Lawrence M Graham

US Patent:

6443213, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

May 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/569906

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH
Brad L. Rauguth - North Canton OH

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B22D 2700

US Classification:

1641221, 164125, 1643381, 164 41

Abstract:

An apparatus for use in casting a metal article includes a furnace assembly into which a mold is raised and a fluidized bed adjacent to the furnace assembly. The mold is filled with molten metal and lowered into the fluidized bed. The molten metal is solidified in the mold as it is lowered into the fluidized bed. The mold and fluidized bed are then lowered. The mold may be supported on a grid or support member having openings through which gas and particulate in the fluidized bed can flow. A stirrer member may be moved in the fluidized bed to promote uniform distribution of particulate in the flow of gas. Gas may be conducted from the support member for the mold into a container which holds the fluidized bed. Gas at different pressures may be conducted into the fluidized bed at different locations in the fluidized bed. The mold may have a central portion which engages a support member and a peripheral portion, in which article mold cavities are disposed, the peripheral portion of the mold being spaced from the support member to facilitate total immersion of the peripheral portion of the mold in the fluidized bed.

US Patent:

6651728, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188794

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B22D 2704

US Classification:

1641221, 1641222, 1643381

Abstract:

A method of casting metal articles includes providing an array of article molds. The article molds are filled with molten metal. The molten metal is solidified in the article molds. During solidification of the molten metal, a plurality of solidification control elements function as heat sinks and radiation baffles. The solidification control elements are disposed between the article molds as the molten metal solidifies.

US Patent:

6695034, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/308578

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B22D 2704

US Classification:

1641221, 164125, 164 41

Abstract:

The fluidized bed is formed of particulate material suspended in a flow of gas. A flow of particulate suspended in gas is conducted between a lower end portion of the fluidized bed and an upper end portion of the fluidized bed to cool the upper end portion of the fluidized bed. The flow of particulate suspended in gas may be conducted from a lower end portion of the fluidized bed to an upper end portion of a fluidized bed. Alternatively, the flow of particulate suspended in gas may be conducted from the upper end portion of the fluidized bed to the lower end portion of the fluidized bed. If desired, the flow of particulate suspended in gas may be conducted to the upper end portion of the fluidized bed from a location spaced from the fluidized bed.

US Patent:

6698493, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Jul 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/201216

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B22D 2704

US Classification:

1641221, 1641222, 1643381

Abstract:

As a mold containing molten metal is lowered from a heating chamber, a baffle extends around the mold. Force is transmitted from the mold to an inner section of the baffle to release connectors between the inner section of the baffle and an outer section of the baffle. As the connectors are released, a side surface on the inner section of the baffle moves out of the coplanar relationship with a side surface on the outer section of the baffle. The baffle may be integrally formed as one-piece. Rather than being formed as one-piece, the baffle may include separate pieces which form the inner and outer sections of the baffle. Alternatively, the inner section of the baffle may be disposed above and supported by the outer section of the baffle. Latches may be provided to interconnect the outer section of the baffle and the furnace assembly.

US Patent:

6827124, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282735

Inventors:

Robert M. Garlock - Chardon OH
Gary J. Vanek - Chardon OH
Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B22D 2704

US Classification:

1641221, 1641222

Abstract:

A baffle includes a base and a seal having flexible segments which engage a mold structure. The base of the baffle may have a noncircular opening in which article mold portions of the mold structure are disposed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly before a mold is moved into the furnace assembly or may be connected with the furnace assembly as the mold is moved into the furnace assembly. A projection connected with the mold structure may be utilized to orient the baffle relative to the mold structure. The projection may be a thermocouple assembly which extends from the chill plate. Alternatively, the projection may be a portion of the mold structure itself.

US Patent:

6889747, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Mar 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/379168

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH, US

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B22D027/04

US Classification:

1641221, 1641222, 1643381

Abstract:

An apparatus for use in casting a metal article includes a furnace assembly and a container which holds a fluidized bed. A mold support is movable relative to the furnace assembly to move a mold from the furnace assembly into the fluidized bed. A bame is disposed between the fluidized bed and at least a portion of the furnace assembly. The baffle may have a plurality of secondary openings which enable particulate to move from an upper side of the baffle into the fluidized bed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly, the container which holds the fluidized bed, or floated on the fluidized bed itself. The baffle may be provided with flexible segments which engage the mold and at least partially block movement of particulate through a central opening in the baffle during withdrawal of the mold from the furnace assembly.

US Patent:

7448428, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Oct 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/250199

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH, US
Scott T. Hill - Mentor OH, US

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Beachwood OH

International Classification:

B22D 27/04

US Classification:

1641221, 164124, 1643381

Abstract:

A Method of casting includes providing a mold having one or more article mold cavities. The mold is moved into a furnace. While the mold is in the furnace, the mold is filled with molten metal. After the mold has been removed from the furnace, a heater is positioned adjacent to the mold and heat is transmitted from the heater to the mold. The heater may include electrically energizable resistance type heating elements, or a source of radiant energy or a gas burner.

US Patent:

7849910, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Jun 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/137971

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Graham - Chagrin Falls OH, US

Assignee:

PCC Airfoils, Inc. - Beachwood OH

International Classification:

B22D 27/04
B22D 5/02

US Classification:

164128, 164130, 164325, 164326

Abstract:

A plurality of molds are disposed on a rotatable base. The base is rotated to move each of the molds in turn through a pouring station to an article removing station and back to the pouring station. A molten nickel chrome super alloy is poured into each of the molds in turn at the pouring station. The molds are cooled by a flow of cooling fluid. The nickel chrome super alloy articles are removed from the molds at the article removal station. The base may be continuously or intermittently rotated relative to the pouring station. Molten metal may be continuously or intermittently poured at the pouring station.