Patents by Inventor Paul M. Crafton

Paul M. Crafton 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: 20150343531
    Abstract: A system and method for forming and heat treating metal castings is provided with a vertical heat treatment unit positioned adjacent and downstream from a pouring station at which a series of molds are filled with a molten metal to form the castings. The vertical heat treatment unit includes a vertically oriented furnace chamber in which the castings are received, and which has a reduced footprint to reduce the manufacturing floor space required for the vertical heat treatment unit, and to enable the vertical heat treatment unit to be positioned in close proximity to the pouring station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Ian French, Volker Knobloch
  • Publication number: 20140261904
    Abstract: A system and method for formation and processing of pressurized die cast metal articles or components includes an injection or casting station in which a series of cast metal articles are formed within a series of dies by the introduction of a metal material into the dies. The dies are then moved to a retention area where the metal material is permitted to solidify to form the castings, after which the dies are opened and the castings removed therefrom, and subsequently are transferred to a short cycle solution heat treatment station. The castings are conveyed through the short cycle solution heat treatment station with the castings maintained within a series of fixtures to dimensionally support and stabilize the castings during solution heat treatment thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, Paul M. Crafton, Shanker Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 8663547
    Abstract: A furnace for heat treating a metal workpiece is provided. A method and system for processing a workpiece also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Ian French, Shanker Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20120211191
    Abstract: A furnace for heat treating a metal workpiece is provided. A method and system for processing a workpiece also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Ian French, Shanker Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7641746
    Abstract: An integrated metal processing facility in which molten metal is poured into a series of molds at a pouring station to form metal castings, which are then transferred to a heat treatment line. Prior to introduction of the castings into a heat treatment station of the heat treatment line, the castings are subjected to heating sufficient to arrest cooling of the castings at or above a process control temperature for the metal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Publication number: 20090206527
    Abstract: A furnace for heat treating a metal workpiece is provided. A method and system for processing a workpiece also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Ian French, Shanker Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20080264527
    Abstract: An integrated metal processing facility in which molten metal is poured into a series of molds at a pouring station to form metal castings, which are then transferred to a heat treatment line. Prior to introduction of the castings into a heat treatment station of the heat treatment line, the castings are subjected to heating sufficient to arrest cooling of the castings at or above a process control temperature for the metal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Ian French
  • Patent number: 7438119
    Abstract: A system for reclaiming sand from a casting process includes a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of baffles defining a circuitous path for the sand therebetween, a heating element for providing heat to the chamber, and a fluidizing distributor for directing the sand through the chamber. A method of reclaiming waste sand also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Shanker Subramanian, James R. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20080236779
    Abstract: A system and method for forming and heat treating metal castings is provided with a vertical heat treatment unit positioned adjacent and downstream from a pouring station at which a series of molds are filled with a molten metal to form the castings. The vertical heat treatment unit includes a vertically oriented furnace chamber in which the castings are received, and which has a reduced footprint to reduce the manufacturing floor space required for the vertical heat treatment unit, and to enable the vertical heat treatment unit to be positioned in close proximity to the pouring station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Ian French, Volker Knobloch
  • Patent number: 7338629
    Abstract: A system and method for forming and heat treating a metal casting are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 7331374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Volker R. Knobloch, Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James R. Garrett, John W. Dalton
  • Patent number: 7290583
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Franz Ruegg
  • Patent number: 7275582
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply heat to the castings for heat treating the castings and dislodging the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 7273015
    Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., William Thome
  • Patent number: 7258755
    Abstract: An integrated metal processing facility in which molten metal is poured into a series of molds at a pouring station to form metal castings, which are then transferred to a heat treatment line. Prior to introduction of the castings into a heat treatment station of the heat treatment line, the castings are subjected to heating sufficient to arrest cooling of the castings at or above a process control temperature for the metal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 7252134
    Abstract: Various systems and apparatuses for processing a metal casting are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Ian French, Jim Garrett
  • Patent number: 7047894
    Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., William Thome
  • Patent number: 6910522
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Franz Ruegg
  • Patent number: 6901990
    Abstract: A method and system of processing castings is provided in which one or more castings are deposited into a mobile furnace and moved from one station to another of a multi-station casting processing system. The interior of the mobile furnace is heated so as to maintain the temperature of the casting within a desired range of temperatures. The multi-station casting processing system may include a casting machine, a fluidized bed and a quench tank. The method may include transferring a casting into the mobile furnace and moving the furnace from one station to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Paul M. Crafton, Scott P. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Volker R. Knobloch
  • Publication number: 20040123786
    Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, William Thome