Patents by Inventor Ian W. Donaldson

Ian W. Donaldson 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: 11794240
    Abstract: A powder metal alloy composition is used in the production of a sintered powder metal insert for casting into an aluminum casting. The powder metal alloy composition includes an iron powder metal base, copper such that the copper is 3.5 weight percent or more of the powder metal alloy composition, and carbon in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0 weight percent of the powder metal alloy composition. Upon compacting and sintering the powder metal alloy composition to form the sintered powder metal insert, the sintered powder metal insert has a copper gradient that provides a higher concentration of copper on the surface of the sintered powder metal insert than in a center of the grains of the sintered powder metal insert. The higher concentration of copper at the surface of the insert enables a strong metallurgical bond to be formed with the aluminum casting during casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventor: Ian W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 11752550
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sized powder metal component having improved fatigue strength. The method includes the sequential steps of solutionizing a sintered powder metal component and quenching the sintered powder metal component, sizing the sintered powder metal component to form a sized powder metal component, re-solutionizing the sized powder metal component, and ageing the sized powder metal component. The sized powder metal component made by this method, in which the component is re-solutionized between sizing before ageing, can exhibit exceptional improvements in fatigue strength compared to components prepared similarly but that are not re-solutionized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Matthew D. Harding, Richard L. Hexemer, Jr., Ian W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 11273489
    Abstract: The mechanical properties and thermal resistance of a sintered component made from an Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture can be improved by doping the Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture with a silicon addition. Silicon is added as a constituent to the Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture. The Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture is compacted to form a preform and the preform is sintered to form the sintered component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Richard L. Hexemer, Ian W. Donaldson, Randy Williams Cooke
  • Patent number: 11105369
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite component having a brass or bronze powder metal portion sinter fit into a supporting, ferrous portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Alan C. Taylor, Ian W. Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20210170478
    Abstract: A powder metal alloy composition is used in the production of a sintered powder metal insert for casting into an aluminum casting. The powder metal alloy composition includes an iron powder metal base, copper such that the copper is 3.5 weight percent or more of the powder metal alloy composition, and carbon in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0 weight percent of the powder metal alloy composition. Upon compacting and sintering the powder metal alloy composition to form the sintered powder metal insert, the sintered powder metal insert has a copper gradient that provides a higher concentration of copper on the surface of the sintered powder metal insert than in a center of the grains of the sintered powder metal insert. The higher concentration of copper at the surface of the insert enables a strong metallurgical bond to be formed with the aluminum casting during casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventor: Ian W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 10870148
    Abstract: A transition element-doped aluminum powder metal and a method of making this powder metal are disclosed. The method of making includes forming an aluminum-transition element melt in which a transition element content of the aluminum-transition element melt is less than 6 percent by weight. The aluminum-transition element melt then powderized to form a transition element-doped aluminum powder metal. The powderization may occur by, for example, air atomization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Richard L. Hexemer, Jr., Ian W. Donaldson, Randy William Cooke
  • Patent number: 10596631
    Abstract: A method includes the sequential steps of compacting a powder metal in a tool and die set using a compaction press to form a powder metal compact, ejecting the powder metal compact from the tool and die set, positioning the powder metal compact relative to another part, and cooling the powder metal compact. When the powder metal is compacted, a temperature of the powder metal used to form the powder metal compact increases relative to ambient temperature due to deformation of the powder metal during compacting. After ejection and while the powder metal compact is still above ambient temperature, the compact is positioned relative to the other part. Then, upon the cooling of the powder metal compact, the powder metal compact dimensionally shrinks to form an interference fit between the powder metal compact and the other part thereby forming the composite component, which may be subsequently sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Alan C. Taylor, Ian W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 10471530
    Abstract: A brazed part includes two or more components that are brazed together and has related method of making. Using a method of locating parts relative to one another, an inter-component gap between the components may be formed. Subsequently, during brazing, flow control features formed along the inter-component gap may then be used to assist in the retention of the braze material between the components during brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Lemke, Ian W. Donaldson, John D. Gurosik
  • Publication number: 20190210112
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sized powder metal component having improved fatigue strength. The method includes the sequential steps of solutionizing a sintered powder metal component and quenching the sintered powder metal component, sizing the sintered powder metal component to form a sized powder metal component, re-solutionizing the sized powder metal component, and ageing the sized powder metal component. The sized powder metal component made by this method, in which the component is re-solutionized between sizing before ageing, can exhibit exceptional improvements in fatigue strength compared to components prepared similarly but that are not re-solutionized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Matthew D. Harding, Richard L. Hexemer, JR., Ian W. Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20190118255
    Abstract: A transition element-doped aluminum powder metal and a method of making this powder metal are disclosed. The method of making includes forming an aluminum-transition element melt in which a transition element content of the aluminum-transition element melt is less than 6 percent by weight. The aluminum-transition element melt is then powderized to form a transition element-doped aluminum powder metal. The powderization may occur by, for example, air atomization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Richard L. Hexemer, JR., Ian W. Donaldson, Randy William Cooke
  • Publication number: 20190091764
    Abstract: The mechanical properties and thermal resistance of a sintered component made from an Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture can be improved by doping the Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture with a silicon addition. Silicon is added as a constituent to the Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture. The Al—Cu—Mg—Sn alloy powder metal mixture is compacted to form a preform and the preform is sintered to form the sintered component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Richard L. Hexemer, Ian W. Donaldson, Randy Williams Cooke
  • Patent number: 10058916
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy powder metal is disclosed. A sintered part made from the aluminum alloy powder has a thermal conductivity comparable to or exceeding parts made from wrought aluminum materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Richard L. Hexemer, Jr., Ian W. Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20180111201
    Abstract: A method includes the sequential steps of compacting a powder metal in a tool and die set using a compaction press to form a powder metal compact, ejecting the powder metal compact from the tool and die set, positioning the powder metal compact relative to another part, and cooling the powder metal compact. When the powder metal is compacted, a temperature of the powder metal used to form the powder metal compact increases relative to ambient temperature due to deformation of the powder metal during compacting. After ejection and while the powder metal compact is still above ambient temperature, the compact is positioned relative to the other part. Then, upon the cooling of the powder metal compact, the powder metal compact dimensionally shrinks to form an interference fit between the powder metal compact and the other part thereby forming the composite component, which may be subsequently sintered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Alan C. Taylor, Ian W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 9533351
    Abstract: A zirconium-doped aluminum powder metal and a method of making this powder metal are disclosed. The method of making includes forming an aluminum—zirconium melt in which a zirconium content of the aluminum—zirconium melt is less than 2.0 percent by weight. The aluminum—zirconium melt then powderized to form a zirconium-doped aluminum powder metal. The powderization may occur by, for example, air atomization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Richard L. Hexemer, Jr., Ian W. Donaldson, Randy William Cooke
  • Publication number: 20160256929
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite component having a brass or bronze powder metal portion sinter fit into a supporting, ferrous portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Alan C. Taylor, Ian W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 8935852
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing connecting rods is provided which comprises the steps of compacting, sintering, and powder forging a powder metal comprising a carbon source and a prealloyed powder consisting essentially of iron and copper. The connecting rods made from this process have sufficient hardness and strength to be used in an engine and do not require any additional quenching or tempering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Ian W. Donaldson, Timothy E. Geiman, Ray K. Williams, Brandon A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8920533
    Abstract: A powder metal mixture is disclosed that provides improved mechanical properties for parts made from powder metal, such as cam caps. The powder metal mixture, upon sintering, forms an S phase intermetallic in the Al—Cu—Mg alloy system. The S phase is present in a concentration that results in an enhanced response to cold work strengthening of the powder metal part. Further, by minor adjustments to certain alloy elements, such as tin, the tensile properties of the resultant part may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bishop, Christopher D. Boland, Richard L. Hexemer, Jr., Ian W. Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20140341635
    Abstract: A brazed part includes two or more components that are brazed together and has related method of making. Using a method of locating parts relative to one another, an inter-component gap between the components may be formed. Subsequently, during brazing, flow control features formed along the inter-component gap may then be used to assist in the retention of the braze material between the components during brazing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: GKN SINTER METALS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Lemke, Ian W. Donaldson, John D. Gurosik
  • Patent number: 8857390
    Abstract: A method of joining multiple powder metal components to form a powder metal component assembly using an adhesive is disclosed. By machining at least one of the powder metal components prior to the adhesive joining, otherwise difficult to machine features can be more easily machined for less cost and at higher production rates. Unlike high temperature joining techniques, the adhesive joins the powder metal components at room temperature. This room temperature adhesive joining eliminates the thermal distortions in pre-joined machined features common to high temperature joining techniques such as brazing or welding that bring these features out of specification during joining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Michael Malen, Timothy Costanzo, Ian W. Donaldson, Joel H. Mandel
  • Patent number: 8753753
    Abstract: A brazed part, and methods of forming a brazed joint therein, are disclosed. The brazed part includes two or more components that are brazed together. Using the method of locating the parts herein disclosed, an inter-component gap between the components may be formed. Flow control features formed along the inter-component gap may then be used to assist in the retention of the braze material between the components during brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Lemke, Ian W. Donaldson, John David S. Gurosik