Ronald E Gilbert

US Patent:

6709234, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Aug 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/944660

Inventors:

Ronald E. Gilbert - Spokane WA
Robert D. Dion - Spokane WA
Mark A. Palmer - Spokane WA
Kristopher M. Ratzlaff - Spokane WA
Roger Kauffman - Spokane WA
Charles Seale - Gulf Shores AL

Assignee:

Pyrotek, Inc. - Spokane WA

International Classification:

F04D 706

US Classification:

415200, 4152161, 4152171, 416244 R, 416241 B, 4174233, 4174236, 4174241, 464113, 464159, 403305, 403306, 403361, 403383

Abstract:

An impeller shaft assembly, coupler and molten metal pump are described, in which a coupling member is configured to be secured to a pump drive shaft and includes a socket part that is defined by a socket wall formed about and extending along an axis. The socket wall includes a plurality of coupling shaft engaging surfaces and a plurality of socket corner surfaces joining the shaft engaging surfaces. The socket corner surfaces are disposed radially outward from adjacent shaft engaging surfaces with respect to the axis.

US Patent:

6869271, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/284033

Inventors:

Ronald Gilbert - Liberty Lake WA, US
Mark Palmer - Spokane WA, US

Assignee:

Pyrotek, Inc. - Spokane WA

International Classification:

F04D007/06

US Classification:

416204R, 415200, 416244 R

Abstract:

A molten metal pump system which generally provides a refractory connection joint for connecting a refractory pump post to a pump base, the pump post including a refractory post with a first end, the first end including an internally threaded joint screw aperture; a refractory base with a post aperture configured to receive the first end of the refractory post, and with a screw aperture contiguous with the post aperture; and a joint screw with a first end and a second end, the joint screw including a threaded external surface and a retention shoulder, the joint screw configured to insert through the screw aperture in the refractory base with the threaded external surface engaging the internally threaded joint screw aperture of the refractory post, and the retention shoulder engaging the refractory base.

US Patent:

6869564, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/284032

Inventors:

Ronald E. Gilbert - Spokane WA, US
Mark A. Palmer - Spokane WA, US

Assignee:

Pyrotek, Inc. - Spokane WA

International Classification:

C21C005/42

US Classification:

266239, 415200, 417360

Abstract:

A molten metal pump system which generally provides a refractory connection joint for connecting a refractory pump post to a pump base, the pump post including a refractory post with a first end, the first end including an internal joint peg aperture; a refractory base with a post aperture configured to receive the first end of the refractory post, and with a peg aperture contiguous with the post aperture; and a joint peg with a first end and a second end, the joint peg including a retention shoulder, the joint peg configured to insert through the peg aperture in the refractory base with a retention bar or bolt inserted through an aperture in the joint peg of refractory post, and the retention shoulder engaging the refractory base.

US Patent:

6918741, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

Nov 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/298159

Inventors:

Ronald Gilbert - Liberty Lake WA, US
Mark Palmer - Spokane WA, US

Assignee:

Pyrotek, Inc. - Spokane WA

International Classification:

F04D007/06

US Classification:

415 90, 415206, 416181, 416182

Abstract:

An impeller system for use in a molten metal pump, the impeller system including a generally cylindrical outer wall with outlets therein, an impeller lid mounted on the impeller walls, the impeller lid including a plurality of inlets, with the shaft being mounted directly into a base, which is mounted relative to the outer wall. The impeller system has an open interior defined by the outer wall, the lid and the base, and the impeller shaft mounts directly into the base without the need for a collar or attachment to the impeller lid.

US Patent:

6977059, Dec 20, 2005

Filed:

Dec 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/310682

Inventors:

Ronald Gilbert - Liberty Lake WA, US
Mike Klepacki - Newtown CT, US

Assignee:

Pyrotek, Inc. - Spokane WA

International Classification:

C21C007/00

US Classification:

266239, 266235, 285 40

Abstract:

A molten metal pump shaft coupling system for use in the coupling or connection of elongated shafts to other components and equipment, and for the disconnection thereof. A coupling with internal discontinuous threads may be coupled with an externally threaded shaft, with either continuous or discontinuous threads. Aspects of the invention include multiple external threads which may be pitched to accomplish a quicker and more efficient disconnect system. Furthermore, a shaft removal system is provided which provides two points of contact to assist in rotating a broken shaft end out of a coupling.

US Patent:

7144217, Dec 5, 2006

Filed:

Oct 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/047198

Inventors:

Ronald E. Gilbert - Spokane WA, US
Mark A. Palmer - Spokane WA, US

Assignee:

Pyrotek, Inc. - Spokane WA

International Classification:

F04D 29/24
F04D 7/06

US Classification:

4151212, 415206, 416185, 416223 B, 416243

Abstract:

A molten metal pump system which includes a particle relief passageway between the vanes on the impeller and the pump base, the particle relief passageway being a predetermined size to allow particles of a predetermined size to pass between the plurality of vanes and the interior walls of the impeller aperture of the pump base. Part or all of the particle relief passageway may, but need not, be as a result of a shoulder on the radially outward end of the plurality of vanes in the inlet side of the impeller.

US Patent:

20030082052, May 1, 2003

Filed:

Oct 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/047197

Inventors:

Ronald Gilbert - Spokane WA, US
Mark Palmer - Spokane WA, US

International Classification:

F04D007/06

US Classification:

416/185000, 416/22300B, 415/200000

Abstract:

A molten metal pump and impeller system including an impeller body with a center portion with a shaft aperture therein, a plurality of vanes extending outward from the center portion, each vane including a radially inward end, a radially outward end, an input side, an output side, a leading surface, a trailing surface, a vane width between the leading surface and the trailing surface, and wherein the vane width is tapered from the input side to the output side. In another embodiment, the leading surface is convex notwithstanding whether the vane width is tapered.

US Patent:

51433575, Sep 1, 1992

Filed:

Nov 19, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/614914

Inventors:

Ronald E. Gilbert - Chardon OH
George S. Mordue - Ravenna OH

Assignee:

The Carborundum Company - Niagara Falls NY

International Classification:

C21C 700

US Classification:

266235

Abstract:

Metal particles are melted by mixing them with molten metal contained in a bath. A shaft-supported, rotatable impeller is immersed into the molten metal and rotated so as to establish a vortex-like flow of molten metal. Metal particles are deposited onto the surface of the molten metal in the vicinity of the rotating impeller. The particles are submerged substantially immediately after being deposited onto the surface of the molten metal. The impeller includes a thin rectangular prism having sharp-edged corners and vanes that extend upwardly from the prism. The impeller also can be used to disperse gas into the molten metal by pumping the gas through a bore extending the length of the shaft and out of the impeller along the lower surface of the impeller. The gas is sheared into finely divided bubbles as it rises along the sides of the impeller.