公开(公告)号：US08826968B2

公开(公告)日：2014-09-09

申请号：US13628267

申请日：2012-09-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Theodore A. Waniuk ,  Joseph Stevick ,  Sean O'Keeffe ,  Dermot J. Stratton ,  Joseph C. Poole ,  Matthew S. Scott ,  Christopher D. Prest

IPC: B22D17/10 ,  B22D17/14

CPC classification number: B22D25/06 ,  B22D1/002 ,  B22D17/10 ,  B22D17/14 ,  B22D17/20 ,  B22D17/30 ,  B22D27/15 ,  B22D35/04 ,  B22D41/00 ,  B22D41/02 ,  B22D41/08 ,  B22D41/16

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for casting metal alloys into articles such as BMG articles. In one embodiment, processes involved for storing, pre-treating, alloying, melting, injecting, molding, etc. can be combined as desired and conducted in different chambers. During these processes, each chamber can be independently, separately controlled to have desired chamber environment, e.g., under vacuum, in an inert gas environment, or open to the surrounding environment. Due to the flexible, independent control of each chamber, the casting cycle time can be reduced and the production throughput can be increased. Contaminations of the molten materials and thus the final products are reduced or eliminated.

Abstract translation: 本文描述的示例性实施例涉及将金属合金铸造成诸如BMG制品的制品的方法和系统。 在一个实施方案中，用于储存，预处理，合金化，熔化，注射，模塑等的方法可以根据需要组合并在不同的室中进行。 在这些过程中，每个室可以独立地被控制以具有期望的室环境，例如在真空中，在惰性气体环境中，或者对周围环境开放。 由于每个室的灵活独立控制，可以减少铸造周期时间并且可以提高生产量。 熔融材料和最终产品的污染减少或消除。

公开(公告)号：US08813814B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-26

申请号：US13631128

申请日：2012-09-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Theodore A. Waniuk ,  Joseph Stevick ,  Sean O'Keeffe ,  Dermot J. Stratton ,  Joseph C. Poole ,  Matthew S. Scott ,  Christopher D. Prest

IPC: C22B9/16

CPC classification number: H05B6/10 ,  C22B9/16 ,  C22B19/16 ,  C22C1/002 ,  C22C33/003 ,  C22C45/001 ,  C22C45/003 ,  C22C45/02 ,  C22C45/10

Abstract: Described herein is a method of melting a bulk metallic glass (BMG) feedstock, comprising: heating at least a portion of the BMG feedstock to temperatures slightly below a solidus temperature of the BMG, wherein the portion remains a solid at the temperatures slightly below the solidus temperature and wherein a temperature distribution of the portion is essentially uniform; heating the portion of the BMG feedstock to temperatures above a liquidus point.

Abstract translation: 本文描述的是熔化体金属玻璃（BMG）原料的方法，其包括：将至少一部分BMG原料加热至略低于BMG固相线温度的温度，其中该部分在稍低于 固相线温度，其中该部分的温度分布基本均匀; 将BMG原料的部分加热至高于液相点的温度。

公开(公告)号：US09302320B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-05

申请号：US14467478

申请日：2014-08-25

Applicant: Apple Inc. ,  Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC

Inventor： Theodore A. Waniuk ,  Joseph Stevick ,  Sean O'Keeffe ,  Dermot J. Stratton ,  Joseph C. Poole ,  Matthew S. Scott ,  Christopher D. Prest

IPC: B22D17/08 ,  B22D17/10 ,  B22D17/20 ,  B22D17/00 ,  B22D17/04 ,  B22D17/14 ,  B22D17/22 ,  B22D17/32 ,  B22D25/06 ,  B22D27/15

CPC classification number: B22D17/2053 ,  B22D17/007 ,  B22D17/04 ,  B22D17/14 ,  B22D17/203 ,  B22D17/2038 ,  B22D17/2069 ,  B22D17/2236 ,  B22D17/32 ,  B22D25/06 ,  B22D27/15

Abstract: Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for injection molding. In one embodiment, a constraining plunger may be configured in-line with an injection plunger to transfer a molten material from a melt zone and into a mold. The constraining and injection plungers are configured to constrain the molten material there-between while moving. The constrained molten material can be controlled to have an optimum surface area to volume ratio to provide minimized heat loss during the injection molding process. The system can be configured in a longitudinal direction (e.g., horizontally) for movement between the melt zone and mold along a longitudinal axis. A molded bulk amorphous object can be ejected from the mold.

Abstract translation: 各种实施例提供注射成型的装置和方法。 在一个实施例中，约束柱塞可以被配置成与注射柱塞成一直线，以将熔融材料从熔体区域转移到模具中。 约束和注射柱塞构造成在其间移动时约束熔融材料。 受约束的熔融材料可以被控制以具有最佳的表面积与体积比，以在注射成型过程中提供最小化的热损失。 该系统可以沿纵向方向（例如，水平方向）配置，用于沿着纵向轴线在熔体区域和模具之间移动。 模制的块状非晶物体可以从模具中排出。

公开(公告)号：US20140332176A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-13

申请号：US14445531

申请日：2014-07-29

Applicant: Apple Inc. ,  Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC

Inventor： Theodore A. Waniuk ,  Joseph Stevick ,  Sean O'Keeffe ,  Dermot J. Stratton ,  Joseph C. Poole ,  Matthew S. Scott ,  Christopher D. Prest

IPC: B22D37/00 ,  B22D18/06 ,  H05B6/36 ,  B22D41/01

CPC classification number: F27D11/06 ,  B22D17/04 ,  B22D17/10 ,  B22D17/2038 ,  B22D18/06 ,  B22D25/06 ,  B22D27/04 ,  B22D27/20 ,  B22D37/00 ,  B22D41/01 ,  C22C45/00 ,  C22C45/003 ,  C22C45/008 ,  C22C45/02 ,  C22C45/10 ,  F27D3/0025 ,  F27D3/14 ,  F27D11/12 ,  H05B6/067 ,  H05B6/30 ,  H05B6/36 ,  H05B6/367 ,  H05B6/44 ,  Y02P10/253

Abstract: Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for melting materials and for containing the molten materials within melt zone during melting. Exemplary apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.

Abstract translation: 各种实施例提供了用于熔化材料并在熔化期间将熔融材料容纳在熔融区内的装置和方法。 示例性装置可以包括构造成容纳用于在其中熔化的材料的容器; 位于容器附近的负载感应线圈，用于熔化材料; 以及与负载感应线圈成一直线设置的容纳感应线圈。 可以通过以第一RF频率操作负载感应线圈来加热容器中的材料以形成熔融材料。 容纳感应线圈可以在第二RF频率下操作以容纳负载感应线圈内的熔融材料。 一旦达到和维持熔融材料所需的温度，可以停止容纳感应线圈的操作，并且熔融材料可以通过喷射路径从容器喷射到模具中。

公开(公告)号：US08813817B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-26

申请号：US13630873

申请日：2012-09-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Theodore A. Waniuk ,  Joseph Stevick ,  Sean O'Keeffe ,  Dermot J. Stratton ,  Joseph C. Poole ,  Matthew S. Scott ,  Christopher D. Prest

IPC: B22D17/10 ,  B22D17/28 ,  B22D17/30

CPC classification number: B22D17/28 ,  B22D17/30

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for casting amorphous alloys. Exemplary casting system may include an insertable and rotatable vessel configured in a non-movable induction heating structure for melting amorphous alloys to form molten materials in the vessel. While the molten materials remain heated, the vessel may be rotated to pour the molten materials into a casting device for casting them into articles.

Abstract translation: 各种实施方案提供了用于铸造非晶合金的系统和方法。 示例性的铸造系统可以包括可插入和可旋转的容器，其构造成用于熔化无定形合金以在容器中形成熔融材料的不可移动的感应加热结构。 当熔融材料保持加热时，容器可以旋转以将熔融材料倒入铸造装置中以将它们投入到制品中。

公开(公告)号：US20140182804A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-03

申请号：US14198993

申请日：2014-03-06

Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC ,  Apple Inc.

Inventor： Theodore A. Waniuk ,  Joseph Stevick ,  Sean O'Keeffe ,  Dermot Stratton ,  Joseph Poole ,  Matthew Scott ,  Christopher Prest

IPC: B22D18/00 ,  B22D25/02

CPC classification number: B22D18/00 ,  B22D17/00 ,  B22D17/14 ,  B22D25/02 ,  B22D27/13 ,  B22D27/20

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for counter-gravity formation of BMG-containing hollow parts. In one embodiment, the BMG-containing hollow parts may be formed by first feeding a molten metal alloy in a counter-gravity direction into a mold cavity to deposit the molten metal alloy on a surface of the mold cavity and then solidifying the deposited molten metal alloy.

Abstract translation: 本文描述的实施例涉及用于反重力形成含BMG的中空部件的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，含BMG的中空部件可以通过首先将熔融金属合金沿反向方向供入模腔而形成，以将熔融金属合金沉积在模腔表面上，然后使沉积的熔融金属 合金。