Patents by Inventor Idar Kjetil Steen

Idar Kjetil Steen 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: 11453938
    Abstract: Method and means for suppressing discoloration during thermal treatment of a product of a magnesium containing aluminium alloy, the alloy contains in wt. % Mg: 0.45-12.0, with a preferred range of 0.45-6.0 wt %. The product, being either an extrusion billet, a sheet ingot, a cast product, or a forged product is heated to a temperature T where it is prone to surface discoloration and oxidation, wherein during the thermal treatment it is exposed to a suppressing atmosphere comprising 0.5-5.0% CO2 gas with a preference for 0.5-1.5% CO2 gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NORSK HYDRO ASA
    Inventors: Alf Inge Romfo, Snorre Rist, Idar Kjetil Steen, Geir Øyen, Øystein Bauger, Oddvin Reiso, Tanja Pettersen
  • Patent number: 11123792
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filtering molten metal including a container with a removable lid to keep the container sealed during operation, the container having an inlet chamber having an inlet opening receiving metal from a metal supply launder and outlet chamber with outlet opening connected to a launder segment. The container having a partition wall between the inlet chamber and outlet chamber and a ceramic foam filter mounted in the outlet chamber. The inlet chamber and outlet chamber being provided within the container and split by the partition wall. The container being connected in parallel with the metal supply launder via stubs. The launder being provided with a dam or valve device downstream the outlet of the container and another dam or valve device between the said launder stubs. Inside the container there is further arranged a second outlet chamber with a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: NORSK HYDRO ASA
    Inventors: Ulf Håkon Tundal, Idar Kjetil Steen, John Olav Fagerlie, Terje Haugen
  • Patent number: 10882101
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filtering molten metal, in particular aluminium, including a container (1) with an outer shell or casing of metal and an inner thermally insulated interior cladding or wall construction made of heat resistant insulation and refractory material. A removable lid (2) provided on top of the container to keep the container sealed (air tight) during operation, the container (1) being provided with an inlet chamber (3) having an inlet opening (4) receiving metal from a metal supply launder (10) and an outlet chamber (5) with an outlet opening (6) in which a ceramic or refractory filter (7) is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NORSK HYDRO ASA
    Inventors: Ulf Tundal, Idar Kjetil Steen, John Olav Fagerlie, Terje Haugen
  • Publication number: 20200232080
    Abstract: Method and means for suppressing discoloration during thermal treatment of a product of a magnesium containing aluminium alloy, the alloy contains in wt. % Mg: 0.45-12.0, with a preferred range of 0.45-6.0 wt %. The product, being either an extrusion billet, a sheet ingot, a cast product, or a forged product is heated to a temperature T where it is prone to surface discoloration and oxidation, wherein during the thermal treatment it is exposed to a suppressing atmosphere comprising 0.5-5.0% CO2 gas with a preference for 0.5-1.5% CO2 gas. FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASA
    Inventors: Alf Inge ROMFO, Snorre RIST, Idar Kjetil STEEN, Geir ØYEN, Øystein BAUGER, Oddvin REISO, Tanja PETTERSEN
  • Publication number: 20200061697
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for filtering molten metal, in particular aluminium, including a container (1) with a removable lid (20) provided on top of the container to keep the container sealed (air tight) during operation, the container (1) being provided with an inlet chamber (2) having an inlet opening (5) receiving metal from a metal supply launder (10) and outlet chamber (3) with outlet opening (6) connected to a launder segment (10?). The container further being provided with partition wall (8) between the inlet chamber (2) and outlet chamber (3) and with ceramic foam filter (17) mounted in the outlet chamber. The inlet chamber (2) and outlet chamber (3) are provided side by side within the container (1) and being split by the partition wall (8) extending from the bottom of the container and upwardly to a preset level of the container interior height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASA
    Inventors: Ulf Håkon TUNDAL, Idar Kjetil STEEN, John Olav FAGERLIE, Terje HAUGEN
  • Publication number: 20180264545
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filtering molten metal, in particular aluminium, including a container (1) with an outer shell or casing of metal and an inner thermally insulated interior cladding or wall construction made of heat resistant insulation and refractory material. A removable lid (2) provided on top of the container to keep the container sealed (air tight) during operation, the container (1) being provided with an inlet chamber (3) having an inlet opening (4) receiving metal from a metal supply launder (10) and an outlet chamber (5) with an outlet opening (6) in which a ceramic or refractory filter (7) is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASA
    Inventors: Ulf TUNDAL, Idar Kjetil STEEN, John Olav FAGERLIE, Terje HAUGEN
  • Patent number: 6513574
    Abstract: Device in connection with a water-cooling system for direct chill semi-continuous casting equipment for casting metal, in particular casting aluminium ingots (14). The solution comprises one or more chills (9) arranged in a frame structure with an integral water distribution box (18). The chill(s) comprise(s) a mould chamber surrounded by permeable wall elements (10) for the supply of oil and/or gas and is(are) open at the top with an opening (13) for the supply of molten metal and, at the start of each casting operation, is(are) closed at the bottom by means of a mobile support. The metal is cooled in two stages, by primary cooling in the mould chamber and secondary cooling by direct water cooling immediately below the primary cooling area. A separate cooling circuit called the recooling circuit is arranged to cool the chills after the end of the casting cycle. The recooling (1, 2, 3) and secondary cooling (11, 19) thus consist of two separate cooling circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Torstein Sæther, Leif Hektoen, Idar Kjetil Steen
  • Publication number: 20020033246
    Abstract: Device in connection with a water-cooling system for direct chill semi-continuous casting equipment for casting metal, in particular casting aluminium ingots (14). The solution comprises one or more chills (9) arranged in a frame structure with an integral water distribution box (18). The chill(s) comprise(s) a mould chamber surrounded by permeable wall elements (10) for the supply of oil and/or gas and is(are) open at the top with an opening (13) for the supply of molten metal and, at the start of each casting operation, is(are) closed at the bottom by means of a mobile support. The metal is cooled in two stages, by primary cooling in the mould chamber and secondary cooling by direct water cooling immediately below the primary cooling area. A separate cooling circuit called the recooling circuit is arranged to cool the chills after the end of the casting cycle. The recooling (1, 2, 3) and secondary cooling (11, 19) thus consist of two separate cooling circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Torstein Saether, Leif Hektoen, Idar Kjetil Steen
  • Patent number: 6032721
    Abstract: Casting equipment for continuous or semi-continuous direct chill casting of metals, in particular casting of slugs or billets of aluminum, includes a mold having a cavity with an inlet which opens upwards, an intermediate overhang which extends along the mold and is thermally insulated (a hot-top) and an outlet with a support which can be moved vertically, as well as a supply means for supplying water for chilling molten metal. The wall of the cavity is formed wholly or partially of a permeable material and oil and/or gas are/is supplied through the permeable material so as to form an oil and/or gas layer between the metal and the wall of the mold. This prevents the metal from coming into direct contact with the mold wall. At least the part of the cavity wall where the oil is supplied to the cavity is made of the same fireproof material as the hot-top and constitutes an integral part of the hot-top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventor: Idar Kjetil Steen
  • Patent number: 5947184
    Abstract: Equipment for continuous casting of strands of metals, preferentially ingots of aluminium. The equipment comprises a flexible casting mould 1 that may be rectangular with two side faces 4, 5 restrained against movement and two flexible side faces 2, 3. The flexible side faces are provided with a stiffening part 36 in their middle regions, that sustains such a rigidity that the shape of the side faces in said regions are substantial constant as the side faces are bowed. The restrained side faces 4, 5 may have a stiffening part that passes lengthwise through the side face and possibly through the adjacent corners. This will have the effect that the flexible faces will behave as rigid affixed in their ends. The stiffening part 36 of the flexible side faces is attached to drag beams 6, 7 in an actuating mechanism 43. The actuating mechanism comprises pull/push bars 14, 15, 16, 17 that via link arms 23, 24, 25, 26 are connected with swingable force transmitting plates 27, 28 swinged by means of an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro Asa
    Inventors: Idar Kjetil Steen, Harald N.ae butted.ss, Jr., Jan Siversen, Sigmund Sandvoll, Leif Aalmo, Bjarne Heggseth, Arild H.ang.konsen, Magne deg.ang.rd
  • Patent number: 5678623
    Abstract: Casting equipment for continuous or semi-continuous direct chill casting of metals, in particular the casting of billets or ingots of aluminum, has a mold cavity (4) with an inlet (2) that is upwardly open, an intermediate, inwardly facing and heat insulated overhang or hot-top (8), and an outlet with a vertically movable supporting device (5). A slit (10) supplies water to cool the molted metal. The wall in the mold cavity is wholly or partly constituted by a permeable material, whereby oil and/or gas are supplied through the permeable material to form an oil and/or gas layer between the metal and the wall of the mold to prevent the metal from coming into direct contact with the wall of the mold. The oil and gas are supplied separately through two independent, and, by means of a sealing element (14) or the like, physically separated rings or wall elements (12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro A.S.
    Inventors: Idar Kjetil Steen, Bjarne Heggset, Torstein S.ae butted.ther, Sverre Hanaset, Karl Ven.ang.s