Patents by Inventor Sterry A. Shaffer
Sterry A. Shaffer 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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Patent number: 10232434Abstract: An apparatus for casting metals by a nucleated casting technique to create a preform, the apparatus including a mold having a base and a side wall where the base can be moved relative to the side wall to withdraw the preform as it is being created. In various circumstances, portions of a droplet spray created by an atomizing nozzle, i.e., overspray, may accumulate on a top surface of the side wall and prevent or inhibit the preform from being moved relative to the side wall. The atomizing nozzle can be oriented such that the droplet spray passes over the top of the side wall to remelt and remove at least a portion of the overspray that has accumulated thereon. The mold can be rotated such that the overspray formed on a region of or on the entire perimeter of the top surface can pass through the droplet spray and can be removed from the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: ATI PROPERTIES LLCInventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20190015890Abstract: A forging die heating or preheating apparatus comprises a burner head comprising a plurality of flame ports. The burner head is oriented to compliment an orientation of at least a region of a forging surface of a forging die and is configured to receive and combust a supply of an oxidizing gas and a supply of a fuel and produce flames at the flame ports. The plurality of flame ports are configured to impinge the flames onto the forging surface of the forging die to substantially uniformly heat at least the region of the forging surface of the forging die.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Urban J. DeSouza, Robin M. Forbes Jones, Billy B. Hendrick, JR., Alonzo L. Liles, Ramesh S. Minisandram, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 10105749Abstract: A forging die heating or preheating apparatus comprises a burner head comprising a plurality of flame ports. The burner head is oriented to compliment an orientation of at least a region of a forging surface of a forging die and is configured to receive and combust a supply of an oxidizing gas and a supply of a fuel and produce flames at the flame ports. The plurality of flame ports are configured to impinge the flames onto the forging surface of the forging die to substantially uniformly heat at least the region of the forging surface of the forging die.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: ATI PROPERTIES LLCInventors: Urban J. DeSouza, Robin M. Forbes Jones, Billy B. Hendrick, Jr., Alonzo L. Liles, Ramesh S. Minisandram, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20150107794Abstract: An apparatus for casting metals by a nucleated casting technique to create a preform, the apparatus including a mold having a base and a side wall where the base can be moved relative to the side wall to withdraw the preform as it is being created. In various circumstances, portions of a droplet spray created by an atomizing nozzle, i.e., overspray, may accumulate on a top surface of the side wall and prevent or inhibit the preform from being moved relative to the side wall. The atomizing nozzle can be oriented such that the droplet spray passes over the top of the side wall to remelt and remove at least a portion of the overspray that has accumulated thereon. The mold can be rotated such that the overspray formed on a region of or on the entire perimeter of the top surface can pass through the droplet spray and can be removed from the side wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 8891583Abstract: An apparatus for casting metals by a nucleated casting technique to create a preform, the apparatus including a mold having a base and a side wall where the base can be moved relative to the side wall to withdraw the preform as it is being created. In various circumstances, portions of a droplet spray created by an atomizing nozzle, i.e., overspray, may accumulate on a top surface of the side wall and prevent or inhibit the preform from being moved relative to the side wall. The atomizing nozzle can be oriented such that the droplet spray passes over the top of the side wall to remelt and remove at least a portion of the overspray that has accumulated thereon. The mold can be rotated such that the overspray formed on a region of or on the entire perimeter of the top surface can pass through the droplet spray and can be removed from the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 8381563Abstract: A forging die heating or preheating apparatus comprises a burner head comprising a plurality of flame ports. The burner head is oriented to compliment an orientation of at least a region of a forging surface of a forging die and is configured to receive and combust a supply of an oxidizing gas and a supply of a fuel and produce flames at the flame ports. The plurality of flame ports are configured to impinge the flames onto the forging surface of the forging die to substantially uniformly heat at least the region of the forging surface of the forging die.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Urban J. De Souza, Robin M. Forbes-Jones, Billy B. Hendrick, Alonzo L. Liles, Ramesh S. Minisandram, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 8302661Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20120168110Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: ATI PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 8156996Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20110214833Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 7963314Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20100314068Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20100307216Abstract: A forging die heating or preheating apparatus comprises a burner head comprising a plurality of flame ports. The burner head is oriented to compliment an orientation of at least a region of a forging surface of a forging die and is configured to receive and combust a supply of an oxidizing gas and a supply of a fuel and produce flames at the flame ports. The plurality of flame ports are configured to impinge the flames onto the forging surface of the forging die to substantially uniformly heat at least the region of the forging surface of the forging die.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Urban J. De Souza, Robin M. Forbes-Jones, Billy B. Hendrick, Alonzo L. Liles, Ramesh S. Minsandram, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 7798199Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20090139682Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20080115905Abstract: An apparatus for casting metals by a nucleated casting technique to create a preform, the apparatus including a mold having a base and a side wall where the base can be moved relative to the side wall to withdraw the preform as it is being created. In various circumstances, portions of a droplet spray created by an atomizing nozzle, i.e., overspray, may accumulate on a top surface of the side wall and prevent or inhibit the preform from being moved relative to the side wall. The atomizing nozzle can be oriented such that the droplet spray passes over the top of the side wall to remelt and remove at least a portion of the overspray that has accumulated thereon. The mold can be rotated such that the overspray formed on a region of or on the entire perimeter of the top surface can pass through the droplet spray and can be removed from the side wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6523598Abstract: The vacuum induction melting system is designed to be operated in a continuous or semi-continuous manner for extended periods of time for increased efficiency, and makes it possible to easily and quickly remove the induction furnace from the melt chamber when it becomes necessary to replace and rebuild the furnace. The melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A charging chamber is communicatively connected to the melt chamber adjacent its upper end. The charging chamber includes a door providing access to the interior of the charging chamber so that a charge of raw materials can be placed therein. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the charging chamber and is movable between open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventor: Sterry A. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20020056538Abstract: The vacuum induction melting system of the present invention is designed to be operated in a continuous or semi-continuous manner for extended periods of time for increased efficiency, and makes it possible to easily and quickly remove the induction furnace from the melt chamber when it becomes necessary to replace and rebuild the furnace. The melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A charging chamber is communicatively connected to the melt chamber adjacent its upper end. The charging chamber includes a door providing access to the interior of the charging chamber so that a charge of raw materials can be placed therein. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the charging chamber and is movable between open and closed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2002Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventor: Sterry A. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6360810Abstract: A vacuum induction melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A mold tunnel is connected to the melt chamber adjacent its lower end, with the mold tunnel including a pour opening which communicates with the melt chamber and through which molten metal poured from the furnace can enter the mold tunnel. A mold carriage is positioned within the mold tunnel for receiving and carrying one or more molds adapted for receiving molten metal. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the mold tunnel for isolating the mold tunnel from the melt chamber to allow for removing the mold carriage from the mold tunnel for loading or unloading of molds thereon. A mold transport assembly is provided for moving the mold carriage from a pouring position within the mold tunnel to a loading position located outside of the mold tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventor: Sterry A. Shaffer