Patents by Inventor Gary C. Ward

Gary C. Ward 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).

  • Die coolant system with an integral and automatic leak test
    Patent number: 9010175
    Abstract: Systems and methods allow detection and location of die coolant leaks while a die is in a die cast machine and at operating temperature. The testing can be performed during normal down time of the die casting assembly and repeated as desired. Cooling circuits of the die can be tested in zones where zones are sorted to identify particular cooling circuits as having leaks as necessary. Valving, leak sensors, air decay units, and added machine control are provided in the die cooling system to enable onboard leak testing of the die while installed in the die casting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gary C. Ward
  • DIE COOLANT SYSTEM WITH AN INTEGRAL AND AUTOMATIC LEAK TEST
    Publication number: 20130174648
    Abstract: Systems and methods allow detection and location of die coolant leaks while a die is in a die cast machine and at operating temperature. The testing can be performed during normal down time of the die casting assembly and repeated as desired. Cooling circuits of the die can be tested in zones where zones are sorted to identify particular cooling circuits as having leaks as necessary. Valving, leak sensors, air decay units, and added machine control are provided in the die cooling system to enable onboard leak testing of the die while installed in the die casting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Gary C. Ward
  • Semi-solid material formation within a cold chamber shot sleeve
    Publication number: 20070277953
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the preparation of a semi-solid material in a mixing sleeve of a casting apparatus, the semi-solid material formed from a molten material after a mixing and a cooling thereof in the mixing sleeve wherein a handling of the semi-solid material is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Gary C. Ward, Larry J. Ouimet, Michael L. Cox
  • Die thermal management through coolant flow control
    Patent number: 7290587
    Abstract: A system and method for thermal management of a die is disclosed wherein cooling of the die is controlled by controlling coolant flow to switch between laminar flow and turbulent flow as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gary C. Ward
  • Method and apparatus for controlling dispersion of molten metal in a mold cavity
    Patent number: 7025109
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the dispersion of molten metal in a mold cavity is disclosed, the control facilitated by a localized densification of foam in a lost foam casting operation for producing metal castings, wherein the filling of regions of the mold cavity which do not lend themselves to castability is maximized, an amount of backfill and casting defects are minimized, and a flow pattern of molten metal and material properties of the resulting casting are optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ward, Barry L. Priem