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: 9126262
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Gary McQuillis, Kevin Keown, Eric Fulbright
  • Patent number: 9120147
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8978738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Gary McQuillis, Kevin Keown, Eric Fulbright
  • Patent number: 8875777
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20140262122
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Eric FULBRIGHT, Wayne AUSTIN
  • Publication number: 20140262117
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Kevin KEOWN, Eric FULBRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20140262123
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Kevin KEOWN, Eric FULBRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20140246164
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay Jon ONDROVIC, Eric FULBRIGHT, Katsumi NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8813828
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Gary McQuillis, Kevin Keown, Eric Fulbright
  • Patent number: 8631853
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8499820
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20130186587
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20130146245
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Gary MCQUILLIS, Kevin KEOWN, Eric FULBRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20120285651
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay Jon ONDROVIC, Eric FULBRIGHT, Katsumi NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8251127
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20120073780
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20090314458
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay Jon ONDROVIC, Eric FULBRIGHT, Katsumi NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20090288798
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20090236068
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay Jon Ondrovic, Eric Fulbright, Katsumi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6520353
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: L.A.Darling Company
    Inventor: Eric A. Fulbright