Daniel D Minor

US Patent:

6425435, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Jul 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/362150

Inventors:

Robert L. Macheske - Tawas City MI
Kenneth D. McKibben - Defiance OH
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI
Rick A. Van Horn - Hale MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz Equipment Engineering, Inc. - Au Gres MI

International Classification:

B22D 502

US Classification:

164326, 164130, 164322, 164325

Abstract:

A modular casting system includes a plurality of casting modules and, is provided with on-board systems such as a lubrication system, cooling system, etc. , which operate independently from similar systems on other modules of the system. Each of the casting modules is connected by quick disconnect connections to a centrally disposed source of fluid pressure and electrical power and a control unit for controlling each of the modules independently. Each of the modules is readily removable from the system and replaced with a new module of a different type or with a different mold. Each of the modules is preferably provided with a filter removal unit which is operative to raise of the filter during the cooling operation and facilitates removal of the filter upon completion of the pouring operation. The casting modules are provided with a tilting launder tray which facilitates laundering of the mold after a casting operation. The upper platen of a casting module is provided with a swinging cope which is movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position to facilitate cleaning of the cope.

US Patent:

6502672, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Dec 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751306

Inventors:

Kenneth D. McKibben - Defiance OH
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI
William W. Seaton - Dexter MI
Alan P. Gould - Tawas City MI
Robert L. Macheske - Tawas City MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

F16D 5100

US Classification:

188 77W, 188 77 R

Abstract:

This invention relates to a brake system adapted for use with a rotary turntable. The brake system includes a braking member secured to the rotary turntable, at least one brake band, and an actuator operatively connected to the brake band for selectively moving the brake band between a braking position and a non-braking position. The braking member has a generally annular shape and includes a generally annular outer braking surface. The brake band has a generally annular shape and includes a generally annular outer friction surface disposed adjacent the annular outer braking surface of the braking member. The brake band is movable between a first non-braking position, wherein the friction surface of the brake band is spaced apart from the braking surface of the braking member, and a second braking position, wherein the friction surface of the brake band contacts at least a portion of the braking surface of the braking member. The brake band includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the brake band is secured to a stationary anchor member.

US Patent:

6505671, Jan 14, 2003

Filed:

Dec 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751470

Inventors:

Kenneth D. McKibben - Defiance OH
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI
Alan P. Gould - Tawas City MI
Mark Salgat - Pinconning MI
Diane Zekind - Farmington Hills MI
Karl D. Voss - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

B22C 912

US Classification:

164 12, 164 16, 164520, 106 382

Abstract:

A method for producing a sand core includes the following steps: (a) providing a casting mold having a mold cavity, the casting mold including at least one first conduit and at least one second conduit; (b) providing a sand core disposed in the mold cavity; (c) providing a supply of conditioning gas to the casting mold, the conditioning gas being supplied to the casting mold through at least one of the first and second conduits; (d) providing a controller connected to the first conduit and the second conduit to selectively control the supply of conditioning gas; (e) providing a gas exhaust unit operatively connected to the casting mold; (f) operating the gas exhaust unit to cause the conditioning gas to be moved through the sand core; and (g) removing the sand core from the casting mold.

US Patent:

6581673, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/753235

Inventors:

Kenneth D. McKibben - Defiance OH
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI
Robert L. Macheske - Tawas City MI
David B. Good - Chelsea MI
Thomas J. Rozich - Au Gres MI
Mark Salgat - Pinconning MI
Brandon Schnettler - Au Gres MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

B22D 4600

US Classification:

164457, 1641552, 1641555, 1641556, 164133

Abstract:

A method for producing a cast article comprising the steps of: (a)providing a casting apparatus having a mold, a casting chamber containing a molten metal under pressure and a fluid under pressure, the casting apparatus having a first supply port for supplying the molten metal to the casting chamber and a second supply port for supplying the fluid to the casting chamber; (b) supplying the molten metal to the first supply port; (c) supplying the fluid to the second supply port; (d) determining the amount of the molten metal in the casting chamber as a variable V ; (e) determining the amount of the fluid in the casting chamber as a variable V ; (f) determining the amount of humidity in the casting chamber as a variable V ; (g) determining the amount of the fluid entering the casting chamber as a variable V ; (h) determining the pressure of the fluid in the casting chamber as a variable V ; (i) determining the amount of the molten metal needed to produce a cast article in the mold as a variable V ; (j) determining the change in the pressure of the molten metal in the mold as a variable V ; (k) sensing the position of the molten metal with respect to the mold as a variable V ; (l) providing a control panel, wherein the control panel receives a signal representative of the variables V V ; and (m) adjusting the supply of one or both of the molten metal or the fluid in response to at least one of the signal representative of the variables V V.

US Patent:

6627146, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Dec 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751326

Inventors:

Kenneth D. McKibben - Defiance OH
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI
William W. Seaton - Dexter MI
Khushal Wardak - Whitehall MI
Miroslav Jaksic - Brighton MI
Diane Zekind - Farmington Hills MI
Karl D. Voss - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

C21C 548

US Classification:

266271, 266239

Abstract:

This invention relates to a casting machine furnace apparatus including a casting machine furnace, a supply furnace in fluid communication with the machine furnace and operative to supply a molten metal to the machine furnace, and a stopper module device disposed in a fluid path between the casting machine furnace and the supply furnace. The stopper module device includes a block housing and a stopper assembly. The block housing includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and is disposed in the fluid path. The stopper assembly is supported for movement relative to the inlet opening of the block housing between a working position, wherein the molten metal flows from the supply furnace to the casting machine furnace, and a non-working position, wherein the flow of molten metal is prevented.

US Patent:

6637498, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Nov 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/003142

Inventors:

Robert L. Macheske - Tawas City MI
Alan P. Gould - Tawas City MI
Thomas J. H. Rozich - Au Gres MI
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI
Kenneth D. McKibben - Defiance OH

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International - Northville MI

International Classification:

B22D 500

US Classification:

164322, 164323, 164325, 164326, 164342, 164343, 164341

Abstract:

A permanent mold casting system has a modularized architecture and remote placement of certain portions of the casting system. The casting system has a frame and a casting module supported on the frame is adapted to receive a plurality of molds for casting articles from a fill material according to a casting process. The casting module includes first motive actuators for moving at least portions of the molds during the casting process. An accessories module is supported on the frame and comprises at least one accessory device and second motive actuators for selectably positioning the accessory device in relation to the casting module. A utility module is located remotely from the frame and comprises motive power supplies coupled to the first and second actuators. The utility module also comprises a programmable controller coupled to the motive power supplies for controlling the casting process.

US Patent:

6644640, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Jan 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/060703

Inventors:

Aaron Thomas Russick - Charlotte NC
Steven Mark Sunday - Rothbury MI
Larry Richard Erdman - Montague MI
Jeffrey Boyd Grimshaw - Montague MI
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

B23Q 108

US Classification:

269309

Abstract:

A flexible manufacturing line and manufacturing process employs an overhead gantry system to transfer fixtured workpieces between machining stations served by the gantry system. The manufacturing system includes a fixturing system including a transfer unit specially configured for quick connection and quick disconnection from a machining table. An accurate placement of the transfer unit is achieved using a combination of locating features.

US Patent:

6648058, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/166930

Inventors:

Robert L. Macheske - Tawas City MI 48763
Kenneth D. McKibben - Defiance OH 43512
Daniel D. Minor - Cadillac MI 49601
Rick A. Van Horn - Hale MI 48739

International Classification:

B22D 3300

US Classification:

164339, 164358, 164134

Abstract:

A modular casting system includes a plurality of casting modules and, is provided with on-board systems such as a lubrication system, cooling system, etc. , which operate independently from similar systems on other modules of the system. Each of the casting modules is connected by quick disconnect connections to a centrally disposed source of fluid pressure and electrical power and a control unit for controlling each of the modules independently. Each of the modules is readily removable from the system and replaced with a new module of a different type or with a different mold. Each of the modules is preferably provided with a filter removal unit which is operative to raise the filter during the cooling operation and facilitates removal of the filter upon completion of the pouring operation. The upper platen of a casting module is provided with a swinging cope which is movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position to facilitate cleaning of the cope. The lower platen is preferably provided with a pneumatic hydraulic cylinder arrangement including a mechanism for raising the casting from the drag.