Patents by Inventor David A. Niederhelman

David A. Niederhelman 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).

  • Method and apparatus to monitor/detect nodularization in ductile iron
    Patent number: 7357826
    Abstract: The present invention is direct to a method/apparatus for verifying a nodularization process in a molten iron disposed within a ladle. The method includes the steps of: transferring the ladle with the molten iron to a nodularization area; adding an amount of magnesium to the molten iron in the ladle for producing the nodularization process in the molten iron; measuring vibration of the ladle containing the molten iron caused by the nodularization process in the molten iron; comparing the measured vibration with a predetermined level of vibration; and determining that the nodularization process occurs if the measured vibration is higher than the predetermined level of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC.
    Inventors: David A. Niederhelman, Mark A. Bassett