Patents by Inventor Shane Homan

Shane Homan 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).

  • Apparatus for injecting molten metal into a die cast machine and methods and control systems for cooling the same
    Patent number: 9744590
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting molten metal into a die cast machine is provided. The apparatus includes a molten metal reservoir having a first open end in fluid communication with a die casting mold and a second open end. The molten metal reservoir includes at least one first cooling fluid path positioned about at least a portion of an outer surface of the molten metal reservoir and in thermal contact with the molten metal reservoir. The apparatus further includes a plunger sized to fit within the second open end. The plunger includes a plunger tip and a second cooling fluid path defined within the plunger tip and in thermal contact with the molten metal reservoir. A plurality of thermal actuators are also provided. Each of the plurality of thermal actuators controls a volume of cooling fluid flowing through one first cooling fluid path of the at least one first cooling fluid path or the second cooling fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Robert C. De Neff, Tom Stasiak, Tim Hider, Shane Homan, Don Whitmore
  • APPARATUS FOR INJECTING MOLTEN METAL INTO A DIE CAST MACHINE AND METHODS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR COOLING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20150321248
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting molten metal into a die cast machine is provided. The apparatus includes a molten metal reservoir having a first open end in fluid communication with a die casting mold and a second open end. The molten metal reservoir includes at least one first cooling fluid path positioned about at least a portion of an outer surface of the molten metal reservoir and in thermal contact with the molten metal reservoir. The apparatus further includes a plunger sized to fit within the second open end. The plunger includes a plunger tip and a second cooling fluid path defined within the plunger tip and in thermal contact with the molten metal reservoir. A plurality of thermal actuators are also provided. Each of the plurality of thermal actuators controls a volume of cooling fluid flowing through one first cooling fluid path of the at least one first cooling fluid path or the second cooling fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Robert C. De Neff, Tom Stasiak, Tim Hider, Shane Homan, Don Whitmore