Patents by Inventor Scott P. Crafton

Scott P. 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).

  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 20040108092
    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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Paul M. Crafton, Scott P. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Volker R. Knobloch
  • Publication number: 20040055728
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: James L. Lewis, Ian French, Volker R. Knobloch, Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, James R. Garrett, John W. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6672367
    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: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 6622775
    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: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 6588487
    Abstract: Disclosed is both a process and apparatus for forming a molded article. The molded article is formed in a vertically potted flaskless mold. The flaskless mold is closed having an opening in the top portion that receives a chill for directing the cooling of the molten metal introduced into the mold cavity. After the molten metal solidifies and before the mold is broken down, the chill is removed for reuse in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch
  • Patent number: 6547556
    Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr.