Patents Examined by Michael Aboagye
  • Patent number: 12042856
    Abstract: A metal casting installation is provided that includes a robot configured for carrying out the operations of handing a new ladle shroud to a manipulator of the ladle located at the loading station, and coupling a driving device to the ladle slide gate each manipulator is fixed relative to the corresponding first or second ladle such as to move together with the corresponding first or second ladle between the loading station and the casting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Vesuvius Group, SA
    Inventors: Damien Delsine, Jean-Luc Renard
  • Patent number: 12030240
    Abstract: A system comprising: a substrate; a fixture for receiving the substrate; and four fasteners. The substrate has two axes, and a build surface. The substrate comprises four slots through the substrate from the build surface to an opposite surface. Lengths of first and second slots are aligned along a first axis. The first and second slots are at opposite sides of the build surface to each other. Lengths of the third and fourth slots are aligned along the second axis. The third and fourth slots are at opposite sides of the build surface to each other. The fasteners fit through respective slots. The lengths of the slots are greater than diameters of portions of the fasteners that are positioned through the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: John Chippendale, Jack Richard Sharples
  • Patent number: 12023607
    Abstract: In order to enable stable provision of an upward release tube-type ceramic filter used in a molten metal bath and having a side wall with a height of 300 mm or greater, this method for manufacturing a ceramic filter, which is an upward release tube-type integrally molded article for removing unwanted substances from molten metal, has: a step for kneading a mixture of an aggregate comprising ceramic particles, a prescribed binding agent, and water to prepare a base material; a step for integrally forming an upward release tube-type ceramic filter precursor from the prepared base material; step for drying the precursor; a step for providing a retainer for the dried precursor for supporting a side wall of the precursor; a step for subsequently sintering the precursor; and a step for removing the retainer after sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKIGAISYA PROZEAL
    Inventors: Moriaki Miyahara, Yoshitaka Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 12025377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to damage detection systems for refractory linings for molten metal vessels, comprising an electrically conductive grid disposed underneath the surface of the refractory lining closest to a molten metal when in use, one or more electrically conductive electrodes disposed in contact with the molten metal when in use and an electrical power source, wherein the electrically conductive metallic grid and the one or more electrically conductive electrodes are electrically connected to each other, such as to form an open electrical circuit powered by the said electrical power source, and a detected closure of the said electrical circuit during normal use of the molten metal vessel indicates that the said refractory lining is damaged, or the presence of a molten metal during normal operation of the vessel closes the said electrical circuit in case the refractory lining is damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Inventors: Russel N. Avis, Jullette Ducup De Saint Paul
  • Patent number: 12018342
    Abstract: Heat treatment equipment for metal plate strips, and a roller quenching flow zone control device for metal plate strips. The device includes a middle water diversion ring sleeve and edge water diversion ring sleeves; the middle water diversion ring sleeve is installed at the middle processing groove in a slit nozzle rear spiral roller and a high-density nozzle rear spiral roller in a high-pressure cooling section of a roller quenching machine; and the edge water diversion ring sleeves are installed at the processing grooves in ¼ and ¾ positions in the width direction of the slit nozzle rear spiral roller in the high-pressure cooling section of the roller quenching machine. This can effectively realize uniform distribution of cooling water on the surface of the plate strip, reduce the phenomenon of local non-uniform cooling caused by siltation of cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tianliang Fu, Xiangtao Deng, Guodong Wang, Zhifu Zhang, Guanghao Liu, Mingjun Zheng, Guozhi Song, Wei Cui, Min Song, Zhiwei Jia
  • Patent number: 12011760
    Abstract: A 3D printer includes an ejector device for mixing and ejecting print material. The ejector device includes a substrate and a plurality of ejector conduits on the substrate. The ejector conduits are arranged in an array. Each ejector conduit includes a first passageway fluidly connecting a first end of the ejector conduit to a conduit junction. The first end is configured to accept a first print material. Each ejector conduit also includes a second passageway fluidly connecting a second end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction. The second end is configured to accept a second print material. Each ejector conduit also includes a third passageway fluidly connecting a third end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction. The third end includes an ejector nozzle. The ejector nozzle includes a first electrode and a second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David K. Biegelsen, Jeng Ping Lu
  • Patent number: 12013186
    Abstract: A slag pusher apparatus having a boom with a plurality of telescopingly engaged boom segments. Rollers are positioned between each boom segment to provide support for the boom segments and facilitate extension and retraction of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: KT-GRANT, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Aretz, Donald Szoszorek
  • Patent number: 11998983
    Abstract: A method is provided in which a lower box comprising a base, walls that surround the base and an open side, and an upper box comprising a cover, walls that surround the cover and an open side are provided. One or more objects are arranged on the base of the lower box. The object(s) are covered with the upper box such that the open side of the upper is oriented towards the base of the box, the walls of the upper box are arranged on the base of the lower box and a gap is formed between the walls of the upper box and the walls of the lower box. A powder material is introduced into the gap in order to form an assembly having an interior. The powder material provides a mechanical obstacle to gas exchange between the interior and the environment. This assembly is then heat treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: VACUUMSCHMELZE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kaan Üstüner, Matthias Katter, Christoph Brombacher, Daniela Benedikt
  • Patent number: 11992857
    Abstract: A dross removal device including: a dross robot that is configured to collect a bath surface dross present on a bath surface of a coating bath; a dross sensor that is configured to measure an intensity of infrared light from the bath surface of the coating bath; a dross sensor control device that is configured to specify a position of the bath surface dross according to a temporal change amount in the intensity of the infrared light; and a dross robot control device that is configured to cause the dross robot to collect the bath surface dross at the position specified by the dross sensor control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Yamaguchi, Takeshi Harada, Yusuke Tosa, Tadashi Inaya, Yuichi Tateishi
  • Patent number: 11993826
    Abstract: An oxidation step for sulfide and transition ores prior to CN leaching to recover 60 to 90 percent of metals from those ores. Use of tona, soda ash or carbonate source in treating sulfide and transition ores for CN leaching recovery of metals, including gold and silver. The oxidation of sulfide and transition ores in the presence of carbonate. Low moisture content in the heap, to enhance available oxygen, during the oxidation of sulfide and transition ores in the presence of carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Randy Buffington
  • Patent number: 11987489
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the production and delivery of lithium metal of high purity are provided herein. In one or more embodiments, method for flowing liquid lithium to a processing chamber is provided and includes flowing liquid lithium from a lithium refill container to a liquid lithium delivery module, where the liquid lithium delivery module is fluidly coupled to the lithium refill container, and flowing the liquid lithium from the liquid lithium delivery module to the processing chamber. The liquid lithium delivery module contains a lithium storage region operable to store liquid lithium and containing a fluid supply line fluidly coupling an outlet port of a liquid lithium storage tank, and a flow meter positioned downstream from the lithium storage region along the fluid supply line and operable to monitor the flow of the liquid lithium through the fluid supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jean Delmas, Bernard Frey
  • Patent number: 11981971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling a tool in a heat treatment furnace, wherein: the tool is supplied during normal cooling operation with coolant from a coolant reservoir through a supply inlet (1), which coolant is returned into the coolant reservoir from the tool via a return flow (2); the supply inlet (1) is coupled by means of an electric actuator (3) alternatively to the coolant reservoir or to the public water supply and the return flow (2) is coupled by means of a further electric actuator (3) alternatively to the coolant reservoir or to the public waste water system (4); the actuators (3, 3?) are supplied with a feed current during normal cooling operation and held in a first position in which coolant is supplied to the tool through the supply inlet (5) from the coolant reservoir and the coolant is fed back through the return flow (2, 6) into the coolant reservoir; and, upon interruption in the power supply, the actuators (3, 3?) are forced into an emergency position in which cold water is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: GEDIA GEBRUEDER DINGERKUS GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Flesch, Bjoern Mueller, Patrick Mueller, Maik Winderlich, Thorsten Wisnia
  • Patent number: 11976340
    Abstract: A refining vessel for high-temperature melt includes a refractory for gas blowing nozzle that includes a central refractory embedded with metal tubules, and an outer refractory circumferentially surrounding the central refractory. The refractory for gas blowing nozzle has a horizontal projection on which a minimum radius of an imaginary circle encompassing all the metal tubules embedded in the central refractory is R (mm), wherein the central refractory has an outline that falls between one circle that is concentric with the imaginary circle and has a radius of R+10 mm, and another circle that is concentric with the imaginary circle and has a radius of R+150 mm. The central refractory is formed of a MgO—C refractory having a carbon content of 30 to 80 mass %, and the outer refractory is formed of a MgO—C refractory having a carbon content of 10 to 25 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Hosohara, Atsushi Torigoe, Ryoma Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 11952644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a remelting plant comprising a furnace chamber (50), which can be positioned over a crucible (60) of a melting station, an electrode rod (48), which by way of a lead-through (52) can be inserted or is inserted in the furnace chamber (50), in order to contact a consumable electrode (58), and a guide column (30), on which an electrode rod carriage (40) that is fixed-ly connected to the electrode rod (48) is guided in an axially movable manner, in order to move the electrode rod (48) in relation to the furnace chamber (50), and on which a chamber carriage (38), which is connected or can be connected to the furnace chamber (50), is guided in an axially movable manner, in order to move the furnace chamber (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ALD VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ivaylo Popov, Ulrich Biebricher
  • Patent number: 11946698
    Abstract: A metal melting furnace including a stirring device as includes: a furnace body defining a chamber for accommodating molten metal; the stirring device including a stirring disc and a drive device, the stirring disc including a disc body, a feedstock holding portion, and a feedstock inlet via which feedstock is replenished to the feedstock holding portion, a stirring rod being connected on the disc body, a plurality of vertically through openings being provided on the disc body and/or on the feedstock holding portion, the drive device being in drive connection to the stirring rod, the drive device being configured to drive the stirring rod to lift such that the stirring disc is immersed in or lifted out of the molten metal in the chamber, the feedstock holding portion being configured to hold the feedstock on the stirring disc such that the feedstock move together with the stirring disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG HAILIANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huanfeng Feng, Gangfeng Sun, Yunlong Wang
  • Patent number: 11940216
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature flue gas recovery apparatus for a melting furnace, which relates to copper production, including a preheating chamber and a feeding mechanism, a lower end of the preheating chamber being in communication with a feeding port of the melting furnace, the feeding mechanism being disposed above the preheating chamber to deliver feedstock into the preheating chamber, a plurality of layers of buffer mechanisms layered in an upper-lower manner being provided in the preheating chamber, each layer of the buffer mechanism including a buffer element and a drive element, the drive element driving the corresponding buffer element to move such that the feedstock on the buffer element of an upper-layer buffer mechanism falls onto the buffer element of a lower-layer buffer mechanism, a gap allowing a gas to pass through being provided between the buffer mechanisms and an inner wall of the preheating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG HAILIANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huanfeng Feng, Gangfeng Sun, Zhongzhan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11940215
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blast furnace apparatus includes: a rotating chute; a profile measurement device configured to measure surface profiles of a burden charged into the furnace; and a tilt angle controller configured to control a tilt angle of the chute, in which the device includes a radio wave distance meter installed on the furnace top and configured to measure the distance to the surface of the burden, derives the profiles on a basis of distance data for the entire furnace obtained by scanning a detection wave of the distance meter in the furnace in a circumferential direction, and includes at least one of arithmetic units configured to command during rotation, on a basis of the surface profiles obtained, the controller to change the tilt angle of the chute, or a controller to change a rotational speed of the chute or a feed speed of the burden fed to the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Kashihara, Yuki Okamoto, Natsuo Ishiwata
  • Patent number: 11931799
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a movable directed energy source to melt hardened metal drops and form an oxidation layer. A metal support structure can be formed over the oxidation layer, an object feature can be formed over the oxidation layer, or both a metal support structure and an object feature can be formed over oxidation layers located at opposite sides of a metal support structure. The oxidation layers weakly attach the metal support structure to the object feature supported by the metal support structure so the support structure can be easily removed after manufacture of the object is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Additive Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul J. McConville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Chu-Heng Liu
  • Patent number: 11931807
    Abstract: An ejector for a printing system is disclosed. The ejector body may include an internal cavity, a nozzle in communication with the internal cavity, one or more segmented solenoid coils wrapped at least partially around the ejector body, and a piston disposed within the internal cavity of the ejector body. A method of ejecting liquid from an ejector is also disclosed, including introducing a material for ejection into an ejector cavity. The method of ejecting liquid from an ejector may include advancing a piston configured for translational motion within an ejector towards an ejector nozzle which may further include de-energizing a first segment of a segmented solenoid wrapped partially around the ejector, energizing a second solenoid segment of a segmented solenoid wrapped partially around the ejector. The method of ejecting liquid from an ejector may also include ejecting a drop of the material for ejection from the ejector nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott E. Solberg
  • Patent number: 11931753
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printhead (1) for a 3D printer, particularly a metal printer, comprising a housing (3), a device (28) for supplying a metal (14), a reservoir (7, 27), a nozzle device (2) and a piston (5), the nozzle device (2) comprising a guide sleeve (11), a nozzle plate (9) provided with an outlet (10), and a clamping device (4). The nozzle plate (9) and the guide sleeve (11) are mutually elastically braced by means of the clamping device (4), and the guide sleeve (11) and the reservoir (7, 27) are mutually elastically braced by means of the clamping device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Schweizer, Eberhard Maier