Patents by Inventor Wessel Marthinus Cronje

Wessel Marthinus Cronje 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: 7775257
    Abstract: The invention concerns a casting apparatus which includes a crucible support and induction heating means (14, 16, 18) arranged to receive and support a crucible (10) containing material which is to be melted and poured from an outlet (38). The outlet is positioned on a vertical axis (40). The support and induction heating means also operates to apply induction heating to the material to melt it in the crucible. There is also a translation mechanism which tilts the crucible while the crucible is still supported and while heat is continuously applied to it. This mechanism operates in such a way that during tilting, the outlet of the crucible is maintained on the vertical axis so that the molten material pours from the outlet on the vertical axis. In the embodiments described, the crucible is simultaneously moved vertically towards the mould into which the melt pours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Irshad Khan, Wessel Marthinus Cronje
  • Publication number: 20080314547
    Abstract: The invention concerns a casting apparatus which includes a crucible support and induction heating means (14, 16, 18) arranged to receive and support a crucible (10) containing material which is to be melted and poured from an outlet (38). The outlet is positioned on a vertical axis (40). The support and induction heating means also operates to apply induction heating to the material to melt it in the crucible. There is also a translation mechanism which tilts the crucible while the crucible is still supported and while heat is continuously applied to it. This mechanism operates in such a way that during tilting, the outlet of the crucible is maintained on the vertical axis so that the molten material pours from the outlet on the vertical axis. In the embodiments described, the crucible is simultaneously moved vertically towards the mould into which the melt pours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Irshad Khan, Wessel Marthinus Cronje