Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100158236 | System and Methods for Tracking Unresolved Customer Involvement with a Service Organization and Automatically Formulating a Dynamic Service Solution - A system for managing customer involvement with a contact center involves one or more monitoring applications executing on one or more computerized servers associated with the contact center, the applications monitoring communications between individual customers and the center; and a rules engine executing on the one or more computerized servers, the rules engine accessible to the monitoring application, the rules engine enabled to generate and implement business rules. Upon detection by one of the monitoring applications of an instance of unsuccessful or incomplete interaction between a customer and the contact center, session data determined during monitoring is used by the rules engine to determine contact center-initiated activity to be implemented to establish new communication with the customer to resolve issues related to the unsuccessful or incomplete interaction. | 06-24-2010 |
20140269258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING RESOURCE FAILURE IN A HYBRID CONTACT CENTER OPERATIONS ENVIRONMENT - A system for providing failover capabilities in a hybrid operations environment including a first operations environment and a second operations environment includes a first controller in a first operations environment configured to receive registration information for an agent device, and a second controller in a second operations environment configured to receive the registration information from the first controller. The first controller is a stand-by controller and the second controller is a primary controller. In response to determining that the second controller is not available for routing an inbound call, a media gateway is configured to transmit a request to the first controller in the first operations environment for routing the call to the agent device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270119 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTACT CENTER SERVICES IN A HYBRID OPERATIONS ENVIRONMENT - A system and method for providing contact center services in a hybrid operations environment. A first controller in a first operations environment is configured to receive a first message for establishing a media session, and transmit a request for media service. A media controller in a second operations environment is configured to provide media to a target device during the media session in response to the request; receive during the media session a second message from the first controller; and control the media based on the second message from the first controller. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270142 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY SELECTING A DIAL PLAN - As system and method for dynamically selecting a dial plan includes a processor that detects a new telephony call placed by a contact center agent in a first operations environment. The processor automatically identifies a state of the contact center agent without the agent having to expressly enter digits into a telephony device. The state may identify whether the agent is logged in, a work state of the agent, and/or whether the agent is handling a call. The processor selects a dial plan based on the determined state, and transmits a message for routing the call based on the selected dial plan. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277598 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALING AND MEDIA FROM A HYBRID CONTACT CENTER OPERATIONS ENVIRONMENT - A system and method for providing contact center services in a hybrid operations environment including a first operations environment and a second operations environment. A controller in the first operations environment receives information on a call involving an end user device. A first media service is provided during a first portion of the call, and second media service is provided during a second portion of the call. The providing of the first media service includes transmitting by the controller a request for the first media service to a first media resource in the second operations environment. The first media resource transmits first media to the end user device in response. The providing of the second media service includes transmitting by the controller a request for the second media service to a second media resource in the first operations environment. The second media resource transmits second media to the end user device in response. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280720 | HYBRID CLOUD ARCHITECTURE WITH OPTIMIZED LOCAL DELIVERY - A system and method for optimized rendering of contact center services in a hybrid operations environment. A processor in a first operations environment receives a message transmitted by a first contact center resource relating to a contact center service. The message is forwarded to the processor by an edge device coupled to a second operations environment different from the first operations environment. The edge device is configured to hide from the message identification of a location of the contact center resource. Despite such hiding, the processor identifies the location of the first contact center resource based on identification information that the processor retrieves from the message. The processor selects a second contact center resource based on the identified location of the first contact center resource for providing the contact center service. | 09-18-2014 |
20140341369 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR TRACKING UNRESOLVED CUSTOMER INVOLVEMENT WITH A SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND AUTOMATICALLY FORMULATING A DYNAMIC SERVICE SOLUTION - A system for managing customer involvement with a contact center involves one or more monitoring applications executing on one or more computerized servers associated with the contact center, the applications monitoring communications between individual customers and the center; and a rules engine executing on the one or more computerized servers, the rules engine accessible to the monitoring application, the rules engine enabled to generate and implement business rules. Upon detection by one of the monitoring applications of an instance of unsuccessful or incomplete interaction between a customer and the contact center, session data determined during monitoring is used by the rules engine to determine contact center-initiated activity to be implemented to establish new communication with the customer to resolve issues related to the unsuccessful or incomplete interaction. | 11-20-2014 |
20150271249 | LOCAL SURVIVABILITY IN A DISTRIBUTED CONTACT CENTER ENVIRONMENT - A system and method for local survivability in a distributed contact center environment has a first processor in a first contact center node receiving a first request for interaction. The first processor transmits a first message to a second contact center node in response to the request for interaction. The first message is configured to invoke a first resource associated with the second contact center node for handling the interaction via the first resource. The first processor monitors connection with the second contact center node. The first processor receives a second request for interaction, and further determines lack of connection with the second contact center node. In response to determining lack of connection with the second contact center node, the first processor refrains from transmitting a second message to the second contact center node. According to one embodiment, the second message is for invoking a second resource associated with the second contact center node for handling the interaction via the second resource. | 09-24-2015 |
20150271331 | RESOURCE SHARING IN A PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK OF CONTACT CENTER NODES - A system and method for local survivability in a distributed contact center environment has a first processor in a first contact center node receiving a first request for interaction. The first processor transmits a first message to a second contact center node in response to the request for interaction. The first message is configured to invoke a first resource associated with the second contact center node for handling the interaction via the first resource. The first processor monitors connection with the second contact center node. The first processor receives a second request for interaction, and further determines lack of connection with the second contact center node. In response to determining lack of connection with the second contact center node, the first processor refrains from transmitting a second message to the second contact center node. According to one embodiment, the second message is for invoking a second resource associated with the second contact center node for handling the interaction via the second resource. | 09-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120100440 | MULTI-LAYERED, CHEMICALLY BONDED LITHIUM-ION AND LITHIUM/AIR BATTERIES - Disclosed are multilayer, porous, thin-layered lithium-ion batteries that include an inorganic separator as a thin layer that is chemically bonded to surfaces of positive and negative electrode layers. Thus, in such disclosed lithium-ion batteries, the electrodes and separator are made to form non-discrete (i.e., integral) thin layers. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating integrally connected, thin, multilayer lithium batteries including lithium-ion and lithium/air batteries. | 04-26-2012 |
20120181733 | LOW CARBON COATINGS AND SLIPS FOR MEMBRANE DEPOSITION - A metal powder slip composition includes a metal powder, a polycarbonate binder, and a liquid carrier. The slip composition can be debound after slip casting without generating residual carbon. The slip composition can be formed into a porous metal layer on a porous substrate object, the porous metal layer having low residual carbon content, without requiring a step of removing residual carbon. A corresponding method of making a porous metal layer is also provided. | 07-19-2012 |
20120240563 | RECLAMATION OF POTABLE WATER FROM MIXED GAS STREAMS - An apparatus for separating a liquid from a mixed gas stream can include a wall, a mixed gas stream passageway, and a liquid collection assembly. The wall can include a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of capillary condensation pores. The capillary condensation pores extend through the wall, and have a first opening on the first surface of the wall, and a second opening on the second surface of the wall. The pore size of the pores can be between about 2 nm to about 100 nm. The mixed gas stream passageway can be in fluid communication with the first opening. The liquid collection assembly can collect liquid from the plurality of pores. | 09-27-2012 |
20130276632 | RECLAMATION OF POTABLE WATER FROM MIXED GAS STREAMS - An apparatus for separating a liquid from a mixed gas stream can include a wall, a mixed gas stream passageway, and a liquid collection assembly. The wall can include a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of capillary condensation pores. The capillary condensation pores extend through the wall, and have a first opening on the first surface of the wall, and a second opening on the second surface of the wall. The pore size of the pores can be between about 2 nm to about 100 nm. The mixed gas stream passageway can be in fluid communication with the first opening. The liquid collection assembly can collect liquid from the plurality of pores. | 10-24-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080246738 | System and Method for Projecting Control Graphics - Systems and methods for projecting graphics onto a surface are provided. According to exemplary embodiments, systems and methods for projecting control graphics onto a surface that includes control functionality are provided. The surface may take the form of a control panel, touch panel or the like. The control panel is typically operatively connected to various components and/or systems, and is typically adapted to control various operations and/or functionalities. The control graphics are generally projected onto the surface, e.g., the control panel or touch panel, in response to a stimulus, e.g., user interaction. In exemplary embodiments, the stimulus/user interaction may take the form of voice command, user proximity (e.g., to a sensor), or the like. Graphic projection onto the surface may vary in intensity (e.g., over a range of dim to bright), and may be undetectable (e.g., non-existent) in the absence of the requisite stimulus. In further exemplary embodiments, information (e.g., programming reminders) or images (e.g., decorative images) may be projected onto the surface in place of control graphics, e.g., in the absence of the requisite stimulus. | 10-09-2008 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100071777 | Methods and Apparatuses for Dispensing Fluids - A fluid dispensing system can be used with a container comprising at least one camming surface. In various embodiments, the fluid dispensing system can have a housing which can accept at least a portion of the container in a fixed orientation and a track which can be engaged with the housing. In at least one embodiment, the housing can be slidably movable along the track at least between a first position and a second position. In various embodiments, the fluid dispensing system can have a tube which can be engaged with at least a portion of the container to withdraw fluid therefrom when the housing is in the second position and can also have a fluid system in fluid communication with the tube. | 03-25-2010 |
20100282785 | FABRIC TREATING SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES - A fabric treating system comprises an enclosure comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a fabric receiving space defined by the enclosure. The fabric treating system also comprises a support member positioned proximate to the first wall. The support member is configured to support one of a hanger configured to support a piece of fabric and the piece of fabric within the fabric receiving space. The fabric treating system also comprises a fabric tensioning system positioned at least on the second wall. The fabric tensioning system comprises at least a first fabric grasper configured to be attached to at least a first portion of the piece of fabric to apply tension to the piece of fabric. | 11-11-2010 |
20100299954 | Fabric Refreshing Cabinet Device - A device for refreshing fabrics by reducing malodors and/or wrinkles without requiring that the fabrics to be put through an entire standard laundry process. The device comprises an extractable drawer which is pulled out of the device to allow for loading of a fabric into a receiving region. The extractable drawer can then be closed transporting the fabric into the interior of the device. A fabric treatment composition is sprayed or otherwise dispensed onto the fabrics when the device is operated. The device comprises an air flow path and a heating element which allows for the fabrics to be treated during use. The extractable drawer of the present invention can be positioned to extract laterally or vertically out of the shell of the device. | 12-02-2010 |
20120000809 | APPARATUS FOR TREATING A STAIN IN CLOTHING - A package for treating a stained fabric. The package has a contact substrate having a first color and a backing layer having a second color. More than about 25% of each of the widthwise edges of the contact substrate abuts a portion of the backing layer having the second color when the package is in a generally flat position. | 01-05-2012 |
20120000814 | CONTAINER FOR A FABRIC STAIN TREATMENT DEVICE - A container having a layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposing the interior surface; and a window in the layer, the window revealing at least a portion of a fabric stain treatment device operatively related with the container, the fabric stain treatment device having a fluid pervious contact substrate, wherein at least a portion of the contact substrate is visible through the window; wherein the fabric stain treatment device comprises a backing layer having a first side opposing a second side and a pouch layer joined with the second side of the backing layer thereby forming a pouch containing a stain treatment fluid having a surfactant; wherein the fluid pervious contact substrate is joined to the first side of the backing layer. | 01-05-2012 |
20130000781 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS - A liquid dispensing system for an appliance may generally comprise a housing comprising a compartment for receiving a cartridge comprising a unit dose, a door slidably connected to the housing movable between an open position, a first actuated position, a second actuated position, and a closed position, a first cutting member connected to the compartment for rupturing a first portion of the cartridge when the door is in the first actuated position, a second cutting member connected to the compartment for rupturing a second portion of the cartridge when the door is in the second actuated position, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the compartment configured to establish a gravity flow from the compartment to the reservoir. Methods of making and using the liquid dispensing system are also described. | 01-03-2013 |
20130175515 | LIGHT EMITTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175516 | LIGHT EMITTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175556 | LIGHT EMITTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175557 | LIGHT EMITTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided. | 07-11-2013 |
20130176750 | LIGHT EMITTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided. | 07-11-2013 |
20140049164 | INTELLIGENT LIGHT BULB BASE - A light bulb base includes a power source interface configured to couple the light bulb base to a light bulb socket. It also includes a bulb-coupling interface configured to removably couple the light bulb base to a bulb assembly. A user interface mechanism is also included in the light bulb base, and is operable to control a function of the bulb assembly or the base when the base is coupled to the bulb assembly. The light bulb base may also include a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote control source and/or a controller configured to perform the function. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049963 | LIGHT BULB WITH LOOP ILLUMINATION ELEMENT - A lighting assembly, and a replaceable lighting element for use with such an assembly, includes a first illumination element comprising a flexible, planar, illuminating material. The lighting assembly also includes a base operable to couple the first illumination element to a socket and an interface physically and electrically coupling the first illumination element to the base. The replaceable lighting element includes an interface configured to removably couple the lighting element to a base both physically and electrically. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049971 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MODULAR FUNCTIONALITY IN A LIGHTING ASSEMBLY - A lighting assembly includes a base assembly configured to fit into a conventional light bulb socket. A separate bulb assembly is configured to interface with the base assembly, making the bulb and base assemblies selectively separable from one another. In some instances, a module configured to be connected to the base assembly provides a convenient means for adding or supplementing functionality to the lighting assembly. At least in some cases, the module is configured to take the place of the bulb assembly on the base assembly, and is configured to provide a separate interface to which the bulb assembly is coupled, such that the module is disposed intermediate the base assembly and the bulb assembly. In some instances, functionality associated with a lighting element of the lighting assembly is included in the base assembly or the bulb assembly. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049972 | STEMMED LIGHTING ASSEMBLY WITH DISK-SHAPED ILLUMINATION ELEMENT - A lighting assembly includes a bulb assembly. The bulb assembly includes a stem projecting from the bulb base, and an illuminating element coupled to the stem. The bulb base is electrically coupled to the illuminating element. The base assembly is configured to be electrically coupled to the bulb base, and has an interface feature configured to be coupled to a power source. The illuminating element is capable of illumination when the interface feature is connected to the power source. | 02-20-2014 |
20140052278 | SENSING AND ADJUSTING FEATURES OF AN ENVIRONMENT - Included are embodiments for sensing and adjusting features of an environment. Some embodiments include a system and/or method that for receiving an ambiance feature of a source environment, determining from the ambiance feature, a source output provided by a source device in the source environment, and determining an ambiance capability for a target environment. Some embodiments include determining, based on the ambiance capability, a target output for a target device in the target environment and communicating with the target device to model the ambiance feature from the source environment into the target environment by altering the target output provided by the target device. | 02-20-2014 |
20140198532 | LIGHT EMITTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided. | 07-17-2014 |
20150090735 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS - A fluid dispensing system can be used with a container comprising at least one camming surface. In various embodiments, the fluid dispensing system can have a housing which can accept at least a portion of the container in a fixed orientation and a track which can be engaged with the housing. In at least one embodiment, the housing can be slidably movable along the track at least between a first position and a second position. In various embodiments, the fluid dispensing system can have a tube which can be engaged with at least a portion of the container to withdraw fluid therefrom when the housing is in the second position and can also have a fluid system in fluid communication with the tube. | 04-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100240054 | IDENTIFICATION AND ISOLATION OF FETAL CELLS AND NUCLEIC ACID - The present invention provides methods, antibodies and kits useful for detecting the presence of a fetal cell and/or fetal nucleic acids in a biological sample obtained from a maternal host. It also provides methods and kits for isolating fetal nucleic acid from maternal cervical mucus samples, and for testing or screening the isolated fetal nucleic acid for genetic abnormalities in fetuses. | 09-23-2010 |
20100255479 | DEVICES AND METHODS OF CELL CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS - The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed. | 10-07-2010 |
20100261188 | NON-INVASIVE PRENATAL GENETIC SCREEN - The present invention provides methods and kits useful for genetic testing or screening of fetuses using nucleic acid samples isolated from cervical mucus samples of fetus hosts. | 10-14-2010 |
20120058480 | ANTIGENIC APPROACH TO THE DETECTION AND ISOLATION OF MICROPARTICLES ASSOCIATED WITH FETAL DNA - The present disclosure provides methods of quantifying and isolating microparticles of fetal from maternal bodily fluids such as cell free maternal plasma. Antibodies or combinations of antibodies that selectively bind fetal microparticles in maternal bodily fluid permit quantification by flow cytometry and isolation through flow cytometry based sorting and immunopurification. | 03-08-2012 |
20120100538 | Devices and methods of cell capture and analysis - The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed. | 04-26-2012 |
20150056614 | DEVICES AND METHODS OF CELL CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS - The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed. | 02-26-2015 |
20160025720 | DEVICES AND METHODS OF CELL CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS - The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed. | 01-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140025175 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 01-23-2014 |
20140025176 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 01-23-2014 |
20140025177 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 01-23-2014 |
20150066150 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING IMPLANT DESIGNS - Methods are disclosed for designing a tibial implant to minimize cortical impingement of a keel or other fixation structure when the tibial implant is implanted in the tibia bone. The design of the keel or other fixation structure on the tibial baseplate can be based on determining a common area between defined cancellous regions of at least two tibia bones. Methods are disclosed for designing a femoral component having a stem extension such that the stem can be sufficiently placed in the diaphysis of the femur when the femoral component is implanted. The method includes determining a canal axis in a femur that creates adequate engagement between a reamer and the diaphysis of the femur. | 03-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090056904 | Sequential casting of metals having the same or similar co-efficients of contraction - A method and apparatus is disclosed for casting metals in a DC mold to form an ingot or product having at least two layers formed by sequential solidification. The apparatus has at least one cooled divider wall at the entry end portion of the mold to divide the entry end portion into at least two feed chambers. Metal is fed to the chambers to form an inner layer and at least one outer layer. The divider wall has a metal-contacting surface for contacting the metal for the at least one outer layer, the surface being arranged at an angle sloping away from the metal for the outer layer in a downward direction. The angle is larger at the center of the divider wall compared to the angle adjacent to each longitudinal end thereof. The apparatus is suitable for co-casting metals having similar coefficients of contraction to minimize problems of adhesion between the layers of a resulting ingot or rolled products produced therefrom. | 03-05-2009 |
20090288795 | Oxide restraint during co-casting of metals - A method and apparatus is disclosed for casting a composite ingot made of metals that are susceptible to surface oxide formation when molten. The method involves co-casting at least two metal layers from at least two molten metal pools formed within a direct chill casting apparatus. During the casting operation, movement of metal oxide formed on the upper surface of at least one of the pools towards an edge of the pool is restrained by an oxide skimmer positioned close to an edge of the pool above an external surface or metal-metal interface of the ingot. The apparatus provides a DC caster with at least one oxide skimmer that operates in this manner. | 11-26-2009 |
20110198050 | Casting composite ingot with metal temperature compensation - An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of direct chill casting a composite metal ingot. The method involves sequentially casting two or more metal layers to form a composite ingot by supplying streams of molten metal to two or more casting chambers within a casting mold of a direct chill casting apparatus. Inlet temperatures of one or more of the streams of molten metal are monitored at a position adjacent to an inlet of a casting chamber fed with the stream, and the inlet temperatures are compared with a predetermined set temperature for the stream to determine if there is any difference. A casting variable that affects molten metal temperatures entering or within the casting chambers (e.g. casting speed) is then adjusted by an amount based on the difference of the compared temperatures to eliminate adverse casting effects caused by the difference of the inlet temperature and the set temperature. Preferably an adjustment is selected that causes the monitored temperature to approach the set temperature. Another exemplary embodiment provides equipment for operation of the method. | 08-18-2011 |
20120160442 | Elimination of Shrinkage Cavity in Cast Ingots - An exemplary embodiment provides a method of eliminating a shrinkage cavity in a metal ingot cast by direct chill casting. The method involves casting an upright ingot having an upper surface at an intended height. Upon completion of the casting, the lower tip of the spout is maintained below the molten metal near the center of the upper surface. The metal flow through the spout is terminated and a partial shrinkage cavity is allowed to form as metal of the ingot shrinks and contracts. Before the partial cavity exposes the lower tip of the spout, the cavity is preferably over-filled with molten metal, while avoiding spillage of molten metal, and then the flow of metal through the spout is terminated. These steps are repeated until no further contraction of the metal causes any part of the upper surface to contract below the intended ingot height. | 06-28-2012 |
20150336168 | NON-CONTACTING MOLTEN METAL FLOW CONTROL - Systems and methods are disclosed for using magnetic fields (e.g., changing magnetic fields) to control metal flow conditions during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic fields can be introduced using rotating permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnetic fields can be used to induce movement of the molten metal in a desired direction, such as in a rotating pattern around the surface of the molten sump. The magnetic fields can be used to induce metal flow conditions in the molten sump to increase homogeneity in the molten sump and resultant ingot. | 11-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090145569 | Method for casting composite ingot - A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond. | 06-11-2009 |
20110005704 | Method for casting composite ingot - A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond. | 01-13-2011 |
20110008642 | Method for casting composite ingot - A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond. | 01-13-2011 |
20130034744 | METHOD FOR CASTING COMPOSITE INGOT - A method and apparatus are described for the casting of a composite metal ingot having two or more separately formed layers of one or more alloys. An open ended annular mould is provided having a divider wall dividing a feed end of the mould into at least two separate feed chambers. For each pair of adjacent feed chambers, a first alloy stream is fed through one of the pair of feed chambers into the mould and a second alloy stream is fed through another of the feed chambers. A self-supporting surface is generated on the surface of the first alloy stream and the second alloy stream is contacted with the first stream. By carefully selecting conditions and positions where the alloy streams meet, a composite metal ingot is formed in which the alloy layers are mutually attached with a substantially continuous metallurgical bond. | 02-07-2013 |