Patents Examined by Chrisman D. Carroll
  • Patent number: 5543235
    Abstract: The present invention provides multiple grade, composite cemented carbide articles and a method of making such articles. The cemented carbide articles comprise carbides of different grades (or different compositions and/or microstructures) and, therefore, correspondingly different properties at different locations in the same article. The method of the present invention comprises filling different areas or portions of a die with metallurgical powders having different compositions and/or microstructures. The powder is then compressed as a single compact in the die cavity. The compressed compact is subsequently sintered to produce a multigrade cemented carbide article having composition and/or microstructural variations within the volume of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: SinterMet
    Inventors: Prakash K. Mirchandani, Robert E. Thomas, Mark Cippel
  • Patent number: 5541006
    Abstract: Methods for making, methods for using and articles comprising ferromagnetic cermets, preferably cemented carbides and more preferably tungsten carbide, having at least two regions exhibiting at least one property that differs are discussed. The multiple-region cermets are particularly useful in wear applications. The cermets are manufactured by juxtaposing and densifying at least two powder blends having different properties (e.g., differential carbide grain size or differential carbide chemistry or differential binder content or differential binder chemistry or differential magnetic saturation or any combination of the preceding). Preferably, a first region of the cermet comprises a first hard component having a prescribed binder content and a first magnetic saturation and a second region, juxtaposing or adjoining the first region, comprising a second binder content different than the binder content of the first region and a second magnetic saturation different than that of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Edward V. Conley
  • Patent number: 5541005
    Abstract: A large ceramic substrate article for electronic applications including at least one layer of sintered ceramic material, the layer including a plurality of greensheet segments of ceramic material joined edge to edge. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating a large ceramic greensheet article as well as a large ceramic substrate article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raschid J. Bezama, Jon A. Casey, Mario E. Ecker, Shaji Farooq, Irene S. Frantz, Katherine G. Frase, David H. Gabriels, Lester W. Herron, John U. Knickerbocker, Sarah H. Knickerbocker, Govindarajan Natarajan, John Thomson, Yee-Ming Ting, Sharon L. Tracy, Robert M. Troncillito, Vivek M. Sura, Donald R. Wall, Giai V. Yen
  • Patent number: 5541969
    Abstract: A tank (18) forms a chamber having an upper and lower region. The tank (18) is in even elevation with a horizontal pipe (12) having a top region and a bottom region. An upper connecting pipe (14) fluidly connects the top region of the pipe (12) to the upper region of tank (18). A lower connecting pipe (16) fluidly connects the bottom region of pipe (12) to the lower region of the tank (18). Heat junction thermocouples (22) generate a signal indicative of water in the pipe (12). The signal is transmitted to a remote location by line (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn M. Matteson, Daniel A. Peck
  • Patent number: 5525162
    Abstract: A technique for forming from staring precursors at the molecular level, a sultant thermoelectric material with a reduced thermal conductivity. All staring precursors are dissolved in solution, reduced to remove oxygen, and then combined into a single solution to yield specific stoichiometric ratios. A sol and then a gel is formed, which supercritical solvent extraction is performed upon so as to yield a material having two level porosity and a maximum of a factor of three reduction in thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of The Army
    Inventors: Stuart B. Horn, Elizabeth H. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5523169
    Abstract: A base metal repair tape includes a first layer formed from powdered base metal bonded together by fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene and a second layer comprising a brazing alloy bonded together by fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene. This is used to repair base metal by placing the first layer on the base metal and brazing the base metal so that the brazing alloy melts and diffuses into the base metal powder bonding it to the surface of the article. This permits the braze powder to be bonded to the base metal surface with minimal distance between the base powder particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventors: Kevin Rafferty, Bruce Rowe
  • Patent number: 5514480
    Abstract: A metal-based composite includes a metal matrix including aluminum as a major component, discontinuous alumina fibers buried in the metal matrix, mullite particles buried therein, and solid lubricant particles buried therein. The solid lubricant particles can be either graphite particles with a nickel layer formed on a surface thereof, or boron nitride cermet particles. By thus including the specific solid lubricant particles, the wear resistance of the metal-based composite can be improved, the wear of its mating parts can be reduced, and the friction coefficient between the metal-based composite and the mating parts can be inhibited from fluctuating. Hence, the metal-based composite can appropriately make aluminum-based internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katumi Takagi, Shuji Inoue
  • Patent number: 5507879
    Abstract: In a fine structure of a thermoelectric material, fine particles of a material exhibiting Seebeck effect are electrically linked in a loosely contacted state with one another without fusing, having spaces formed at clearances among the fine particles. A method of manufacturing the thermoelectric material comprises a step of compacting fine particles made of a material exhibiting Seebeck effect through a cold pressing. Also, disclosed is a sensor for quantitatively sensing a substance, which comprises a pellet of a powder thermoelectric material, where a temperature difference is generated between two points inside the piece of thermoelectric material. The sensor further includes thermocouples connected to a heater plate (6) and a cooling plate, and a controller which is electrically connected in the loop circuit of the thermocouples for detecting thermoelectric current corresponding to the temperature difference, thereby to control the heating of the heater plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaaki Gyoten, Yasushi Nakagiri, Yoshiaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5508239
    Abstract: Shaped articles of polycrystalline aluminum nitride are disclosed having a tensile strength of at least about 100 Kpsi. The shaped articles are preferably fibers. Composites of polycrystalline AlN fibers in a matrix of organic or inorganic polymer, metal, glass or ceramic are also disclosed herein. The process for the preparation of polycrystalline aluminum nitride fibers is covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John D. Bolt, Frederick N. Tebbe
  • Patent number: 5498296
    Abstract: A metal oxide layer is provided around a thermocouple element. The metal oxide layer is formed by preparing a sol, in which particulates of a metal oxide are dispersed, by a sol-gel method, dipping the thermocouple element in this sol, energizing the thermocouple element as a cathode for bonding the precursor particulates of the metal oxide thereto, and heat treating the same. The thermocouple according to the present invention is compact with a thin insulating layer, excellent in flexibility, and provides no gas adsorption source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Sawada, Shinji Inazawa, Kouichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5496513
    Abstract: A method of preparing dense sintered bodies of beta alumina suitable for solid electrolytes, which comprises preparing a shaped body from a mixture containing an aluminum powder, a sodium compound, a structure stabilizer and a zirconia powder or from a mixture containing an aluminum powder, an alumina powder, a sodium compound, a structure stabilizer and a zirconia powder, and reaction-sintering the shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Nakane, Tetsu Umeda, Masahide Mohri
  • Patent number: 5492770
    Abstract: A diamond film is formed on a surface of a substrate. The diamond film is attached securely to the substrate by forming a first layer on the surface comprising a mixture of a main component of the substrate and a sintering reinforcement agent for diamond, then forming a second layer comprising a mixture of said agent and diamond on said first layer, and finally forming the diamond film on the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Motonobu Kawarada, Kazuaki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 5492570
    Abstract: The apparatus is a combined Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) and a thermionic energy converter which are mated by the use of a common heat transfer device which can be a heat pipe, pumped fluid or a simple heat conduction path. By adjusting the heat output surface area of the thermionic converter and the heat input surface area of the AMTEC, the heat transfer device accomplishes not only the transfer of heat from the output of the thermionic converter to the input of the AMTEC, but also the transformation of the heat density to match the requirements of the AMTEC input. The electrical current through the combined devices is also matched by adjusting the heated surface area of the AMTEC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Thermacore, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Horner-Richardson, William G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5489411
    Abstract: A high strength titanium alloy or titanium aluminide metal foil having improved strength and density is produced, preferably in coilable strip form, by plasma-depositing the selected titanium-based material on a receiving surface, separating the deposited material from the receiving surface to provide two metal foil preforms each having a relatively smooth side as cast against the receiving surface and a relatively rough, opposite side as deposited from the plasma, disposing the two metal preforms together with the relatively rough sides of the two metal preforms in facing engagement with each other, and squeezing the two preforms together between pressure bonding rolls to metallurgically bond the preforms to each other and to consolidate the materials of the preforms to form a fully dense metal foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sunil C. Jha, James A. Forster, Robert W. Howard
  • Patent number: H1523
    Abstract: A polymer film having a conductivity gradient across its thickness is made rom a mixed solution of an insulating polymer, A and a polymer, B that can be made conducting by doping or protonation by a method including the steps of:(A) mixing the solution of the insulating polymer, A and the polymer, B that can be made conducting by doping or protonation,(B) casting the mixed solution together as a solid composite film, and(C) exposing the film to a treating agent that can dope or protonate polymer B and make polymer B conductive and create a conductivity gradient across the thickness of the polymer films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert J. Mammone, Michael Binder
  • Patent number: H1532
    Abstract: Methods and nutrient media are disclosed useful for adapting mammalian cell lines to culture at increased cell densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Genetics Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Robert Adamson, Denis Drapeau, Yen-Tung Luan, Douglas A. Miller
  • Patent number: H1548
    Abstract: A silver halide color photosensitive material is provided, comprising a tranparent support having a thickness of not more than 120 .mu.m and provided thereon photosensitive layers, wherein at least one of the photosensitive layers contains a silver halide emulsion containing silver halide grains controlled so that sensitivity specks are localized at a specific site of the grains or in the vicinity thereof; and the transparent support is a polyester prepared by polycondensation of an aromatic dibasic acid and a glycol, wherein the polycondensation is conducted in the presence of (i) an aromatic dicarboxylic acid having a metal sulfonate group or an ester thereof, and (ii) a polyalkyleneglycol or (iii) a saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or an ester thereof, each as copolymerizing components, during the course of polymerization reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Iwagaki
  • Patent number: H1550
    Abstract: Disclosed is a silver halide photographic light-sensitive emulsion comprising silver halide grains, wherein the silver halide constituent of said silver halide grains is substantially composed of at least one constituent selected from silver bromide or silver iodobromide, and said emulsion contains at least one kind of indium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hoshino
  • Patent number: H1562
    Abstract: The device of this invention is used to detect small quantities of liquid emical agents in certain pesticides on the basis of the heat reaction between the liquid agent and a chemical oxidant such as sodium or calcium hypochlorite. The detecting device consists of a thin film of resistance heat sensitive element on top of which porous or fibrous substrate material is mounted. This substrate is impregnated with the oxidant material. As a liquid agent contacts substrate it permeates through the substrate and reacts with the oxidant and generates heat. The output volume from the thin film resistance element increases correspondingly. The time from agent contact until this signal is observed as tested is less than one (1) second. The method is directed to the contacting of the liquid agent against the surface, wherein it permeates through the substrate and reacts with the oxidant and generates heat which change in heat is detected by the detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas M. Albrechcinski, Charles K. Akers
  • Patent number: H1575
    Abstract: An improved topsheet for use in absorbent articles such as sanitary pads. The topsheet comprises a three-dimensional hydrophilic formed film having a plurality of openings leading from a surface of the topsheet to an absorbent core. The topsheet presents a more comfortable and dryer surface which contacts the wearer and a clean, dry appearance to the wearer. The clean, dry appearance is obtained by employing an opacifying agent in the film. The openings comprise tapered capillaries having a base in the surface plane of the topsheet and an apex remote from the surface plane of the topsheet. Each apex is in intimate contact with the absorbent core. In a preferred arrangement, the hydrophilic polymer film topsheet comprises Nylon 6, Nylon 6 and polyetheramide, or other resins having chemistries similar to nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas H. Daugherty, Barbara J. H. Daugherty