Patents by Inventor David Ian Walker

David Ian Walker 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: 6929773
    Abstract: A method of determining disturbances when discharging molten metal from a metallurgical container having an outlet into a receiving container. In steps of this process, a real time video image of the teeming stream is monitored to detect the presence of a slag phase, or conditions conducive to the presence of such a phase in steel being transferred, the monitored images are processed to provide data used to assess the quantity of slag passed, parameters of data generated representing characteristics of the teeming stream image are compared with threshold values to generate at least one signal indicative of the passage of slag, and the threshold values are progressively adjusted responsive to data collected by monitoring plural parameters of the teeming operation selected from predicted teeming duration, weight of the receiving vessel, condition of means controlling teeming rate, and oxygen content of the molten steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventors: Frank L. Kemeny, David Ian Walker
  • Publication number: 20040187641
    Abstract: A method of determining disturbances when discharging molten metal from a metallurgical container having an outlet into a receiving container. In steps of this process, a real time video image of the teeming stream is monitored to detect the presence of a slag phase, or conditions conducive to the presence of such a phase in steel being transferred, the monitored images are processed to provide data used to assess the quantity of slag passed, parameters of data generated representing characteristics of the teeming stream image are compared with threshold values to generate at least one signal indicative of the passage of slag, and the threshold values are progressively adjusted responsive to data collected by monitoring plural parameters of the teeming operation selected from predicted teeming duration, weight of the receiving vessel, condition of means controlling teeming rate, and oxygen content of the molten steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Frank L. Kemeny, David Ian Walker