Patents by Inventor Steven L. Burkholder
Steven L. Burkholder 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: 20250260298Abstract: An induction rotor assembly is provided. The induction rotor assembly includes a laminated stack, a plurality of foils, a plurality of conductor bars, a first end ring, and a second end ring. The laminated stack includes a body with an outer circumferential surface with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end to the second end. Each one of the plurality of foils is disposed within one of the grooves. Each of the foils is disposed between each of the conductor bars and each of the grooves. Each of the plurality of conductor bars includes a first conductor end and a second conductor end. The first end ring mates with a surface of each first conductor end. The second end ring mates with a surface of each second conductor end, and the plurality of conductor bars extends between the first end ring and the second end ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2024Publication date: August 14, 2025Inventors: Qigui Wang, Yi Liu, Liang Wang, Lei Hao, Steven L. Burkholder, Jason J. Coryell
-
Patent number: 12206285Abstract: An induction rotor assembly having conductive bars is provided. The assembly comprises a lamination stack comprising a body having a first end and second ends to define a longitudinal axis. The body has an outer circumferential portion extending from the first end to the second end. The outer portion has a plurality of walls defining open slots formed from the first end through the second end. The assembly further comprises a first ring disposed on the first end and a second ring disposed on the second end. The assembly further comprises a plurality of conductive bars extending between the first and second rings. Each conductive bar is disposed in one of the slots such that the respective conductive bar is in contact with the lamination stack and connects the first and second rings. Each bar comprises an inner portion and a conductive outer skin disposed about the inner portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2023Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Qigui Wang, John S. Agapiou, Liang Wang, Lei Hao, Daniel J. Wilson, Steven L Burkholder
-
Patent number: 12128476Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle includes providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle having a length greater than a width to define a longitudinal axis and providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism includes primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with the cavities. The method further includes melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, moving the mold to a vertical orientation about the longitudinal axis while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities, and moving the cast mold to a horizontal orientation. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Qigui Wang, Liang Wang, Tiruttani Munikamal, Shasha Vali Shaik, Suresh Kumar K, Steven L Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson
-
Patent number: 12121962Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle includes providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle and providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism includes a plurality of primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with cavities. The method further includes melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, and moving the mold to a vertical casting orientation about a rotational axis, while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities, and cooling the molten metallic material to define a solidified metallic material. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Liang Wang, Qigui Wang, Tiruttani Munikamal, Shasha Vali Shaik, Suresh Kumar K, Steven L. Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson
-
Publication number: 20240291332Abstract: An induction rotor assembly having conductive bars is provided. The assembly comprises a lamination stack comprising a body having a first end and second ends to define a longitudinal axis. The body has an outer circumferential portion extending from the first end to the second end. The outer portion has a plurality of walls defining open slots formed from the first end through the second end. The assembly further comprises a first ring disposed on the first end and a second ring disposed on the second end. The assembly further comprises a plurality of conductive bars extending between the first and second rings. Each conductive bar is disposed in one of the slots such that the respective conductive bar is in contact with the lamination stack and connects the first and second rings. Each bar comprises an inner portion and a conductive outer skin disposed about the inner portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2023Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventors: Qigui Wang, John S. Agapiou, Liang Wang, Lei Hao, Daniel J. Wilson, Steven L. Burkholder
-
Publication number: 20240246142Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle are provided. The method comprises providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle having a length greater than a width to define a longitudinal axis and providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism comprises primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with the cavities. The method further comprises melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, moving the mold to a vertical orientation about the longitudinal axis while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities, and moving the cast mold to a horizontal orientation. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2023Publication date: July 25, 2024Inventors: Qigui Wang, Liang Wang, Tiruttani Munikamal, Shasha Vali Shaik, Suresh Kumar K, Steven L. Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson
-
Patent number: 11986879Abstract: A low-pressure sand-casting system includes a sand-casting mold receiving a molten casting material to cast an automobile vehicle cylinder head. A port is created in the automobile vehicle cylinder head. A manifold port metal core assembly includes a metal core. A compressible material coating is applied on the manifold port core metal core.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Liang Wang, Qigui Wang, Dale A. Gerard, Steven L. Burkholder, Ronald C. Daul
-
Publication number: 20240100592Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle are provided. The method comprises providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle, and comprises providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism comprises a plurality of primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with cavities. The method further comprises melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, and comprises moving the mold to a vertical casting orientation about a rotational axis, while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities. The method further comprises cooling the molten metallic material to define a solidified metallic material. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Liang Wang, Qigui Wang, Tiruttani Munikamal, Shasha Vali Shaik, Suresh Kumar K, Steven L. Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson
-
Publication number: 20240058860Abstract: A hybrid chill with enhanced heat transfer for casting of a sand cast aluminum engine block of a vehicle is provided. The hybrid chill comprises a base comprising an outer wall having a first side and a second side. Each of the first and second sides extends from a first longitudinal end to an opposite second longitudinal end. The outer wall is closed to define a hollow portion. The base further comprises a heat transfer fluid in a liquid phase disposed in the hollow portion. The heat transfer fluid has a boiling point of between 320° C. and 400° C. at 1 bar for enhanced heat transfer during casting. The chill further comprises a plurality of crankcase members. Each member is disposed on the first side. Each member is spaced apart from a respective adjacent member defining an open recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Lokesh Choudhary, Qigui Wang, Tiruttani Munikamal, Steven L. Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson, Dale A. Gerard
-
Publication number: 20230330744Abstract: A low-pressure sand-casting system includes a sand-casting mold receiving a molten casting material to cast an automobile vehicle cylinder head. A port is created in the automobile vehicle cylinder head. A manifold port metal core assembly includes a metal core. A compressible material coating is applied on the manifold port core metal core.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2022Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Liang Wang, Qigui Wang, Dale A. Gerard, Steven L. Burkholder, Ronald C. Daul
-
Patent number: 11772156Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for continuously producing cast metal components. An exemplary method includes feeding molten metal into a first mold at a fill station; maintaining a pressurized chamber at an elevated pressure; moving the first mold into the pressurized chamber, wherein the molten metal solidifies in the first mold under the elevated pressure; and removing the first mold from the pressurized chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Qigui Wang, Thomas W. Gustafson, Steven L Burkholder, Daniel J. Wilson, Gregory Melekian
-
Patent number: 11766716Abstract: A system and method of increasing a cooling rate of a metal sand casting during solidification. The system includes a 3-D printed manufactured sand mold defining a mold cavity, a coolant inlet port extending into the manufactured sand mold, a myriad of coolant passageways surrounding a portion of the mold cavity, and a coolant outlet port in fluid communication with the coolant passageways. The system further includes a coolant vapor extraction system having a collection manifold in fluid connection with the outlet port of the sand mold. A molten metal is poured into the mold cavity and a liquid coolant is introduced into the sand mold. The liquid coolant changes state into a gas phase as it permeates through the sand mold, thereby increasing the cooling rate of the casting. The liquid coolant may be that of a liquid nitrogen.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Steven L. Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson, Qigui Wang, Anil K. Sachdev
-
Publication number: 20230211406Abstract: A system and method of increasing a cooling rate of a metal sand casting during solidification. The system includes a 3-D printed manufactured sand mold defining a mold cavity, a coolant inlet port extending into the manufactured sand mold, a myriad of coolant passageways surrounding a portion of the mold cavity, and a coolant outlet port in fluid communication with the coolant passageways. The system further includes a coolant vapor extraction system having a collection manifold in fluid connection with the outlet port of the sand mold. A molten metal is poured into the mold cavity and a liquid coolant is introduced into the sand mold. The liquid coolant changes state into a gas phase as it permeates through the sand mold, thereby increasing the cooling rate of the casting. The liquid coolant may be that of a liquid nitrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Steven L. Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson, Qigui Wang, Anil K. Sachdev
-
Patent number: 11619255Abstract: A crankshaft for an internal combustion engine is provided. The crankshaft comprises at least four main journals aligned on a crankshaft axis of rotation defining a centerline. The crankshaft further comprises at least three pin journals. Each pin journal is disposed about a respective pin journal axis and positioned between the main journals. Each of the pin journals is joined to a pair of crank arms. Each pair of crank arms is joined to a respective main journal. Each of the main journals, pin journals, and crank arms is made of a first metallic material. Each crank arm has an over-molded counterweight metallurgically bonded thereto. Each counterweight is disposed opposite a respective pin journal relative to the centerline for balance and stability. Each counterweight is made of a second metallic material. The crankshaft has a weight ratio of the second metallic material to the first metallic material of between 0.20 to 0.50.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David C. Klemstine, Guirong Cao, Jianghuai Yang, William A. Berry, Qigui Wang, Anil K. Sachdev, Steven L. Burkholder
-
Publication number: 20220226885Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for continuously producing cast metal components. An exemplary method includes feeding molten metal into a first mold at a fill station; maintaining a pressurized chamber at an elevated pressure; moving the first mold into the pressurized chamber, wherein the molten metal solidifies in the first mold under the elevated pressure; and removing the first mold from the pressurized chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Qigui Wang, Thomas W. Gustafson, Steven L. Burkholder, Daniel J. Wilson, Gregory Melekian