Utilizing Wave Energy (e.g., Laser, Etc.) Or Electric Heating With Work As Conductor Patents (Class 148/224)
  • Patent number: 10137540
    Abstract: A method and portable device for modifying or coating a surface of turbine components in the field includes an ESD torch electrically connected with ESD equipment. The ESD torch includes an inert gas source, vibration source, and electrode disk of conductive material. The electrode disk is disposed within the ESD torch, shielded by an inert gas and coupled with the vibration source. The electrode disk is rolled over the surface, which actuates the electrode disk and deposits the conductive material from the electrode disk onto the surface of the workpiece to form the compositionally controlled protective coating. The compositionally controlled protective coating deposited by the electrode disk forms a metallurgical bond with the surface of the workpiece to prevent erosion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jianqiang Chen, Ronald Ralph Cairo
  • Patent number: 8969752
    Abstract: The present invention provides a laser processing method comprising the steps of attaching a protective tape 25 to a front face 3 of a wafer 1a, irradiating a substrate 15 with laser light L while employing a rear face of the wafer 1a as a laser light entrance surface and locating a light-converging point P within the substrate 15 so as to form a molten processed region 13 due to multiphoton absorption, causing the molten processed region 13 to form a cutting start region 8 inside by a predetermined distance from the laser light entrance surface along a line 5 along which the object is intended to be cut in the wafer 1a, attaching an expandable tape 23 to the rear face 21 of the wafer 1a, and expanding the expandable tape 23 so as to separate a plurality of chip parts 24 produced upon cutting the wafer 1a from the cutting start region 8 acting as a start point from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kenshi Fukumitsu, Fumitsugu Fukuyo, Naoki Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20150020924
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a composite steel part including manufacturing a first steel part by preparing an intermediate product in which an extra portion is added, and heating the intermediate product to an austenitizing temperature in a carburizing atmosphere to form a carburized layer, cooling the intermediate product at a rate less than a cooling rate at which martensitic transformation is caused and in which the intermediate product is cooled to a temperature equal to or less than a temperature at which structure transformation due to the cooling is completed, heating the intermediate product to an austenitizing range by high-density energy and thereafter cooled at a rate equal to or more than the cooling rate at which martensitic transformation is caused to form a carburized quenched portion, cutting the extra portion of the intermediate product, and welding the first steel part and the second steel part to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Koji OBAYASHI, Daisuke KASAI, Keita TAGUCHI, Takaaki OGISO, Tsutomu SATO
  • Publication number: 20130302109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw having a head, an adjoining retaining section and a functional tip for use as a self-tapping screw. The functional tip is of greater hardness than the retaining section. The entire screw is made of hardened low-alloy carbon steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: EJOT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wilfried Pinzl
  • Publication number: 20130292007
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a part. The part may be positioned in a chamber. The part may be comprised of a metal and may be a positioned part. A gas containing nitrogen may be sent into the chamber. An electromagnetic field may be generated in the chamber with the gas. The electromagnetic field may heat a portion of the metal in the positioned part to a temperature from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the melting point of the metal such that the portion of the metal has a desired hardness. The portion of the metal may extend from a surface of the positioned part to a selected depth from the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Dale J. Weires, Scott M. Holder, Julia C. Hess
  • Patent number: 8545642
    Abstract: Providing an iron and steel material having quenched surface part, avoiding oxidation of a compound layer formed on the surface of the iron and steel material due to quenching, its production method, and an induction-quenched component. A quenched iron and steel material 10 comprises an iron and steel material 11, a compound layer 12 formed on the iron and steel material 11, and an antioxidant cover layer 13 formed on the compound layer 12. The iron and steel material 11 has a hardened layer having a given depth, and the surface of the iron and steel material 11 has enhanced hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Neturen Co., Ltd., Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Fukazawa, Yoshitaka Misaka, Kazuhiro Kawasaki, Yoshihiro Ikeda, Masaaki Beppu, Arata Suda
  • Patent number: 8496872
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a part. The part may be positioned in a chamber. The part may be comprised of a metal and may be a positioned part. A gas containing nitrogen may be sent into the chamber. An electromagnetic field may be generated in the chamber with the gas. The electromagnetic field may heat a portion of the metal in the positioned part to a temperature from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the melting point of the metal such that the portion of the metal has a desired hardness. The portion of the metal may extend from a surface of the positioned part to a selected depth from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dale J. Weires, Scott M. Holder, Julia C. Hess
  • Publication number: 20130180626
    Abstract: A steel for surface hardening for machine structural use which is characterized by containing, in terms of mass %, 0.30-0.60% C, 0.02-2.0% Si, 0.35-1.5% Mn, 0.001-0.5% Al, 0.05-2.0% Cr, 0.001-1.0% Sn, 0.0001-0.021% S, 0.0030-0.0055% N, 0.01-2.0% Ni, 0.01-2.0% Cu, up to 0.030% P, and up to 0.005% O, with the remainder comprising Fe and incidental impurities, the contents of Sn, Cu, Ni, Mn, and S satisfying relationships (1) and (2). ?0.19?0.12×Sn+Cu?0.1×Ni?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Suguru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8377234
    Abstract: The method of nitriding nickel-chromium-based superalloys is a method of forming a nitride barrier layer on a surface of a nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece, such as an Inconel® 718 plate, using gas-assisted laser nitriding. The nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece is first cleaned, both with a chemical bath and then through an ultrasonic cleaning process. Following the cleaning of the workpiece, a laser beam is scanned over a surface of the nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece. A stream of nitrogen gas, which may be elemental nitrogen or nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas or the like, is sprayed on the surface of the nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece coaxially and simultaneously with the laser beam to form the nitride barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Bekir Sami Yilbas, Syed Sohail Akhtar, Cihan Karatas
  • Publication number: 20120164019
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing rare-earth magnet powder having excellent magnetic properties, and a method of manufacturing a rare-earth bond magnet are provided. A nitriding step is performed, in which when nitrided rare-earth magnet powder is produced, rare-earth-element/transition metal-based alloy powder is irradiated with a microwave at an atmosphere containing nitrogen atoms, so that the nitrogen atoms are allowed to enter into a crystal lattice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Yoshibumi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110259475
    Abstract: The method of nitriding nickel-cadmium-based superalloys is a method of forming a nitride barrier layer on a surface of a nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece, such as an Inconel® 718 plate, using gas-assisted laser nitriding. The nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece is first cleaned, both with a chemical bath and then through an ultrasonic cleaning process. Following the cleaning of the workpiece, a laser beam is scanned over a surface of the nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece. A stream of nitrogen gas, which may be elemental nitrogen or nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas or the like, is sprayed on the surface of the nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece coaxially and simultaneously with the laser beam to form the nitride barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Bekir Sami Yilbas, Syed Sohail Akhtar, Cihan Karatas
  • Patent number: 7622009
    Abstract: A raw steel is coated with or surrounded by a boron compound (step S1). A coating film of h-BN is formed on the surface of the raw steel. Then, the raw steel is nitrided by a nitriding gas while being heated (step S2). B from the boron compound and N from the nitriding gas are diffused into the raw steel, turning the raw steel into a steel material containing B and N. Most of B and N are present as an Fe (B, N) solid solution or an Fe (C, B, N) solid solution in the structure of the steel material. The raw steel is heated and nitrided under conditions such that B and N are contained ranging from 7 to 30 ppm by weight and ranging from 10 to 70 ppm by weight, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuo Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20040256029
    Abstract: There is provided an inexpensive rolling element used under high interface pressure such as induction hardened gears, the rolling element being improved in the seizure resistance of its tooth flanks and having a temper hardness of HRC 50 or more at 300° C. To this end, the rolling element is made from a steel material containing at least 0.45 to 1.5 wt % C and one or more alloy elements selected from 0.1 to 0.5 wt % V and 0.3 to 1.5 wt % Cr, and has a rolling contact surface layer having a structure tempered at low temperature in which 2 to 18% by volume cementite disperses in a martensite parent phase formed by induction heating and cooling and containing 0.25 to 0.8 wt % carbon solid-dissolving therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Takemori Takayama, Masanari Furumoto, Chikara Nakao, Noriko Morioka
  • Publication number: 20040069378
    Abstract: A raw steel is coated with or surrounded by a boron compound (step S1). A coating film of h-BN is formed on the surface of the raw steel. Then, the raw steel is nitrided by a nitriding gas while being heated (step S2). B from the boron compound and N from the nitriding gas are diffused into the raw steel, turning the raw steel into a steel material containing B and N. Most of B and N are present as an Fe (B, N) solid solution or an Fe (C, B, N) solid solution in the structure of the steel material. The raw steel is heated and nitrided under conditions such that B and N are contained ranging from 7 to 30 ppm by weight and ranging from 10 to 70 ppm by weight, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Mitsuo Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20030029522
    Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a coated laser shock peening surface of the part which has been covered with an explosive coating containing at least one explosive ingredient. Two or more explosive ingredients having different shock sensitivities may be used and the laser beam is fired with sufficient power to explode at least some amount of each of the explosive ingredients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Otis S. Moreman
  • Patent number: 6454877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating the surface of a metal body through phase transformation, ion implantation, and/or diffusion and to form new phases of metallic materials. The method and apparatus have been shown to be particularly useful to improve the hardness and corrosion resistance of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Generally, the method comprises irradiating a portion of the metal body (18) with a laser (12), and directing a stream of gas (22) onto the same portion of the metal body simultaneously with and preferably for a duration after the laser is turned off. Preferably, the laser (12) is a carbon dioxide laser operated in a pulsed mode to control heating of the metal (18). The gas (22) is preferably carbon dioxide to quickly cool the metal when the laser is off, and to provide carbon atoms for deposition onto the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Devendra Kumar, Satyendra Kumar, Michael L. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6174388
    Abstract: High energy flux infrared heaters are used to treat an object having a surface section and a base section such that a desired characteristic of the surface section is physically, chemically, or phasically changed while the base section remains unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: Vinod K. Sikka, Craig A. Blue, Evan Keith Ohriner
  • Patent number: 6143095
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the method for surface-alloying comprising the steps of: (a) plating alloying ingredients on the surface of metal or alloy substrate to form plated layer, and (b) melting this surface using a laser beam to form an alloyed layer of which composition is different from that of base material. And, the method of this invention may further include surface-reforming method of metal or alloy substrate. And the method of this invention may further include surface-repairing method of damaged metal or alloy substrate. Using the method of this invention, an alloyed layer, which has improved resistance to grain boundary related material degradation phenomena, e.g. stress corrosion cracking, abrasion, fatigue, erosion, and so on, can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Joung Soo Kim, Jeong Hun Suh, Il Hiun Kuk
  • Patent number: 5882438
    Abstract: For a method for the formation of a frangible zone for fracture separation of a part, namely a connecting rod for internal combustion engines, by which method, in a fracture plane for the intended triggered break-away, a frangible zone is formed along a side of the plane, through which, ordered depressions with ribs are developed from the surface, there is proposed that in the case of a part comprised of ductile metal, the ribs are at least sectionally embrittled, i.e. penetratingly hardened, for intended formation of initial starting cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Clemens Luchner, Helmut Poellath, Helmut Hochsteiner
  • Patent number: 5573604
    Abstract: The process serves for the manufacture of an erosion-resistant turbine blade which is preferably used in the low-pressure stage of a steam turbine and is made of a vanadium-containing (.alpha./.beta.)-titanium base alloy. This involves the formation, by remelt alloying of a blade section which is situated in the region of the blade tip and comprises the leading edge of the blade, in a boron-, carbon- and/or nitrogen-containing gas atmosphere, with the aid of a high-power energy source, of an erosion-resistant protective layer made of a titanium boride, titanium carbide and/or titanium nitride. The remelt alloyed blade section is subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature between 600.degree. and 750.degree. C. with the formation of a vanadium-rich .beta.-titanium phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventor: Claus Gerdes
  • Patent number: 5413641
    Abstract: A method of nitriding a piece made of titanium alloy, in which a laser beam is directed onto the piece to obtain a small amount of surface melting in the impact zone of the laser, nitrogen under high pressure is blown immediately behind the impact zone of the laser beam so that the nitrogen penetrates into the impact zone once it has become semi-solid, and an inert gas is blown around the nitrogen so as to cover and overlap the laser impact zone. The apparatus of the invention includes a central tube for conveying the nitrogen and a circularly symmetrical duct around the axis of the central tube having inside and outside walls that are conical and that serve to convey the inert gas. The invention serves to obtain a hard surface layer having a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Electromecanique SA
    Inventor: Andre Coulon
  • Patent number: 5411770
    Abstract: The surface of stainless steel can be hardened by coating a silicon nitride gel and then scanning by CO.sub.2 laser to form a surface alloy layer thereon. The thickness and hardness of the surface alloy layer are both uniform. The Vicker's hardness of the layer can be as high as 1200 Hv. This method can be operated in a common atmosphere or nitride atmosphere at normal pressure, therefore it is more economic than ion nitriding or plasma nitriding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Wen-Ta Tsai, Ju-Tung Lee, Tai-Hwang Lai
  • Patent number: 5405456
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of surface hardening for titanium alloys comprising .alpha. phase by carburization in a molten salt which consists of carbonate as the carbon-yielding agent with electrolysis within 790.degree. C. to 930.degree. C. The hardness within the effective carburizing layer is influenced by bath temperature, applied current density and carburizing period. The major hardening effect is due to the formation of solid solution of carbon in .alpha.-Ti.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Jiann-Kuo Wu, Tair-I Wu
  • Patent number: 5294264
    Abstract: A method of nitriding a refractory-nitride forming metal or metalloid articles and composite articles. A consolidated metal or metalloid article or composite is placed inside a microwave oven and nitrogen containing gas is introduced into the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article or composite is heated to a temperature sufficient to react the metal or metalloid with the nitrogen by applying a microwave energy within the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article or composite is maintained at that temperature for a period of time sufficient to convert the article of metal or metalloid or composite to an article or composite of refractory nitride. In addition, a method of applying a coating, such as a coating of an oxide, a carbide, or a carbo-nitride, to an article of metal or metalloid by microwave heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry N. Tiegs, Cressie E. Holcombe, Norman L. Dykes, Ogbemi O. Omatete, Albert C. Young
  • Patent number: 5154779
    Abstract: A method of nitriding an article of refractory-nitride-forming metal or metalloids. A consolidated metal or metalloid article is placed inside a microwave oven and nitrogen containing gas is introduced into the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article is heated to a temperature sufficient to react the metal or metalloid with the nitrogen by applying a microwave energy within the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article is maintained at that temperature for a period of time sufficient to convert the article of metal or metalloid to an article of refractory nitride. in addition, a method of applying a coating, such as a coating of an oxide, a carbide, or a carbo-nitride, to an article of metal or metalloid by microwave heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cressie E. Holcombe, Norman L. Dykes, Terry N. Tiegs