Patents by Inventor Eric Fulbright
Eric Fulbright 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: 9126262Abstract: In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Gary McQuillis, Kevin Keown, Eric Fulbright
-
Patent number: 9120147Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls in a roll cassette laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, adapted to support a casting pool of molten metal on the casting surfaces, an enclosure to support a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls in the casting position, and an upper cover positioned below the casting rolls to move between a closed position covering the upper portion of the enclosure maintaining the protective atmosphere in the enclosure in the closed position and a retracted position enabling cast strip to be cast into the enclosure. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations. Further, a movable tundish adapted to be transferred from a heating station to the casting position.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Patent number: 8978738Abstract: In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Gary McQuillis, Kevin Keown, Eric Fulbright
-
Patent number: 8875777Abstract: A method of continuously casting steel strip includes steps of providing rails positioned beneath a casting position and extending in opposite directions there from to discharge stations, supporting first and second scrap receptacles movable along the rails, engaging a seal between the first scrap receptacle and an enclosure enabling support of a protective atmosphere beneath a pair of casting rolls, disengaging the seal between the first scrap receptacle and the enclosure and moving the first scrap receptacle along the rails in a direction away from the second scrap receptacle to a discharge station, and moving the second scrap receptacle into the casting position and sealingly engaging the second scrap receptacle and the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Publication number: 20140262122Abstract: A method of casting a thin strip is disclosed. The method includes assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of counter-rotating casting rolls through which a strip of metal can be cast to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, assembling an angular actuator connected to a side dam at an angle urging the side dam toward the casting pool with a hold down force component urging the side dam downwardly, assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams, and counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Eric FULBRIGHT, Wayne AUSTIN
-
Publication number: 20140262117Abstract: In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Kevin KEOWN, Eric FULBRIGHT
-
Publication number: 20140262123Abstract: In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Kevin KEOWN, Eric FULBRIGHT
-
Publication number: 20140246164Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls in a roll cassette laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, adapted to support a casting pool of molten metal on the casting surfaces, an enclosure to support a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls in the casting position, and an upper cover positioned below the casting rolls to move between a closed position covering the upper portion of the enclosure maintaining the protective atmosphere in the enclosure in the closed position and a retracted position enabling cast strip to be cast into the enclosure. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations. Further, a movable tundish adapted to be transferred from a heating station to the casting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jay Jon ONDROVIC, Eric FULBRIGHT, Katsumi NAKAYAMA
-
Patent number: 8813828Abstract: In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Gary McQuillis, Kevin Keown, Eric Fulbright
-
Patent number: 8631853Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls in a roll cassette laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, adapted to support a casting pool of molten metal on the casting surfaces, an enclosure to support a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls in the casting position, and an upper cover positioned below the casting rolls to move between a closed position covering the upper portion of the enclosure maintaining the protective atmosphere in the enclosure in the closed position and a retracted position enabling cast strip to be cast into the enclosure. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations. Further, a movable tundish adapted to be transferred from a heating station to the casting position.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Patent number: 8499820Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Publication number: 20130186587Abstract: A method of continuously casting steel strip includes steps of providing rails positioned beneath a casting position and extending in opposite directions there from to discharge stations, supporting first and second scrap receptacles movable along the rails, engaging a seal between the first scrap receptacle and an enclosure enabling support of a protective atmosphere beneath a pair of casting rolls, disengaging the seal between the first scrap receptacle and the enclosure and moving the first scrap receptacle along the rails in a direction away from the second scrap receptacle to a discharge station, and moving the second scrap receptacle into the casting position and sealingly engaging the second scrap receptacle and the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Publication number: 20130146245Abstract: In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Kevin KEOWN, Eric FULBRIGHT
-
Publication number: 20120285651Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jay Jon ONDROVIC, Eric FULBRIGHT, Katsumi NAKAYAMA
-
Patent number: 8251127Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Nucor CorporationInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Publication number: 20120073780Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls in a roll cassette laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, adapted to support a casting pool of molten metal on the casting surfaces, an enclosure to support a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls in the casting position, and an upper cover positioned below the casting rolls to move between a closed position covering the upper portion of the enclosure maintaining the protective atmosphere in the enclosure in the closed position and a retracted position enabling cast strip to be cast into the enclosure. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations. Further, a movable tundish adapted to be transferred from a heating station to the casting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Publication number: 20090314458Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jay Jon ONDROVIC, Eric FULBRIGHT, Katsumi NAKAYAMA
-
Publication number: 20090288798Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having a nip there between capable of delivering cast strip downwardly from the nip, a metal delivery system capable of forming a casting pool supported on casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip with side dams adjacent the ends of the nip to confine the casting pool, and a hot rolling mill having work rolls with work surfaces forming a gap between them through which hot strip delivered from the casting rolls is rolled, the work rolls having work surfaces relating to the desired strip profile across the work rolls. Misting jets may be in intervals along the path of the cast strip exiting from the hot rolling mill to form a cooling zone, the misting jets capable of directing toward surfaces of the cast strip a mixture of gas and water having a ratio of gas over water between 9 and 90 to cool the cast strip at more than 1.6° C. per liter of water used.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Publication number: 20090236068Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls mounted in a roll cassette capable of being transferred from a set up station to a casting position through a transfer station, where at the set up station the casting rolls mounted in the roll cassette are capable of being prepared for casting, at the transfer station casting rolls are capable of being exchanged, and in the casting position the casting rolls are operational, and a guide positioned capable of moving the casting rolls mounted in the roll cassette between the set up station and the casting position through the transfer station. The guide may move the casting rolls mounted in the roll cassette from the set up station to the casting position through the transfer station at substantially the same elevation. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
-
Patent number: 6520353Abstract: A shelf system having a shelf and a bracket. The bracket and shelf interlock to form a snap together unit. The shelf has a channel formed along each of its lateral edges, and each channel extends from the front to the rear of the shelf. The channel is downwardly facing. A tab is lanced out of the side wall of the shelf, and positioned within the channel to form an interference member. A whole is punched in the bracket to cooperate with the tab and the webbed material between the hole and the upper edge of the bracket interferes with the tab, thereby preventing removal of the bracket from the channel after the bracket is assembled to the shelf. The side wall of the shelf is flexible to allow insertion of the bracket beyond the tab. Additionally, secondary engagement means is provided between the lower edge of each rib on the shelf and a support finger on the bracket after the brackets are inserted into the channels of the shelf, the brackets are firmly attached to the shelf.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: L.A.Darling CompanyInventor: Eric A. Fulbright