Abstract: A free piston internal combustion engine includes a housing with a combustion cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder. A piston includes a piston head reciprocally disposed within the combustion cylinder and movable during a compression stroke to a top dead center position and during a return stroke to a BDC position. A plunger head is reciprocally disposed within the hydraulic cylinder. A plunger rod interconnects and is rigidly affixed to each of the piston head and the plunger head. The plunger head and the hydraulic cylinder define a variable volume pressure chamber on a side of the plunger head generally opposite the plunger rod.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine having an air control arrangement which controls scavenging air flow during rapid engine acceleration to optimize the acceleration and maximum power output of the engine while maintaining low exhaust emissions from the engine. Desirably, the air control arrangement may comprise a valve that throttles the air passage to one half or less of its total flow area at a medium engine load or less and completely or fully opens at a medium engine load or more of the engine. Normally, the air control valve opens in unison with the throttle valve, but during rapid acceleration of the engine the air control valve opens later or more slowly than the throttle valve to control the supply of scavenging air to the combustion chamber of the engine thereby enhancing rapid acceleration of the engine.

Abstract: The position sensor has a sensor element and a transmitter part which can be displaced between a first end position and a second end position. The measurement signal passes through an extreme value between the first and the second end positions. The actual values of the measurement signal in the first and second end position are determined. The extreme value of the measurement signal between the first and second end position is also determined. The position is determined in dependence on the current actual value of the measurement signal, the extreme value, and the actual values in the first and second end positions.

Abstract: A variable valve timing system for a vehicle includes an intake camshaft for operating an intake valve, an exhaust camshaft for operating an exhaust valve, an intake cam sprocket mounted on the intake camshaft, an exhaust cam sprocket mounted on the exhaust camshaft, a chain interconnecting the intake cam sprocket and the exhaust cam sprocket, and a device for varying phases of the intake and exhaust camshafts by, according to an engine rpm, pushing and pulling the chain to forcedly rotate the intake and exhaust cam sprockets at a predetermined angle while moving in a perpendicular direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of a power transmission member.

Abstract: A valve operating system in an internal combustion engine includes an associative-operation switchover means capable of switching over the associative operation of a pair of rocker arms disposed adjacent each other and the releasing of the associative-operation. The associative-operation switchover means is provided between a plurality of rocker arms including the rocker arms disposed adjacent each other. In such valve operating system, through-bores are coaxially provided in support walls of the rocker arm, and opposite ends of a roller shaft are fitted and fixed in the through-bores. A spring-receiving member is mounted to the roller shaft for receiving a return spring. Thus, when the roller shaft with the return spring of the associative-operation switchover means accommodated therein is mounted to the rocker arm, it is possible to facilitate the processing and to reduce the size and weight of the rocker arm.

Abstract: A camshaft provided with three-dimensional cams is connected at its one end to a valve lift-varying actuator. By the valve lift-varying actuator displacing the camshaft in the directions of an axis of the camshaft, the lift characteristic of intake valves set by the three-dimensional cams is variably controlled to a target amount of valve lift. The valve lift characteristic related to this control is detected as a detected amount of valve lift by a reference-purposed detected portion and a cam angle sensor. An apparatus and a method diagnoses abnormalities in the valve lift-varying actuator by, for example, evaluating whether the amount of change in the detected amount of valve lift is at most a predetermined value and the absolute value of a difference between the detected amount of valve lift and the target amount of valve lift is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: There is provided a valve timing control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of suitably controlling a hydraulic pressure control valve 10 for control of a cam phase irrespective of a temperature condition of a coil 100 of the control valve 10, thereby enhancing the accuracy of feedback control of the cam phase. The control valve 10 drives a cam phase change mechanism 8 according to an amount of current flowing through the coil 100. An ECU 2 feedback-controls a provisional duty factor DOUTVT for controlling the amount of current such that an actual cam phase CAIN becomes equal to a desired cam phase CAINCMD. The ECU 2 sets a desired current amount VTCIOBJ based on the provisional duty factor obtained by the feedback control. The ECU 2 feedback-controls an output duty factor DDOUT for control of the amount of current supplied to the control valve 10 such that an actual current amount VTCIACT becomes equal to a desired current amount VTCIOBJ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine with at least one electromotor which produces, by way of a planetary gear, the adjustment of the camshaft with respect to a pinion, with the planetary gear comprising a first ring gear and a second ring gear as well as at least a first planet wheel which is in engagement with the first ring gear and at least a second planet wheel which is in engagement with the second ring gear and which is rigidly connected with the first planet wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine with at least one electromotor which, by way of a gear, produces the adjustment of the camshaft with respect to a pinion, with the gear comprising a planet cage on which at least one planet wheel is provided which is driven by an electromotor. A rapid adjustment with a simple arrangement at the same time can be achieved in such a way that several planet wheels are provided which are in engagement with a ring gear and that each planet wheel is associated with an electromotor which drives the same via a common shaft.

Abstract: To provide a balancer-fitting configuration for an internal combustion engine. With the balancer-fitting configuration of the present invention, the vibration control of an internal combustion engine with forward-inclined cylinders is achieved effectively by using paired balancers separated and disposed opposite to each other. Furthermore, the part of the crankcase behind the crankshaft is decreased in size in the longitudinal direction of the frame, and thereby, a space within which the rear wheel swings is obtained without enlarging the frame.

Abstract: A rotary engine, motor, compressor or pump having a stator housing (101) and a rotor (102). A variable volume working chamber is formed between the stator housing (101), rotor (102), thrust face (176) of moveable arm (116) and the thrust face of moveable arm (118). The surface area of thrust face (176) varies with the varying profile of the stator housing inner surface (166) as the rotor (102) rotates to provide a desired torque characteristic. The surface area of the thrust face of moveable arm (118) is constant during at least part of the working cycle.

Abstract: The arrangement for mounting a sparkplug of an internal combustion engine in accordance with the present claimed invention is that the sparkplug is mounted so that all of the outside electrodes are arranged in areas of a side of an intake port opening and/or a side of an exhaust port opening limited by the sparkplug and the intake port opening and by the sparkplug and the exhaust port opening or in case at least one of the outside electrodes locates outside of the above-mentioned limited area, other remaining outside electrodes are arranged at positions to avoid facing the outside electrode locating outside of the limited area across the central electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combustion misfire detection and cylinder equalization in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having knock control. In the method, rough-running values are individually determined for each cylinder by measuring segment times with each crankshaft rotation. The segment times include the times corresponding to the piston movement of each cylinder to be measured in which the crankshaft passes through a corresponding circular-segment angular region. Thereafter, the determined rough-running values are compared to a threshold value in a desired value comparison and, on the basis of the deviation between the determined rough-running values and the desired value, cylinder-individual equalization factors (that is, correction factors) are computed in an evaluation unit for the change of injection times or ignition time points of the individual cylinders.

Abstract: A control device and a control method capable of eliminating a torque variation in changing an air/fuel ratio and establishing a compatibility of promotion in fuel economy with promotion in drivability is provided. The device includes an outer environment detector for detecting an outer environment in running a vehicle, a running environment determining device for predicting a current running environment in accordance with the outer environment, a data storage device for storing data for changing a driving characteristic, a selecting device for selecting the data, a control quantity calculator for calculating a control quantity based on the data, and a control actuator for controlling a control object.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a plurality of mechanical unit pumps, each of which has a pump outlet. A pressure-intensifying hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector is provided for each of the plurality of mechanical unit pumps. Each of the fuel injectors has a direct control needle valve and an injector body that defines an actuation fluid inlet, a fuel inlet, an actuation fluid cavity and a fuel pressurization chamber. Each fuel injector also includes a moveable pumping element with a large hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the actuation fluid cavity, and a small hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the fuel pressurization chamber. An actuation fluid supply line is provided for each of the plurality of mechanical unit pumps. Each supply line has one end connected to one pump outlet and an other end connected to one actuation fluid inlet of an individual fuel injector.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes at least one combustion chamber formed by at least a first member and a second member that moves relative to the first member. The second member is coupled to an output shaft such that movement of the second member causes the output shaft to rotate. The engine also includes a cooling system configured to circulate coolant into thermal communication with at least a portion of the engine. An induction system is also included for providing a fuel/air charge to the combustion chamber. The induction system includes a charge former configured to form the fuel/air charge and a mounting plate that is attached to the carburetor. The mounting plate includes a first coolant passage that is in communication with the cooling system.

Abstract: A method for causing a very fine atomization or vaporization of a liquid or liquid-like fluid, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into engine, instrument or area for the fluid to be in mixed. The ability of the near supercritical atomizer to produce very fine droplets of a wide range of liquids without any aspirant is very important for number of industrial applications. Especially when the drop size can be so finely controlled. Industries needing such fine atomization include applications such as combustion, engines, scientific equipment, chemical processing, waste disposal control, cleaning, etching, insect control, surface modification, humidification and vaporization. It is important in these applications not to cause a decomposition of the material being atomized.

Abstract: A portable, multipurpose, air dispensing apparatus is disclosed, comprised of a small, portable canister that holds a combination of compressed oxygen and nitrogen that the user can tap in order to recuperate from the physical exertion by delivering these gasses to the cardiovascular system in a quick and efficient manner. The canister includes a mouthpiece/regulator combination that the user places in his or her mouth and, by depressing a button, a breath of the pure oxygen/nitrogen is delivered. The canister is disposable and replaceable and holds enough gas for approximately 15 average breaths. Carried in a convenient arm band, the canister gives the user the ability to tap the benefits of the gasses whenever the need is felt. Additionally, the present invention serves a safety purpose in high-altitude sports where the air is thin and oxygen supplies are low.

Abstract: Respiratory anesthesia device comprising a gas circuit (1) comprising an inhalation branch for conveying a mixture of anesthetic gas to connection means (24) intended to be connected to the upper airways of a patient (11); an exhalation branch (3) for conveying a gaseous mixture containing CO2 exhaled by said patient (11); said inhalation branch (2) and said exhalation branch (3) forming a looped gas circuit (1). A line (8) supplying fresh gas, in fluidic communication with the gas circuit (1) is intended to supply said circuit (1) with fresh gas. Furthermore, a relief valve (4) with an adjustable pressure set-point value is arranged on the inhalation branch (2) or on the exhalation branch (3) and means for controlling the relief valve (4) acting on the relief valve (4) in response to the detection of a variation in flow rate and/or pressure of the fresh gas inside the fresh gas supply line (8) so as to adjust the pressure set-point of the relief valve (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule opening arrangement for a powder inhaler device. The arrangement has a first part and a second part which are relatively movable with respect to one another. The first part has a capsule support including an aperture for supporting at least one severable capsule. The second part contains a capsule severing device fixedly located therein so as to pass across the supporting aperture during relative movement of the first and second parts. The opening arrangement provides particular advantages in that the capsule, after severing, has a large open area from which powder can be extracted without any part of the capsule interfering with the powder flow.

Abstract: A high frequency oscillator (HFO) ventilator has an oscillator unit for alternately supplying a volume of gas (“oscillator volume”) to and removing the oscillator volume from a proximal end of a gas conduit at a predetermined high frequency. The gas conduit has a proximal end connectable to the oscillator unit and a distal end connectable with the patient's airways. Located between the proximal end and the distal end is an inlet for receiving a continuous flow of a bias gas from a supply, and an outlet. The ventilator further has a flow controller adapted to apportion, between the distal end of the conduit and the outlet, the volume of gas supplied by the oscillator unit to establish a predetermined inspiration tidal volume for delivery to the patient's airways independent of the oscillator volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nasal breathing mask and a mask cushion for a nasal breathing mask. The nasal breathing mask comprises a mask cushion and a mask-holding part, which is connected to a hose connection for a breathing hose, and at least one strap for positioning the breathing mask on the face, in particular on the nose, of a user. Together with the mask part, the mask cushion for the nasal breathing mask forms an inner space for accommodating at least the nose of the user. The mask cushion consists of flexible material with a sealing lip, the sealing lip, when the breathing mask is being used, bearing in a sealed manner on the face of the user by means of a part of its outer surface and, in the process, being deformed. In the bearing part, the sealing lip delimits an opening to the inner space by means of an edge and may have a thickened section.

Abstract: A method and system for use in treating a patient receiving any drug to optimize therapy and to prevent an adverse drug response. This system employs surrogate markers or indicators, including blood levels of drug, to determine the next required dose for a patient. Virtually any indicator can be used as the surrogate marker. Surrogate markers could include any measure of the effectiveness of a drug's action. Given the effectiveness of the drug's action, relative to the surrogate markers, a change in drug dose is calculated by the system which uses a stochastic loop mechanism. Conversely, by employing this system, one could determine the expected result of a drug dose change based on the surrogate markers.

Abstract: Methods of reforming degenerated intervertebral discs are provided in accordance with methods of the invention. Hybrid materials useful in methods of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A cleaning device with deeply reaching plasma and assisting electrodes has supporting racks, a chamber, a plasma. sources, metallic grids. Flat boards to be cleaned such as circuit boards are located in the supporting racks. The supporting racks are disposed in the chamber. The metallic grids are disposed on two sides of the chamber. The plasma source is disposed next to the metallic grids. Electric voltage is applied to the metallic grids such that plasma from the plasma source can be pushed deeply into the supporting racks to evenly and sufficiently clean the circuit boards.

Abstract: In a state of the inside of a treatment chamber of treatment equipment being evacuated, therein a cleaning gas containing trifluoroaceticacid (TFA) as a cleaning agent is supplied. Metal such as copper used in the formation of an interconnection or an electrode and stuck on an inner wall surface of the treatment chamber, when coming into contact with the cleaning agent (TFA) in the cleaning gas, without forming an oxide or a metallic salt, is directly complexed. The complex is sublimed due to the evacuation and is exhausted outside the treatment chamber. Accordingly, at less labor and low cost, the cleaning can be efficiently implemented.

Abstract: A method of removing graphite from metal molds used in the glass fabrication industry, the method including placing a metal glass-fabricating mold with graphite bonded thereto in a chamber, providing an oxygen rich mixture of combustible gases in the chamber, said oxygen rich mixture containing from about 10 to about 25% stoichiometric excess of oxygen, and igniting the oxygen rich mixture of combustible gases in the chamber to produce a temperature of at least about 6,000° F. and a pressure wave. A high temperature wave front and the pressure wave thereby produced remove graphite from the metal mold by ablation of the graphite.

Abstract: A pod for storing and carrying substrates consists of a pod body and a cover. An inlet and an outlet are formed on one of the pod body and cover. The cover is tightly fitted to the pod body to close the inside of the pod body. A washing liquid is introduced into the pod through the inlet and is discharged from the pod through the outlet, thereby easily washing the inside of the pod with the pod itself serving as a washing tank. A washing cover has an inlet, an outlet, and a heater. The washing cover is attached to the pod body when washing the inside of the pod body. Further provided is a cleaning apparatus having pipes and a pump that are connected to the washing cover. The cleaning apparatus may have a table serving as the washing cover. The table is connected to pipes and a pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying one or more workpieces. The apparatus and method include the use of a chemically reactive additive to remove contaminants from the wafer surface during processing. In particular, during processing, a wafer is rinsed in a liquid bath and subsequently exposed to a chemically reactive additive. The chemically reactive additive creates a surface tension gradient that physically and chemically alters the properties of the film of the rinse liquid so that the liquid and any contaminants contained therein are removed from the wafer surface.

Abstract: In a method of processing or drying a semiconductor wafer, the wafer is withdrawn from a fluid bath at an inclined angle, and at a selected withdrawal speed. A solvent vapor is provided at the surface of the bath, to create a surface tension gradient and promote drying, or removal of the fluid from the wafer surface. After the wafer is entirely withdrawn from the rinsing liquid, the wafer is rotated briefly, to remove any remaining fluid via centrifugal force, without the fluid drying on the wafer. The wafer is held onto a rotor assembly which rotates the wafer within an enclosed chamber, and which is also pivoted within the chamber, to position the wafer at the incline angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing a layer of material from a synthetic resin or an organic acid ester of cellulose comprising: washing the layer from the substrate with an aqueous alkali solution with a temperature of at least 105° C., and then washing the alkali solution from the substrate. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pressure vessel used for the above method, comprising a longitudinal cylindrical body having a circular cross-section, an end plate connected to the top of the cylindrical body and an inverted end plate connected to the lower part of the cylindrical body in a manner such that its convex part faces upwards wherein the pressure vessel has a strainer plate and a stirring blade inside the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A hand held sun shield having a frame, within the frame a material adapted to reflect or filter ultraviolet radiation. The sun shield includes a handle adapted to position the frame at any angular relationships parallel or perpendicular to the handle.

Abstract: A polycrystalline film of silicon including silicon grains having an aspect ratio, d/t, of more than 1:1, wherein “d” is the grain diameter and “t” is the grain thickness. The polycrystalline film of silicon can be used to form an electronic device, such as a monolithically integrated solar cell having ohmic contacts formed on opposed surfaces or on the same surface of the film. A plurality of solar cells can be monolithically integrated to provide a solar cell module that includes an electrically insulating substrate and at least two solar cells disposed on the substrate in physical isolation from one another. Methods for manufacturing the film, solar cell and solar cell module are also disclosed. The simplified structure and method allow for substantial cost reduction on a mass-production scale, at least in part due to the high aspect ratio silicon grains in the film.

Abstract: This invention provide a solar cell module capable of improving moisture proofness and reliability, with a structure that a solar cell element (3) with semiconductor junction on an opposite side of a front surface glass (1) is sealed between the front surface glass (1) and a transparent rear surface member (2) by EVA resin (4).

Abstract: A fuel tank valve for connection to a degassing circuit (15), the valve comprising a moving closure member and means (11) capable of being controlled from outside the tank (2) to act on the closure member (10) to bring it into a predetermined position when the vehicle is in a predetermined state, the valve being characterized by the fact that the closure member is suitable for rising by floating on the surface of the fuel.

Abstract: Lower members of each of lines A, B, C, D, E, P are mounted on a subbase panel 3 with screws, upper members 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 of each line are mounted on the lower members with screws, and the subbase panels 3 is mounted on a single main base panel 2. Channel connecting means 50 is removable upward.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic steering arrangement (1), having a steering valve (2), which connects a steering motor with a pump, and which has a slide (3) with two front sides (8), the slide being adjustable by means of a pressure fluid both through a hydraulic steering unit (4) with a steering hand wheel (5) and through an electro hydraulic steering unit (6) with a control pressure generator, the two steering units having working connections (7) and the front sides (8) of the slide (3) being connected with shuttle valves (9), each of which being connected with the hydraulic steering unit (4) on the one side and with the electro hydraulic steering unit (6) on the other side.

Abstract: Device (10) for the automatic delivery of water from a tap (12) comprising a mixer cartridge (30), able to be arranged inside the monoblock (11) of said tap (12), means to regulate the mixing of the water and actuation means (42), arranged above said monoblock (11), able to determine the opening and closing of the flow of water, said actuation means (42) being commanded electrically and able to cooperate with a corresponding interception element (20) of said mixer cartridge (30).

Abstract: The present invention provides a pipe body of which the edge sections contact with each other stably and which can be formed only by means of only a press processing without performing a welding mass-producing, wherein separation-prevented engagement due to deformation of at least one of the engagement sections absorbs the spring back in the press processing. Also, the present invention provides a pipe body, a metal plate for the pipe body and a forming method of the pipe body using the sheet metal for the pipe body.

Abstract: A brake arrangement is intended for or can be assigned to a number of threads or yarns which can be fed in or to a textile machine, for example a weaving machine. The brake arrangement comprises two units (1, 2) which have thread or yarn parts (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) lying between them and which are pressed towards each other by actuating members (3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 8, 9, 10, respectively), which units (1, 2) cooperate with the thread or yarn parts via two opposite surfaces (1a and 2a, respectively) which are made of smooth material and are set substantially parallel by the cooperation with the thread or yarn parts. The actuating member is arranged to exert, via the unit, press forces (F) on the thread or yarn parts which are substantially identical, on the one hand, on the different thread or yarn parts and, on the other hand, along at least part of the length of the respective thread or yarn part.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes vapor and hydrocarbon concentration sensors positioned in the vapor recovery line to calculate the vapor-to-liquid (V/L) ratio of the fuel dispenser. If the V/L ratio is not as desired, an adjustment is made to attempt a correction of the V/L ratio. If such correction attempt is unsuccessful, and error is reported.

Abstract: A method of making an iron base magnetic material alloy powder includes the steps of: preparing an iron base magnetic material alloy containing at least 50% by mass of iron; and pulverizing the magnetic material alloy using a pin mill. A portion of the mill, which comes into contact with the magnetic material alloy, is made of a cemented carbide material at least partially.

Abstract: Disclosed is a permanent magnet which comprises an alloy containing a hard magnetic phase having a ThMn12 type tetragonal structure and a nonmagnetic phase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic powder which can provide a magnet having excellent magnetic properties and having excellent reliability especially excellent in heat stability. The magnetic powder is composed of an alloy composition represented by Rx(Fe1-yCoy)100-x-z-w-vBzAlwVv (where R is at least one kind of rare-earth element, x is 7.1-9.9 at %, y is 0-0.30, z is 4.6-6.9 at %, w is 0.02-1.5 at % and v is 0.2-3.

Abstract: Electromagnetic steel sheet having excellent magnetic properties and a texture gratly integrated in the {100}<001> orientation, and an uncomplicated and low cost production method; with about a 15 &mgr;&OHgr;·cm or more specific resistivity, about a 2.0 or more {100}<001> integration degree/{111}<uvw> integration degree and about a 10 &mgr;m to 500 &mgr;m grain diameter; when about 0.1 to 3.5% by weight of Si is present, the {100}<001> integration degree is about 10 or more; when about 0.2 to 1.2% by weight of P is present, the{100}<001> integration degree is about 3 or more; by applying a large reduction ratio to a steel slab in the vicinity of the final stage of hot rolling, with the hot rolling finishing temperature controlled at about 750 to 1150° C., hot rolled steel having a texture highly integrated in the {100}<001> orientation is economically produced.

Abstract: A thin, forged magnesium alloy casing is integrally constituted by a thin plate with projections on either or both surfaces, and the thin plate is as thin as about 1.5 mm or less. The thin forged casing can be produced by (a) carrying out a first forging step for roughly forging a magnesium alloy plate to form an intermediate forged product under the conditions of a preheating temperature of the magnesium alloy plate of 350-500° C., a die temperature of 350-450° C., a compression pressure of 3-30 tons/cm2, a compressing speed of 10-500 mm/sec. and a compression ratio of 75% or less; and (b) carrying out a second forging step for precisely forging the intermediate forged product under the conditions of a preheating temperature of the intermediate forged product of 300-500° C., a die temperature of 300-400° C., a compression pressure of 1-20 tons/cm2, a compressing speed of 1-200 mm/sec., and a compression ratio of 30% or less.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode according to this invention comprises the steps of: dissolving a particle surface of said hydrogen-absorbing alloy by a surface-treatment solution; and washing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy with the particle surface dissolved using an alkaline solution at a temperature of 30° C.˜40° C. The metal ions dissolved by the surface-treatment solution can be completely washed away by the alkaline solution so that they will not be precipitated onto the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy again as the hydroxide. In this case, the washing using the alkaline solution of which the temperature exceeds 40° C. dissolves an alloy component as well as the hydroxide. Therefore, the temperature of the alkaline solution used must be controlled at 40° C. or lower. On the other hand, if the temperature of the alkaline solution is lower than 30° C.

Abstract: A free-cutting aluminum alloy without lead as an alloy element, containing: (a) as alloy elements: 0.5 to 1.0 wt. % Mn; 0.4 to 1.8 wt. % Mg; 3.3 to 4.6 wt. % Cu; 0.4 to 1.9 wt. % Sn; 0 to 0.1 wt. % Cr; 0 to 0.2 wt. % Ti; (b) as impurities: up to 0.8 wt. % Si; up to 0.7 wt. % Fe; up to 0.8 wt. % Zn; up to 0.1 wt. % Pb; up to 0.1 wt. % Bi; up to 0.3 wt. % total of other impurities; and (c) the balance being substantially aluminum. The process includes the steps of semicontinuously casting the above alloy composition followed by homogenization annealing, cooling, heating to a working temperature for extrusion, extruding at a maximum temperature of 380° C., followed by press-quenching and aging. The aging may be a natural aging or an artificial aging. A cold working step and/or a tension straightening step also may be conducted after the press-quenching step. The extruding step includes indirectly extruding.

Abstract: A substantially unrecrystallized extrusion comprising about 3.6 to about 4.2 wt. % copper, about 1.0 to about 1.6 wt. % magnesium, about 0.3 to about 0.8 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.25% zirconium, the balance substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The extrusion has a longitudinal yield strength of at least about 50 ksi and a longitudinal tensile ultimate strength of at least about 70 ksi. On a preferred basis, the extrusions of this invention include very low levels of both iron and silicon, typically on the order of less than 0.1 wt. % each, and more preferably about 0.05 wt. % or less iron and about 0.03 wt. % or less silicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a superplastic aluminum alloy in which fine particles not substantially dispersion hardening are dispersed in a sufficient amount to effect grain boundary pinning to suppress crystal grain growth during hot working thereby ensuring manifestation of superplasticity over wide ranges of working temperature and strain rate.