Patents by Inventor James L. Lewis, Jr.

James L. Lewis, 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: 9375721
    Abstract: A scrap material recycling apparatus includes a feeder, a shredder and a separator, the feeder and the shredder mutually coupled, and the shredder and separator mutually coupled. The feeder includes a means for compressing a quantity of scrap material and means for advancing the scrap material to the shredder. The shredder includes a grate assembly and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of cutting means, the rotor mechanically rotated to reduce the scrap material. The separator separates the reduced scrap material by fractional composition. The recycling apparatus may be configured so as to be a transportable system, thereby allowing such system to be relocated at or near scrap material stockpile locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, Jr., James L. Lewis, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8353473
    Abstract: A scrap material recycling apparatus includes a feeder, a shredder and a separator, the feeder and the shredder mutually coupled, and the shredder and separator mutually coupled. The feeder includes a means for compressing a quantity of scrap material and means for advancing the scrap material to the shredder. The shredder includes a grate assembly and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of cutting means, the rotor mechanically rotated to reduce the scrap material. The separator separates the reduced scrap material by fractional composition. The recycling apparatus may be configured so as to be a transportable system, thereby allowing such system to be relocated at or near scrap material stockpile locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, Jr., James L. Lewis, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20110272513
    Abstract: A scrap material recycling apparatus includes a feeder, a shredder and a separator, the feeder and the shredder mutually coupled, and the shredder and separator mutually coupled. The feeder includes a means for compressing a quantity of scrap material and means for advancing the scrap material to the shredder. The shredder includes a grate assembly and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of cutting means, the rotor mechanically rotated to reduce the scrap material. The separator separates the reduced scrap material by fractional composition. The recycling apparatus may be configured so as to be a transportable system, thereby allowing such system to be relocated at or near scrap material stockpile locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, JR., James L. Lewis, SR.
  • Patent number: 8002211
    Abstract: A scrap material recycling apparatus includes a feeder, a shredder and a separator, the feeder and the shredder mutually coupled, and the shredder and separator mutually coupled. The feeder includes a means for compressing a quantity of scrap material and means for advancing the scrap material to the shredder. The shredder includes a rotor having a plurality of cutting means, the rotor mechanically rotated to reduce the scrap material. The separator separates the reduced scrap material by fractional composition. The recycling apparatus may be part of a system further incorporating additional components, such as conveyors and/or dust extraction devices. The recycling apparatus may be further adapted so as to be a transportable system, thereby allowing such system to be relocated at or near scrap material stockpile locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, Jr., James L. Lewis, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7641746
    Abstract: An integrated metal processing facility in which molten metal is poured into a series of molds at a pouring station to form metal castings, which are then transferred to a heat treatment line. Prior to introduction of the castings into a heat treatment station of the heat treatment line, the castings are subjected to heating sufficient to arrest cooling of the castings at or above a process control temperature for the metal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Publication number: 20090078805
    Abstract: A scrap material recycling apparatus includes a feeder, a shredder and a separator, the feeder and the shredder mutually coupled, and the shredder and separator mutually coupled. The feeder includes a means for compressing a quantity of scrap material and means for advancing the scrap material to the shredder. The shredder includes a rotor having a plurality of cutting means, the rotor mechanically rotated to reduce the scrap material. The separator separates the reduced scrap material by fractional composition. The recycling apparatus may be part of a system further incorporating additional components, such as conveyors and/or dust extraction devices. The recycling apparatus may be further adapted so as to be a transportable system, thereby allowing such system to be relocated at or near scrap material stockpile locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, JR., James L. Lewis, SR.
  • Patent number: 7438119
    Abstract: A system for reclaiming sand from a casting process includes a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of baffles defining a circuitous path for the sand therebetween, a heating element for providing heat to the chamber, and a fluidizing distributor for directing the sand through the chamber. A method of reclaiming waste sand also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Shanker Subramanian, James R. Garrett
  • Patent number: 7338629
    Abstract: A system and method for forming and heat treating a metal casting are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 7331374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Volker R. Knobloch, Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James R. Garrett, John W. Dalton
  • Patent number: 7290583
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Franz Ruegg
  • Patent number: 7275582
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply heat to the castings for heat treating the castings and dislodging the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 7273015
    Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., William Thome
  • Patent number: 7258755
    Abstract: An integrated metal processing facility in which molten metal is poured into a series of molds at a pouring station to form metal castings, which are then transferred to a heat treatment line. Prior to introduction of the castings into a heat treatment station of the heat treatment line, the castings are subjected to heating sufficient to arrest cooling of the castings at or above a process control temperature for the metal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 7047894
    Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., William Thome
  • Patent number: 6910522
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Franz Ruegg
  • Patent number: 6901990
    Abstract: A method and system of processing castings is provided in which one or more castings are deposited into a mobile furnace and moved from one station to another of a multi-station casting processing system. The interior of the mobile furnace is heated so as to maintain the temperature of the casting within a desired range of temperatures. The multi-station casting processing system may include a casting machine, a fluidized bed and a quench tank. The method may include transferring a casting into the mobile furnace and moving the furnace from one station to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Paul M. Crafton, Scott P. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Volker R. Knobloch
  • Patent number: 6672367
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply heat to the castings for heat treating the castings and dislodging the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 6622775
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 6547556
    Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6336809
    Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr.