Patents by Inventor James D. Dorricott
James D. Dorricott 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).
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Publication number: 20220402021Abstract: A refractory impact pad includes a bottom wall, a side wall, and a top wall. The bottom wall has a basal surface. The side wall extends from a periphery of the bottom wall. The side wall has an inner surface that at least partially encircles the basal surface of the bottom wall. The inner surface of the side wall has inner surface teeth distributed thereon and protruding inwardly from the inner surface of the side wall. The top wall is joined to the side wall and separated from the bottom wall by the side wall. The top wall extends over the inner surface of the side wall and the inner surface teeth of the side wall. The top wall has a bottom surface facing the bottom wall. The bottom surface of the top wall has bottom surface teeth distributed thereon and protruding toward the bottom wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Applicant: HarbisonWalker International Holdings, Inc.Inventors: James D. Dorricott, Lawrence J. Heaslip
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Patent number: 7611665Abstract: The present invention relates to a ladle block for use in a bottom of a molten metal ladle. The ladle block reduces the amount of contaminants, particularly slag, exiting the ladle during casting operations. The ladle block includes a floor defining an outlet and sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor. The floor and sidewalls define a channel having dimensions of length, width and height. Channel dimensions are determined from the Froude number, which is based at least partially on the casting flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible CompanyInventors: Johan Richaud, Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 7112300Abstract: The present invention relates to a metallurgical ladle and more particularly to the bottom of the ladle having an outlet through which the molten metal can drain. An object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of a ladle draining operation, including reducing the amount of discarded metal, avoiding the premature flow of slag through the outlet, and reducing the contamination of slag in the molten metal effluent. The ladle bottom comprises a plurality of terraces and flow channels, ultimately directing the stream of molten metal to an outlet of the ladle. The terraces are described as capturing slag and the channels permit molten metal to flow preferentially through the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible CompanyInventors: Johan Richard, Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 6783038Abstract: A metering gate for liquid metal flow control with reduced clogging with a top plate, having a first flow channel bore with an inlet having an inlet axis and an outlet having an outlet axis. The inlet axis and the outlet axis are offset. A throttle plate slidably mounted on the top plate selectably receives flow from the top plate. The metering gate provides a less tortuous and more symmetrical flow path when the gate is partially open, but provides a relatively straight downward flow channel allowing full flow when the gate is fully open.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible CompanyInventors: Dong Xu, Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 6651899Abstract: A nozzle for transferring a flow of liquid metal between metallurgical vessels or molds comprising an entry portion for receiving the liquid metal. A flow regulator, such as a stopper rod, is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to the entry portion for respectively permitting and prohibiting flow through the nozzle. The entry portion and the flow regulator define a control zone therebetween. A pressure modulator, downstream of the control zone, is adapted to minimize a pressure differential across the control zone. The pressure modulator constricts flow downstream of the control zone.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible CompanyInventors: Dong Xu, Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Publication number: 20030205354Abstract: A metering gate for liquid metal flow control with reduced clogging with a top plate, having a first flow channel bore with an inlet having an inlet axis and an outlet having an outlet axis. The inlet axis and the outlet axis are offset. A throttle plate slidably mounted on the top plate selectably receives flow from the top plate. The metering gate provides a less tortuous and more symmetrical flow path when the gate is partially open, but provides a relatively straight downward flow channel allowing full flow when the gate is fully open.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Dong Xu, Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 6539805Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes one or more sensors for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to mechanical and acoustic vibrations detected by the sensor. A signal processor receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal to a reference calibration signal and outputs a comparison signal. A logic unit receives the comparison signal and outputs a status signal indicative of the condition of the flow of the liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel which can be used to stop the flow of metal. The calibration signal can be static or may be dynamically updated.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible CompanyInventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Publication number: 20010054650Abstract: A nozzle for transferring a flow of liquid metal between metallurgical vessels or molds comprising an entry portion for receiving the liquid metal. A flow regulator, such as a stopper rod, is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to the entry portion for respectively permitting and prohibiting flow through the nozzle. The entry portion and the flow regulator define a control zone therebetween. A pressure modulator, downstream of the control zone, is adapted to minimize a pressure differential across the control zone. The pressure modulator constricts flow downstream of the control zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Dong Xu, Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Publication number: 20010029785Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes one or more sensors for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to mechanical and acoustic vibrations detected by the sensor. A signal processor receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal to a reference calibration signal and outputs a comparison signal. A logic unit receives the comparison signal and outputs a status signal indicative of the condition of the flow of the liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel which can be used to stop the flow of metal. The calibration signal can be static or may be dynamically updated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 6156260Abstract: A chamber for receiving a downward flow of liquid metal includes a generally horizontal base having a generally planar impact surface. A first faceted sidewall having a plurality of facets formed therein, generally extends upwardly from and encompasses the planar surface to define an interior space. The interior space has an upper opening for receiving the downward flow of liquid metal. A second wall extends inwardly and upwardly from the first faceted wall toward the upper opening. A plurality of buttresses are spaced along the first faceted wall. Each of the buttresses extends between the impact surface and the second faceted wall. The buttresses form a plurality of discrete pockets including at least one facet. The pockets are defined by the buttresses, the impact surface, the first faceted wall and the second wall. The buttresses laterally deflect and divide the radial outward flow into a plurality of discrete flow patterns associated with the plurality of pockets.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: PSC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 6102260Abstract: A chamber for receiving a downward flow of liquid metal includes a generally horizontal base having a generally planar impact surface. A first faceted sidewall having a plurality of facets formed therein, generally extends upwardly from and encompasses the planar surface to define an interior space. The interior space has an upper opening for receiving the downward flow of liquid metal. A second wall extends inwardly and downwardly from the first faceted wall toward the upper opening. A plurality of buttresses are spaced along the first faceted wall. Each of the buttresses extends between the impact surface and the second faceted wall. The buttresses form a plurality of discrete pockets including at least one facet. The pockets are defined by the buttresses, the impact surface, the first faceted wall and the second wall. The buttresses laterally deflect and divide the radial outward flow into a plurality of discrete flow patterns associated with the plurality of pockets.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: PSC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 5861121Abstract: A chamber for receiving a downward flow of liquid metal includes a generally horizontal base having a generally planar impact surface. A first faceted sidewall having a plurality of facets formed therein, generally extends upwardly from and encompasses the planar surface to define an interior space. The interior space has an upper opening for receiving the downward flow of liquid metal. A second wall extends inwardly and upwardly from the first faceted wall toward the upper opening. A plurality of buttresses are spaced along the first faceted wall. Each of the buttresses extends between the impact surface and the second faceted wall. The buttresses form a plurality of discrete pockets including at least one facet. The pockets are defined by the buttresses, the impact surface, the first faceted wall and the second wall. The buttresses laterally deflect and divide the radial outward flow into a plurality of discrete flow patterns associated with the plurality of pockets.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: PSC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 5633462Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes a sensor for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to an amount of vibration detected by the sensor. A signal processor receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal to a reference signal and outputs a comparison signal. A logic unit receives the comparison signal and outputs a status signal indicative of the condition of the flow of the liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1994Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: APA SystemsInventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 5379989Abstract: A tundish includes first and second flow control walls which define a flow receiving space. A plurality of outlets are located in the bottom of the tundish and toward the front thereof. Each flow control wall includes a plurality of openings located closer to the back of the tundish than toward the front and located closer to the bottom of the flow control wall than the top thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1993Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: Premier Refractories and Chemicals Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 5366535Abstract: A flux composition for use in covering liquid metal includes a non-liquid composition that reacts at the temperature of the liquid metal to form a viscous liquid flux layer in contact with the liquid metal while maintaining a non-liquid layer above the liquid layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1992Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Assignee: Premier Services CorporationInventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 5246209Abstract: A tundish includes first and second flow control walls which define a flow receiving space. A plurality of outlets are located in the bottom of the tundish and toward the front thereof. Each flow control wall includes a plurality of openings located closer to the back of the tundish than toward the front and located closer to the bottom of the flow control wall than the top thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1992Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Assignee: Premier Refractories and Chemicals Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 5196051Abstract: A ladle for housing and transferring liquid metal includes an outlet for the liquid metal and a ladle bottom. The ladle bottom has a surface adapted to be in contact with the liquid metal and an outlet nozzle formed in the surface adapted to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the ladle. The ladle bottom surface includes means to substantially prevent the entrainment of undesirable matter in liquid metal exiting said ladle.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: Premier Refractories and Chemicals Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott