Richard Lee Schaefer

US Patent:

39964124, Dec 7, 1976

Filed:

Jan 17, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/541883

Inventors:

Carl W. D. Schaefer - Dayton OH
Richard L. Schaefer - Dayton OH
Gordon F. Kennedy - Miamisburg OH

Assignee:

Frank W. Schaefer, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

H05B 300

US Classification:

13 20

Abstract:

An electrically energized aluminum melting furnace comprises a vessel for supporting molten aluminum and a roof and upper wall structure cooperating with side walls of the vessel to define a heating chamber above the molten aluminum. A plurality of unshielded resistance heating elements are supported by the roof and upper wall structure above the molten aluminum. The molten aluminum has access through a submerged opening to a charging well to which unmelted aluminum is periodically charged without danger that molten aluminum will splash upon the heating elements. Heat conducted from the heating chamber through the body of molten aluminum residing in the vessel is utilized to melt in the charging well the aluminum charged thereto. The melted aluminum in the charging well is permitted to flow through the heating chamber and through a submerged opening to a hot metal well from which hot metal may be withdrawn by any of numerous techniques. The heating chamber is so arranged that an oxide skin is preserved at the surface of the molten aluminum residing within the heating chamber, the oxide skin effecting an efficient transfer of radiant energy received from the resistance heating elements to the molten aluminum.

US Patent:

57250430, Mar 10, 1998

Filed:

Sep 17, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/710410

Inventors:

Richard L. Schaefer - Dayton OH
Carl W. D. Schaefer - Dayton OH
James M. Williamson - Dayton OH
Norman L. Miller - Huber Heights OH

Assignee:

Frank W. Schaefer, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B22D 1804

US Classification:

164119

Abstract:

Molten metal is delivered from a master furnace to the molten metal holding chamber of a low pressure casting machine by a launder assembly having a unitary, quickly replaceable, valve assembly including a valve which, when closed, prevents flow of the molten metal from the master furnace to the holding vessel. The valve has a plug mounted for rotation in a valve body which may be made from graphite. In a modification, the valve has a port centered in a valve plate and a movable plug which may be made from aluminum titanate. In operation, the valve is opened to permit the molten metal within the master furnace and the holding vessel to seek a substantially uniform level and closed when the low pressure casting process is initiated. While the valve is closed, a pressurizing gas is introduced into the holding vessel above the level of the molten metal therein so that molten metal will rise up a riser tube into the cavity of a mold or other molten metal-receiving member. After the cavity is filled and before the next molding operation is begun, the pressurizing gas is exhausted so the pressure above the molten metal in the holding vessel is lowered to or near to atmospheric pressure and the valve opened so that the molten metal in the holding vessel and the master furnace again begins to seek a substantially uniform level.

US Patent:

40278620, Jun 7, 1977

Filed:

Dec 19, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/642243

Inventors:

Carl W. D. Schaefer - Dayton OH
Richard L. Schaefer - Dayton OH
Gordon F. Kennedy - Miamisburg OH

Assignee:

Frank W. Schaefer Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

C21B 1100

US Classification:

266160

Abstract:

The upper structure of an aluminum melting furnace is constructed with supporting structure for a fossil fuel burner and supporting structure for electrically operated heating elements. The furnace may thus be operated with alternate heating systems, one system using fossil fuel and the other electricity.

US Patent:

61521590, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Jan 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/783227

Inventors:

Norman L. Miller - Huber Heights OH
Richard L. Schaefer - Dayton OH

Assignee:

Frank W. Schaefer, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

F16L 700

US Classification:

137 15

Abstract:

A plunger-style valve assembly for use in a launder system of a machine for casting parts made from molten aluminum or other metal comprises a valve body having a longitudinally-extending inlet passageway and a longitudinally-extending outlet passageway which communicate with one another through a valve port centered about a vertical axis. A raised circular valve seat defines the valve port, and a vertically-movable valve element is aligned with the valve port and the valve seat. The valve element has a resilient, heat-resistant sealing member secured to the lower end thereof. The valve element can be raised or lowered so that the resilient sealing member moves into and out of engagement with the raised valve seat, thereby controlling the flow of molten aluminum from the valve body inlet passageway to the valve body outlet passageway through the valve port.

US Patent:

55906818, Jan 7, 1997

Filed:

Jun 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/263240

Inventors:

Richard L. Schaefer - Dayton OH
Carl W. D. Schaefer - Dayton OH
James M. Williamson - Dayton OH
Norman L. Miller - Huber Heights OH

Assignee:

Frank W. Schaefer, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

F16L 700

US Classification:

137375

Abstract:

Molten metal is delivered from a master furnace to the molten metal holding chamber of a low pressure casting machine by a launder assembly having a unitary, quickly replaceable, valve assembly including a valve which, when closed, prevents flow of the molten metal from the master furnace to the holding vessel. The valve has a plug mounted for rotation in a valve body which may be made from graphite. In a modification, the valve has a port centered in a valve plate and a movable plug which may be made from aluminum titanate. In operation, the valve is opened to permit the molten metal within the master furnace and the holding vessel to seek a substantially uniform level and closed when the low pressure casting process is initiated. While the valve is closed, a pressurizing gas is introduced into the holding vessel above the level of the molten metal therein so that molten metal will rise up a riser tube into the cavity of a mold or other molten metal-receiving member. After the cavity is filled and before the next molding operation is begun, the pressurizing gas is exhausted so the pressure above the molten metal in the holding vessel is lowered to or near to atmospheric pressure and the valve opened so that the molten metal in the holding vessel and the master furnace again begins to seek a substantially uniform level.