Patents Examined by Scott Kastler
  • Patent number: 9586261
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a semi-solidified metal has a heating device which heats a metal material, a vessel, a cooling device which cools the vessel, and a pouring device which pours the metal material into the vessel. The vessel has a hollow member which configures a wall of the vessel and is opened at both of the upper and lower ends and into which the metal material is poured from the upper opening, and a bottom member which closes the lower opening of the hollow member and configures the bottom of the vessel. The cooling speed of the metal material by the bottom member is faster than the cooling speed of the metal material by the hollow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Aida, Satoshi Tomioka, Koei Nakata
  • Patent number: 9580765
    Abstract: A deformation correcting device to correct a deformation occurring in a ring shaped article, which has been heated, while the heated ring shaped article is cooled, includes a support table, on which the ring shaped article in a heated condition is placed; a pair of receiving rolls; a press roll provided in opposition to the pair of the receiving rolls with the ring shaped article intervening therebetween; a press roll drive mechanism for driving the press roll between an advanced position, at which the press roll is urged against the outer peripheral surface of the ring shaped article, and a retracted position, at which the press roll is separated away from the outer peripheral surface of the ring shaped article; and a press roll rotating mechanism for rotating the press roll then urged against the ring shaped article by the press roll drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kunio Kamo
  • Patent number: 9581388
    Abstract: A system for removing molten metal from a vessel is disclosed. The system includes a pump and a refractory casing that houses the pump. As the pump operates it moves molten metal upward through an uptake section of the casing until it reaches an outlet wherein it exits the vessel. The outlet may be attached to a launder. Another system uses a wall to divide a cavity of the chamber into two portions. The wall has an opening and a pump pumps molten metal from a first portion into a second portion until the level in the second portion reaches an outlet and exits the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9580777
    Abstract: Disclosed are a hypereutectic white iron alloy and articles such as pump components made therefrom. Besides iron and unavoidable impurities the alloy comprises, in weight percent based on the total weight of the alloy, from 3 to 6 C, from 0.01 to 1.2 N, from 0.1 to 4 B, from 3 to 48 Cr, from 0.1 to 7.5 Ni and from 0.1 to 4 Si and, optionally, one or more of Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, W, V, Mg, Ca, rare earth elements, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Al.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventors: Roman Radon, Raphael Radon
  • Patent number: 9573189
    Abstract: A submerged nozzle for continuous casting of molten metal, wherein two or more discharge hole flow passages are provided on a cylindrical side surface of a submerged nozzle, and first and second inner surface side walls and first and second outer surface side walls of the discharge hole flow passages in a horizontal cross-section of the submerged nozzle when in use are composed by straight lines formed so as to be inflected at an inner side point of inflection and an outer side point of inflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHINAGAWA REFRACTORIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Niitsuma, Yukio Okawa, Hidetaka Ogino, Shinsuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 9574247
    Abstract: In a method and a device for operating a smelting reduction process, at least part of an export gas from a blast furnace or a reduction unit is thermally utilized in a gas turbine and the exhaust gas of this gas turbine is used in a waste heat steam generator to generate steam. The remaining part of the export gas is fed to a CO2 separation apparatus, the tail gas thereby obtained being fed to a waste heat steam generator and burned for additional steam generation. The combustible components of the tail gas are sent for thermal utilization in a steam generator, so that the overall energy balance of the thermal use of the export gas is improved. In addition, a further part of the export gas is qualitatively improved by the CO2 separation apparatus, so as to generate a high-quality reduction gas which can be supplied for metallurgical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Johannes Leopold Schenk, Kurt Wieder
  • Patent number: 9566639
    Abstract: A production method for a sintered member includes preparing a raw powder, compacting the raw powder into a green compact having pores at the surface thereof, and sintering the green compact into a sintered compact. The production method also includes sealing the pores exposed at the surface of the sintered compact by at least one of plastically deforming and melting the surface of the sintered compact. The production method further includes forging the sintered compact by using a lubricant after the sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI POWDERED METALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kohida, Katsuhiko Ueda, Kenzou Morita
  • Patent number: 9568247
    Abstract: A direct reduced iron manufacturing system includes a gas reformer for supplying steam to reform natural gas, a gas heater being a heating unit for heating a reformed gas reformed by the gas reformer to a predetermined temperature, a direct reduction furnace for reducing iron ore directly into reduced iron using a high-temperature reducing gas, an acid gas removal unit having an acid gas component absorber and a regenerator for releasing the acid gas, and a recovery gas introduction line for supplying a recovery gas released from the regenerator to each of a reforming furnace of the gas reformer and a furnace of the gas heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Sakaguchi, Haruaki Hirayama, Makoto Susaki, Kazuo Ishida
  • Patent number: 9566645
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Paul V. Cooper, Vincent D. Fontana
  • Patent number: 9561540
    Abstract: Die cast nozzle for use in a die casting hot chamber system for molten metal with at least melting channel (4) in a channel carrier (3) that can be connected to a melt distributor (21), wherein the melting channel (4) passes over into a heating zone (6) and a nozzle tip (8), to which a sprue area (10) is attached, in which a plug of solidified melting can be formed that interrupts the melting flow, wherein the heating zone (6) comprises a heating cartridge (2) and/or a heatable nozzle shaft (33?) and/or the nozzle tip (8) is comprised as heatable nozzle tip (8?) and comprises at least one heating cartridge (2), the heatable nozzle shaft (33), or the heatable nozzle tip (8?) as heating element with electric heating, which comprises high power density in at least one section and low thermal inertia, comprised in a way that a temperature change gradient of 20 to 250 K/s, preferably 150 K/s, can be achieved on the surface of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ferrofacta GmbH
    Inventor: Igor Kusic
  • Patent number: 9561541
    Abstract: A curvilinear metal transfer device with support and compression assemblies that help maintain a constant force on the transfer device's metal outer casing and refractory as the outer casing and refractory expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations. In one embodiment, the support assemblies are configured to apply force to the refractory to keep the refractory in tension with the outer casing to suspend the refractory relative the outer casing. Also disclosed are clamp plates that help hold the refractory in place, and nested lids that cover the curvilinear metal transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Wagstaff, Eric W. Reeves, Richard Allen Wayment, Richard Scott Bruski, Randal Guy Womack
  • Patent number: 9557109
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten metal has a stationary electric furnace, a raw material charging chute, and exhaust duct and a secondary combustion burner in the furnace top, and a shock generator. The raw material charging chute is in one end of the furnace in a width direction and an electric heating region is spaced from the raw material charging chute in the width direction. A raw material layer having a sloping surface extends downward from the one end of the furnace having the raw material charging chute toward the electric heating region, the sloping surface supporting a metal agglomerate raw material layer. The shock generator is provided at least partially within the raw material and extends to the sloping surface, to be in contact with the metal agglomerate raw material layer, and to mechanically overcome hanging of the metal agglomerate raw material layer on the sloping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Tetsumoto
  • Patent number: 9557113
    Abstract: Included are: a direct reduction furnace for reducing iron ore directly into reduced iron using a high-temperature reducing gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide, an acid gas removal unit having an acid gas component absorber for removing, with an absorbent such as an amine-based solvent, acid gas components (CO2, H2S) in a reduction furnace flue gas discharged from the direct reduction furnace, and a regenerator for releasing the acid gas, and a degradation product removal unit for separating and removing a degradation product in the absorbent used by circulating through the absorber and the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Sakaguchi, Haruaki Hirayama, Makoto Susaki, Kazuo Ishida
  • Patent number: 9555504
    Abstract: A welded assembly of aluminum alloy part, in which (i) at least a first aluminum alloy part is procured in a solution heat treated, quenched, optionally cold worked, and naturally aged at ambient temperature or pre-aged temper, and at least a second aluminum alloy part, (ii) said parts are welded to obtain a welded assembly having a welded zone, (iii) cold working the entire welded zone between 0.3% and 5% is performed, (iv) the welded assembly thus cold worked undergoes post-weld aging to obtain a final metallurgical temper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CONSTELLIUM ISSOIRE
    Inventors: Isabelle Bordesoules-Eberl, Armelle Danielou, Christine Henon, Philippe Lequeu
  • Patent number: 9556497
    Abstract: A blast furnace includes: a blast furnace body; raw material charging means for charging raw material into the blast furnace body; hot air blowing means for blowing hot air into the blast furnace body; a drying apparatus etc. for evaporating moisture in low-grade coal; a dry distillation apparatus etc. for carbonizing dried coal; a cooling apparatus etc. for cooling carbonized coal; a pulverization apparatus etc. for pulverizing the carbonized coal cooled by the cooling apparatus; a storage tank for storing powdered coal; a nitrogen gas supply source, a conveyor line and a cyclone separator etc. for conveying the powdered coal pulverized by the pulverization apparatus to the inside of the storage tank by generating a gas flow with the nitrogen gas; and an injection lance etc. for feeding the powdered coal inside the storage tank to hot air that is blown into the blast furnace body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Setsuo Omoto, Keiichi Nakagawa, Tsutomu Hamada, Masakazu Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9551045
    Abstract: In an electric arc furnace system for making steel, a method and structure (1) for eliminating teeming hang-ups and ensuring temperature homogeneity in a ladle which teems into an ingot mold by gas purging at all possible steps under both atmospheric and vacuum conditions, and (2) for preventing non-metallic inclusions from appearing in the final product by deflecting the granular material in the teeming ladle well block away from the ingot mold by a heat resistant but combustible deflector just prior to entry of the teeming stream into the ingot mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: A. FINKL & SONS CO.
    Inventors: John A. Guliana, Guy A. Brada, Christian H. Ericksen, Bruce C. Liimatainen, Algirdas A. Underys
  • Patent number: 9550170
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be made using ethanol as the solvent and the reductant to fabricate noble-metal nanoparticles with a narrow particle size distributions, and to coat a thin metal shell on other metal cores. With or without carbon supports, particle size is controlled by fine-tuning the reduction power of ethanol, by adjusting the temperature, and by adding an alkaline solution during syntheses. The thickness of the added or coated metal shell can be varied easily from sub-monolayer to multiple layers in a seed-mediated growth process. The entire synthesis of designed core-shell catalysts can be completed using metal salts as the precursors with more than 98% yield; and, substantially no cleaning processes are necessary apart from simple rinsing. Accordingly, this method is considered to be a “green” chemistry method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Brookhaven Sciecne Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Jia Xu Wang
  • Patent number: 9551531
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device having a bottom, side walls and a ceiling, which together define a channel, as well as transportation means, extending in an axial direction of said channel from an entry port of the channel to an exit port of said channel, for transferring a metallurgical material from said entry port to said exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SMS Concast Italia Spa
    Inventor: Stefano Miani
  • Patent number: 9551046
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the treatment of a flat steel product, taking place in throughput. The apparatus includes an indirectly heated annealing furnace chamber, a conveyor device for continuously conveying the flat steel product over a conveyor path leading from an entry to an exit of the annealing furnace chamber, and nozzle arrangements for feeding atmosphere gas, which is reactive in relation to the flat steel product, into the annealing furnace chamber. A controlled treatment of the flat steel product includes a first nozzle arrangement, from which a gas jet induces a first gas flow towards the entry of the annealing furnace chamber and sweeping over the surface of flat steel product to be treated. A second nozzle arrangement includes a gas jet which induces a second gas flow directed towards the exit of the annealing furnace chamber and sweeping over the surface of flat steel product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Marc Blumenau, Karsten Machalitza, Michael Peters, Rudolf Schoenenberg, Sabine Zeizinger, Martin Norden
  • Patent number: 9546412
    Abstract: A powder metal steel alloy composition for high wear and temperature applications is made by water atomizing a molten steel alloy composition containing C in an amount of at least 3.0 wt %; at least one carbide-forming alloy element selected from the group consisting of: Cr, V, Mo or W; an O content less than about 0.5 wt %, and the balance comprising essentially Fe apart from incidental impurities. The high carbon content reduces the solubility of oxygen in the melt and thus lowers the oxygen content to a level below which would cause the carbide-forming element(s) to oxidixe during water atomization. The alloy elements are thus not tied up as oxides and are available to rapidly and readily form carbides in a subsequent sintering stage. The carbon, present in excess, is also available for diffusing into one or more other admixed powders that may be added to the prealloyed powder during sintering to control microstructure and properties of the final part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Denis B. Christopherson, Jr., Leslie John Farthing, Todd Schoenwetter, Gilles L'Esperance, Philippe Beaulieu