Patents by Inventor Donald L. Drane

Donald L. Drane 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: 5435373
    Abstract: The fill chamber bore of a die-casting machine is lubricated and prepared for casting by inserting an elongated member into the die-end of the bore while spraying with lubricant. During withdrawal of the elongated member, a conical spray of gas directed toward the die-end drys the lubricant and sweeps vapor and flash, or solder, out of the die-end. The elongated member is preferably a flexible carrier which is guided between the bore and a path between the open die halves lateral to the bore. The lateral path is perferably defined by a tubular member supported by a vertical carriage mounted on a vertical mast for alignment of the flexible carrier with the fill chamber bore when the dies are open. The vertical mast can be mounted on a horizontal carriage moveable along a horizontal bore to preclude interference with normal operation of the die-casting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Donald L. Drane, James R. Fields, Robert C. Wallace, Thomas J. Kasun, Robert E. Robinson