Patents by Inventor Keith E. Denholm

Keith E. Denholm 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).

  • Hybrid ceramic/sand core for casting metal parts having small passages
    Patent number: 8267148
    Abstract: A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for parts having one or more very small internal gaps, such as might occur with a linear passage or round opening. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal gap. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Marc C. Megel, Douglas A. McKee, Barry E. Westmoreland, Keith E. Denholm