Patents Examined by Kaj K. Olsen
  • Patent number: 9181607
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for producing an inexpensive Mg2Si1-xSnx polycrystal that can be effectively used as thermoelectric conversion materials that can be expected to have a high performance index by doping if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: IBARAKI UNIVERSITY, SHOWA KDE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Udono, Yohiko Mito
  • Patent number: 9181595
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides (3) to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with gaseous hydrocarbons, the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is provided at least partially by the combustion of a fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS VAI METALS TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Guenter Peer
  • Patent number: 9177686
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a copper alloy having high strength, high electrical conductivity, and excellent bendability, the copper alloy containing, in terms of mass %, 0.4 to 4.0% of Ni; 0.05 to 1.0% of Si; and, as an element M, one member selected from 0.005 to 0.5% of P, 0.005 to 1.0% of Cr, and 0.005 to 1.0% of Ti, with the remainder being copper and inevitable impurities, in which an atom number ratio M/Si of elements M and Si contained in a precipitate having a size of 50 to 200 nm in a microstructure of the copper alloy is from 0.01 to 10 on average, the atom number ratio being measured by a field emission transmission electron microscope with a magnification of 30,000 and an energy dispersive analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aruga, Akira Fugono, Takeshi Kudo, Katsura Kajihara
  • Patent number: 9178227
    Abstract: The method serves for the manufacture of contacts between electrochemically active discs (2) and interconnectors (1) in planar high temperature fuel cells. The interconnectors have air-side and gas-side surface profiles (11, 11?) with contact surfaces (100) located on raised portions (10). A layer consisting of a contacting mixture (22, 22?) is respectively applied onto the electrodes (21, 21?) of the electrochemically active discs or onto the contact surfaces. The surface profiles for the electrodes are brought into contact with the applied layer so that, at a working temperature, the raised portions penetrate into this layer. Connections are formed between the contact surfaces and electrically conductive particles in this way and thus form discrete, homogeneously structured connections between the contact surfaces and the electrodes. Finally the medium embedding the particles is removed under thermal part treatments and the discrete connections are solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hexis AG
    Inventors: Boris Iwanschitz, Josef Sfeir, Ueli Weissen, Andreas Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9174847
    Abstract: Methods and processes for synthesizing high quality carbon single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) are provided. A carbon precursor gas at reduced concentration (pressure) is contacted with a catalyst deposited on a support and at temperature about 10° C. above the SWNT synthesis onset temperature, but below the thermal decomposition temperature of the carbon precursor gas for given growth conditions. The concentration (pressure) of the carbon precursor gas can be controlled by reducing the total pressure of the gas, or by diluting with an inert carrier gas, or both. The methods produce SWNTs with the ratio of G-band to D-band in Raman spectra (IG:ID) of about 5 to about 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Avetik R. Harutyunyan, Oleg Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 9175372
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an aluminum alloy forged material for an automobile excellent in tensile strength while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance, and a method for manufacturing the same. Provided are the aluminum alloy forged material for an automobile and a method for manufacturing the same, the aluminum alloy forged material being composed of an aluminum alloy including Si: 0.7-1.5 mass %, Fe: 0.1-0.5 mass %, Mg: 0.6-1.2 mass %, Ti: 0.01-0.1 mass % and Mn: 0.3-1.0 mass %, further including at least one element selected from Cr: 0.1-0.4 mass % and Zr: 0.01-0.2 mass %, restricting Cu: 0.1 mass % or less and Zn: 0.05 mass % or less, and a hydrogen amount: 0.25 ml/100 g-Al or less, the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities, in which the depth of recrystallization from the surface is 5 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hori, Yoshiya Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9174873
    Abstract: The invention relates to an admixture for a cementitious composition comprising microfibrillar cellulose and/or a derivative thereof. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing said admixture and to the use of the microfibrillar cellulose and/or a derivative thereof in the concrete admixture. The invention further relates to a cementitious composition comprising said admixture and methods of manufacture and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Laukkanen, Jan-Erik Teirfolk, Markku Leivo, Hannele Kuosa, Kirsi Kataja, Antti Nurmi
  • Patent number: 9169545
    Abstract: A material for use as a mechanical component is formed of a superelastic intermetallic material having a low apparent modulus and a high hardness. The superelastic intermetallic material is conditioned to be dimensionally stable, devoid of any shape memory effect and have a stable superelastic response without irrecoverable deformation while exhibiting strains of at least 3%. The method of conditioning the superelastic intermetallic material is described. Another embodiment relates to lightweight materials known as ordered intermetallics that perform well in sliding wear applications using conventional liquid lubricants and are therefore suitable for resilient, high performance mechanical components such as gears and bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Santo Padula, II, Ronald D. Noebe, Malcolm K. Stanford, Christopher DellaCorte
  • Patent number: 9169535
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of—a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with—gaseous hydrocarbons, the fuel gas for burners which provide the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is obtained at least partially from a partial quantity of the top gas produced during the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material, wherein this partial quantity of the top gas, before it is used as a component of the fuel gas, is firstly subjected to dedusting and then to a CO conversion reaction, and the conversion gas obtained during the CO conversion reaction is subjected to CO2 removal after cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS VAI METALS TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Guenter Peer
  • Patent number: 9169542
    Abstract: This invention aims to provide a recycled magnesium alloy having a good corrosion resistance and a process for producing the same. The process of the present invention comprises an adjusting step of adjusting composition of molten metal of a magnesium alloy so as to comprise, by mass: Al: 5 to 10%, Zn: not less than 1% and not less than three times of Cu content (%), Mn: 0.1 to 1.5% and the remainder: Mg and impurities with or without one or more reforming elements. While the upper limit of the Al content is restricted to a low level, the Zn content is increased in accordance with the Cu content. Therefore, the recycled magnesium alloy produced by this process can effectively suppress corrosion caused by Cu, which is one of corrosion-causing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawabata, Naohisa Nishino, Sonoko Nishino, Yasushi Iwata, Yoshikazu Genma, Tsuyoshi Seguchi
  • Patent number: 9169158
    Abstract: An improved concrete is provided having a concrete formed from a wet concrete mixture; and a non-chemical admix added to the wet concrete mixture and configured to contain bubbles in order to control the amount of entrained air formed in the concrete when the wet concrete mixture cures into the improved concrete. The non-chemical admix includes a multiplicity of hollow objects, bodies, elements or structures, each configured with a respective cavity, unfilled space, or hole to trap and maintain a bubble inside. The hollow objects, bodies, elements or structures include hollow cylinders, or spheres, or capillary tubes, or some combination thereof. Each hollow object, body, element or structure is configured with a dimension so as not to absorb liquid, including water, including where the dimension is in a range of about 20-30 microns, and is made of glass or a glass-like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES INC.
    Inventor: Mark R. Fernald
  • Patent number: 9162285
    Abstract: A powder metal composition for high wear and temperature applications is made by atomizing a melted iron based alloy including 3.0 to 7.0 wt. % carbon; 10.0 to 25.0 wt. % chromium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % tungsten; 3.5 to 7.0 wt. % vanadium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % molybdenum; not greater than 0.5 wt. % oxygen; and at least 40.0 wt. % iron. The high carbon content reduces the solubility of oxygen in the melt and thus lowers the oxygen content to a level below which would cause the carbide-forming elements to oxidize during atomization. The powder metal composition includes metal carbides in an amount of at least 15 vol. %. The microhardness of the powder metal composition increases with increasing amounts of carbon and is typically about 800 to 1,500 Hv50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignees: Federal-Mogul Corporation, La Corporation De L'Ecole Polytechnique De Montreal
    Inventors: Denis B. Christopherson, Jr., Leslie John Farthing, Todd Schoenwetter, Gilles L'Esperance, Philippe Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 9156023
    Abstract: A one-layer three-way catalyst is described for the cleaning of the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines with outstanding activity and thermal stability. The catalyst comprises an active aluminum oxide, a first cerium/zirconium mixed oxide and a second cerium/zirconium mixed oxide. The first cerium/zirconium mixed oxide has a higher zirconium oxide content than the second mixed oxide. The first cerium/zirconium mixed oxide is catalytically activated with rhodium and the second cerium/zirconium mixed oxide with palladium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Raoul Klingmann, Martin Roesch, Dieter Linder, Joerg-Michael Richter
  • Patent number: 9159352
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polishing liquid composition for a magnetic disk substrate that can reduce residual inorganic particles and scratches without loss of productivity and a method of producing a magnetic disk substrate using the polishing liquid composition. The polishing liquid composition contains inorganic particles, a diallylamine polymer, an acid and water, the diallylamine polymer includes one or more constitutional units selected from those represented by the following general formulas (I-a), (I-b), (I-c) and (I-d), and the content of the diallylamine polymer in the polishing liquid composition is 0.008 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Kimura, Takeshi Hamaguchi, Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9156736
    Abstract: A mortar composition in the form of a dry powder, ready for use, comprising at least one powdery binder and at least one aggregate, as well as possibly at least one standard additive and/or adjuvant, and formed from particles, at least some of which, referred to as fine particles, are liable to produce an emission of dust, characterized in that it also comprises a fluid additive that consists of least one non-polar hydrocarbon organic substance and that has a capacity for agglomeration of the said fine particles, and in that the dry mortar composition comprises agglomerates of line particles formed by the fluid additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: PAREXGROUP SA
    Inventors: Alain Laudet, Daniel Daviller
  • Patent number: 9156996
    Abstract: A method for coloring powders is provided that includes mixing a base powder and non-incorporated pigments. A colored powder composition having a base powder particle and at least a partial shell of non-incorporated pigments about the base powder particle is also provided. Articles having a coating of the colored powder composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Valspar Sourcing, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. O'Dell, Larry B. Brandenburger, Steven D. Johnson, Judith L. Bourdeau
  • Patent number: 9149912
    Abstract: A CBN grinding particle included in a CBN grinding wheel has a single crystal CBN grinding particle having a tetrahedron construction and a multi crystal CBN grinding particle. The single crystal CBN grinding particle is blended with a ratio of equal to or more than 50% to a total summed volume of the single and multi CBN grinding particles. A CBN grinding wheel having the CBN grinding particle is especially suitable for rough grinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Soma, Naoto Ono, Tomokazu Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9145337
    Abstract: Provided is a fiber reinforced cement based mixed material having high tensile strength and high toughness, the mixed material comprising a cementitious composition with fast development of early strength; a small hydration heat temperature; and a small shrinkage during curing. The fiber reinforced cement based mixed material contains 100 wt. parts of cement, 5-30 wt. parts of silica fume, 30-80 wt. parts of at least one pozzolanic material excluding the silica fume, 5-25 wt. parts of limestone powder, at least one chemical admixture, water, 70-150 wt. parts of aggregate having a largest aggregate diameter of 1.2-3.5 mm, and fibers, wherein at least some of the fibers comprise a fiber having asperities formed in the surface, the fiber having asperities being formed such that a ratio (h/H) of a depth h of each of recessed portions among the asperities to a smallest cross-sectional diameter H thereof is 0.05-0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: TAISEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Tanaka, Osamu Hashimoto, Jun Sakamoto, Kazuhiko Nishi
  • Patent number: 9145600
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a precipitation hardened heat-resistant steel containing, in terms of % by mass: 0.005 to 0.2% of C, not more than 2% of Si, 1.6 to 5% of Mn, 15% or more and less than 20% of Ni, 10 to 20% of Cr, more than 2% and up to 4% of Ti, 0.1 to 2% of Al, and 0.001 to 0.02% of B, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, in which a ratio (Ni/Mn) of an amount of Ni to an amount of Mn is 3 to 10, a total amount of Ni and Mn (Ni+Mn) is 18% or more and less than 25%, and a ratio (Ti/Al) of an amount of Ti to an amount of Al is 2 to 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: DAIDO STEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Imaizumi, Naohide Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9145306
    Abstract: A method for preparing metal compound nanoparticles, comprising treating a uniform dispersion of at least one metal precursor in an organic solvent with a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid to attain a homogeneous mixture, which is subjected to a solvothermal reaction under a supercritical CO2 condition, makes it easy to prepare nanoparticles of a metal oxide, a doped metal compound, or a metal complex having various shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sang Woo Kim, Kwang Deok Kim