Patents by Inventor Don L. Hildenbrand

Don L. Hildenbrand has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7559969
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a method for producing a solid metallic composition by reacting a gaseous metal halide with a reducing agent are described. In one embodiment, the method includes reacting a gaseous metal halide with a reducing agent in a manner effective to form a nonsolid reaction product, wherein the metal halide has the formula MXi, in which M is a metal selected from a transition metal of the periodic table, aluminum, silicon, boron, and combinations thereof, X is a halogen, i is greater than 0, and the reducing agent is a gaseous reducing agent selected from hydrogen and a compound that releases hydrogen, and combinations thereof; and solidifying the reaction product, thereby forming a metallic composition comprising M that is substantially free from halides. The invention may be used to produce high-purity metallic compositions, particularly titanium particles and alloys thereof for use in powder metallurgy applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Angel Sanjurjo, Eugene Thiers, Kai-Hung Lau, Don L. Hildenbrand, Gopala N. Krishnan, Esperanza Alvarez