Patents by Inventor Marcel Witschi

Marcel Witschi 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 improving the quality of continuously cast metal
    Patent number: 6446703
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for enhancing the quality of cast metal being cast in a continuous casting process. In particular, the method and apparatus of the present invention combines temperature and quality control sensing to achieve closed-loop control of the cooling of molten metal in a continuous caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Nichols Aluminum-Golden, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Apparatus for cooling and coating a mold in a continuous caster
    Patent number: 6354364
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling and coating a mold in a continuous caster. The cooling of the mold is controlled in at least one of the x- or y-directions. The coating of the mold is accomplished subsequent to the cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Nichols Aluminum-Golden, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zürcher
  • Method of and apparatus for cleaning a continuous caster
    Patent number: 6125915
    Abstract: A brush dislodges unwanted matter from a moving mold in a continuous caster. An enclosure contains the dislodged matter and a vacuum collects the dislodged matter. A high pressure fluid removes any left over unwanted matter from the moving mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Golden Aluminum Company
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Method and apparatus for improving the quality of continuously cast metal
    Patent number: 6089308
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a chilling block and temperature measuring devices disposed in different positions. The output from the temperature measuring devices can be employed to provide ongoing control of cooling of the chilling block in x-, y- and/or z-directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nichols Aluminum
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Apparatus for continuously casting metal
    Patent number: 6076657
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, novel track and drive systems are provided for reducing imperfections that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Nichols Aluminum
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Michel Meyer, Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Method for improving the quality of continuously cast metal
    Patent number: 6019159
    Abstract: The method includes the start up parameters are inputted into a device which controls the caster. Molten metal is cast in a moving mold and cooled by extracting heat from the moving mold, which in turn extracts heat from the molten metal. Casting parameters are obtained for a casting cycle and sent to the device which controls the cooling of the metal being cast. Data from one cycle is compared to data from a previous cycle and the cooling of the metal being cast is automatically controlled in response to the comparison of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Golen Aluminum Company
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Block fixation and adjustment in a continuous caster
    Patent number: 5979539
    Abstract: A block assembly is secured to a support beam and the block assembly is adjusted relative to the support beam. The block assembly is secured to the support beam by actuating at least some of a plurality of discrete fixing devices by application of a force to single point. The block assembly can be adjusted relative to the support beam in the z-direction, the x-direction and/or the y-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Golden Aluminum Company
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Block fixation in a continuous caster
    Patent number: 5975190
    Abstract: The continuous block caster includes a block assembly, a support beam and an apparatus for securing the block assembly to the support beam. The securing apparatus includes a plurality of discrete fixing devices actuated simultaneously by applying a force to a single point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Golden Aluminum Company
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Roll support apparatus for transporting a support beam
    Patent number: 5924474
    Abstract: A roll support for use in transporting a support beam along a track having two opposed surfaces. Such roll support is particularly useful for transporting a support beam in a continuous block caster for casting metal. The invention can include mechanisms for adjusting the support beam on the roll support, devices for driving the support beam along the track and apparatus for meshing the roll support with the devices for driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Golden Aluminum Company
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Michel Meyer, Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Block adjustment in a continuous caster
    Patent number: 5881798
    Abstract: The physical position of a block assembly on a support beam in a continuous block caster is adjusted and maintained. In particular, the apparatus includes at least one device for adjusting and maintaining the physical position of the blocks in a beam chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Golden Aluminum Company
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Apparatus for continuously casting metal
    Patent number: 5878805
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, novel track and drive systems are provided for reducing rotational forces that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Method and apparatus for continuously casting metal
    Patent number: 5873404
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, novel track and drive systems are provided for reducing imperfections that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Michel Meyer, Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Method and prestressed beam chain for use in an apparatus for continuously casting metal
    Patent number: 5868193
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, a prestressed beam chain is provided for reducing imperfections that can be created in a cast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Michel Meyer, Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Apparatus for improving the quality of continously cast metal
    Patent number: 5839500
    Abstract: The method enhances the quality of cast metal being cast in a continuous casting process. In particular, the method combines temperature and quality control sensing to achieve closed-loop control of the cooling of molten metal in a continuous caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Apparatus for continuously casting
    Patent number: 5697423
    Abstract: A continuous block caster has a temperature sensor in each of the chilling blocks. The sensor monitor and control temperatures of the chilling blocks in the casting direction (the "x-direction") and the direction transverse to the casting direction (the "y-direction").
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Method and apparatus for continuously casting metal
    Patent number: 5645159
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and apparatus for continuously casting molten metal in a block caster. In accordance with the present invention, novel track and drive systems are provided for reducing imperfections that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Michel Meyer, Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher
  • Block fixation and adjustment in a continuous caster
    Patent number: 5645122
    Abstract: A block assembly is disposed in close relation to a support beam in a continuous block caster. The block assembly is secured to the support beam by simultaneously actuating a plurality of discreet fixing devices by applying a force to a single point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Erich Luginbuhl, Marcel Witschi, Ernst Zurcher