Patents by Inventor David Caulk

David Caulk 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: 7618823
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in contact mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the foam decomposition having a foam material vapor fraction and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of parameter values for casting process parameters as variables of a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a vapor value for the fraction of the foam material that decomposes to vapor, an undercut length value designating the amount of coating exposed to gas diffusion, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on the results for the vapor value, the undercut length value, or the speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Barone, David A. Caulk
  • Patent number: 7225049
    Abstract: Parameters specifying properties of the materials used in the lost foam casting process are input at an input step. Numerical methods may be used to simultaneously solve a set of coupled equations relating thermal properties, flow properties, and other physical properties of the metal and foam. A profile number ? and an engulf number E may be evaluated using the values of physical quantities determined during the numerical solution step. Once values for the profile number ? and engulf number E have been determined, these values may be checked to see if they lie within appropriate ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Caulk
  • Patent number: 7164963
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in gap mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the casting process in gap mode characterized by a bubble flux and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of values for casting process parameters as variables in a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a flux value for the bubble flux, a gap value for the gap width, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on at least one result for the bubble flux, mold filling speed, or gap width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Caulk
  • Publication number: 20060003456
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in contact mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the foam decomposition having a foam material vapor fraction and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of parameter values for casting process parameters as variables of a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a vapor value for the fraction of the foam material that decomposes to vapor, an undercut length value designating the amount of coating exposed to gas diffusion, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on the results for the vapor value, the undercut length value, or the speed value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Barone, David Caulk
  • Publication number: 20060000577
    Abstract: Parameters specifying properties of the materials used in the lost foam casting process are input at an input step. Numerical methods may be used to simultaneously solve a set of coupled equations relating thermal properties, flow properties, and other physical properties of the metal and foam. A profile number ? and an engulf number E may be evaluated using the values of physical quantities determined during the numerical solution step. Once values for the profile number ? and engulf number E have been determined, these values may be checked to see if they lie within appropriate ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventor: David Caulk
  • Publication number: 20060000576
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in gap mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the casting process in gap mode characterized by a bubble flux and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of values for casting process parameters as variables in a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a flux value for the bubble flux, a gap value for the gap width, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on at least one result for the bubble flux, mold filling speed, or gap width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventor: David Caulk