Patents by Inventor Larry E. Cates

Larry E. Cates 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).

  • Publication number: 20200018479
    Abstract: A burner that is useful for providing a melting flame whose axis can be altered during operation, and for providing a supersonic jet of oxidant that can penetrate through the surface of the molten material, has a unique combination of features including a specially contoured flame collar at its open discharge end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Megha Jampani, Bryan R. Bielec, Larry E. Cates, Joseph A. Maiolo, Stephen A. Manley
  • Patent number: 7297180
    Abstract: A method for operating a vacuum vessel with a coherent jet wherein vacuum conditions are established within the vessel and an anchored or attached flame envelope resulting from subsonic velocity fuel and oxidant is provided around at least one supersonic gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Mahoney, Gary T. Vardian, Adrian C. Deneys, Michael F. Riley, Ronald Holmes, Al Zoladz, Larry E. Cates
  • Publication number: 20040178545
    Abstract: A system for optically analyzing a molten metal bath wherein a high velocity gas stream is passed from a lance to the bath and is maintained coherent by a flame envelope to provide a clear sight pathway through the gas stream for sighting the molten metal bath longitudinally through the gas stream from a remote or spaced sighting point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Larry E. Cates
  • Patent number: 6071466
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for viewing and analyzing the interior of a molten metal bath during treatment in a metallurgical vessel comprises a concentric pipe tuyere extending into an open mouth of the vessel and below the surface of the bath and comprising an inner pipe through which a pressurized transparent fluid is passed, and an outer pipe forming, with the inner pipe, an annulus through which a cooling fluid is passed. A sight glass is disposed in alignment with an opening in the inner pipe and with a centerline of the tuyere providing visual access to the interior of the bath. An optical sensor is associated with the sight glass to receive and analyze light generated in the bath to determine molten metal properties such as temperature and chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Voest Alpine Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry E. Cates, Paul Reich
  • Patent number: 5830407
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for viewing and analyzing the interior of a molten metal bath during treatment in a metallurgical vessel comprises a concentric pipe tuyere extending into the vessel below the surface of the bath and comprising an inner pipe through which a pressurized transparent fluid is passed, and an outer pipe forming, with the inner pipe, an annulus through which a cooling fluid is passed. A sight glass is disposed in alignment with an opening in the inner pipe and with a centerline of the tuyere providing visual access to the interior of the bath. An optical sensor is associated with the sight glass to receive and analyze light generated in the bath to determine molten metal properties such as temperature and chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Kvaerner U.S. Inc.
    Inventor: Larry E. Cates