Patents Examined by Scott R Kastler
  • Patent number: 11959147
    Abstract: A top-blowing lance nozzle is configured to freely switch an adequate expansion condition so as to control an oxygen-blowing amount and a jetting velocity independently of each other without requiring a plurality of lance nozzles or a mechanically movable part. A lance nozzle is configured to blow refining oxygen to molten iron charged in a reaction vessel while a gas is blown from a top-blowing lance to the molten iron. One or more blowing holes for blowing a working gas are on an inner wall side surface of the nozzle, at a site where the lance nozzle has a minimum cross-sectional area in a nozzle axis direction or at a neighboring site of the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yumi Murakami, Nobuhiko Oda, Yusuke Fujii, Goro Okuyama, Shota Amano, Shinji Koseki, Shingo Sato, Yukio Takahashi, Ryo Kawabata, Naoki Kikuchi, Atsuo Yuasa
  • Patent number: 11958140
    Abstract: Aluminum welding alloys with improved welding performance are disclosed. The aluminum welding alloys include high loading levels of magnesium and one or more surface active elements and arc stabilizer elements. Methods of making and using the aluminum welding alloys are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: General Cable Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shenjia Zhang, Janusz Stanislaw Sekunda, Jean Bilodeau
  • Patent number: 11946112
    Abstract: A high-strength steel sheet of the present invention has a specific chemical composition. Furthermore, in the steel sheet, a degree of Mn segregation in a specific region is 1.5 or less; a maximum P concentration in a specific region is 0.08 mass % or less; in a specific region, at least one specific MnS particle group is present, the number of specific MnS particle groups is 2.0 or fewer per 1 mm2, and the number of specific oxide-based inclusions is 8 or fewer per 1 mm2; of all oxide-based inclusions, oxide-based inclusions having a specific composition are present in a number ratio of 80% or greater; the microstructure includes, in terms of a volume fraction, 30 to 95% martensite, 5 to 70% ferrite phase, less than 30% (and 0% or greater) bainite, and less than 2.0% (and 0% or greater) austenite phase; and a tensile strength is 980 MPa or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ono, Yuma Honda, Shimpei Yoshioka, Koichi Taniguchi, Hiroshi Matsuda, Takeshi Murai, Nobuyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11946115
    Abstract: The present invention claims a process for the desulphurization of materials and/or residues containing lead sulphate, carried out in one or more stages. The main characteristic of this process is that the only desulphurising agent is an amino compound selected among urea, guanidine, guanine, arginine or another similar amino compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: STC S.R.L. SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY & CONSULTING
    Inventors: Giorgio La Sala, Francesco Scura, Gianluca Fusillo
  • 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: 11939994
    Abstract: A molten metal rotor receives and retains an end of a molten metal rotor shaft. The rotor shaft has one or more projections at the end received in the rotor. The rotor has an inner cavity, a top surface with an opening leading to the inner cavity, and at least one abutment. The opening includes one or more portions for allowing each projection to pass through the opening and into the inner cavity. The rotor and/or shaft are then rotated so at least one of the outwardly-extending projections is under the top surface of the rotor and is against an abutment. A molten metal pump, rotary degasser scrap melter or other device used in molten metal may utilize a rotor/shaft combination as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • Patent number: 11938534
    Abstract: An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mamoru Yoshimura, Junichi Funato, Yusuke Yamaguchi, Toshihiro Imahase
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 11931802
    Abstract: A launder for use in moving molten metal includes at least one relatively narrow channel through which molten metal flows. Using a narrow, rather than broad, channel permits better control of the flow and helps prevent overflowing the launder or a structure adjacent the launder. A molten metal pumping or transfer system may utilize a launder as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • 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: 11931803
    Abstract: A system according to aspects of the invention includes a pump and a refractory casing that houses the pump or is in fluid communication with the pump. As the pump operates it moves molten metal upward through an uptake section of the casing until it reaches a rectangular outlet wherein it exits the vessel. The rectangular outlet is configured to be connected to, or 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: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • Patent number: 11932919
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M Morgan, Barbara J Savage, David G Meadows, Wayne W Hazen
  • Patent number: 11931797
    Abstract: A double-acting switch valve includes a mounting bracket and two mutually backup sealing assemblies disposed on the mounting bracket, each of the two sealing assemblies including a carbon rod and a carbon rod moving assembly, the carbon rod moving assembly being configured to translate, and elevate or lower the carbon rod so as to block or open a metal liquid channel between two metal liquid furnaces. Two sealing assemblies which are mutually replaceable, where when the carbon rod on one of the sealing assemblies is worn down, the other sealing assembly may take its place to block the metal liquid outlet again via the carbon rod; and then the worn-down carbon rod is renewed. This design eliminates the time taken for replacing the carbon rod and can reduce the amount of the metal liquid discharged via the metal liquid outlet during replacement of the carbon rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG HAILIANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huanfeng Feng, Gangfeng Sun, Weimin Ma, Xuelong Zhao
  • Patent number: 11932920
    Abstract: Liquid metal degassing device comprising a chamber containing a liquid metal bath, a device for circulating a gas through a purification chamber and in that the purification chamber comprises a getter material configured to trap dihydrogen from the circulating gas. Method for degassing a liquid metal bath to reduce the hydrogen concentration of the liquid metal comprising the following steps a) Preparing a liquid metal bath, preferably an aluminum alloy b) Circulating a gas, c) Exchanging hydrogen from the circulating gas with the liquid metal such that the hydrogen dissolved in the liquid metal bath diffuses into the circulating gas and enriches the circulating gas with dihydrogen, d) Purifying the circulating gas enriched with dihydrogen in a purification chamber comprising a getter material configured to trap dihydrogen from the circulating gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: CONSTELLIUM ISSOIRE
    Inventors: Jocelyn Prigent, Philippe Jarry, Pierre Le Brun
  • Patent number: 11926879
    Abstract: A method and an installation (10) for removing slag allows both slag removal and metal recovery from slag (60?) to be performed quickly and easily. The risk of slag fires is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: RIA Cast House Enginering GmbH
    Inventors: David Roth, Gerald Rockstroh, Michael Rockstroh
  • Patent number: 11919040
    Abstract: A control device for reducing and homogenizing welding residual stress by acoustic waves, comprising: a fixing tool having two rows of through holes; a plurality of ultrasonic transducers each having a body and a conical horn transmitting portion at a lower end of the body, wherein lower ends of the horn transmitting portions are fixedly connected with flanges, the horn transmitting portions of the ultrasonic transducers extend into respective through holes of the fixing tool to be in contact with welded parts below the fixing tool, the flanges are fixed to the fixing tool by bolts, and the two rows of through holes are arranged both sides of a welding seam of the welded parts; and a driving device for driving the ultrasonic transducers to operate. A corresponding control method is also provided. The control device can be used to control residual stress at the welding seam of steels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chunguang Xu, Peng Yin, Yuren Lu, Shuangyi Li, Wenyuan Song
  • Patent number: 11920212
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dissolving metals by photocatalysis. A metal-containing material to be dissolved is dispersed in a mixed solution of photocatalyst-containing cyanide and organic chloride; then, a photocatalyst is added; next, an oxygen-containing gas or a substance which is capable of generating oxygen is introduced; and irradiation is applied for a period of time to dissolve metals. Compared with the prior method, the present invention is advantageous in moderate reaction condition, energy conservation, environmental protection, low cost, and convenient operation, and is suitable for mass industrial treatment on metal dissolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI NORMAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhenfeng Bian, Yao Chen, Mengjiao Xu, Lili Lin, Jieya Wen, Yu Wan, Li Liu, Hexing Li
  • Patent number: 11919069
    Abstract: Drive device for a stopper closure on a metallurgical vessel, including a housing arranged on the vessel in a removable manner, an adjustment system mounted in the housing so as to be height-displaceable and has a drive which can be coupled to the housing, and an upper connection element for a support arm carrying the fire-proof stopper. The adjustment system for the stopper is mounted so as to be height-displaceable on at least one bearing shaft fastened in the housing. This design of the adjustment system permits an increase in the stiffness of the drive device and hence of the fire-proof stopper suspended by the drive device on the support arm during pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Lorenz, Erich Rollin
  • Patent number: 11913084
    Abstract: A quenching fixture adapted to clamp at least one workpiece is provided. The quenching fixture includes a first positioning component and a second positioning component. Both of the first positioning component and the second positioning component have a positioning surface, multiple protrusions protruding from the positioning surface and a heat dissipation channel disposed between the protrusions in a staggered manner. The positioning surface of the first positioning component faces the positioning surface of the second positioning component, and the protrusions of the first positioning component overlap the protrusions of the second positioning component. The workpiece is clamped between the protrusions of the first positioning component and the protrusions of the second positioning component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Ta Huang, Cheng-Nan Ling, Chih-Chun Liu