Patents by Inventor Rick Van Horn

Rick Van Horn 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: 6994148
    Abstract: A casting machine furnace apparatus that includes a furnace adapted to receive molten metal is described herein. The furnace includes an outer wall structure, a cover adapted to seal the furnace, a source of fluid, and a casting apparatus in fluid communication with the molten metal. The fluid is supplied into the furnace for applying fluid pressure on the molten metal. The application of fluid pressure on the molten metal causes the molten metal to supply the casting apparatus. The outer wall structure of the furnace is provided with a plurality of exhaust ports where the ports are provided in the outer wall structure at predetermined locations. The ports are selectively controllable between a first closed position, where the exhaust ports do not allow air to be exhausted from the furnace, and a second opened position, where the exhaust ports enable air to be exhausted from the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. McKibben, Daniel D. Minor, Alan P. Gould, Robert L. Macheske, Dean VanderJagt, Rick Van Horn, Khushal Wardak, Roger Mucci, John Starks
  • Patent number: 6648058
    Abstract: A modular casting system includes a plurality of casting modules and, is provided with on-board systems such as a lubrication system, cooling system, etc., which operate independently from similar systems on other modules of the system. Each of the casting modules is connected by quick disconnect connections to a centrally disposed source of fluid pressure and electrical power and a control unit for controlling each of the modules independently. Each of the modules is readily removable from the system and replaced with a new module of a different type or with a different mold. Each of the modules is preferably provided with a filter removal unit which is operative to raise the filter during the cooling operation and facilitates removal of the filter upon completion of the pouring operation. The upper platen of a casting module is provided with a swinging cope which is movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position to facilitate cleaning of the cope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Macheske, Kenneth D. McKibben, Daniel D. Minor, Rick A. Van Horn
  • Publication number: 20020166652
    Abstract: A modular casting system includes a plurality of casting modules and, is provided with on-board systems such as a lubrication system, cooling system, etc., which operate independently from similar systems on other modules of the system. Each of the casting modules is connected by quick disconnect connections to a centrally disposed source of fluid pressure and electrical power and a control unit for controlling each of the modules independently. Each of the modules is readily removable from the system and replaced with a new module of a different type or with a different mold. Each of the modules is preferably provided with a filter removal unit which is operative to raise of the filter during the cooling operation and facilities removal of the filter upon completion of the pouring operation. The casting modules are provided with a tilting launder tray which facilitates laundering of the mold after a casting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Robert L. Macheske, Kenneth D. McKibben, Daniel D. Minor, Rick A. Van Horn
  • Patent number: 6425435
    Abstract: A modular casting system includes a plurality of casting modules and, is provided with on-board systems such as a lubrication system, cooling system, etc., which operate independently from similar systems on other modules of the system. Each of the casting modules is connected by quick disconnect connections to a centrally disposed source of fluid pressure and electrical power and a control unit for controlling each of the modules independently. Each of the modules is readily removable from the system and replaced with a new module of a different type or with a different mold. Each of the modules is preferably provided with a filter removal unit which is operative to raise of the filter during the cooling operation and facilitates removal of the filter upon completion of the pouring operation. The casting modules are provided with a tilting launder tray which facilitates laundering of the mold after a casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz Equipment & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Macheske, Kenneth D. McKibben, Daniel D. Minor, Rick A. Van Horn
  • Publication number: 20010035277
    Abstract: A modular casting system includes a plurality of casting modules and, is provided with on-board systems such as a lubrication system, cooling system, etc., which operate independently from similar systems on other modules of the system. Each of the casting modules is connected by quick disconnect connections to a centrally disposed source of fluid pressure and electrical power and a control unit for controlling each of the modules independently. Each of the modules is readily removable from the system and replaced with a new module of a different type or with a different mold. Each of the modules is preferably provided with a filter removal unit which is operative to raise of the filter during the cooling operation and facilities removal of the filter upon completion of the pouring operation. The casting modules are provided with a tilting launder tray which facilitates laundering of the mold after a casting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Robert L. Macheske, Kenneth D. McKibben, Daniel D. Minor, Rick A. Van Horn