Patents by Inventor Buford D. Lewis

Buford D. Lewis 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).

  • Automatic sanding hopper systems and methods
    Patent number: 9052144
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to automatic sanding hopper systems and methods for supplying sand to a tap hole in a furnace. The automatic sanding hopper system may automatically open a chimney door to provide access to a furnace through a chimney hole. A hopper assembly in the sanding hopper system may automatically move to a position in which a plunger may automatically actuate to clear or clean out the chimney hole. The hopper assembly may thereafter automatically move to a position in which a sand dispenser delivers sand through the chimney hole, into the furnace, and into the tap hole in the furnace. A sensor device may determine whether or not the tap hole is properly filled with sand. The hopper assembly may automatically retract and the chimney door may automatically close to begin another steelmaking heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Kephart, Kenneth R. Phillips, Steven G. Huff, Kevin J. Defoor, Samuel R. Cox, Buford D. Lewis, Scotty R. Proctor
  • AUTOMATIC SANDING HOPPER SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20130320601
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to automatic sanding hopper systems and methods for supplying sand to a tap hole in a furnace. The automatic sanding hopper system may automatically open a chimney door to provide access to a furnace through a chimney hole. A hopper assembly in the sanding hopper system may automatically move to a position in which a plunger may automatically actuate to clear or clean out the chimney hole. The hopper assembly may thereafter automatically move to a position in which a sand dispenser delivers sand through the chimney hole, into the furnace, and into the tap hole in the furnace. A sensor device may determine whether or not the tap hole is properly filled with sand. The hopper assembly may automatically retract and the chimney door may automatically close to begin another steelmaking heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Kephart, Kenneth R. Phillips, Steven G. Huff, Kevin J. Defoor, Samuel R. Cox, Buford D. Lewis, Scotty R. Proctor