Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Glenn E. Klepac
  • Metal matrix composites containing electrical insulators
    Patent number: 5616421
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal matrix composite containing electrically isolated areas and the MMC formed from the method. The method comprises: (a) providing a liquid pool of unreinforced aluminum alloy; (b) infiltrating the unreinforced aluminum alloy into a stack comprising upper and lower porous preforms and an electrical insulator material placed between the preforms; (c) solidifying the liquid-phase metal to form a metal matrix composite product that completely surrounds the stack; and (d) forming at least one groove in the solidified metal, the groove extending downward to the insulating substrate so as to electrically isolate at least one region on the surface of the metal matrix composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Ralph R. Sawtell, Mosur K. Premkumar, David I. Yun
  • Electrobrightening process for aluminum alloys
    Patent number: 5616231
    Abstract: Aluminum alloy articles are electrobrightened in an acidic solution containing phosphoric acid, water, and suspended mineral particles. The solution preferably also contains sulfuric acid. Aluminum alloy sheet electrobrightened in the solution has a less directional appearance when the suspended mineral particles are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Albert L. Askin, Paul B. Schultz, Daniel L. Serafin
  • Drive shafts for vehicles and other applications and method for production
    Patent number: 5607524
    Abstract: Methods for making an aluminum drive shaft for automobiles or trucks or other drive shaft applications from aluminum alloy tube and methods for making said tube including using an aluminum alloy containing about 0.5 to 1.3% magnesium, about 0.4 to 1.2% silicon, and about 0.6 to 1.2% copper and preferred practices for making the tube. The preferred practices include extrusion temperature and other aspects of extrusion, along with cold drawing. One preferred practice includes reducing tube diameter and increasing wall thickness at one or both ends of the drive shaft tube shortly after solution heating and quenching and applies to various 6000 Series type aluminum alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Thomas J. Klemp, John A. Dickson, Jr., Darwin O. Collins
  • Rotating ring structure for gas turbine engines and method for its production
    Patent number: 5579532
    Abstract: A composite jet engine compressor ring is made by casting a tape reinforced with ceramic fibers, winding the cast tape around a mandrel to form an unconsolidated ring, heating the ring to drive off binder, and pressing at a high temperature to form a unitary composite ring. Compression of the ring in an axial direction during hot pressing results in a desired axial spacing between adjacent fibers. The tape is preferably cast from a mixture of titanium base metal particles and a polyisobutylene binder dissolved in an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Jon F. Edd
  • Plural extruder method for making a composite building panel
    Patent number: 5565056
    Abstract: A glass fiber reinforced building panel is made by extruding molten first and second webs of polymer compounds through spaced die openings, positioned a glass fiber mat between the first and second webs, pressing the webs and mat together, and cooling to form a building panel. The building panel of the invention has improved fire retardance and better field cutting and sawing performance compared with conventional, unreinforced building panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Herbert J. Lause, Sylvia S. Moore, Daniel W. King
  • Impact resistant laminate
    Patent number: 5547735
    Abstract: A metal-polymer laminate has a bidirectional reinforcing layer containing about 45-70 vol. % high strength glass fibers. The bidirectional reinforcing layer includes a center layer containing glass fibers oriented generally parallel to a first direction; and first and second outer layers each reinforced with glass fibers oriented in a second direction extending generally transverse to the first direction. The bidirectional laminate is suitable for use in aircraft flooring and other applications requiring improved impact strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Structural Laminates Company
    Inventors: Gerardus H. J. J. Roebroeks, Arthur C. Mattousch
  • Coating composition for carbon electrodes
    Patent number: 5492604
    Abstract: A method for producing a metal in an electrolysis cell comprising an anode, a carbon cathode, and a chamber containing a metal oxide dissolved in a molten salt bath, said method comprising: coating an outer surface portion of the cathode with a coating composition consisting of a refractory metal, a paint comprising an organic polymeric binder, and aluminum powder, and optionally an organic solvent and an oil; and optionally a boron source; curing the coating composition by heating it to an elevated temperature, producing an aluminum-wettable coating on the cathode outer surface portion; and electrolyzing the metal oxide to a metal bypassing an electric current in the molten salt bath between the anode and the coated cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Siba P. Ray
  • Apatite coating on aluminum sheet and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 5472734
    Abstract: A biocompatible coating is formed on an aluminum sheet surface by reacting a surface portion with an aqueous solution containing calcium hydroxide and a more soluble calcium salt to form a hydrocalumite first coating. The first coating is then reacted with a water-soluble phosphate to form a biocompatible coating comprising hydroxyapatite. The hydroxyapatite coating may be reacted with a water-soluble fluoride or fluorophosphate to form a fluorapatite coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Anthony J. Perrotta, Randall B. Minnick
  • Coating aluminum alloy sheet to promote adhesive bonding for vehicle assemblies
    Patent number: 5463804
    Abstract: Aluminum alloy sheet coated with an organophosphonic or organophosphinic acid is joined to an adjacent metal member by means of a polymeric adhesive, preferably an epoxy adhesive. The coated sheet may be worked into a desired configuration after coating. Assemblies made in accordance with the invention are useful as vehicle parts, including automotive body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Sherri F. McCleary, Gary A. Nitowski, James M. Marinelli, John T. Siemon
  • Window meeting rail
    Patent number: 5461837
    Abstract: A window meeting rail for single hung windows made from hollow plastic parts. The meeting rail comprises an elongated body, a clip inserted into an opening in the body and fastener means for joining the clip to a window jamb. The clip defines a bore and has wings spaced radially outward from the bore and extending generally parallel thereto. A preferred meeting rail has a hollow body and also includes a metal cross rail inserted into the hollow body for added strength and rigidity. Tightening a screw inserted into the bore spreads the wings outward so that hooks on end portions of the clip wings are wedged into slots formed in lateral walls of the cross rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Michael T. Chaney, Philip G. Morton
  • Metal reinforced mullion for windows
    Patent number: 5435106
    Abstract: A window assembly includes adjacent first and second windows and a reinforcing mullion connecting the windows. The mullion comprises hollow polymeric first and second lineals and a metal reinforcing bar between the lineals. Interior and exterior face caps attached to the lineals span a gap between them. A securement means is also provided for connecting an end portion of the metal reinforcing bar to a support structure surrounding a window opening in a building. The mullion adds rigidity to the assembly, thereby increasing its design allowable size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Ray Garries, Jonathan C. Hauberg, David A. Stammen
  • Operating mechanism for sliding window and door sashes
    Patent number: 5435101
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for sliding a sash of a window or door. The mechanism includes an open spiral having a hollow, longitudinally extending center; rotator for rotating the open spiral around its center; and coupling element for coupling the open spiral to a window or door sash. A preferred window made with the operating mechanism of the invention includes extruded polymeric window jambs housing two open spirals on opposed lateral sides of a sash. The preferred window includes both a hand crank and an electric motor connected by a series of gears and a rod to the open spirals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Ray Garries
  • Spliced laminate for aircraft fuselage
    Patent number: 5429326
    Abstract: A laminated body panel for aircraft applications comprises first and second metal layers and an adhesive layer. First and second sections in each metal layer are generally coplanar and separated by a splice line. A first splice line in a first metal layer is generally parallel to a second splice line in a second metal layer, and spaced laterally from the second splice line. An adhesive layer between the metal layers preferably contains reinforcing fibers bridging across the splice lines. An aircraft fuselage or wing or empennage made with spliced body panels of the invention has fewer joints and weighs less than one made with narrower body panels containing unspliced metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Structural Laminates Company
    Inventors: Carl E. Garesche, Gerandus H. J. J. Roebroeks, Buwe V. W. Greidanus, Rob C. V. Oost, Jan W. Gunnink
  • Process and apparatus for low temperature electrolysis of oxides
    Patent number: 5415742
    Abstract: A process for electrowinning metal in a low temperature melt is disclosed. The process utilizes an inert anode for the production of metal such as aluminum using low surface area anodes at high current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Alfred F. La Camera, Kathleen M. Tomaswick, Siba P. Ray, Donald P. Ziegler
  • Tape casting fiber reinforced composite structures
    Patent number: 5405571
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite tape is made by casting a mixture comprising high temperature metal or intermetallic particles, substantially continuous ceramic fibers and a polymeric binder. The particles are preferably titanium alloy or titanium aluminide particles having a top size of greater than about 50 microns and the binder is preferably a polyisobutylene. The cast composite tape is combined with other tapes, heated in a vacuum to remove the binder and pressed at an elevated temperature and pressure to form a composite structure suitable for high temperature applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: William G. Truckner, Jon F. Edd
  • Aluminum sheet coated with a lubricant comprising dioctyl sebacate and petrolatum
    Patent number: 5401575
    Abstract: Metal sheet product, more particularly food or beverage can tab and end stock, is treated with a lubricant blend consisting essentially of about 25-90 wt % bis(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate or DOS; about 10-75 wt % petrolatum and a balance of incidental additives and impurities prior to coiling for transport and storage. With said composition applied hereon, in preferred average thicknesses between about 10-110 mg/ft.sup.2 for aluminum can tab stock and up to about 35 mg/ft.sup.2 for aluminum can end stock, the invention produces prelubricated can stock in a suitable condition for conversion into can tabs and/or can ends without further lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: James R. Anglin, Theresa S. Knighton, H. Gray Reavis, Jr.
  • Wall assembly for offshore use
    Patent number: 5397201
    Abstract: A wall assembly suitable for use on ships and offshore drilling platforms and in similar applications requiring fire resistance, low weight, and strength. The wall assembly includes a light weight principal panel having first and second fiber reinforced polymer skin layers joined to a core, and a metal frame adhered to the skin layers without any through fasteners. The frame preferably includes a first metal plate adhered to the first skin layer and a second metal plate adhered to the second skin layer and welded to the first metal plate. The frame is preferably welded to a metal support structure. The wall assembly may be used as a deck, floor, roof, vertical wall, gate or door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Miloslav Novak, R. Rao Valisetty, Jan L. Teply, Andrew P. Antoninka, John T. Siemon, Ross E. Grimm, Claire A. Byars, Martin F. Fitzgerald, Arun R. Mehta, Lawrence M. Ruckdeschel
  • Microemulsion formation in offgas scrubbing
    Patent number: 5378264
    Abstract: An offgas containing an organic compound is scrubbed by providing a spray of a scrubbing fluid containing a water-soluble organic surfactant, an organic cosurfactant comprising an alkanediol and water. The spray is mixed with an offgas containing a volatile organic compound, thereby forming an oil-in-water microemulsion and reducing content of the organic compound in the offgas. The process and apparatus of the invention are especially suitable for scrubbing offgas generated by aluminum rolling mills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Maurice W. Wei, Girma Biresaw
  • Window rail clip
    Patent number: D355262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Michael T. Chaney, Philip G. Morton
  • Extruded utility trim for siding and soffit
    Patent number: D361138
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Sylvia S. Moore, Daniel W. King, Thomas A. Gates