Patents Examined by Rex E. Pelto
  • Patent number: 5318094
    Abstract: The production of complex cavities inside castings or semi solid forms is effected by forming a core pattern (10) of a low melting point metal in order to provide a rigid metal core pattern (10). The pattern (10) is then nickel coated using either electroplating or electroless nickel plating. The metal core pattern (10) is melted out of the nickel plating to provide a nickel liner core (16). The nickel liner core (16) is placed within a mold or die cavity, and molten metal introduced into the cavity in order to provide a casting or form (30). The casting or form (30) is removed from the cavity and includes therein a plurality of passageways (20) each of which is defined and surrounded by a corrosion resistent nickel liner surface (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Joy, David M. McCray
  • Patent number: 5318092
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are shown for improving the collapsibility characteristics of foundry cores and molds after being contacted with a heated, cast product. The foundry cores/molds are contacted with an oxidant impregnating liquid after being formed and prior to contact with the heated, cast product. The heat of the cast product is sufficient to sustain combustion of the chemical coating of the sand particles making up the cores/molds to facilitate removal with a minimum of force after casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Robert S. L. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5318097
    Abstract: A cassette for a device for continuously casting liquid metal between two parallel rolls, the cassette includes a metal case which has a lateral wall and is open on a side of the case, and plate of refractory material which may be preheated before casting the liquid metal. The refractory plate is preshaped in such a manner so to define a free space between the periphery of the plate and the lateral wall of the case. The cassette is provided with an arrangement for fixing and gripping the plate and exerting an elastically yieldable opposing action allowing free expansion of the plate within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignees: Usinor Sacilor, Thyssen Stahl Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philippe Blin, Patrice Rahier, Jacques Spiquel
  • Patent number: 5316069
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming metal matrix composite bodies by using a reactive barrier material. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer or an infiltration enhancer precursor or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or a preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material or preform up to the reactive barrier material. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the requirement for the application of any pressure or vacuum. Accordingly, shaped metal matrix composite bodies can be produced having superior surface finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Lanxide Technology Company, LP
    Inventors: Michael K. Aghajanian, Steven D. Keck, John T. Burke, Gregory E. Hannon, Kurt J. Becker, Steven J. Taylor, Robert J. Wiener, Allyn L. McCormick
  • Patent number: 5311924
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for stabilizing the molten metal surface in a mold. The invention is used to improve the quality of the casting slab by modifying a controlling parameter according to the detected slab drawing speed and the actual nozzle flowing characteristics calculated by the measured molten metal surface level and the nozzle opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Asano, Takayuki Kaji, Kazuo Arai, Shuji Tanaka, Michio Ibaraki, Yuki Nabeshima, Hiromitsu Yamanaka, Masaki Takashi, Saburo Moriwaki, Mototatsu Sugizawa, Hiroshi Nomura, Masayuki Onishi
  • Patent number: 5312199
    Abstract: A self aligning joint and linkages employing the self aligning joint. The joint includes a stem; a clevis mounted for rotation on one end of the stem and defining a pair of spaced arms; a stud having a circumferential groove proximate one end thereof; a body member positioned between the clevis arms and defining a socket mounting the one end of the stud for rotation about the axis of the stud; and an axle pin mounted at opposite ends in the clevis arm, passing through the body member to mount the body member for angulation about the pin axis, and including an intermediate portion positioned in the stud groove to preclude axial displacement of the stud out of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph E. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5311923
    Abstract: A continuous block caster is provided with a mold block assembly having an internal anchor pin which is insulated. One end of a support pin, many of which are used to support each block, is threaded into the anchor pin, the other end is demountably secured in a fastening member in turn fastened to a carriage block. All the fastening members except only one at the center, are y- or x-y slides, so termed because they permit lateral movement of the support pin. A stepped lock-down key which provides a camming means, allows an entire mold block assembly and supporting pin assembly to be connected and disconnected quickly from the carriage block by rotating the key. Insulating the support pin in this manner allows the planarity of a casting face to be maintained in a lateral plane within 5 mils (127 micrometers) of vertical movement. Such limited distortion does not adversely affect the planarity of the upper and lower faces of the cast slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: John W. Cobes, S. John Pien, Larry W. Cisko
  • Patent number: 5311919
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation of a metal matrix composite body by a spontaneous infiltration technique. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer or infiltration enhancer precursor can be positioned at least partially between or at an interface between a matrix metal and a filler material (or preform) which is to be infiltrated by molten matrix metal. Moreover, at least at some point during the process, an infiltrating atmosphere may be in communication with the filler material or preform or matrix metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Lanxide Technology Company, LP
    Inventors: Michael K. Aghajanian, Alan S. Nagelberg
  • Patent number: 5310274
    Abstract: A lock structure for a flexible line in which one looped end and a contiguous intermediate section of the line are fitted in approximately V-shaped grooves formed in a pair of approximately trapezoidal lock halves. The lock halves are of synthetic resin and have sharp pointed projections formed within the grooves for securing the line therein. The lock members are aligned with one another by an arrangement of engaging projections formed on a first one of the lock halves which engage with a corresponding arrangement of receiving holes formed in the second one of the lock halves. The lock halves are securely joined to one another by welding so that the flexible line can be firmly maintained in the welded lock structure for a prolonged period of time without loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignees: Kabushikigaisha Heisei, Hayashi Kabushikigaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Arakawa
  • Patent number: 5308185
    Abstract: Two mechanical components are interconnected, for example, the two principal parts of a pedal rod by forming the clevis with a progressive die so that threaded portions are provided on opposite sides of an opening and are formed and shaped strictly by compression without rotation. The work piece is then folded so that the threaded portions are in register and the shaft part of the pedal rod is threaded in place and adjusted to take up the tolerances in the linkage. The two parts are locked together either by crimping, spot welding or by a lock nut, or by joining out of sync thread segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Charles E. Laue
  • Patent number: 5306093
    Abstract: A coupling receives a steeply tapered end of a propellor shaft and is secured thereto with a lock nut held in place with a set screw. A housing taper is steeper than known locking tapers to facilitate housing removal. The housing is internally threaded to receive an extractor element which, after lock nut removal, is screwed into the housing for abutment with the end of the propellor shaft with continued advancement of the extractor element resulting in housing separation from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Alvin R. Elbert
  • Patent number: 5305817
    Abstract: A method of making a composite material consists of entraining finely divided solid additive particles in a stream of ionized inert gas and ionizing the inert gas and utilizing heat generated by the ionized gas to heat the solid particles to a high temperature which is less than the temperature in at which the solid particles become non-solid due to melting sublimination or dissociation. Then, injecting the stream of gas and entrained heated solid particles into a molten metal mass to provide a mixture of finely divided solid particles and molten metal and thereafter causing physical agitation of the mixture of molten metal and solid particles to establish a substantially uniform distribution of solid particles in the molten metal. Such physical agitation of molten metal is continued until the mixture of finely divided particles and metals is completely solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Vsesojuzny Nauchno-Issledovatelysky I Proektny Institut Aluminievoi, Magnievoi I Elektrodnoi Promyshlennosti
    Inventors: Valery G. Borisov, Ljudmila P. Borisenko, Alexandr V. Ivanchenko, Nikolai A. Kaluhsky, Alexandr P. Bogdanov, Vladimir M. Rapoport, Nikolai N. Belousov, Svetlana N. Pavlova, Tatyana I. Belyaeva, Vladimir V. Volkov, Viktor S. Shusterov
  • Patent number: 5305818
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for producing molded parts, made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and having integrated channels intended for the distribution of a lubricant or for the circulation of a liquid coolant. In the process one or more tubes, made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and previously formed, are placed in a mold, the ends of the tube or tubes being on the outside of the mold or of the cores inserted therein. The aluminum or alloy is poured into the cavity of the mold, and after demolding, the surplus portions of the tube or tubes are eliminated. This process is used for the mass production of molded parts having a system of internal channels, such as cylinder heads, compressor cylinders, lubrication systems, convectors, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Montupet S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Darsy, Philippe Meyer
  • Patent number: 5303763
    Abstract: A metal matrix composite is formed by contacting a molten matrix metal with a permeable mass of filler material or preform in the presence of an infiltrating atmosphere. Under these conditions, the molten matrix metal will spontaneously infiltrate the permeable mass of filler material or preform under normal atmospheric pressures. Once a desired amount of spontaneous infiltration has been achieved, or during the spontaneous infiltration step, the matrix metal which has infiltrated the permeable mass of filler material or preform is directionally solidified. The directionally solidified metal matrix composite may be heated to a temperature in excess of the liquidus temperature of the matrix metal and quenched. This technique allows the production of spontaneously infiltrated metal matrix composites having improved microstructures and properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Lanxide Technology Company, LP
    Inventors: Michael K. Aghajanian, Robert C. Kantner, John P. Biel, Jr., Kurt J. Becker
  • Patent number: 5301738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modifying the properties of a metal matrix composite body by a post formation process modification treatment. The post formation process treatment may be applicable to a variety of metal matrix composite bodies produced by various techniques, and is particularly applicable to modifying the properties of a metal matrix composite body produced by a spontaneous infiltration technique. Particularly, at least a portion of the matrix metal of the metal matrix composite body and/or the filler material of the metal matrix composite body is modified or altered after the formation process. Preferably, the preform contains a second non-metal material, an infiltration enhancer of infiltration enhancer precursor, and an infiltration atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Lanxide Technology Company, LP
    Inventors: Marc S. Newkirk, Andrew W. Urquhart, Michael K. Aghajanian, Mark G. Mortenson, Vilupanur A. Ravi, Alan S. Nagelberg
  • Patent number: 5297612
    Abstract: An improved method for controlling the clamping forces exerted on opposing sidewalls of a casting mold during a continuous casting operation, which comprises the steps of presetting the mold for the maximum load to be experienced by the sidewalls of the mold, securing the mold at the presetting, and, through displacement measuring devices and hydraulic spring mechanisms, controlling the forces exerted upon the sidewalls during the continuous casting operation as a function of the thermodynamic stresses to which the mold is subjected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korpela, Lester A. Foster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5297887
    Abstract: An injection-molded receiver for securing a mop handle, broom handle or alternative cleaning or utility handle to a mop, broom or other cleaning or utility implement or tool having a threaded mounting stud. The injection-molded receiver includes a receiver cap having a cap opening for receiving and mounting one end of the handle and a cap base integrally formed in the receiver cap and fitted with an internally-threaded insert having flange cleats which is injection-molded into the cap base for threadably receiving the threaded mounting stud attached to the cleaning or utility implement, for example, a screw-type mop head. Injection-molding of the insert in the cap base of the receiver facilitates stability, longevity and ease of coupling a screw-type mop or similar utility implement or tool to a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Stephen R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5297610
    Abstract: A pressure molding method and apparatus uses a mold with a casting cavity and a pouring gate through which a molten metal is fed into the casting cavity. After feeding a molten metal into the mold through the pouring gate to fill the casting cavity and pouring gate, a cap member is placed on the mold to bring its open end into contact with a dead head of the molten metal in the pouring gate of the mold so as to form an air-tightly sealed chamber between the cap member and dead head of the molten metal. Pressure is supplied into the sealed chamber to force the molten metal in the mold through the dead head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichiro Noguchi, Kouichi Hori, Masahiko Shibahara
  • Patent number: 5295529
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a mold for forming a zinc collar on an insulator metal cap. The zinc collar forming mold comprises a setting section for setting the metal cap in position on the mold and an upwardly opening cavity defined around the periphery of the setting section. For molding a zinc collar, the metal cap is immersed in a molten zinc, and the metal cap is set upright on the setting section of the mold with the lower half thereof being still in the molten state. Subsequently, a molten zinc is poured from the upper opening of the mold, and upon solidification of the molten zinc, a zinc collar can be formed around the external circumference of the metal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Matsuo, Takashi Imakoma, Seiichi Kondo, Iwaji Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 5295530
    Abstract: Disclosed is a single-cast, thin wall structure capable of withstanding impinging gases at temperatures of 4300.degree. F. and higher, and method of making the same. Using a bleed line of the instant invention allows for a decreasing metal pressure with respect to time which prevents any damage to the thin outer mold wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt F. O'Connor, James P. Hoff, Donald J. Frasier, Ralph E. Peeler, Heidi Mueller-Largent, Floyd F. Trees, James R. Whetstone, John H. Lane, Ralph E. Jeffries