Patents by Inventor John David Cortum

John David Cortum 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).

  • Method and apparatus for casting molten materials using phase-change material
    Patent number: 6635197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting a molten material using a phase-change material. A funnel means is provided that includes a reservoir containing a phase-change material. The funnel means is used in conjunction with a mold. The phase-change material is heated to a temperature above its melting point. A molten material is poured into the mold, and an excess amount of the molten material is retained in the funnel means after the mold is filled. The latent heat of fusion of the phase-change material provides heat to the funnel means as the phase-change material changes from a liquid to a solid. The heat from the phase-change material maintains the temperature of the molten material within the funnel above its melting point as the molten material within the mold begins to solidify and contract, thereby permitting the excess material within the funnel means to feed into the mold and fill any voids or porosities formed by the contraction of the material within the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: American Ordinance LLC
    Inventors: John David Cortum, Michael Jaye Mathiasmeier, Louis William Stoecker
  • Method and apparatus for casting molten materials using phase-change material
    Publication number: 20020195733
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting a molten material using a phase-change material. A funnel means is provided that includes a reservoir containing a phase-change material. The funnel means is used in conjunction with a mold. The phase-change material is heated to a temperature above its melting point. A molten material is poured into the mold, and an excess amount of the molten material is retained in the funnel means after the mold is filled. The latent heat of fusion of the phase-change material provides heat to the funnel means as the phase-change material changes from a liquid to a solid. The heat from the phase-change material maintains the temperature of the molten material within the funnel above its melting point as the molten material within the mold begins to solidify and contract, thereby permitting the excess material within the funnel means to feed into the mold and fill any voids or porosities formed by the contraction of the material within the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: John David Cortum, Michael Jaye Mathiasmeier, Louis William Stoecker