David D Sheldon

US Patent:

63021587, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

Jun 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/593331

Inventors:

David Samuel Sheldon - Homewood AL

Assignee:

Vulcan Engineering Company, Inc. - Helena AL

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141 1

Abstract:

A sand level sensing and distribution apparatus for monitoring and controlling the quantity of sand distributed from a batch hopper into a mold flask includes a sensor assembly connected to a level actuating assembly via a carriage assembly. A window is mounted within one wall of the batch hopper such that the sensor assembly may be used to monitor the level of sand within the batch hopper. The level actuating assembly is proximate the batch hopper, and the sensor assembly is therefore proximately positioned by said window. A control unit is included to receive the monitored signal from the sensor assembly, and, using such information, to control the operation of the level actuating assembly in positioning the sensor assembly to distribute the desired amount of sand into the mold flask. Moreover, a sand gate assembly is mounted subjacent the batch hopper, and the control unit also operates to control when the sand gate assembly is in an open position to distribute sand from the batch hopper into the mold flask.

US Patent:

61791717, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Jun 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/326369

Inventors:

Gregory L. Ferguson - Cottondale AL
David S. Sheldon - Homewood AL

Assignee:

Vulcan Engineering Company - Helena AL

International Classification:

B22C 1510

US Classification:

222502

Abstract:

An apparatus for promoting uniform sand distribution into a mold flask in a foundry process, comprising a fixed distribution plate mounted subjacent a hopper and a slide distribution plate slidably mounted subjacent the fixed plate, wherein the slide plate has a repeating series of apertures therethrough with each aperture series corresponding to one aperture through the fixed plate. Each aperture series comprises a plurality of apertures having different diameters wherein the largest aperture diameter is substantially equal to the uniform aperture diameter through the fixed plate. Accordingly, the slide plate is movable between a plurality of open positions such that as different flow rates are desired through the distribution plates, the appropriate sized apertures through the slide plate are fully aligned with the apertures through the fixed plate. In an alternate embodiment, the sand distribution apparatus comprises a fixed distribution plate mounted subjacent a hopper, a first slide distribution plate slidably mounted subjacent the fixed plate, and a second slide distribution plate slidably mounted subjacent the first slide plate, such that the apertures through the distribution plates can be aligned to form a plurality of zigzag channels through which sand can flow at a reduced flow rate from the hopper into the mold flask. The present invention substantially reduces or eliminates skewed sand flow and substantially eliminates offset sand flow encountered in the prior art sand distribution apparatus having only a single slide plate when the apertures through the fixed and slide plates are partially overlapped for reduced sand flow.

US Patent:

63184478, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

Apr 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/544585

Inventors:

David Samuel Sheldon - Helena AL

International Classification:

B22C 512

US Classification:

164192

Abstract:

An apparatus for promoting desired sand distribution into a mold flask in a foundry process, comprising a proximal distribution plate mounted subjacent a hopper, a distal distribution plate slidably mounted subjacent the proximal distribution plate, and a masking plate assembly mounted subjacent to the distal distribution plate. The proximal distribution plate includes a series of primary apertures, while the distal distribution plate includes a series of repeating secondary apertures therethrough, with each series of secondary apertures corresponding to one primary aperture. The masking plate assembly includes a masking plate having a series of masking plate bores traversing therethrough, with each masking plate bore corresponding to each secondary aperture. Each masking plate bore includes a principal diameter extending through the masking plate, with the principal diameter determining the flow rate of sand through the masking plate.