John Fitzsimon

Title: John Fitzsimon: Innovator in Metal Casting Technology

Introduction

John Fitzsimon is a notable inventor based in Kingston, CA, with a remarkable portfolio of 7 patents. His work primarily focuses on advancements in metal casting technology, contributing significantly to the efficiency and quality of metal production processes.

Latest Patents

Fitzsimon's latest patents include a "Belt casting machine having adjustable contact length with cast metal slab." This innovative twin-belt casting machine is designed for casting metal strips. It features a casting cavity that includes an upstream fixed casting region, where the belts are in fixed convergent paths in contact with the cast slab. The adjacent downstream portion allows for adjustments between alignment with the fixed paths and non-alignment, enabling the belts to separate from the cast slab at predetermined points. This design ensures that the casting machine can maintain a constant throughput across various alloys while keeping the cast slab's temperature within a suitable range for further processing.

Another significant patent is the "Control of heat flux in continuous metal casters." This process involves casting molten metal to form a cast metal strip ingot while managing heat flux from the cast metal. The method includes continuously supplying molten metal to a casting cavity formed between moving surfaces that withdraw heat to solidify the metal. A moist gas is introduced at the inlet of the casting cavity, which helps minimize surface defects and distortion in the casting cavity. This invention also encompasses equipment for delivering and controlling the dewpoint of the moist gas.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, John Fitzsimon has worked with prominent companies in the metal industry, including Alcan International Limited and Novelis, Inc. His contributions have played a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of metal casting technologies.

Collaborations

Fitzsimon has collaborated with notable professionals in his field, including Iljoon Jin and Ronald Roger Desrosiers. Their combined expertise has further advanced the innovations in metal casting processes.

Conclusion

John Fitzsimon's contributions to metal casting technology through his patents and collaborations have significantly impacted the industry. His innovative approaches continue to shape the future of metal production processes.