Patents by Inventor Herbert L. Ritchie, Jr.

Herbert L. Ritchie, Jr. 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: 11939993
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device via the tangential outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bright, Jason Tetkoskie, Richard S. Henderson, Herbert L Ritchie, Jr., Jorge A. Morando
  • Publication number: 20220082101
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device via the tangential outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Bright, Jason Tetkoskie, Richard S. Henderson, Herbert L. Ritchie, JR., Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 11187233
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device cia the tangential outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bright, Jason Tetkoskie, Richard S. Henderson, Herbert L. Ritchie, Jr., Jorge A. Morando
  • Publication number: 20170037852
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device cia the tangential outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. Bright, Jason Tetkoskie, Richard S. Henderson, Herbert L. Ritchie, JR., Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 9506346
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device cia the tangential outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bright, Jason Tetkoskie, Richard S. Henderson, Herbert L. Ritchie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130101424
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device cia the tangential outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Bright, Jason Tetkoskie, Richard S. Henderson, Herbert L. Ritchie, JR., Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 5947705
    Abstract: A molten metal pump for transferring molten metal from a first vessel to a second vessel. The pump is constructed of a base member including a pumping chamber, a motor supported by at least one post, a rotatable shaft secured at a first end to said motor and at a second end to an impeller disposed within said pumping chamber. The pumping chamber includes an outlet to a first end of an elongated refractory tube having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the shaft. The tube has a second end passing through an opening in the platform. The tube includes a metallic cladding attached to an outer wall adjacent it's second end. A releasable fastening member is used to secure to the portion of the tube having the metallic cladding to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Metaullics Systems Co., L.P.
    Inventors: George S. Mordue, Chris T. Vild, Herbert L. Ritchie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5028211
    Abstract: A torque coupling system includes an impeller that is connected to one end of an impeller shaft without the use of threads. The connection is made by cement and dowels. A drive system for the shaft includes a hollow coupling into which the other end of the shaft can be fitted. The shaft includes longitudinally extending slots formed at its end. The coupling includes spaced, longitudinally extending keys adapted to be fitted into the slots formed in the shaft. The drive system also includes a torque limiter that is connected intermediate the coupling and a drive motor. If the drive motor is an electric motor, the motor can be provided with automatic shut-down circuitry that is activated in the event of a current/torque overload. Visual and aural alarms are provided to alert the user that a shut-down has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: The Carborundum Company
    Inventors: George S. Mordue, Herbert L. Ritchie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5025198
    Abstract: A torque coupling system includes an impeller that is connected to one end of an impeller shaft without the use of threads. The connection is made by cement and dowels. A drive system for the shaft includes a hollow coupling into which the other end of the shaft can be fitted. The shaft includes longitudinally extending slots formed at its end. The coupling includes spaced, longitudinally extending keys adapted to be fitted into the slots formed in the shaft. The drive system also includes a torque limiter that is conected intermediate the coupling and a drive motor. If the drive motor is an electric motor, the motor can be provided with automatic shut-down circuitry that is activated in the event of a current/torque overload. Visual and aural alarms are provided to alert the user that a shut-down has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: The Carborundum Company
    Inventors: George S. Mordue, Herbert L. Ritchie, Jr.