Patents by Inventor Volker R. Knobloch

Volker R. Knobloch 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: 20140261904
    Abstract: A system and method for formation and processing of pressurized die cast metal articles or components includes an injection or casting station in which a series of cast metal articles are formed within a series of dies by the introduction of a metal material into the dies. The dies are then moved to a retention area where the metal material is permitted to solidify to form the castings, after which the dies are opened and the castings removed therefrom, and subsequently are transferred to a short cycle solution heat treatment station. The castings are conveyed through the short cycle solution heat treatment station with the castings maintained within a series of fixtures to dimensionally support and stabilize the castings during solution heat treatment thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, Paul M. Crafton, Shanker Subramaniam
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20020084052
    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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Ian French
  • Publication number: 20020020511
    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: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Ian French
  • Publication number: 20020007931
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch