Patents by Inventor Bradley Ree

Bradley Ree 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: 12076787
    Abstract: A twin roll casting system includes a pair of counter-rotating casting rolls having an adjustable nip therebetween, a casting roll controller configured to adjust the nip between the casting rolls in response to control signals; a cast strip sensor measuring a parameter of the cast strip and generating strip measurement signals; and an iterative learning control (ILC) controller receiving the strip measurement signals and providing control signals to the casting roll controller. The ILC controller includes a fault detection algorithm receiving the control signals and the strip measurement signals and generating a fault detection signal indicating when a fault condition is detected and an iterative learning control algorithm to generate the control signals. The fault detection algorithm indicates a fault condition when it detects the control signal exceeding an upper control saturation threshold or the ILC controller operating a state that is not guaranteed as stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Florian Maurice Browne, III, George T. C. Chiu, Neera Jain Sundaram, Harold Bradley Rees
  • Publication number: 20220379372
    Abstract: A twin roll casting system includes a pair of counter-rotating casting rolls having an adjustable nip therebetween, a casting roll controller configured to adjust the nip between the casting rolls in response to control signals; a cast strip sensor measuring a parameter of the cast strip and generating strip measurement signals; and an iterative learning control (ILC) controller receiving the strip measurement signals and providing control signals to the casting roll controller. The ILC controller includes a fault detection algorithm receiving the control signals and the strip measurement signals and generating a fault detection signal indicating when a fault condition is detected and an iterative learning control algorithm to generate the control signals. The fault detection algorithm indicates a fault condition when it detects the control signal exceeding an upper control saturation threshold or the ILC controller operating a state that is not guaranteed as stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Florian Maurice Browne, III, George T.C. CHIU, Neera Jain SUNDARAM, Harold Bradley REES
  • Patent number: 11148193
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for continuously casting thin strip where one or more expansion rings are positioned within at least one of a pair of casting rolls, and automatically measuring a thickness of the cast strip close to the first side edge of the strip using at least one sensor. If the thickness measured is too thin, automatically decreasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to contract and increase the thickness of the cast strip during casting. If the thickness measured indicates that the thickness of the cast strip is too thick, automatically increasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to expand and reduce the thickness of the cast strip during casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Nooning, Jr., Harold Bradley Rees, Jeffery Edward Keffer
  • Patent number: 11135647
    Abstract: A twin roll casting system where the casting rolls have a nip between the casting rolls, each roller having a circumference and a rotational period. The casting roll controller adjusts the nip between the casting rolls in response to control signals. The sensor measures at least one parameter of the cast strip. The ILC controller receives strip measurement signals from the sensor and provides control signals to the casting roll controller. The ILC controller includes an ILC control algorithm to generate the control signals based on the strip measurement signals and a time delay estimate based on circumference, rotational period, and a length of cast strip between the nip and the sensor to compensate for an elapsed time from the cast strip exiting the nip to being measured by the cast strip sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Florian Maurice Browne, III, George T. C. Chiu, Neera Jain Sundaram, Harold Bradley Rees
  • Patent number: 11027330
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuous casting a metal strip and reducing snake eggs in the metal strip. A pair of counter rotating casting rolls through which a thin strip can be cast are provided. A metal delivery system is disposed above the nip for discharging molten metal into a casting pool supported on the rolls. A pair of side dam holders and a pair of side dams are assembled adjacent each end portion of the rolls. Each side dam holder is tapered and dovetails with an adjacent side dam to confine the casting pool of molten metal supported on casting surfaces of the rolls. An oscillation mechanism provides lateral oscillation to each side dam and side dam holder at a frequency 2-50 hertz and with an amplitude 100-2000 ?m during casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Schlichting, Volus McKenna, Alan Deno, James M. Thomas, Philippe Maurice Fettig, Harold Bradley Rees, Nick Corea, Michael Ponder
  • Publication number: 20210001396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of continuously casting thin strip by controlling roll crown is provided. The apparatus for continuously casting thin strip by controlling roll crown includes at least two expansion rings positioned within and adjacent a cylindrical tube and spaced within 450 mm of edge portions of the cast strip formed on opposite end portions of casting rolls during a casting campaign. Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus includes at least one expansion ring within the cylindrical tube at a position corresponding to center portions of the cast strip formed on the casting rolls during a casting campaign. Each expansion ring has at least one heating element and an insulating coating thereon and is adapted to increase in radial dimension causing the cylindrical tube to expand changing roll crown of the casting surfaces of the casting rolls and thickness profile of the cast strip during casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Gerard NOONING, JR., James M. THOMAS, Mike PONDER, Bradley REES
  • Publication number: 20200384528
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods and apparatus for continuously casting thin strip where one or more expansion rings are positioned within at least one of a pair of casting rolls, and automatically measuring a thickness of the cast strip close to the first side edge of the strip using at least one sensor, and if the thickness measured is too thin, automatically decreasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to contract and increase the thickness of the cast strip during casting, and if the thickness measured indicates that the thickness of the cast strip is too thick, automatically increasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to expand and reduce the thickness of the cast strip during casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Robert NOONING, Harold Bradley REES, Jeffery Edward KEFFER
  • Patent number: 10722940
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuously casting thin strip where one or more expansion rings are positioned within at least one of a pair of casting rolls, and automatically measuring a thickness of the cast strip close to the first side edge of the strip using at least one sensor, and if the thickness measured is too thin, automatically decreasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to contract and increase the thickness of the cast strip during casting, and if the thickness measured indicates that the thickness of the cast strip is too thick, automatically increasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to expand and reduce the thickness of the cast strip during casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert G. Nooning, Jr., Harold Bradley Rees, Jeffery Edward Keffer
  • Publication number: 20200009644
    Abstract: A twin roll casting system where the casting rolls have a nip between the casting rolls, each roller having a circumference and a rotational period. The casting roll controller adjusts the nip between the casting rolls in response to control signals. The sensor measures at least one parameter of the cast strip. The ILC controller receives strip measurement signals from the sensor and provides control signals to the casting roll controller. The ILC controller includes an ILC control algorithm to generate the control signals based on the strip measurement signals and a time delay estimate based on circumference, rotational period, and a length of cast strip between the nip and the sensor to compensate for an elapsed time from the cast strip exiting the nip to being measured by the cast strip sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Florian Maurice BROWNE, III, George T.C. CHIU, Neera Jain SUNDARAM, Harold Bradley REES
  • Patent number: 10449603
    Abstract: A twin roll casting system where the casting rolls have a nip between the casting rolls, each roller having a circumference and a rotational period. The casting roll controller adjusts the nip between the casting rolls in response to control signals. The sensor measures at least one parameter of the cast strip. The ILC controller receives strip measurement signals from the sensor and provides control signals to the casting roll controller. The ILC controller includes an ILC control algorithm to generate the control signals based on the strip measurement signals and a time delay estimate based on circumference, rotational period, and a length of cast strip between the nip and the sensor to compensate for an elapsed time from the cast strip exiting the nip to being measured by the cast strip sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Florian Maurice Browne, III, George T. C. Chiu, Neera Jain Sundaram, Harold Bradley Rees
  • Publication number: 20190210098
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuous casting metal strip reducing snake eggs comprising a pair of counter rotating casting rolls, each roll less than 800 millimeters in diameter and positioned to form a nip there between through which thin strip can be cast; a metal delivery system disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the rolls; a pair of side dam holders and a pair of side dams assembled adjacent each end portion of the rolls, each side dam holder tapered along edge portions to dovetail with an adjacent side dam, and each side dam adapted to confine the casting pool of molten metal supported on casting surfaces of the rolls; an oscillation mechanism adapted to cause lateral oscillation of each side dam and side dam holder at a frequency 2-50 hertz and with an amplitude 100-2000 ?m during a casting campaign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Mark SCHLICHTING, Volus MCKENNA, Alan DENO, James M. THOMAS, Philippe Maurice FETTIG, Harold Bradley REES, Nick COREA, Michael PONDER
  • Publication number: 20190091761
    Abstract: A twin roll casting system where the casting rolls have a nip between the casting rolls, each roller having a circumference and a rotational period. The casting roll controller adjusts the nip between the casting rolls in response to control signals. The sensor measures at least one parameter of the cast strip. The ILC controller receives strip measurement signals from the sensor and provides control signals to the casting roll controller. The ILC controller includes an ILC control algorithm to generate the control signals based on the strip measurement signals and a time delay estimate based on circumference, rotational period, and a length of cast strip between the nip and the sensor to compensate for an elapsed time from the cast strip exiting the nip to being measured by the cast strip sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Florian Maurice BROWNE, III, George T. C. CHIU, Neera Jain SUNDARAM, Harold Bradley REES
  • Publication number: 20180361469
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods and apparatus for continuously casting thin strip where one or more expansion rings are positioned within at least one of a pair of casting rolls, and automatically measuring a thickness of the cast strip close to the first side edge of the strip using at least one sensor, and if the thickness measured is too thin, automatically decreasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to contract and increase the thickness of the cast strip during casting, and if the thickness measured indicates that the thickness of the cast strip is too thick, automatically increasing the radial dimension of the expansion ring arranged in close proximity to the first side edge to cause the cylindrical tube to expand and reduce the thickness of the cast strip during casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Robert G. NOONING, JR., Harold Bradley REES, Jeffery Edward KEFFER
  • Publication number: 20170327925
    Abstract: To achieve a substantially uniform microstructure across a continuously cast thin metal strip, it is beneficial to cool a width of the strip to a substantially constant temperature before further cooling the strip to reach any desired phase transformation temperature. Accordingly, methods of continuously casting a thin metal strip may include moving the thin strip to a cooling section, the cooling section having a plurality of coolant discharge ports configured to discharge a flow of coolant along the thin strip; initially sensing the temperature of the thin strip to determine a temperature distribution across the width of the thin strip, and producing a sensor signal corresponding to a sensed temperature at each of the first plurality of locations; and individually controlling the cooling across a width of the thin strip by way of the plurality coolant discharge ports in each zone of a first row using the determined temperature distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: James W. Watson, Harold Bradley Rees
  • Publication number: 20170144218
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of continuously casting thin strip by controlling roll crown is provided. The apparatus for continuously casting thin strip by controlling roll crown includes at least two expansion rings positioned within and adjacent a cylindrical tube and spaced within 450 mm of edge portions of the cast strip formed on opposite end portions of casting rolls during a casting campaign. Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus includes at least one expansion ring within the cylindrical tube at a position corresponding to center portions of the cast strip formed on the casting rolls during a casting campaign. Each expansion ring has at least one heating element and an insulating coating thereon and is adapted to increase in radial dimension causing the cylindrical tube to expand changing roll crown of the casting surfaces of the casting rolls and thickness profile of the cast strip during casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Gerard NOONING, JR., James M. THOMAS, Mike PONDER, Bradley REES
  • Patent number: 9128889
    Abstract: Certain embodiments herein are directed to transferring information between devices on a network using a filing system such as the WebDAV file system. In one embodiment, a sensor device may communicate with a computer server including a WebDAV file system to obtain information for various purposes, such as for software upgrades or resolution of software bugs. The computer server may receive data from a sensor associated with a home, business, or power generation equipment, or other asset. The computer server may further prepare the data for transmission to a filing system, which may include calling one or more WebDAV functions. The data may be used to determine additional data that may be used by the computer device that sent the data, in one embodiment. The data, as well as the additional data, may be stored in a WebDAV file system and/or transmitted to a remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Patrick Hanley, Bradley Ree
  • Publication number: 20140164570
    Abstract: Certain embodiments herein are directed to transferring information between devices on a network using a filing system such as the WebDAV file system. In one embodiment, a sensor device may communicate with a computer server including a WebDAV file system to obtain information for various purposes, such as for software upgrades or resolution of software bugs. The computer server may receive data from a sensor associated with a home, business, or power generation equipment, or other asset. The computer server may further prepare the data for transmission to a filing system, which may include calling one or more WebDAV functions. The data may be used to determine additional data that may be used be the computer device that sent the data, in one embodiment. The data, as well as the additional data, may be stored in a WebDAV file system and/or transmitted to a remote computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Patrick Hanley, Bradley Ree
  • Patent number: 8365562
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of controlling strip geometry in casting strip having a rolling mill. A target thickness profile is calculated as a function of the measured entry thickness profile of the strip while satisfying profile and flatness parameters. A differential strain feedback from longitudinal strain in the strip is calculated by a control system by comparing the exit thickness profile with the target thickness profile, and a control signal is generated to control a device capable of affecting the geometry of the strip processed by the hot rolling mill. A feed-forward control reference and/or sensitivity vector may also be calculated as a function of the target thickness profile, and used in generating the control signal sent to the control device. The control device may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a bending controller, gap controller and coolant controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Britanik, Tino Domanti, Terry L. Gerber, Jason A. Mueller, Glen Wallace, Harold Bradley Rees
  • Publication number: 20120240651
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of controlling strip geometry in casting strip having a rolling mill. A target thickness profile is calculated as a function of the measured entry thickness profile of the strip while satisfying profile and flatness parameters. A differential strain feedback from longitudinal strain in the strip is calculated by a control system by comparing the exit thickness profile with the target thickness profile, and a control signal is generated to control a device capable of affecting the geometry of the strip processed by the hot rolling mill. A feed-forward control reference and/or sensitivity vector may also be calculated as a function of the target thickness profile, and used in generating the control signal sent to the control device. The control device may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a bending controller, gap controller and coolant controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard BRITANIK, Tino DOMANTI, Terry L. GERBER, Jason A. MUELLER, Glen WALLACE, Harold Bradley REES
  • Patent number: 8205474
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of controlling strip geometry in casting strip having a rolling mill. A target thickness profile is calculated as a function of the measured entry thickness profile of the strip while satisfying profile and flatness parameters. A differential strain feedback from longitudinal strain in the strip is calculated by a control system by comparing the exit thickness profile with the target thickness profile, and a control signal is generated to control a device capable of affecting the geometry of the strip processed by the hot rolling mill. A feed-forward control reference and/or sensitivity vector may also be calculated as a function of the target thickness profile, and used in generating the control signal sent to the control device. The control device may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a bending controller, gap controller and coolant controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Britanik, Tino Domanti, Terry L. Gerber, Jason A. Mueller, Glen Wallace, Harold Bradley Rees