Sean T O'Keeffe

US Patent:

8459331, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Aug 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/205374

Inventors:

Quoc Tran Pham - Anaheim CA, US
Sean Timothy O'Keeffe - Coto de Caza CA, US

Assignee:

Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC - Rancho Santa Margarita CA

International Classification:

B22D 18/06
B22D 17/22

US Classification:

164 61, 164253, 164347

Abstract:

Disclosed is a vacuum mold with at least a first plate and a second plate to mold materials (e. g. , amorphous alloys), and a method for manufacturing parts using the mold. An ejector mechanism, to eject molded material, is enclosed within an ejector box that is vacuum sealed relative to the plates. An ejector rod for moving the mechanism is also vacuum sealed via a seal in a vacuum feed through opening. Seals are provided between adjacent interfaces of the mold parts (plates and ejector box) to vacuum seal the mold. The mold is connected to at least one vacuum source that applies vacuum pressure thereto via a first vacuum port in a first direction. A second vacuum port may also be provided to apply pressure in a second direction. A vacuum release valve may be connected to the mold to release vacuum pressure applied to the mold.

US Patent:

20130037999, Feb 14, 2013

Filed:

Aug 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/208800

Inventors:

John KANG - Coto de Caza CA, US
Quoc Tran Pham - Anaheim CA, US
Theodore Andrew Waniuk - Lake Forest CA, US
Sean Timothy O'Keeffe - Coto de Caza CA, US
Joseph W. Stevick - Glendora CA, US

Assignee:

Crucible Intellectual Property LLC - Rancho Santa Margarita CA

International Classification:

C22B 9/22
B29B 17/00
B22D 27/04
C22B 9/16
F27B 17/00

US Classification:

266 44, 266200, 249 80, 264345

Abstract:

Disclosed is a temperature regulated vessel, and method for using the same, having a body configured to melt meltable material received therein, and one or more temperature regulating lines within the body configured to flow a liquid therein for regulating a temperature of the meltable material received in the melting portion. The vessel has a poor or low thermally conductive material on one or more of its parts, such as on the melting portion, on exterior surfaces of the body, and/or surrounding the temperature regulating lines to increase melt temperature of the material. The melting portion can also have indentations in its surface, and low thermally conductive material can be provided in the indentations. The vessel can be used to melt amorphous alloys, for example.

US Patent:

20180207717, Jul 26, 2018

Filed:

Mar 26, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/936199

Inventors:

- Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Sean T. O'Keeffe - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Joseph W. Stevick - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US

International Classification:

B22D 17/08
F27B 14/08
B22D 17/22
B22D 17/20

Abstract:

Disclosed are embodiments of a temperature regulated vessel and a fluid delivery device, and methods of use thereof. The vessel can be used in an injection molding apparatus and include one or more temperature regulating lines configured to flow a fluid or liquid within the body (e.g., to heat a cold device). The fluid delivery device is mounted in the apparatus and has a collar with an opening extending therethrough to sealingly mate with the vessel. A delivery channel is provided within the collar for directing an input flow of fluid into the vessel. An exit channel can also be provided within the collar for directing an output flow of the fluid from the vessel.

US Patent:

20170167172, Jun 15, 2017

Filed:

Dec 11, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/966825

Inventors:

- Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Sean T. O'Keeffe - Tustin CA, US
Adam A. Verreault - Foothill Ranch CA, US

International Classification:

E05D 7/10
B26B 1/04

Abstract:

Disclosed is a removably interlocking barrel hinge assembly that allows for relative rotation of parts as well as disconnection of the parts. Connectors of the hinge assembly include tabs and recesses that are configured to align and rotate relative to one another. Overlapping of tabs prevents separation in the axial direction, while still allowing for rotation. When disconnection of the parts is desired, the tabs and recesses of the connectors can be aligned, and then pulled apart. The hinge assembly provides in one instance 180 degrees of relative rotation. It may be implemented in a number of devices, including knives and surgical instruments, for example.

US Patent:

20160258688, Sep 8, 2016

Filed:

May 13, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/154848

Inventors:

- Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Sean T. O'KEEFFE - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Joseph W. STEVICK - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Brennan D. YAHATA - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US

International Classification:

F27D 11/06
F27D 3/14
F27D 11/12
B22D 17/04
B22D 25/06
H05B 6/44
C22C 45/10
C22C 45/00
C22C 45/02
H05B 6/06
H05B 6/30
H05B 6/36
F27D 3/00
B22D 27/04

Abstract:

Various embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for containing the molten materials within a melt zone during melting. The apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein and an induction coil with unevenly spaced turns along its length. Induction coil can have a series of turns acting as a first (e.g., load) induction coil and a series of turns acting as a second (e.g., containment) induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated and contained by the separated turns of the induction coil. A plunger can also assist in containing material during melting. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold using the plunger.

US Patent:

20160067766, Mar 10, 2016

Filed:

Dec 16, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/572126

Inventors:

- Cupertino CA, US
- Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Sean Timothy O'Keeffe - Tustin CA, US
Glenton R. Jelbert - Foothill Ranch CA, US
Stephanie O'Keeffe - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Jeffrey L. Mattlin - Cupertino CA, US
Theodore A. Waniuk - Lake Forest CA, US

International Classification:

B22C 9/02
C21D 1/18
B22D 27/08
C22F 1/00
C22C 1/00
B22D 25/06

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of forming a 3D investment mold using a layer-by-layer construction (3D printing). The mold is configured for receipt of a molten alloy having a composition configured to form a bulk metallic glass (BMG) on cooling. The mold has a hollow interior between inner and outer walls. The hollow interior receives the molten alloy for molding it between the inner and outer walls of the mold. A method of casting using the 3D investment mold is also disclosed, which may include filling the mold with molten alloy, removing bubbles, quenching the molten alloy in the mold, and then removing the mold.

US Patent:

20150375296, Dec 31, 2015

Filed:

Mar 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/386495

Inventors:

- Cupertino CA, US
Quoc Tran Pham - Anaheim CA, US
Joseph Stevick - Olympia WA, US
Sean Timothy O'Keeffe - Tustin CA, US
Christopher D. Prest - San Francisco CA, US
Joseph C. Poole - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

B22D 17/20
B22D 45/00
B22D 17/22

Abstract:

Disclosed are systems and methods for mechanically reducing an amount of the skull material in a finished, molded part formed from amorphous alloy using an injection molding system. Skull material of molten amorphous alloy can be captured in a trap before molding such material. A cavity can be provided in the injection molding system to trap the skull material. For example, the cavity can be provided in the mold, the tip of the plunger rod, or in the transfer sleeve. Alternatively, mixing of molten amorphous alloy can be induced so that skull material is reduced before molding. A plunger and/or its tip can be used to induce mixing (e.g., systematic movement of plunger rod, or a shape of its tip). By minimizing the amount of skull material in the finished, molded part, the quality of the part is increased.

US Patent:

20150343526, Dec 3, 2015

Filed:

Oct 14, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/513595

Inventors:

- Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
- Cupertino CA, US
Stephanie O'KEEFFE - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Sean O'KEEFFE - Tustin CA, US
Adam A. VERREAULT - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US

International Classification:

B22D 17/20
B22D 17/22
B22D 17/04

Abstract:

Described herein is an injection molding or die casting machine having an ultrasonic vibration generator associated therewith that is configured to apply ultrasonic vibrations during melting and/or injection of the molten material (e.g., molten alloy). The ultrasonic vibrations may be applied to molten material via the plunger tip of the plunger in the machine, and/or the mold and/or the vessel, for example. The ultrasonic vibration may be applied during plunger tip movement so that the molten material vibrates ultrasonically during melting and injection. A connector may be connected to the ultrasonic vibration generator and the plunger. Channels may be provided in the plunger tip and/or vessel to accommodate a cooling fluid during melting and injection.