Patents by Inventor Kurt Buxmann

Kurt Buxmann 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: 5186236
    Abstract: An alloy melt having a solidified portion of primary crystals is maintained at a temperature between solidus and liquidus temperature of the alloy. The primary crystals are molded to give individual degenerated dendrites or cast grains of essentially globular shape and hence impart thixotropic properties to the liquid-solid metal alloy phase by the production of mechanical vibrations in the frequency range between 10 and 100 kHz in this liquid-solid metal alloy phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Alusuisse-Lonza Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Gabathuler, Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 5090998
    Abstract: The process for purifying a metal melt operates with an active gas introduced into the lower region thereof and consisting of an inert carrier gas and an active, gaseous halogen which are introduced under control into a vessel with the stagnant or flowing metal melt.The active, gaseous halogen is generated at a controlled rate in at least one gas evolution cell and introduced into the carrier gas. The active gas mixture is passed directly into the metal melt. The gas feed line of the halogen does not have any control element.The gas evolution cell for generating the halogen is preferably an exchangeable electrolysis cell, gas being produced only when the electrolysis current is switched on, which follows a nominal curve proportionally to the current intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Alusuisse-Lonza Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 5052470
    Abstract: A process for continuous production of an extruded section, in particular of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, wherein a prefabricated rod is fed to a die by means of a friction wheel and extruded through the die. The rod is formed by casting the molten metal in an electromagnetic mold and the solidified rod fed directly to the friction wheel the circumference of which advances the rod at the same speed as the rate of casting of the rod in the electromagnetic mold. The process enables high quality extruded sections to be produced at a economic cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminum Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 4934445
    Abstract: The process is such that a gas/fluid mixture is sprayed in the form of a mist onto the surface of the object to be cooled. To that end a stream of fluid is passed through the nozzle outlet and atomized to a mist of droplet size <100 .mu.m, and after emerging from the nozzle is impacted by gas streams at an angle (x) of 0.degree.-90.degree. to the nozzle axis (x) to accelerate and deflect the droplets. The intensities of the gas stream can be regulated independently of one another. The process is suitable for cooling conventionally or electromagnetically cast ingots, rolled products and extruded products of metal, in particular aluminum. A suitable device for carrying out the process is comprised essentially of a part (1) featuring a nozzle (3) that supplies and aligns a fluid, and bores (5a, b) that supply gas, part 1 fitting into a counter part (2) such that gas alignment channels (7a, b) are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminum Ltd.
    Inventors: Miroslaw Plata, Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 4842674
    Abstract: A process for measuring the rate of oxidation on the surface of a metal melt wherein the oxide skin on the melt surface is removed at constant temperature and the electromagnetic radiation during the subsequent oxidation is measured with an infra-red radiation pyrometer such that the variation in intensity of the electromagnetic radiation indicates the rate of oxidation. The process can also be employed for measuring the concentration in a metal melt of the elements influencing the rate of oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Silvano Freti, Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 4756357
    Abstract: A process for controlling the rate of cooling an ingot emerging from a continuous casting mold, said ingot being cooled by application of a fluid coolant directly onto the ingot surface, comprises continuous measurement of the cooling capacity and influencing the composition and/or the quantity of coolant employed per unit time i.e. in the sense of matching up to the required coolant capacity. As such the measurement of the coolant capacity is performed at least at one place outwith the ingot and using coolant not coming into contact with the ingot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Urs Banninger, Kurt Buxmann, Miroslaw Plata
  • Patent number: 4625788
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the continuous casting of metal, especially with a casting machine having circulating molds, the metal flows as a melt out of a nozzle, if appropriate with a nozzle mouthpiece, between molds and solidifies between side-limiting elements. The mouthpiece has adjoining it on each of its two sides a baffle which is followed in the casting direction by a cooling block. Between the baffle and cooling block there is a gap through which a gas can be blown into a corner region formed by the baffle, cooling block and melt, this gas forming a gas cushion in this corner region. The throughflow width of the molten metal between the baffles located opposite one another can be changed as a result of the movement of the baffles in the direction. The same applies to the width of the cooling blocks located opposite one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Buxmann, Martin Bolliger
  • Patent number: 4589472
    Abstract: In a caterpillar track type mold having opposed moving mold belts wherein molten metal is fed to the mold by a nozzle, a process for preventing back flow of metal between the moving mold belts and the nozzle comprising feeding a fluxing powder between the nozzle and the moving mold belts wherein the fluxing powder forms a protective skin on the surface of the molten metal downstream of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 4250950
    Abstract: A mold for casting metals is provided with a roughened surface so that, on first contact of the mold with the melt, heat transfer is controlled in such a way that the melt comes into contact only with the peaks of the projections on the mold surface and an air gap is formed between the melt and the valleys on the surface. The pattern of roughness on the mold surface comprises a uniform arrangement of pyramidal or blunted-cone shaped projections. Neighboring projections are spaced a distance d of 0.05 to 1 mm apart and have a height h of 0.1d<h<d. The pyramid or blunted con surfaces satisfy the condition of 0.05<.function./d.sup.2 <0.5. A process which does not involve deformation is preferred for producing the rough pattern, for example, a photochemical etching process. The molds are suitable for many casting processes, in particular for continuous D.C. ingot or strip casting with moving molds and caterpillar track type mold belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Buxmann, Martin Bolliger, Ivan Gyongyos
  • Patent number: 4238248
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a multi-stepped process for preparing high strength, improved formability, low earing strip stock which is especially suitable for the manufacture of deep drawn and ironed hollow bodies such as cans or the like. The process of the present invention is carried out in two distinct operations. The first operation comprises continuously casting an aluminum melt into strip form on a strip casting machine so as to produce a desired dendritic arm spacing, hot rolling the continuously cast strip at casting speed in a temperature range between 300.degree. C. and the non-equilibrium solidus temperature of the alloy with the total reduction in excess of 70% and finally coiling the hot strip and allowing it to cool in air to room temperature so as to produce a metal strip having properties favorable for subsequent cold rolling operations. The second operation comprises an improved cold rolling operation in which a brief heat treatment at 350.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Ivan Gyongyos, Kurt Buxmann, Martin Bolliger, Willi Kerth, Kurt Neufeld
  • Patent number: 4235646
    Abstract: A composition and method whereby aluminum scrap, including consumer scrap, is recycled into aluminum sheet and aluminum containers. Aluminum scrap is melted in a heated furnace to form a melt composition. The melt is adjusted to form the present composition, consisting essentially of silicon, 0.1-1.0%; iron 0.1-0.9%; manganese 0.4-1.0%; magnesium 1.3-2.5%; copper 0.05-0.4%; and titanium, 0-0.2%, the balance being essentially aluminum. Aluminum scrap comprising consumer scrap, plant scrap, and can making scrap is heated to form the melt composition, which requires a minimum amount of adjustment to arrive at the present alloy composition. The composition is then cast and fabricated into sheet having strength and formability properties making it suitable for container manufacture. Container manufacture according to the process and composition of the present invention comprises drawn-and-ironed can body manufacture and easy-opening end manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Neufeld, Kurt Buxmann, Heinz Bichsel, Ivan Gyongyos
  • Patent number: 4203580
    Abstract: A process involving a static mixer for the continuous production of metal alloys is such that molten metal is passed through a filter bed of loose particulate material exposed to atmospheric pressure. The alloying addition is made to the metal via a proportioning and feed device as the metal enters the filter bed. As a result the alloy components are dissolved in the molten metal and, due to the repeated division and reuniting of the streams of charge in the bed, the alloying elements are mixed with the metal before leaving the mixing chamber. The degree of mixing can be changed by changing the size of particles in the granular bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 4174965
    Abstract: A process involving a static mixer for the continuous production of metal alloys is such that molten metal is passed through a filter bed of loose particulate material exposed to atmospheric pressure. The alloying addition is made to the metal via a proportioning and feed device as the metal enters the filter bed. As a result the alloy components are dissolved in the molten metal and, due to the repeated division and reuniting of the streams of charge in the bed, the alloying elements are mixed with the metal before leaving the mixing chamber. The degree of mixing can be changed by changing the size of particles in the granular bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Buxmann
  • Patent number: 4174826
    Abstract: The sodium content of aluminum melt is reduced efficiently to within acceptable limits by filtering the primary metal from the electrolytic cell through a loosely packed filter bed of granular material which in part comprises carbon. The treatment is carried out before alloy additions are made, and the temperature of the melt before entering the filter is higher than 780.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Buxmann, Jean-Daniel Bornand, Alfred Steinegger
  • Patent number: 4138246
    Abstract: The sodium content of aluminum melt is reduced efficiently to within acceptable limits by filtering the primary metal from the electrolytic cell through a loosely packed filter bed of granular material which in part comprises carbon. The treatment is carried out before alloy additions are made, and the temperature of the melt before entering the filter is higher than 780.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Buxmann, Jean-Daniel Bornand, Alfred Steinegger