Patents by Inventor Robert W. Westerlund
Robert W. Westerlund 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).
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Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Patent number: 10450640Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg?(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the 3-stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: ARCONIC INC.Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
ALUMINUM ALLOY PRODUCTS HAVING IMPROVED PROPERTY COMBINATIONS AND METHOD FOR ARTIFICIALLY AGING SAME
Publication number: 20130312877Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg?(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the 3-stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Patent number: 8524014Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg?(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the 3-stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Patent number: 8083870Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg?(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the three stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
ALUMINUM ALLOY PRODUCTS HAVING IMPROVED PROPERTY COMBINATIONS AND METHOD FOR ARTIFICIALLY AGING SAME
Publication number: 20110268603Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg?(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the 3-stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Patent number: 7678205Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg?(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the three stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Patent number: 6972110Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg?(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the three stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
Patent number: 6911099Abstract: A process for improving 6XXX alloys, such as 6013, preferably includes heating, hot rolling, inter-rolling thermal treatment at a very high temperature such as 1020° F. or more, again hot rolling (with or without subsequent continuous hot rolling or cold rolling or both), solution heat treating and artificial aging. The initial heating, inter-rolling, thermal treatment and solution treatment, especially the latter two, are carried out at very high temperatures such as 1030° F. Each aforesaid hot rolling stage produces substantial metal thickness reduction. The improved sheet or plate product has a substantially reduced occurrence of reduced density features revealed in scanning electron microscope examination at 500X and exhibits improved (reduced) fatigue crack growth rate providing an advantage in aerospace applications such as fuselage skin, especially fuselage belly skin.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Magnusen, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Anne E. Zemo, Robert W. Westerlund, Anthony Morales, Daniel T. Moulton
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Patent number: 6613167Abstract: A process for improving 6XXX alloys, such as 6013, preferably includes heating, hot rolling, inter-rolling thermal treatment at a very high temperature such as 1020° F. or more, again hot rolling (with or without subsequent continuous hot rolling or cold rolling or both), solution heat treating and artificial aging. The initial heating, inter-rolling, thermal treatment and solution treatment, especially the latter two, are carried out at very high temperatures such as 1030° F. Each aforesaid hot rolling stage produces substantial metal thickness reduction. The improved sheet or plate product has a substantially reduced occurrence of reduced density features revealed in scanning electron microscope examination at 500× and exhibits improved (reduced) fatigue crack growth rate providing an advantage in aerospace applications such as fuselage skin, especially fuselage belly skin.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Magnusen, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Anne E. Zemo, Robert W. Westerlund, Anthony Morales, Daniel T. Moulton
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Publication number: 20030127165Abstract: A process for improving 6XXX alloys, such as 6013, preferably includes heating, hot rolling, inter-rolling thermal treatment at a very high temperature such as 1020° F. or more, again hot rolling (with or without subsequent continuous hot rolling or cold rolling or both), solution heat treating and artificial aging. The initial heating, inter-rolling, thermal treatment and solution treatment, especially the latter two, are carried out at very high temperatures such as 1030° F. Each aforesaid hot rolling stage produces substantial metal thickness reduction. The improved sheet or plate product has a substantially reduced occurrence of reduced density features revealed in scanning electron microscope examination at 500× and exhibits improved (reduced) fatigue crack growth rate providing an advantage in aerospace applications such as fuselage skin, especially fuselage belly skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Paul E. Magnusen, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Anne E. Zemo, Robert W. Westerlund, Anthony Morales, Daniel T. Moulton
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Patent number: 6576071Abstract: The present invention is directed to highly controlled alloy composition relationship of a high purity Al—Mg—Cu alloy within the 2000 series aluminum alloys as defined by the Aluminum Association, wherein significant improvements are revealed in fracture toughness through plane strain, fracture toughness through plane stress, fatigue life, and fatigue crack growth resistance.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: John Liu, Robert W. Westerlund, Gary H. Bray, Terrence N. Thom, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti
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Patent number: 6562154Abstract: Aluminum sheet products having highly anisotropic grain microstructures and highly textured crystallographic microstructures are disclosed. The products exhibit improved strength and improved resistance to fatigue crack growth, as well as other advantageous properties such as improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness. The sheet products are useful for aerospace and other applications, particularly aircraft fuselages.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Aloca Inc.Inventors: Roberto J. Rioja, Robert W. Westerlund, Anne E. Roberts, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Diana K. Denzer, Anthony Morales, Paul E. Magnusen, Gregory B. Venema
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Publication number: 20030051784Abstract: This invention relates to a method for artificially aging 7000 Series A1 aerospace alloys to impart improved strength and/or corrosion resistance performance thereto. The method purposefully adds a second aging step or stage to a one-step tempering, or a third step/stage to a low-high, two-step aging operation. The added step/stage extends at about 225-275° F. for about 3-24 hours. More preferably, the added stage extends at about 250° F. for about 6 hours or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Diana K. Denzer, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Lynn E. Oswald, Robert W. Westerlund
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Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Publication number: 20020121319Abstract: Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg≦(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the three stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell, Cynthia M. Krist, Robert W. Westerlund -
Patent number: 6444058Abstract: The present invention is directed to highly controlled alloy composition relationship of a high purity Al—Mg—Cu alloy within the 2000 series aluminum alloys as defined by the Aluminum Association, wherein significant improvements are revealed in fracture toughness through plane strain, fracture toughness through plane stress, fatigue life, and fatigue crack growth resistance.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: John Liu, Robert W. Westerlund, Gary H. Bray, Terrence N. Thom, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti
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Publication number: 20020079027Abstract: The present invention is directed to highly controlled alloy composition relationship of a high purity Al—Mg—Cu alloy within the 2000 series aluminum alloys as defined by the Aluminum Association, wherein significant improvements are revealed in fracture toughness through plane strain, fracture toughness through plane stress, fatigue life, and fatigue crack growth resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2002Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: John Liu, Robert W. Westerlund, Gary H. Bray, Terrence N. Thom, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti
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Patent number: 5810949Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an aluminum alloy product in order to impart a fine grain structure and thereby improve formability and surface finish characteristics. According to this method, the product is first heated to a first temperature high enough to dissolve soluble constituent phase particles into solid solution. The product is maintained at this first temperature long enough to dissolve a major portion of the soluble constituent phase particles. Thereafter, the product is subjected to a controlled cooling process. The product is first cooled from the first temperature, at a first rate that is rapid enough to minimize the precipitation of coarse-grained constituent phase particles, to a second temperature that is below the temperature at which such coarse-grained constituent phase particles will precipitate out. Then, the product is cooled from the second temperature, at a second rate that is within a range of about 1-300 degrees F. per hour, to a third temperature that is at least 50 degrees F.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Robert W. Westerlund, Bruce A. Halter
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Patent number: 5213639Abstract: A method of producing a sheet product and improved products having improved levels of toughness and fatigue crack growth resistance at good strength levels. The method comprises providing an aluminum base alloy containing 4 to 4.5% Cu, 1.2 to 1.5% Mg, 0.4 to 0.6% Mn, 0.12% max. Fe, 0.1% max. Si, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities and hot rolling the alloy, heating the alloy to above 910.degree. F. and additionally hot rolling it in a range of about 600.degree. to 900.degree. F., solution heat treating, preferably for a time of less than about 15 minutes at a solution heat treating temperature, and rapidly cooling and naturally aging. The invention products have very good combinations of strength together with high fracture toughness or low fatigue crack growth rate, or both, making them well suited for aerospace applications such as fuselage skin. The products preferably include a corrosion protecting cladding of aluminum or aluminum alloy.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1992Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Edward L. Colvin, Jocelyn I. Petit, Robert W. Westerlund, Paul E. Magnusen
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Patent number: 4790884Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making aluminum base alloy flat rolled product substantially free of Luder's lines after stretching, the method comprising the steps of providing a body of a lithium-containing aluminum base alloy and working the body to produce a flat rolled product prior to solution heat treating and quenching. The flat rolled product is preaged for a time and temperature which does not substantially affect mechanical properties but which permits stretching the flat rolled product without formation of Luder's lines. Thereafter, the preage flat rolled product is stretched and aged to a condition having a substantially stable level of mechanical properties.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1987Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Kenton P. Young, Edward L. Colvin, Joel A. Bowers, Robert W. Westerlund