas is removed from the melter gasifier for use in the reduction furnace to produce an top off gas containing vapors of zinc, cadmium and lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Bechtel Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard B. Greenwalt
  • Patent number: 5336295
    Abstract: Molten metal containing suspended liquid particles is passed preferably generally upwardly through a porous media so constructed and arranged such that the movement of the molten metal therethrough renders the suspended liquid particles gravity separable. The gravity separable liquid particles rise upwardly or settle downwardly so as to be removable from said molten metal for subsequent removal therefrom. An associated apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: David H. DeYoung, Diran Apelian, Rajakkannu Mutharasan
  • Patent number: 5336296
    Abstract: The proposed method is characterized in that the liquid bath is constituted by the melt of low carbon steel and molten slag. Oxidation and reducing zones are created through which, along a closed path on the surface of the molten low-carbon steel, is circulated the molten slag, into which are blown powder slag materials which are melted with the heat of a fuel oxygen torch immersed into the melt. The melting is carried out in a melting reservoir shaped as a closed annular chamber (1) provided with partitions (11) hermetically dividing the gas space above the molten slag into oxidation (6) and reducing (7) zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Scientific Dimensions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Vitold M. Lupeiko
  • Patent number: 5336294
    Abstract: Particles or inclusions are removed from a molten alloy by contacting the molten alloy with a material selected from the group consisting of aluminium silicate, magnesium silicate, zirconium oxide or a mixture of alumina-calcia and alumina-magnesia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Steven P. Leyland, David A. Ford
  • Patent number: 5336344
    Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Hayes Wheels International, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Wei
  • Patent number: 5336297
    Abstract: In a process for the treatment of electric arc furnace (EAF) dust, the dust is first subjected to atmospheric leaching with a ferric chloride solution and thereafter subjected to treatment in an autoclave at an elevated temperature and pressure for conversion of low temperature stable goethite (FeO.OH) to a filterable crystalline hematite (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3) in an acidic chloride solution. Zinc is recovered from the solution by solvent extraction using a solvating extractant followed by stripping and zinc recovery by electrolysis of zinc chloride solution. Lead is separated from the solution by cooling to precipitate lead chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Terra Gaia Environmental Group Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick O. McElroy
  • Patent number: 5333840
    Abstract: Fuel and combustion gas are supplied to the blast pipes and tuyeres of a blast furnace through injection lances which have an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is generally used to carry the fuel, while the space formed between the inner and outer tubes is used to carry the combustion gas. Such a lance can have a heat resistant tip which has a bore for forming an extension of the inner fuel supply tube, and which also has a number of helical channels disposed about the bore for forming an extension of the space between the tubes. It is advantageous to have more than one such lance in each blast pipe and to have the lances extend obliquely into the hot blast channel that is formed by the blast pipe and the tuyere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: SSAB Tunnpl.ang.t AB
    Inventors: Bror E. Skold, Nils O. Lindfors, Jan O. Wikstrom
  • Patent number: 5334236
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for manufacturing particle stabilized foamed metal slabs. A foam is first formed in a foaming chamber by heating a composite of a metal matrix and finely divided solid stabilizer particles above the solidus temperature of the metal matrix and discharging gas bubbles into the molten metal composite below the surface thereof to thereby form a stabilized liquid foam on the surface of the molten metal composite. The stabilized liquid foam is continuously drawn off the surface of the molten metal composite and is solidified into a shaped foam product while being continuously drawn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Harry Sang, Lorne D. Kenny, Iljoon Jin
  • Patent number: 5332416
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for temporarily retaining slag and nonmetallic particles in a tundish while molten metal is being transferred through the tundish to other desired vessels. In particular, a meltable dam is placed into an opening between the chambers in a tundish, and the meltable dam retains an accumulation of molten metal in the pour chamber of the tundish with the slag and nonmetallic particles floating on top of that level such that the slag and nonmetallic particles are above the opening between the chambers of the tundish. The dam then completely melts and allows the transfer of molten metal through the opening. The slag and nonmetallic particles are retained in the pour chamber, however, because the molten metal being transferred into the pour chamber maintains the level in that chamber above the opening until almost all of the metal has been transferred into and through the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Allegheny Ludlum Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Calos
  • Patent number: 5332421
    Abstract: A method of smelting aluminum from aluminum ore wherein the powdered ore is mixed with a flux containing substantial amounts of borax, sodium bicarbonate and a copper compound, preferably copper sulphate. The mixture is placed in a suitable vessel, preferably with a rounded bottom, that can withstand high temperatures and that has an outlet hole in the bottom. The mixture of powdered ore and flux is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the mixture and thereby produce a molten material containing aluminum. The molten material is allowed to flow out of the outlet hole and to cool outside by means of air cooling which results in the aluminum separating out. Preferably, the flux comprises about one third borax, one third sodium bicarbonate and about one third copper sulphate. A suitable ore for this method is nepheline syenite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Clifford J. Stoughton
    Inventor: William J Stoughton, deceased
  • Patent number: 5332199
    Abstract: Apparatus for supplying a molten metal (5) in a metallurgical vessel (3) with a gas and fine-grain solid materials comprising a water-cooled first lance (117) for the supply of the gas and a second lance (119) for the supply of the solid materials. The supply of the solid materials is effected in such a way that, after leaving the outlet opening of the second lance (119), the materials are deflected by the gas (127) issuing from the outlet opening of the first lance (117), and are fed with said gas to the molten metal (5). The lances are inserted through the side wall of the vessel (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Fuchs Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Knapp, Peter Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5330557
    Abstract: Flowable molybdenum metal powder of controlled particle size distribution is produced by stage-wise reduction wherein, in a first stage, molybdenum trioxide feed is preferably introduced at depth in a fluid bed of molybdenum dioxide and is reduced in an atmosphere containing at least 50% hydrogen, by volume, at a temperature between 560.degree. and 620.degree. C. and the product molybdenum dioxide is then reduced to molybdenum metal in a second stage fluid bed at a temperature between 1025.degree. C. and 1075.degree. C. in an atmosphere containing at least 50% hydrogen employed in amount of at least 2.75 times stoichiometric while controlling the off-gas dewpoint to be at least 21.degree. C. and controlling the off-gas hydrogen:water vapor ratio so as not to exceed 24:1 and removing the product spheroidal molybdenum metal particles from the bottom of the bed to prevent collapse of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Amax Inc.
    Inventor: William A. May
  • Patent number: 5330161
    Abstract: Hood assembly for pneumatic process metallurgical vessel, such as BOF, which includes removeable spray cooled sub-assemblies at predetermined locations in the hood assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Ucar Carbon Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Lehr, Gordon R. Roberts, Mark T. Arthur
  • Patent number: 5330556
    Abstract: A method for treating gases and solids in a fluid bed, the fluid bed reactor substantially comprising, regarded downstream, a mixing chamber, a riser pipe and a cyclone with a solids return pipe to the mixing chamber, the gases being introduced into the mixing chamber at a gas rate immediately before the inlet port of the mixing chamber of more than 35 m/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignees: Hismelt Corporation Pty Limited, Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hardie, John M. Ganser, Ian D. Webb, Timo Hyppanen, Karl Myohanen, Ismo Nopanen
  • Patent number: 5330555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for manufacturing low-gas and pore-free aluminum casting alloys by vacuum degasification and densification of the melt. Contact between the aluminum melt and the atmospheric humidity of the alloying process, from refining to continuous casting of the cast bars, is kept extremely short, so that effective vacuum degasification, and a high cooling rate, can prevent the formation of gas pores. After the metal melt is alloyed in a smelting furnace, the melt is fed through a system of gutters directly to at least one vacuum furnace. Refining components are added in the vacuum furnace and heating is conducted to provide the pouring temperature required for continuous casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: VAW Aluminium AG
    Inventor: Heinz Lorenz
  • Patent number: 5330589
    Abstract: A hafnium alloy consisting essentially of hafnium and containing Sn by 0.1-1.5 weight %, O by 0.03-0.2 weight %, Fe by 0.01-0.15 weight %, Zr by 0.02-2.0 weight %, and (1) Cr by 0.01-0.15 weight %, and Ni by less than 0.10 weight %, (2) Cr by 0.01-0.15 weight %, Ni by less than 0.10 weight %, and Mo by 0.01-0.2 weight %, (3) Nb by 0.2-1.0 weight %, or (4) Nb by 0.2-1.0 weight %, and Mo by 0.01-0.2 weight % has high neutron-absorbing capacity, high resistance to uniform and nodular corrosion, high tensile and creep strength, and good wear resistance, and is suited to be used as neutron absorber for nuclear power reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Boching Cheng, Rosa L. Yang
  • Patent number: 5324342
    Abstract: Mixed gas of nonoxidizing gas and oxygen is blown into molten chrome steel in a vessel. The molten chrome steel is stirred by the gas and is decarbonized by the oxygen in the gas while being stirred. After the carbon potential in the molten chrome steel has been lowered, the pressure inside the vessel is reduced and the nonoxidizing gas alone is blown as the gas. Bubbles of the gas blown into the molten chrome steel become large on account of reduced pressure and exhibit sufficient stirring function. Consequently, the molten chrome steel is effectively stirred and the decarbonizing reaction is prompted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Daidotokushuko Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mori, Motoshi Shinkai, Junichi Tsubokura
  • Patent number: 5322544
    Abstract: This invention relates to the melting of scrap metal containing steel in an electric arc furnace using whole scrap rubber tires as an additional source of heat. Also, scrap rubber may be pylarized to form combustibles which are fed into the electric arc furnace for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventor: Franklin L. Stebbing
  • Patent number: RE34641
    Abstract: A method of producing an electrical conductor is described. The electrical conductor is made of an oxygen-free copper material having an oxygen content of not more than 50 ppm, wherein copper crystals constituting the copper material are giant crystals. These giant copper crystals are formed by heating the copper material in an inert atmosphere maintained at a temperature exceeding 800.degree. C., but below the melting point of copper for at least 15 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Osao Kamada, Shinichi Nishiyama