Process Patents (Class 266/44)
  • Patent number: 11466340
    Abstract: A steel sheet temperature control device including: a sheet temperature measurement unit; a furnace temperature measurement unit; an influence coefficient calculation unit; a control model setting unit that sets a control model; a state variable/disturbance estimation unit that estimates values of a state variable and a temperature disturbance variable of the control model at the same time; a furnace temperature change amount calculation unit that calculates a furnace temperature change amount of each of heating zones of a heating furnace under a constraint condition such that square sum of a deviation between a target value and the actual value of the temperature of the steel sheet at the outlet side of the heating furnace becomes minimum; and a furnace temperature control unit that controls a fuel flow rate used in each of the heating zones to achieve the calculated furnace temperature change amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Ogasahara, Goki Yamada
  • Patent number: 11267083
    Abstract: A mobile welding system that does not rely exclusively on a track to define the path of the welder. One embodiment includes a mobile welder adapted to move along a work piece. The mobile welder includes a chassis, including a welding implement, and a travel assembly configured to support the chassis over a portion of the work piece. The mobile welder also includes a motor assembly configured to selectively cause the chassis to move relative to the work piece. The mobile welder further includes a chassis holder, having a magnet assembly, configured to provide a force holding the chassis a selected distance from the work piece. The magnet assembly includes a magnet rotatably mounted between a ferrous material and a non-ferrous material to selectively control application of a magnetic field toward the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Matthews, Patrick S. Wahlen, Stephen R. Cole, Bruce A. Schlee, Keith L. Schlee
  • Patent number: 11150023
    Abstract: A telescoping thermal lance assembly including a housing with an oxygen inlet port. An extension tube disposed in the housing. The extension tube having a cylindrical interior cavity. The extension tube configured to slide at least partially out of the housing when pressurized oxygen is channeled into the inlet port. A cylindrical lance tube is located within the interior cavity of the extension tube and slides partially out of the extension tube when pressurized oxygen is channeled into the housing. A slice rod is located within the lance tube. A cap is attached to the top of the extension tube and spaced apart from the tip of the lance tube. A gas turbine assembly attached above the cap and including a turbine and a plurality of blades that rotationally drive the turbine, rotation of the turbine generating a spark in the igniter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Michael F. Harasym
  • Patent number: 10844449
    Abstract: A rapid-cooling quenching apparatus in which a high-temperature metal sheet is dipped and cooled in a liquid and a rapid-cooling quenching method for a steel sheet are provided. The rapid-cooling quenching apparatus includes a water tank containing the liquid in which the metal sheet is dipped, a jetting device having a plurality of nozzles through which the liquid is jetted onto front and back surfaces of the metal sheet and at least some of which are placed in the liquid in the water tank, and a pair or a plurality of pairs of restraining rolls which are placed between an entrance-side end of the jetting device and an exit-side end of the jetting device and restrain the metal sheet, in which nozzles nearest to the restraining rolls are inclined toward the restraining rolls from a horizontal plane in the jetting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soshi Yoshimoto, Hirokazu Sugihara, Fujio Tanaka, Tomohiro Hashimukai
  • Patent number: 10590500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for the press hardening of components (2), having at least one furnace (3), having a press (8), which is arranged downstream of the at least one furnace (3), and having a transporting apparatus (4). In order to provide for cycle times which are as short as possible, means (5) for transporting the components (2) are mounted in a moveable manner in the transporting apparatus (4), wherein the means (5) with the components (2) can be moved, along the transporting apparatus (4), through the furnace (3) and into the press (8), wherein the transporting apparatus (4) is continuous between the furnace (3) and the press (8), and wherein the components (2) can be transported from the furnace (3) to the press (8) without being manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: N. Bättenhausen Industrielle Wärme- und Elektrotechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Baettenhausen, Walter Hoegler
  • Patent number: 10557666
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a first air nozzle configured to spray air to the metal strip from above; a first water nozzle configured to spray water to the metal strip from above; and a gas discharging part configured to discharge an air around the metal strip upwardly, wherein the first air nozzle, the first water nozzle and the gas discharging part are aligned along a transport direction of the metal strip in the order of the first air nozzle, the first water nozzle and the gas discharging part, wherein the cooling apparatus is adapted to collide the air from the first air nozzle against the metal strip and then the air moves along a surface of the metal strip to a point at which steam is generated by the water from the first water nozzle, and is adapted to discharge the steam using the gas discharging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: CHUGAI RO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10316399
    Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for cooling a metal strip (2) having a liquid coating to be solidified, wherein said strip is continuously moving. Said equipment is characterized in that each half-cooler (11, 12) is divided, over the length thereof, into at least two sections, a first section (13) and a second section (14), in the direction of the movement of the strip (2). The first section (13) is separated from the second section (14) in each half-cooler (11, 12) by a respective internal adjustment device (7, 8), making it possible to change the gas flow/pressure parameter so that the value of said gas flow/pressure parameter is different in the first section (13) from the value of said parameter in the second section (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Cockerill Maintenance & Ingéniérie S.A.
    Inventors: Stéphane Langevin, Michel Dubois
  • Patent number: 10272489
    Abstract: A carriage for receiving molten metal with a mechanism for moving a ladle up and down and a method for transporting molten metal to safely move a ladle for receiving a molten metal up and down and transport it. The carriage (10) for receiving molten metal to transport the ladle that receives molten metal from a furnace (C) comprises a carriage (20) for travelling on a route (L), guiding columns (30) that are placed on the carriage (20), a frame (40) that horizontally extends from the guiding columns and moves up and down above the carriage (20), a mechanism (50) for moving the ladle, which mechanism is placed on the frame (40) and horizontally moves the ladle, and the driver (60) for moving the frame up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: SINTOKOGIO, LTD., FUJIWA DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Nishida, Masanori Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9976818
    Abstract: A cooling tank for the thermal treatment of a rail head provided with a structure comprising a first volume (2), adapted to be filled with a cooling fluid; a second volume (4), arranged above the first volume and communicating therewith, so that the fluid passes from the first to the second volume and the rail head to be thermally treated can be immersed therein; a partition plate (5) between first and second volume, provided with a single row of holes (6), preferably arranged at the center of the width of the second volume, for generating jets of cooling fluid from the first to the second volume; a pair of longitudinal bulkheads (7), arranged in said second volume perpendicular to the plate and symmetrically with respect to the single row of holes, adapted to direct the jets of fluid exiting from the holes vertically upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Andreatta
  • Patent number: 9920995
    Abstract: A sand dispensing system with a compact movable sand reservoir, mounted for movement atop a metal making furnace, is refillable with a predetermined amount of sand, and tilts with the furnace. The reservoir dispenses a directed stream of the predetermined amount of sand through a nozzle in a sump panel door to fill a tap hole in the furnace. One end of the nozzle receives the directed stream of sand. The opposite end of the nozzle projects into the furnace, to direct the sand stream into the tap hole when the sand reservoir is in the dispensing position. An imaging device may be used to inspect the tap hole before and after the sand is directed into the tap hole. A remote control may be used to operate the sand dispensing system. The predetermined amount may be adjusted as the fill volume of the tap hole increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Aldo Longo
  • Patent number: 9528166
    Abstract: A furnace for heat treating an annealing material. A sealable first furnace chamber is designed to receiving and heat treating annealing material. A first heat exchanger is arranged in the first furnace chamber. The first heat exchanger is arranged within a housing section of the first furnace chamber. A sealable second furnace chamber is designed for receiving and for heat treating annealing material. A second heat exchanger is arranged in the second furnace chamber. The second heat exchanger is arranged within a housing section of the second furnace chamber. A closed transport fluid path is connected to the first heat exchanger and to the second heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy between the first annealing gas and the second annealing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ebner Industrieofenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Ebner, Heribert Lochner
  • Patent number: 9528918
    Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Reinhardt, Charles D. Lemme, Glen Ward, William L. Richards, Wayne Showalter, Brandon Ambler, Austin Micheil Ashby, Chris Borchert, Devon C. Campbell, Kimberly Christensen, Matthew Freeman, Andrew Ghusson, Rick Griebel, Kendall B. Hendrick, Miroslav Holubec, Parula Mehta, Vince Rizzo
  • Patent number: 9417322
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for monitoring the level of a feed material layer in a metallurgical furnace are described. At least one non-contact sensor is used to sense a distance between the feed layer and a reference position. A process controller linked to the sensor provides a control signal based upon the sensed distance. The control signal may be used to control various factors in the operation of the metallurgical furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Afshin Sadri, Ehsan Shameli, Roberto Venditti, Andrei Kepes, Terry Gerritsen, Sean Southall, Bruce Uyeda
  • Patent number: 9248498
    Abstract: A method for controlling the respective input voltages transmitted to a servomotor that tilts the ladle such that the molten metal that flows from the ladle drops accurately into the pouring gate in the mold, a servomotor that moves the ladle back and forth, and a servomotor that moves the ladle up and down, by using a computer. In the method, a mathematical model of the area on which the molten metal that flows from the ladle will drop is produced, and then the inverse problem of the produced mathematical model is solved. In view of the effect of a contracted flow, the position on which molten metal drops is estimated by the estimating device for estimating the pouring rate and the estimating device for estimating the position on which molten metal will drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: SINTOKOGIO, LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Noda, Kazuhiko Terashima, Ryusuke Fukushima, Makio Suzuki, Kazuhiro Ota, Hiroyasu Makino
  • Patent number: 9194014
    Abstract: A distributor for a post-combustion lance, comprising: an annular member, an inner reinforcing sleeve and an outer sleeve, wherein the inner reinforcing sleeve defines a plurality of first openings and the annular member defines a plurality of second openings, wherein each of the first and second openings is in fluid communication, directly or indirectly, with a first cooling fluid passageway of the lance. Each of the first openings may be contiguous with and in direct fluid communication with one of the second openings. Additionally, the annular member may define a plurality of third openings, wherein each of the third openings is in fluid communication with a second cooling fluid passageway of the lance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Berry Metal Company
    Inventor: Todd G. Smith
  • Patent number: 9175907
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for direct smelting metalliferous material is disclosed. The invention concentrates injection of solid feed materials comprising metalliferous material and carbonaceous material into a direct smelting vessel during the course of the process into a relatively small region within a metal layer in a molten bath in the vessel in order to generate a substantial upward movement of molten material and gas from the metal layer into a region in the vessel that is above the molten bath. In particular, the invention injects the solid feed materials with sufficient momentum and/or velocity via an opposed pair of lances that are oriented within the vessel and arranged to form overlapping plumes of injected material in the molten bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Jacques Pilote, Rodney James Dry
  • Publication number: 20150145183
    Abstract: A hydrostatic tower whose lower part communicates with a liquid phase space within a flash vessel, and whose upper part communicates with a gas phase space within the flash vessel is provided. A rising liquid level within the hydrostatic tower is detected by at least one maximum liquid level sensor provided at a position at the same level as a predetermined maximum liquid level within the liquid phase space. A dropping liquid level within the hydrostatic tower is detected by at least one minimum liquid level sensor provided at a position at the same level as a predetermined minimum liquid level within the liquid phase space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsubara, Osamu Nakai, Yoji Kyoda, Takashi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9039959
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a gap-filler insert (20) for use with cooling plates (12, 12?) for a metallurgical furnace, the cooling plates (12, 12?) having a front face (14, 14?) directed towards the interior of the furnace, an opposite rear face (16, 16?) directed towards a furnace wall (10) of the furnace and four edge faces (18, 18?). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the gap-filler insert (20) comprises a metal front plate (24) with a front side (24) facing the interior of the furnace and anchoring means (28, 28?, 30, 30?, 32, 34) for mounting the front plate (24) between two neighboring cooling plates (12, 12?) in such a way that the front plate (24) extends between the edge faces (18, 18?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?), and that the front side (26) of the front plate (24) is flush with the front faces (14, 14?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Maggioli, Paul Tockert, Nicolas Mousel, Claude Pleimelding
  • Patent number: 9039958
    Abstract: A refractory well (16) for melting scrap metal pieces into a molten metal bath, comprises an inlet (18) for introducing metal into said well, the inlet being located so as to cause a circular flow of molten metal in said well, an outlet (19) for the flow of metal from said well and an electromagnetic pump (22) located beneath the refractory well for pumping said molten metal from said well through said outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Rifat A. Chalabi, Ophneil Henry Perry
  • Publication number: 20150140218
    Abstract: A continuous annealing furnace for annealing steel strips that is a vertical-type annealing furnace is configured so that part of gas inside the furnace is drawn and introduced to a refiner disposed outside the furnace including an oxygen removing apparatus and a dehumidifying apparatus, oxygen and moisture contained in the gas are removed to lower the dew point of the gas, and the gas having a lowered dew point is put back into the furnace. At least one gas inlet through which gas is drawn from the furnace into the refiner is disposed in the vicinity of the entry side of the furnace at a distance of 6 m or less in the vertical direction and 3 m or less in the furnace-length direction from the steel-strip-introduction section located at the lower part of the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9034243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using a suspension smelting furnace and to a suspension smelting furnace and to a concentrate burner (4). The concentrate burner (4) comprises a first gas supply device (12) for feeding a first gas (5) into the reaction shaft (2) and a second gas supply device (18) for feeding a second gas (16) into the reaction shaft (2). The first gas supply device (12) comprises a first annular discharge opening (14), which is arranged concentrically with the mouth (8) of a feeder pipe (7), so that the first annular discharge opening (14) surrounds the feeder pipe (7). The second gas supply device (18) comprises a second annular discharge opening (17), which is arranged concentrically with the mouth (8) of the feeder pipe (7), so that the second annular discharge opening (17) surrounds the feeder pipe (7) opening (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Jussi Sipilä, Markku Lahtinen, Peter Björklund, Kaarle Peltoniemi, Tapio Ahokainen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Kaj Eklund
  • Publication number: 20150114528
    Abstract: Part of an ambient gas in a heating zone and/or a soaking zone is sucked out and is cooled through a high-temperature gas passage of a heat exchanger by heat exchange with a gas in a low-temperature gas passage, further cooled by mixing with part of an ambient gas in a cooling zone, further cooled through a gas cooler, dehumidified to a dew point of ?45° C. or less in a dryer, heated through the low-temperature gas passage of the heat exchanger by heat exchange with a gas in the high-temperature gas passage, and returned to the heating zone and/or the soaking zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Takamasa Fujii, Masato Iri
  • Publication number: 20150115508
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a burning apparatus and a method for manufacturing reduced iron using the same, and more particularly, to a burning apparatus heating a coal briquette to manufacture reduced iron, which includes a first burning furnace heating the coal briquette while moving the truck accommodating the coal briquette along a linear movement path; a second burning furnace connected to the other side of the first burning furnace, and heating the coal briquette while moving the coal briquette discharged from the truck along an annular path; and a cooling device connected to the second burning furnace, and cooling the reduced iron while moving reduced iron reduced in the second burning furnace along an annular path. The burning apparatus circulates exhaust gases generated in the burning furnace and cooling device to control a temperature and an oxygen concentration and thus improves a metallization rate of the reduced iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Sang Han SON, Jong In PARK, Min Kyu WANG, Byung Woon HWANG
  • Patent number: 9017596
    Abstract: An apparatus (20, 21) and method (80) operable to: feed (82) a granulated feedstock (26) into a chamber (22); apply (84) a melting or sintering energy (28) in programmable scans (30) producing a material deposit (32) overlaid with slag (34) in the chamber (22); position (86) a slag removal device (40, 52) such that its cutting surface (35) is coincident with a top surface (33) of the material deposit; cut or break the slag free (88) from the material deposit with the slag removal device; separate (92) the removed slag from a reusable portion of the granulated feedstock in a separator (42); and feed (94) the reusable portion of the granulated feedstock to the top surface of the material deposit for repeating (96) the above operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald J. Bruck, Ahmed Kamel
  • Publication number: 20150108698
    Abstract: A method operates a vacuum melting system for metallurgically treating molten steel. A vacuum melting system is operated according to the method. The acoustic signals generated in a ladle which receives the molten steel are detected by at least one structure-borne noise detector which is directly or indirectly acoustically coupled to the ladle, and the acoustic signals are used to ascertain the height or the thickness of the foamed slag which can be found in the ladle over the molten bath of the molten steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20150107797
    Abstract: In an electric arc furnace system for making steel, a method and structure (1) for eliminating teeming hang-ups and ensuring temperature homogeneity in a ladle which teems into an ingot mold by gas purging at all possible steps under both atmospheric and vacuum conditions, and (2) for preventing non-metallic inclusions from appearing in the final product by deflecting the granular material in the teeming ladle well block away from the ingot mold by a heat resistant but combustible deflector just prior to entry of the teeming stream into the ingot mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: John A. Guliana, Guy A. Brada, Christian H. Ericksen, Bruce C. Liimatainen, Algirdas A. Underys
  • Publication number: 20150102538
    Abstract: There is provided a method for heat treatment, a heat treatment apparatus, and a heat treatment system capable of performing highly precise and efficient control of heat treatment such as a bright treatment of materials to be treated with ease and safety. A heat treatment furnace has in-furnace structures made of graphite and has a heat-treatment chamber in which heat treatment of materials to be treated is performed. A value of ?G0 (standard formation Gibbs energy) is computed with reference to the sensor information from respective sensors, and an Ellingham diagram, a control range, and a status of the heat treatment furnace in operation expressed by ?G0 are displayed on a display device 331. A control unit 334 controls a flow rate of neutral gas or inactive gas as atmosphere gas or a flow velocity of the gas so that ?G0 is within the control range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Shinichi Takahashi, Kiichi Kanda
  • Publication number: 20150102537
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and to an arrangement for removing outgrowth in a suspension smelting furnace. The suspension smelting furnace comprising a reaction shaft having a reaction shaft structure. The reaction shaft comprises at least one opening for an outgrowth removal means. The movable piston is arranged such that the movable piston can move in the opening in the reaction shaft and into the reaction shaft to push possible outgrowth in the reaction shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Peter Björklund, Aki Laaninen, Kaarle Peltoniemi, Lauri Pesonen
  • Publication number: 20150102536
    Abstract: A metal scrap submergence device having an open top chamber including side and base walls of a heat resistant material. An inlet is included in a side or base wall of the chamber for receiving molten metal. An outlet is included in the base of the chamber. A ramp extends from the side wall of the chamber to an inner column defining the outlet. The ramp includes a first edge adjacent the side wall and second interior edge adjacent the inner column. The working surface of the ramp between the first and second edges is concave. The inner column includes an end wall disposed opposite the chamber base, the end wall includes rounded inner and outer edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Chris T. Vild, Robert L. Grodeck
  • Publication number: 20150101775
    Abstract: An production apparatus of a semi-solidified metal has a vessel and a cooling device. The vessel into which a liquid-state metal material M is poured has a hollow member which is opened in up and down directions, and a bottom member which can close the lower opening of the hollow member and can be separated from the hollow member. The cooling device can cool the bottom member more than the hollow member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Koei NAKATA, Satoru AIDA, Satoshi TOMIOKA
  • Publication number: 20150102539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tilting mechanism for a tilting metallurgical vessel, in particular a converter, around a horizontal axis, comprising a rotatable shaft and at least one tilting drive mechanism for rotating the vessel about the axis, the at least one tilting drive mechanism has a fixed part and a moving part, wherein the moving part of the at least one tilting drive mechanism is directly connected to one end of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Christoffer Lundstrom
  • Publication number: 20150091223
    Abstract: Metallurgical treatment of a steel melt is provided in a vacuum melting system in which acoustic signals generated in a pan receiving the steel melt are recorded with at least one structure-borne sound pick-up acoustically coupled directly or indirectly to the pan. The acoustic signals are used to determine a variable characterizing the operating state of the vacuum melting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Patent number: 8992822
    Abstract: In a method for cooling a metallurgical furnace having at least one cooling element which is flown through by a cooling mediums, a cooling medium that contains at least one ionic liquid, and preferably consists thereof, is carried through the cooling element, thereby preventing the problems that are associated with water cooling, such as the risk of hydrogen explosions and damage to the furnace lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mettop GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Filzwieser, Iris Filzwieser
  • Patent number: 8986421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the thermal balance of the reaction shaft of a suspension smelting furnace and to a concentrate burner for feeding reaction gas and pulverous solid mater into the reaction shaft of the suspension smelting furnace. In the method, endothermic material (16) is fed by the concentrate burner (4) to constitute part of the mixture formed from the powdery solid matter (6) and reaction gas (5), so that a mixture containing the powdery solid matter (6), reaction gas (5) and endothermic material (6) is formed in the reaction shaft (2). The concentrate burner (4) comprises cooling agent feeding equipment (15) for adding the endothermic material (16) to constitute part of the mixture, which is formed from the pulverous solid matter (6) that discharges from the orifice (8) of the feeder pipe and the reaction gas (5) that discharges through the annular discharge orifice (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Jussi Sipilä, Markku Lahtinen, Peter Björklund, Kaarle Peltoniemi, Tapio Ahokainen, Lauri P. Pesonen
  • Publication number: 20150076751
    Abstract: Part of an atmosphere gas in a heating zone and/or a soaking zone is sucked out and is cooled through a high-temperature gas passage of a heat exchanger by heat exchange with a gas in a low-temperature gas passage, then cooled through a gas cooler, then dehumidified to a dew point of ?45° C. or less in a dryer, then heated through the low-temperature gas passage of the heat exchanger by heat exchange with a gas in the high-temperature gas passage, and returned to the heating zone and/or the soaking zone. Part of gas flowing from the dryer toward the low-temperature gas passage of the heat exchanger is returned to a cooling zone. These can achieve a low dew point of ?45° C. or less with high energy efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Takamasa Fujii, Masato Iri, Nobuyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8961863
    Abstract: An aeration system for a bed of ore that is laid upon a basal layer has a gas source located upstream for supplying gas and aeration pipes that distribute the gas downstream to the bed. Each aeration pipe has spaced-apart gas emitters that distribute gas to the bed and the aeration pipes extend through the bed towards the basal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Netafim, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jorge Menacho
  • Publication number: 20150047735
    Abstract: A method for heat treating a metal tube or pipe is provided to perform heat treatment in such a manner that metal tubes or pipes (1) to be accommodated in a heat treatment furnace are laid down on a plurality of cross beams (22) arranged along a longitudinal direction of the metal tubes or pipes with the distance between adjacent cross beams being in a range of 200 to 2500 mm. This makes it possible to inhibit bending and scratches of the metal tubes or pipes without causing discoloration and deterioration of the manufacturing efficiency for the metal tubes or pipes. When the metal tubes or pipes (1) are laid down on the cross beams (22), spacers may be interposed between the metal tubes or pipes (1) and the cross beams (22) on which they are laid down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Osamu Miyahara, Toshihiro Imoto
  • Patent number: 8945464
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating vessels, the vessels having enclosed spaces therein and controlling air ingress into the enclosed spaces through gaps. The method includes providing a lid structure for the vessel having the enclosed space, the lid structure having a burner assembly mounted therein. The burner is configured to provide a predetermined flame diameter. The vessel and lid structure are mated such that the gap is formed between the vessel and the lid structure. Fuel and oxidant are discharged from the burner assembly under conditions to provide the predetermined flame diameter and impart a flame velocity sufficiently large to create an outward gas flow from the enclosed space through the gap and control air ingress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinghong Wang, Xiaoyi He, Jin Cao, Aleksandar Georgi Slavejkov
  • Publication number: 20150021836
    Abstract: A rail heat treatment device includes a cooling header, an oscillation mechanism, and a control system including: a storage unit that stores therein at least information required for a oscillation control; and a control unit that obtains a permissible range of required cooling time for a rail that satisfies a permissible range of hardness of the rail based on a correlation expression representing a correlation between the cooling time for the rail with the cooling header and the hardness of the rail after cooling, controls a stroke and a speed of relative reciprocation of the rail and the cooling header based on the permissible range of the required cooling time, and causes the oscillation mechanism to perform the relative reciprocation of the rail and the cooling header by the stroke and at the speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yoshida, Hideki Takahashi, Rinya Kojo, Ryo Matsuoka, Yuzuru Kataoka, Tomoo Horita
  • Patent number: 8932515
    Abstract: A crust breaker bath detection system includes a cylinder defining a piston chamber. A piston is slidably displaced within the piston chamber by a pressurized fluid. A crust breaker rod connected to the piston is displaced through a crust layer into a bath having a bath voltage when the piston is displaced in the cylinder in a piston drive direction. A controller is in electrical communication with the cylinder. A conductive member is retained by and in electrical contact with the piston and in continuous contact with the cylinder. The conductive member defines a portion of a bath detection circuit including the crust breaker rod, the piston, the conductive member, the cylinder and the controller. The bath detection circuit is closed when the crust breaker rod contacts the bath such that the bath voltage is communicated to the controller by the bath detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Gilles Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 8926895
    Abstract: A post-combustion lance for directing a gas at least partially therethrough. The post-combustion lance includes a body extending between an upstream end and a downstream end of the lance, the body including upper and lower portions and a post-combustion distributor mounted therebetween. The lance also includes an internal support assembly for supporting the body, the internal support assembly including an internal tube positioned inside the body and at least partially engaged with the lower portion, and at least partially engaged with the upper portion of the body, so that the internal support assembly supports the body both upstream and downstream relative to the distributor. The lance also includes a lower o-ring gland positioned downstream relative to the internal support assembly and an upper o-ring gland positioned upstream relative to the lower o-ring gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: A.H. Tallman Bronze Company, Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. Strelbisky, Kerry J. Legeard, Goran Dimitrijevik
  • Patent number: 8920711
    Abstract: A lance for feeding an additive wire into a quantity of molten metal below the surface of the molten metal. The lance has an inlet end which receives additive wire and an outlet end which dispenses the additive wire. The lance has an exterior sleeve of cardboard which has an inner surface. A portion of the inner surface of the exterior sleeve contacts an interior sleeve made of a refractory material. At the inlet end of the lance is a cardboard inlet outer sleeve and a cardboard inlet inner sleeve inside of the outer sleeve. The lance can have a coupling for fitting to a wire feeding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Specialty Minerals (Michigan) Inc.
    Inventors: Dominick M. Colavito, Gregory J. Kennedy, Yu-Ming Liang
  • Publication number: 20140374969
    Abstract: Furnace for heat treating an annealing material, wherein the furnace comprises a sealable first furnace chamber designed to receiving and heat treating annealing material by thermal interaction of the annealing material with a heatable or coolable first annealing gas in the first furnace chamber, a first heat exchanger which is arranged in the first furnace chamber and which is designed for an exchange of heat between the first annealing gas and a transport fluid, wherein the first heat exchanger is arranged within a housing section of the first furnace chamber, which housing section confines the first annealing gas within the first furnace chamber, a sealable second furnace chamber which is designed for receiving and for heat treating annealing material by means of a thermal interaction of the annealing material with a heatable or coolable second annealing gas in the second furnace chamber, a second heat exchanger which is arranged in the second furnace chamber and which is designed for an exchange of heat b
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Ebner, Heribert Lochner
  • Publication number: 20140367898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling a heat-treated metallic part include a plurality of atomization nozzles disposed on a stage and radially disposed about the part to be cooled; and a fluid in fluid communication with the atomization nozzles. The fluid may gas, liquid, or a combination thereof, e.g., water and gas. During use, the atomization nozzles are generally configured to rapidly cool the thicker sections of the part relative to the thinner section since the thicker sections are generally slower to cool. In some embodiments, the stage can be configured to rotate about the part during cooling. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: David Hebert, Michael Friedman, Renee Sullivan, Mark Zurosky, Richard Clay
  • Patent number: 8911531
    Abstract: A hydrometallurgical plant for nickel laterite ore extraction having a plurality of treatment facility lines wherein the plant is capable of minimizing a decrease in throughput when line failure occurs and efficiently restoring normal operation status Each line of the treatment facility includes a pretreatment step, a leaching step, a solid-liquid separation step, a neutralization step, a zinc removal step, a sulfurization step and a detoxification step. The lines are coupled by pipelines, each having a valve, installed after the solid-liquid separation step for sending a liquid from the solid-liquid separation step to the neutralization step in each line and/or after the sulfurization step for sending a liquid from the sulfurization step to the detoxification step in each line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Nakai, Toru Kitazaki, Shinichi Heguri, Yoshitomo Ozaki, Keisuke Shibayama
  • Publication number: 20140353886
    Abstract: An apparatus and/or system and method for recycling vent gas from an autoclave is disclosed including cooling and cleaning a vent gas, introducing the cooled and cleaned resultant stream into a purification unit to remove at least a portion of the carbon dioxide and water vapor contained therein, and recycling the purified stream enriched in oxygen into the autoclave or another process requiring enriched oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Thayer, Jianguo Xu
  • Publication number: 20140339746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal deburring of workpieces, having at least one deburring chamber and one feeding device for introducing a fuel gas mixture into the deburring chamber. A supplementary gas supply is provided for at least the deburring chamber or for the feeding device such that the fuel gas mixture located at least in the deburring chamber or in the feeding device can be mixed at least partially with supplementary gas. Further, a method for the rapid ventilation of a device for the thermal deburring of workpieces is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Matt
  • Publication number: 20140332176
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for melting materials and for containing the molten materials within melt zone during melting. Exemplary apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Theodore A. Waniuk, Joseph Stevick, Sean O'Keeffe, Dermot J. Stratton, Joseph C. Poole, Matthew S. Scott, Christopher D. Prest
  • Publication number: 20140333015
    Abstract: A furnace for a heat treating of annealing stock, wherein the furnace comprises a closeable first furnace chamber which is designed for receiving and for heat treating of annealing stock by means of thermally interacting the annealing stock with a heatable or coolable first annealing gas in the first furnace chamber, and a removable first protective hood by means of which the first furnace chamber can be closed. Further, a first heat exchange device which is at least partially located in the interior of the first furnace chamber closed by means of the first protective hood is provided for heat exchanging with the first annealing gas within the first protective hood. The heat exchange device is arranged in such a manner relative to a first annealing gas ventilator for driving the annealing gas that, in each operating state of the furnace, the annealing gas driven by the first annealing gas ventilator blows against the heat exchange device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Ebner, Heribert Lochner
  • Publication number: 20140327192
    Abstract: A method for operating a blowing lance for blowing a gas in a metallurgical vessel, wherein the head of the blowing lance includes at least one supersonic nozzle, operating parameter measurement signals used for the purpose of process control are continuously acquired. The inlet pressure and/or the inlet temperature of the gas at the supersonic nozzle and/or the vibration amplitude and/or the vibration frequency of the blowing lance and/or the time at which ignition occurs during the oxygen blowing process and/or the location at which ignition occurs during the oxygen blowing process is detected and/or measured in the head of the lance by a detector or sensor arranged in the head of the lance near the supersonic nozzle during operation of the blowing lance. The measurement signal(s) are transmitted to a control unit connected to the detector or sensor and made available for controlling the operation of the blowing lance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pavlo GRYGOROV, Hans-Jürgen ODENTHAL, Jochen SCHLÜTER, Norbert UEBBER