Patents by Inventor Michael P. Jacques
Michael P. Jacques 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).
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Publication number: 20140326427Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to cast a metal ingot using a continuous casting mold so that the ingot is essentially free of gas pockets which otherwise would result from gas bubbles being entrapped in the mushy zone and solid portion of the ingot during formation, wherein such bubbles may be caused by pouring molten metal into a molten liquid portion of the forming ingot and by impingement of a plasma plume of a plasma torch on the upper surface of the molten liquid portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Patent number: 8746323Abstract: A continuous casting furnace is configured for efficiently continuously casting ingots, including titanium alloy ingots. The furnace is configured with an internal cutter for cutting an ingot within the furnace interior chamber. The furnace typically includes a first interior chamber in which a continuous casting mold is disposed and a withdrawal chamber which is separable from the first interior chamber to facilitate withdrawal of finished ingots therefrom while casting continues within the first chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Patent number: 8689856Abstract: A continuous casting furnace is configured for efficiently continuously casting ingots, including titanium alloy ingots. The furnace is configured with an internal cutter for cutting an ingot within the furnace interior chamber. The furnace typically includes a first interior chamber in which a continuous casting mold is disposed and a withdrawal chamber which is separable from the first interior chamber to facilitate withdrawal of finished ingots therefrom while casting continues within the first chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Patent number: 8678074Abstract: A continuous casting furnace is configured for efficiently continuously casting ingots, including titanium alloy ingots. The furnace is configured with an internal cutter for cutting an ingot within the furnace interior chamber. The furnace typically includes a first interior chamber in which a continuous casting mold is disposed and a withdrawal chamber which is separable from the first interior chamber to facilitate withdrawal of finished ingots therefrom while casting continues within the first chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Patent number: 8413710Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism typically forces the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Publication number: 20120199307Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism typically forces the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Patent number: 8196641Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism typically forces the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Patent number: 8141617Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Publication number: 20120024492Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC.Inventors: MICHAEL P. JACQUES, KUANG-O YU
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Patent number: 8069903Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Publication number: 20110146935Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC.Inventors: MICHAEL P. JACQUES, KUANG-O YU
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Patent number: 7926548Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Publication number: 20100282427Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism typically forces the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC.Inventors: MICHAEL P. JACQUES, KUANG-O YU
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Patent number: 7617863Abstract: A continuous casting furnace includes a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of a metal casting as it exits a continuous casting mold in order to provide improved characteristics of the metal casting. The temperature control mechanism includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the metal casting, and a heat source and cooling device for respectively heating and cooling the metal casting in light of the temperature of the metal casting. A control unit determines if the temperature of the metal casting is within a predetermined range and controls the heat source and cooling device accordingly. The heat source may double as a cooling device or the cooling device may be separate from the heat source.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.Inventors: Kuang-O Yu, Frank P. Spadafora, Michael P. Jacques
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Patent number: 7484548Abstract: A seal for a continuous casting furnace having a melting chamber with a mold therein for producing a metal cast includes a passage between the melting chamber and external atmosphere. As the cast moves through the passage, the cast outer surface and the passage inner surface define therebetween a reservoir for containing liquid glass or other molten material to prevent the external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. Particulate material fed into the reservoir is melted by heat from the cast to form the molten material. The molten material coats the cast as it moves through the passage and solidifies to form a coating to protect the hot cast from reacting with the external atmosphere. Preferably, the mold has an inner surface with a cross-sectional shape to define a cross-sectional shape of the cast outer surface whereby these cross-sectional shapes are substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the passage inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: RMI Titanium CompanyInventors: Michael P. Jacques, Frank P. Spadafora, Kuang-O Yu, Brian W. Martin
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Patent number: 7484549Abstract: A seal for a continuous casting furnace having a melting chamber with a mold therein for producing a metal cast includes a passage between the melting chamber and external atmosphere. As the cast moves through the passage, the cast outer surface and the passage inner surface define therebetween a reservoir for containing liquid glass or other molten material to prevent the external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. Particulate material fed into the reservoir is melted by heat from the cast to form the molten material. The molten material coats the cast as it moves through the passage and solidifies to form a coating to protect the hot cast from reacting with the external atmosphere. Preferably, the mold has an inner surface with a cross-sectional shape to define a cross-sectional shape of the cast outer surface whereby these cross-sectional shapes are substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the passage inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: RMI Titanium CompanyInventors: Michael P. Jacques, Frank P. Spadafora, Kuang-O Yu, Brian W. Martin
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Publication number: 20090008059Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: RMI Titanium Company dba RTI NilesInventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
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Publication number: 20080035298Abstract: A continuous casting furnace includes a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of a metal cast as it exits a continuous casting mold in order to provide improved characteristics of the metal cast. The temperature control mechanism includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the metal cast, and a heat source and cooling device for respectively heating and cooling the metal cast in light of the temperature of the metal cast. A control unit determines if the temperature of the metal cast is within a predetermined range and controls the heat source and cooling device accordingly. The heat source may double as a cooling device or the cooling device may be separate from the heat source.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: RMI Titanium CompanyInventors: Kuang-O Yu, Frank P. Spadafora, Michael P. Jacques
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Patent number: 7322397Abstract: A seal for a continuous casting furnace having a melting chamber with a mold therein for producing a metal cast includes a passage between the melting chamber and external atmosphere. As the cast moves through the passage, the cast outer surface and the passage inner surface define therebetween a reservoir for containing liquid glass or other molten material to prevent the external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. Particulate material fed into the reservoir is melted by heat from the cast to form the molten material. The molten material coats the cast as it moves through the passage and solidifies to form a coating to protect the hot cast from reacting with the external atmosphere. Preferably, the mold has an inner surface with a cross-sectional shape to define a cross-sectional shape of the cast outer surface whereby these cross-sectional shapes are substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the passage inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: RMI Titanium CompanyInventors: Michael P. Jacques, Frank P. Spadafora, Kuang-O Yu, Brian W. Martin