Patents by Inventor Brad A. Ohlrich

Brad A. Ohlrich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9770754
    Abstract: A device and method for transferring filtered molten metal to a die casting mold. The device and method include a casting filtration system that includes a funnel and a continuously replaceable filter placed fluidly between a molten metal source and a casting mold. Both the funnel and filter are automatically moved into cooperation with a molten metal receptacle such as a shot sleeve prior to each casting operation, and then automatically moved out of the way so that pressurization of the filtered molten metal may take place in the receptacle. In addition, the filter may be formed on a continuous strand such that indexed movement of the strand will advance the used portion of the filter out of the way to make room for a new unused filter portion that will be ready for a subsequent repeated casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David D. Goettsch, Jason R. Traub, Michael J. Walker, Brad A. Ohlrich
  • Patent number: 9597729
    Abstract: A method of transferring molten metal to a die casting mold is disclosed. The method includes providing a ladle with a dip well and a dispensing nozzle having a fluid metal filter formed therein as well as providing a receptacle fluidly between the ladle and the mold. Further the method includes delivering the molten metal from the ladle to the receptacle by positioning an exit face of the dispensing nozzle over the receptacle and rotating the ladle such that the exit face of the dispensing nozzle is repositioned proximal the bottom of the receptacle and conveying the molten metal that has been delivered to the receptacle into a mold cavity that is placed in fluid communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David D. Goettsch, Brad A. Ohlrich, Jason R. Traub, Michael J. Walker
  • Publication number: 20160279700
    Abstract: A device and method for transferring filtered molten metal to a die casting mold. The device and method include a casting filtration system that includes a funnel and a continuously replaceable filter placed fluidly between a molten metal source and a casting mold. Both the funnel and filter are automatically moved into cooperation with a molten metal receptacle such as a shot sleeve prior to each casting operation, and then automatically moved out of the way so that pressurization of the filtered molten metal may take place in the receptacle. In addition, the filter may be formed on a continuous strand such that indexed movement of the strand will advance the used portion of the filter out of the way to make room for a new unused filter portion that will be ready for a subsequent repeated casting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: David D. Goettsch, Jason R. Traub, Michael J. Walker, Brad A. Ohlrich
  • Publication number: 20160221079
    Abstract: A method of transferring molten metal to a die casting mold is disclosed. The method includes providing a ladle with a dip well and a dispensing nozzle having a fluid metal filter formed therein as well as providing a receptacle fluidly between the ladle and the mold. Further the method includes delivering the molten metal from the ladle to the receptacle by positioning an exit face of the dispensing nozzle over the receptacle and rotating the ladle such that the exit face of the dispensing nozzle is repositioned proximal the bottom of the receptacle and conveying the molten metal that has been delivered to the receptacle into a mold cavity that is placed in fluid communication therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: David D. Goettsch, Brad A. Ohlrich, Jason R. Traub, Michael J. Walker
  • Patent number: 9205491
    Abstract: A method for delivering molten metal from a ladle to a die casting shot sleeve and a ladle and shot sleeve assembly. Both the ladle and a rotatable device coupled to the shot sleeve are made to rotate about respective axes as a way to reduce air entrainment and oxide film inclusions during the gravity filling of the shot sleeve with molten metal from the ladle. In a preferred form, the axis of rotation of the nozzle in the ladle is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the shot sleeve rotatable device that is preferably placed in a horizontal filling direction. The nozzle is configured to deliver the molten metal through the lowest level of the shot sleeve when the ladle is rotated from a first position to a second position about its axis, followed by its rotation about a filling axis of the shot sleeve from a first angular position to a second angular position. At the second angular position, a die casting plunger can fill the casting cavity with the molten metal that has been delivered to the shot sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David D. Goettsch, Brad A. Ohlrich
  • Publication number: 20150202685
    Abstract: A method for delivering molten metal from a ladle to a die casting shot sleeve and a ladle and shot sleeve assembly. Both the ladle and a rotatable device coupled to the shot sleeve are made to rotate about respective axes as a way to reduce air entrainment and oxide film inclusions during the gravity filling of the shot sleeve with molten metal from the ladle. In a preferred form, the axis of rotation of the nozzle in the ladle is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the shot sleeve rotatable device that is preferably placed in a horizontal filling direction. The nozzle is configured to deliver the molten metal through the lowest level of the shot sleeve when the ladle is rotated from a first position to a second position about its axis, followed by its rotation about a filling axis of the shot sleeve from a first angular position to a second angular position. At the second angular position, a die casting plunger can fill the casting cavity with the molten metal that has been delivered to the shot sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David D. Goettsch, Brad A. Ohlrich