Electric Heating With Work As Electrical Conductor (e.g., Alternating Current, Induction, Etc.) Patents (Class 148/526)
  • Patent number: 11801653
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a special hydraulic press for bulging pressing forming of an automobile axle housing and a pressing forming method. A hydraulic press body is a closed frame consisting of an upper cross beam, a lower cross beam, four stand columns I, II, III, and IV, four vertical pull rods I, II, III, and IV, and four transverse pull rods I, II, III, and IV, and is used for balancing a deformation force up to 3000 T in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction in the pressing forming process. During pressing forming, the downward speeds of a main hydraulic cylinder, small left and right vertical hydraulic cylinders are precisely controlled to prevent the left end, the right end and the middle of the tube blank from bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: Qinhuangdao Tongqiao Technology Co., Ltd., Yanshan University
    Inventors: Liandong Wang, Chen Liang, Lei Ma, Xiaodi Wang, Xiliang Song, Dongfeng Yang, Na Wu, Jiaqi Zhang, Hailing Deng
  • Patent number: 11215251
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates a brake disc and a method of manufacturing the same, in which the depth of the coating layer containing a nitride is adjustable and corrosion resistance and wear resistance can be improved. A brake disc according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a disc base material made of gray cast iron; and a coating layer formed on a surface of the disc base material and including a nitride produced as nitrogen is diffused into a ferrite matrix structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soon Woo Kwon, Chung An Lee, Min Woo Kang, Seung Hyun Hong
  • Patent number: 11155905
    Abstract: Improved steel compositions and methods of making the same are provided. The present disclosure provides advantageous wear resistant steel. More particularly, the present disclosure provides high manganese (Mn) steel having enhanced wear resistance, and methods for fabricating high manganese steel compositions having enhanced wear resistance. The advantageous steel compositions/components of the present disclosure improve one or more of the following properties: wear resistance, ductility, crack resistance, erosion resistance, fatigue life, surface hardness, stress corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and/or environmental cracking resistance. In general, the present disclosure provides high manganese steels tailored to resist wear and/or erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, POSCO
    Inventors: Hyunwoo Jin, Ning Ma, Raghavan Ayer, Russell Robert Mueller, Hak-Cheol Lee, Jong-Kyo Choi, In-Shik Suh
  • Patent number: 11053565
    Abstract: A post-heating treatment device performs a post-heating treatment for a welded section of a rail, after an induction heating coil is automatically disposed at a predetermined position based on the welded section. The device includes welded section detecting unit for detecting the position of a welded section on a rail, a first coil and a second coil that form an induction heating coil, first coil moving unit for moving the first coil to a position spaced apart from the rail at a predetermined distance, second coil moving unit for moving the second coil to a position separated from the rail at a predetermined distance, where the second coil is contacted to the first coil, clamping unit for pressing against the contact portion between the first coil and the second coil, and current applying unit for applying a predetermined current to the formed induction heating coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: DAI-ICHI HIGH FREQUENCY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Sugiyama, Nobuhiko Matsumoto, Ryuta Harada, Kenji Saita, Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10478913
    Abstract: A method for resistance welding a first component to a second component including inserting the second component, at least by a connecting region, into an opening of the first component by a insertion distance and welding the first component to the second component in the process. An internal dimension of the opening and an external dimension of the connecting region are configured similar to a press fit with each other. The insertion distance is limited by an adjustable external distance limiter. A device is configured for resistance welding the first component to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Echtermeyer, Guenther Schaechtner, Stefan Kaufmann, Peter Andretzky
  • Patent number: 10244588
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, inductive heating is added to a metal working process, such as a welding process, by an induction heating head. The induction heating head may be adapted specifically for this purpose, and may include one or more coils to direct and place the inductive energy, protective structures, and so forth. Productivity of a welding process may be improved by the application of heat from the induction heating head. The heating is in addition to heat from a welding arc, and may facilitate application of welding wire electrode materials into narrow grooves and gaps, as well as make the processes more amenable to the use of certain compositions of welding wire, shielding gasses, flux materials, and so forth. In addition, distortion and stresses are reduced by the application of the induction heating energy in addition to the welding arc source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald Edward Jones, Valerie Lisa Rhoades, Todd Earl Holverson, Adam Nathan Cuneo, Mark Dietrich Mann
  • Patent number: 10233677
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (1), in a motor vehicle, includes two elements (2, 4) that abut one another along a contact region (10). At least one element (2, 4) has a coating (9) at least in the contact region. The coating alters under stress during an accident, such that the contact region (10) between the two elements becomes larger and/or a coefficient of friction between the two elements increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Linnenbrink, Ingo Kienke, Jörgen Von Bodenhausen, Gerhard Rothstein, Peter Grüdl
  • Patent number: 10150147
    Abstract: A piercing plug of the present invention includes: a plug body; a Ni—Cr layer formed on a surface of the plug body; and a sprayed coating formed on a surface of the Ni—Cr layer. The plug body contains, by mass %, 20 to 30% of Cr, 30 to 55% of Ni, 0.005 to 0.5% of C, 0.1 to 1.0% of Si, 0.2 to 1.5% of Mn, and at least one of Mo and W which satisfy a following conditional expression (A), and remainder including Fe and impurities. 1.5%?Mo+0.5W?8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Nosaka, Yasuyoshi Hidaka, Yasuto Higashida, Ryuutarou Ogata
  • Patent number: 9080222
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hardened profiles, in particular hardened open profiles, wherein the component is at least partly heated to above the austenitizing temperature of the base material and after heating the component is cooled at a rate above the critical hardening rate, the energy necessary for the heating being introduced at least partly by induction, wherein free edges are provided in the component to adjust a temperature or hardness gradient over the cross section of the component, the size, type and extension of the edges being set for a desired degree of hardness and/or hardness gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: VOESTALPINE KREMS GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lengauer, Andreas Schieder, Alfred Habacht, Wolfgang Buhl, Franz Weitz, Andreas Kreuzhuber, Bernhard Lagler, Werner Brandstätter
  • Patent number: 9045807
    Abstract: An apparatus includes rails for supporting sides of a circumferential peripheral edge of a carrier. A movable ram engages a rearward portion of the carrier. A movable restrainer restrains movement of the ram. A wheel engages a forward portion of the carrier. A controller is operable to control the movable restrainer to restrain movement of the ram with the carrier and at least one metal object disposed adjacent an induction heating device, the wheel to rotate the carrier and the metal object, the induction heating device to induction heat the rotating metal object, and the movable restrainer to disengage the ram so that the wheel pivots away to allow passage of the carrier and the heated metal object into a quench bath. A plurality of metal objects may be arranged in a circular array in the carrier about a diameter generally equal to the diameter of an induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Temper Axle Products Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Rode, Sean E. Strait
  • Patent number: 9044831
    Abstract: A method of joining using a supporting electrode 4 having a cooling circuit and a pressure electrode 8 movably arranged above the supporting electrode, using a steel material causing martensitic transformation for one of or both of a first member 20 having an opening portion and a second member 24, engaging the second member with the opening portion of the first member, starting conduction from a power supply to the supporting electrode and the pressure electrode, allowing an insertion portion of the second member to enter the opening portion of the first member by a pressure force of the pressure electrode, causing the second member and an inner wall portion of the opening portion to be subjected to solid-phase diffusion joining, rapidly cooling the both members by thermal conduction of the supporting electrode after the joining, and quenching a joined portion and generating compressive residual stress by the rapid cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: OHASHI TECHNICA, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Nozue, Osamu Kimpara
  • Publication number: 20150147111
    Abstract: The invention provides a hot stamped structural component (20) for an automotive vehicle, such as a B-pillar, including a first part (22) formed of a high strength steel material joined to a second part (24) formed of a high ductility steel material. The structural component (20) also includes a locally tempered transition zone (26) along the joint (28) to reduce the potential for failure along the joint (28). The transition zone (26) has strength and ductility levels between the strength and ductility levels of the remaining portions of the first and second parts (22, 24). The tempering step can be incorporated into a laser trimming cell or assembly cell, and thus the transition zone (26) can be created without adding an additional process step or increasing cycle time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: RICHARD ALLEN TEAGUE
  • Patent number: 9040882
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for making the longitudinal temperature distribution of the bulbous end of a longitudinally oriented workpiece, such as a rail's head, generally uniform when the head has a non-uniform longitudinal temperature distribution. A combination of crown and skirt electric inductors is used to achieve the generally uniform temperature distribution by modulating the magnetic field intensity produced by current flow through one or more of the combination of crown and skirt inductors as required for the non-uniformly heated regions of the rail's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Dickson, Paul F. Scott
  • Publication number: 20140191539
    Abstract: A method of forming a header extension coupling a front header and a roof side inner includes: electrically heating a part of a material to a temperature of not less than a hardening temperature such that a front header side is heated to the temperature of not less than the hardening temperature and a roof side inner side is heated to a temperature of less than the hardening temperature; and press-forming the material after the electrical heating into the shape of the header extension; and hardening the material by quenching. In this way, a vehicle structure can be provided such that the bending mode under application of a load to the roof can be appropriately controlled, and productivity can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140099514
    Abstract: A continuous hot bonding method for producing a bi-material strip with a strong bond therebetween is provided. The method comprises sanding a first strip formed of steel; and applying a layer of first particles, typically formed of copper, to the sanded first strip. The method next includes heating the first strip and the layer of the first particles, followed by pressing a second strip formed of an aluminum alloy onto the heated layer of the first particles. The aluminum alloy of the second strip includes tin particles, and the heat causes the second particles to liquefy and dissolve into the melted first particles. The first particles and the second particles bond together to form bond enhancing metal particles, which typically comprise bronze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: David Michael Saxton
  • Publication number: 20140070603
    Abstract: Undercarriage assembly components of track-type machines having a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and methods for forming such coated undercarriage assembly components is taught herein. The bodies of the undercarriage assembly components, formed of an iron-based alloy, have a hard metal alloy slurry disposed on a surface or into an undercut or channel and then fused to form a metallurgical bond with the iron-based alloy. The wear-resistant coating comprises a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. The portion of the outer surface of the undercarriage assembly components having the wear-resistant coating corresponds to a wear surface of the component during operation of the endless track of the track-type vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy D. WODRICH, Todd B. Niemann, Gopal S. Revankar
  • Publication number: 20140007987
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of combining at least one bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy and at least one additional metal or alloy of a metal to provide a composite preform. The composite preform then is heated to produce an alloy of the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy and the at least one additional metal or alloy of the metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER D. PREST, Joseph C. Poole, Matthew S. Scott, Dermot J. Stratton
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130180629
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing apparatus for an automobile part, comprising: a conveying path (20) for transferring an outer joint member (10) which is made of a metal and has an outer surface coated with a coating agent after induction quenching; and high-frequency induction coils (21, 22) arranged along an automobile part transferring direction of the conveying path (20), for simultaneously performing tempering of the outer joint member (10) and baking of the coating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Shintaro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130153092
    Abstract: A method of production of a welded joint which enables improvement of the fatigue strength in the case where measures for improvement of the fatigue strength cannot be applied due to the presence of structurally sealed regions is provided. The method is provided with a first weld step which performs welding by forming an inside weld toe or root part by using a weld metal with a transformation start temperature of 175° C. to 400° C. in range, at least parts of the weld metal forming the inside weld toe or root part which was formed at the first weld step becoming unmelted parts, and a second weld step which performs welding for building up the weld metal by a single pass by a weld heat input by which all of the unmelted parts are retransformed to austenite so as to introduce compressive residual stress to the inside weld toe or root part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Kasuya, Ryuichi Shimura, Manabu Mizumoto
  • Publication number: 20130133785
    Abstract: A method of joining using a supporting electrode 4 having a cooling circuit and a pressure electrode 8 movably arranged above the supporting electrode, using a steel material causing martensitic transformation for one of or both of a first member 20 having an opening portion and a second member 24, engaging the second member with the opening portion of the first member, starting conduction from a power supply to the supporting electrode and the pressure electrode, allowing an insertion portion of the second member to enter the opening portion of the first member by a pressure force of the pressure electrode, causing the second member and an inner wall portion of the opening portion to be subjected to solid-phase diffusion joining, rapidly cooling the both members by thermal conduction of the supporting electrode after the joining, and quenching a joined portion and generating compressive residual stress by the rapid cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: OHASHI TECHNICA, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Nozue, Osamu Kimpara
  • Publication number: 20130133784
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rail weld treatment device for improving a resulting microstructure in and around an effected zone of a rail weld and of rails surrounding the rail weld. The device includes, but is not limited to a fixture clamping and centering assembly for engaging a rail head of a rail and a heating and cooling device connected with the fixture clamping and centering assembly to be positioned over the rail head. The fixture clamping and centering assembly comprises an engagement member which removably engages the rail head. The heating and cooling device includes a heating member for heating an effected zone of the rail weld and a cooling member for cooling the effected zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: CF&I STEEL L.P., D/B/A EVRAZ ROCKY MOUNTAIN STEEL
    Inventors: Joseph Victor Kristan, Kenneth H. Reid
  • Publication number: 20130105046
    Abstract: A method of generating a welded assembly includes providing a work-hardened steel component. The method also includes annealing a region on the work-hardened steel component to impart a local temper to the region such that formability of the region is increased. The method additionally includes forming a projection on the annealed region. Furthermore, the method includes clamping a panel against the projection and joining the panel and the work-hardened steel component at the projection via a welding apparatus to generate the welded assembly. A system for generating a welded assembly employing the disclosed method and a method of generating a reinforced assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Blair E. Carlson, Mark T. Hall
  • Publication number: 20130102475
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite sheet includes disposing an untextured metal or alloy first sheet in contact with a second sheet in an aligned opposing position; bonding the first sheet to the second sheet by applying an oscillating ultrasonic force to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet to form an untextured intermediate composite sheet; and annealing the untextured intermediate composite sheet at a temperature lower than a primary re-crystallization temperature of the second sheet and higher than a primary re-crystallization temperature of the first sheet to convert the untextured first sheet into a cube textured sheet, wherein the cube texture is characterized by a ?-scan having a FWHM of no more than 15° in all directions, the second sheet remaining untextured, to form a composite sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Craig A. Blue, Amit Goyal
  • Publication number: 20130037178
    Abstract: A press-hardened steel component and a method of producing the same. In one form, a workpiece that will be formed into the component includes a coating that is pre-diffused with metal from the workpiece substrate. Examples of such protective coatings may include aluminum-based coatings, as well as from aluminum and silicon combinations. The pre-diffusion of the workpiece permits it to be subjected to the high heating rate of a subsequent press hardening operation without causing localized melting or vaporization of the protective coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason J. Coryell, Paul J. Belanger
  • Patent number: 8372222
    Abstract: A system and method for producing locally austempered ductile iron includes a computer program for closely controlling the heating and cooling of an iron part or workpiece. The process allows for the austempering of a relatively low cost iron workpiece to produce significantly higher quality end products. The locally austempered regions may be formed to a substantial controlled depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: George D. Pfaffmann, John R. Keough, Robert J. Madeira, Christopher Allen Bixler
  • Publication number: 20130000795
    Abstract: There is provided an amorphous core annealing method in which the annealing temperature distribution within an iron core is regulated so that deterioration in the magnetic properties, which is caused by unevenness of the annealing temperature within the core, can be suppressed, and the annealing time can be shortened. In order to regulate the annealing temperature distribution within the amorphous core at the annealing time, a heater functioning as a heat source is held between laminated thin-film amorphous materials of an iron core, and annealing is performed. By uniformly regulating the annealing conditions within the core, deterioration in the magnetic properties, which is caused by unevenness of annealing, can be suppressed to a minimum. Also, an iron core of a special specification, for example, a core having a low core loss, or a core having a high magnetroresistance, can be manufactured by using different annealing conditions within the iron core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Nakanoue
  • Patent number: 8308876
    Abstract: A system and method for direct manufacturing and stress relieving a metal part without removing the metal part from a vacuumed chamber. The system may comprise the chamber, a wire feeder for depositing a metal wire onto a metal plate, an electron beam (EB) source for providing an electron beam to melt the metal wire during deposition, and a current-providing apparatus for joule heating the metal plate to provide heat treatment to the metal part. The method may comprise depositing the metal wire onto the metal plate within the vacuumed chamber, then providing intermediate stress relief after a portion of the metal wire is deposited onto the metal plate by applying an electrical current to the metal part. The electron beam may also be set at a temperature below a melting point of a particular metal of the metal part for relieving stress in the metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan David Woods, Rahbar Nasserrafi, Helen Ehlers
  • Publication number: 20120085467
    Abstract: A manufacturing process of a hot stamped coated part comprising the following successive steps, in this order: providing a hot rolled or cold rolled steel sheet comprising a steel substrate and an aluminium-silicon alloy precoating, the precoating containing more than 50% of free aluminium and having a thickness comprised between 15 and 50 micrometers, then cutting the steel sheet to obtain a precoated steel blank, then heating the blank under non protective atmosphere up to a temperature Ti comprised between Te?10° C. and Te, Te being the eutectic or solidus temperature of the precoating, then heating the blank from the temperature Ti up to a temperature Tm comprised between 840 and 950° C. under non protective atmosphere with a heating rate V comprised between 30° C./s and 90° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ArcelorMittal Invenstigacion Y Desarrollo S. L.
    Inventors: Isabelle Thirion, Thomas Vietoris, Raisa Grigorieva, Pascal Drillet, Ludwig Schaller, Karl Michael Bader, Uwe Paar, Michael Alsmann
  • Publication number: 20120012232
    Abstract: A friction welding method includes a step of friction welding a first workpiece and a second workpiece together by pressing the first workpiece against the second workpiece relatively while rotating the two workpieces relatively, and a step of annealing the friction welded workpiece at a position adjacent to a welded portion thereof with high frequency induction heating. A friction welding apparatus is provided for friction welding a first workpiece and a second workpiece together by pressing the first workpiece against the second workpiece relatively while rotating the two workpieces relatively. The friction welding apparatus includes a high frequency induction heater for annealing the friction welded workpiece at a position adjacent to a welded portion thereof with high frequency induction heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicants: IZUMI MACHINE MFG. CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Koichi KAWAURA, Akira MIZUTANI
  • Patent number: 7985307
    Abstract: Article (e.g., turbine engine fan or compressor blade) comprising a titanium alloy has a first portion with alpha+beta microstructure and a second portion with martensitic or a bimodal microstructure. The modified microstructure of the second portion is provided by selectively heating, and immediately quenching, the second portion without substantially heating the first portion. An exemplary method includes providing a near net-shaped article having a first portion (e.g., an airfoil region) and a second portion (e.g., an unfinished dovetail region). Initially, the article comprises an alpha+beta microstructure throughout. Thereafter, the second portion is selectively heated, followed by immediate quenching, without substantially heating the first portion, to modify the microstructure of the second portion to a martensitic or bimodal microstructure without substantially modifying the microstructure of the first portion. Thereafter, the second portion may be processed to a final body dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kazim Ozbaysal, William Houchens, William Miller, Jesse Moses
  • Patent number: 7951412
    Abstract: A method is provided for depositing a hard wear resistant surface onto a porous or non-porous base material of a medical implant. The wear resistant surface of the medical implant device may be formed by a Laser Based Metal Deposition (LBMD) method such as Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS). The wear resistant surface may include a blend of multiple different biocompatible materials. Further, functionally graded layers of biocompatible materials may be used to form the wear resistant surface. Usage of a porous material for the base may promote bone ingrowth to allow the implant to fuse strongly with the bone of a host patient. The hard wear resistant surface provides device longevity, particularly when applied to bearing surfaces such as artificial joint bearing surfaces or a dental implant bearing surfaces. An antimicrobial material such as silver may be deposited in combination with a metal to form an antimicrobial surface deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: MedicineLodge Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Justin, Brent E. Stucker, Durga Janaki Ram Gabbita, David William Britt
  • Publication number: 20110011499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hardened profiles, in particular hardened open profiles, wherein the component is at least partly heated to above the austenitizing temperature of the base material and after heating the component is cooled at a rate above the critical hardening rate, the energy necessary for the heating being introduced at least partly by induction, wherein free edges are provided in the component to adjust a temperature or hardness gradient over the cross section of the component, the size, type and extension of the edges being set for a desired degree of hardness and/or hardness gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: VOESTALPINE KREMS GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lengauer, Andreas Schieder, Alfred Habacht, Wolfgang Buhl, Franz Weitz, Andreas Kreuzhuber, Bernhard Lagler, Werner Brandstätter
  • Publication number: 20110008648
    Abstract: A high-strength steel sheet includes a stress-strain diagram obtained by a tensile test of the steel, and a gradient of stress in the stress-strain diagram, wherein the gradient d?/d? in 3 to 7% of true strain is 5000 MPa or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Okitsu
  • Publication number: 20100307643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly that includes the steps of forming a connection joint (125) that connects a brace bar (120, 121, 122, or 123) to a conduit (103A or 103B) and applying localized heat at the connection joint (125) to relieve stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Dold, Allen Honegger, Gerry Berry, Clinton R. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20100139816
    Abstract: Cold rolled and continuously annealed high strength steel strip including (in wt %): 0.04-0.30% C, 1.0-3.5% Mn, 0-1.0% Si, 0-2.0% Al, 0-1.0% Cr, 0-0.02% P, 0-0.01% S, 0-0.25% V, 0-0.1% Nb, 0-0.20% Ti, 0-0.015% N, 0-0.010% B, unavoidable impurities, balance iron, provided with a hot dip galvanized or galvannealed zinc alloy coating layer, wherein the zinc alloy is 0.3-4.0% Mg and 0.05-6.0% Al; optionally at most 0.2% of one or more additional elements; unavoidable impurities; the remainder being zinc, and method for producing it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: David Neal Hanlon, Margot Julia Vlot
  • Publication number: 20100071810
    Abstract: One subject of the invention is a process for the treatment of at least one thin continuous film deposited on a first side of a substrate, characterized in that said at least one thin film is raised to a temperature of at least 300° C. while maintaining a temperature not exceeding 150° C. on the opposite side of said substrate to said first side, so as to increase the degree of crystallization of said thin film while keeping it continuous and without a step of melting said thin film. Another subject of the invention is the material that can be obtained by this process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Nicolas Nadaud, Andriy Kharchenko, Ulrich Billert, Rene Gy
  • Patent number: 7662247
    Abstract: The invention provides a Martensite wear-resistant cast steel with film Austenite for enhancement of toughness comprises 0.25˜0.34 wt % C, 1.40˜2.05 wt % Si, 0.90˜1.20 wt % Mn, 1.80˜2.50 wt % Cr, 0.0005˜0.005 wt % B, 0.01˜0.06 wt % Ti, 0.015˜0.08 wt % Rare Earth, 0.015˜0.06 wt % Al, less than 0.035 wt % S, less than 0.035 wt % P, and the balance of iron. The method of producing the cast steel includes smelting and heat-treatment, after smelting as normal operation, adding Ferro-Rare Earth and Ferro-Boron in the ladle in sequence, then high temperature normalizing, water quenching and low temperature tempering. TEM structure of the cast steel is martensite lath with film austenite between martensite laths. Cast steel of the invention exhibits high hardenability and toughness, and low cost without precious Molybdenum and Nickel, applied to a range of wear-resistant castings, especially to heavy-section castings, i.e. heavy-section tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ningbo Zhedong Precision Casting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaihua Hu
  • Publication number: 20100012230
    Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of integral rotors of gas turbines is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closable working space which can be evacuated or filled with inert gas, a heat source, a distance-measuring instrument, and a pyrometer. A method for diminishing and/or for eliminating internal stresses which are introduced into a component through welding is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann BAUR, Hans Pappert, Bernd Stimper
  • Patent number: 7615124
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing plated-steel armor wires intended for reinforcement of flexible tubular pipes for transporting hydrocarbons, comprising a plating coating is intimately bonded, by high pressure, to a core made of hardenable steel with moderate mechanical properties, and then the plated wire obtained undergoes a rapid high-temperature hardening step followed by a tempering step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Francois Dupoiron, Philippe Espinasse
  • Publication number: 20090255609
    Abstract: Article (e.g., turbine engine fan or compressor blade) comprising a titanium alloy has a first portion with alpha+beta microstructure and a second portion with martensitic or a bimodal microstructure. The modified microstructure of the second portion is provided by selectively heating, and immediately quenching, the second portion without substantially heating the first portion. An exemplary method includes providing a near net-shaped article having a first portion (e.g., an airfoil region) and a second portion (e.g., an unfinished dovetail region). Initially, the article comprises an alpha+beta microstructure throughout. Thereafter, the second portion is selectively heated, followed by immediate quenching, without substantially heating the first portion, to modify the microstructure of the second portion to a martensitic or bimodal microstructure without substantially modifying the microstructure of the first portion. Thereafter, the second portion may be processed to a final body dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Kazim Ozbaysal, William Houchens, William Miller, Jesse Moses
  • Patent number: 7163754
    Abstract: A sprocket has a base steel member including an outer toothed profile surface, at least a portion of the outer toothed profile surface having a wear and corrosion resistant coating disposed thereon; the coating comprising an alloy, the alloy comprising at least 60 weight % iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. A method of producing a wear and corrosion resistant sprocket includes: (i) machining a base steel member to form an outer toothed profile surface thereon; (ii) applying a coating to at least a portion of the surface; and (iii) fusing the coating to the base steel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gopal S. Revankar, Timothy D. Wodrich, Todd B. Niemann
  • Patent number: 7147729
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention for heat-treating electrical contacts. The method and apparatus include plating a core wire with at least one conductive coating to form an electrical contact that experiences internal stresses. The method and apparatus further include induction heating the electrical contact for a predetermined period of time to at least partially relieve the internal stresses. A plurality of electrical contacts may be mounted on a substrate that is held near induction coils to cause heating. The electrical contacts may be formed with spring shaped bodies that are aligned at a desired orientation within magnetic fields created during induction heating. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, different portions of each electrical contact may be annealed by different desired amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: George Jyh-Shann Chou, Bogdan Octav Ciocirlan
  • Patent number: 6843866
    Abstract: Process for the effective production of very wear-resistant layers in the thickness range of 0.2 to approx. 3 mm by way of inductively supported surface layer modification. It can be used particularly advantageously for the protection of components of hardenable steels and cast iron with abrasive, corrosive, high-temperature corrosive or mineral sliding wear loading. With the process according to the invention a local two-stage inductive short-time preheating takes place directly before the surface layer coating. Due to the invention it is possible to coat even hardenable steels or other materials difficult to coat without cracking. Furthermore, even harder coating materials susceptible to cracking which provide better wear-resistances can be used. In addition, process speeds and surface coating performances can be achieved that are higher by a factor of 10 compared with conventional laser build-up welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Berndt Brenner, Volker Fux
  • Publication number: 20040200550
    Abstract: A method of forming an elongated metal blank into a structural component having a predetermined outer configuration. The method includes providing a shape imparting cavity or shell section formed from a rigid material which includes an inner surface defining the predetermined shape, placing the metal blank into the cavity or shell section, and forming the metal blank into the component by heating axial portions of the metal blank and forcing a fluid at a high pressure into the metal blank until the metal blank at least partially conforms to at least a portion of the inner surface of the cavity or shell section to form the structural component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: George D. Pfaffmann, William C. Dykstra, Marc R. Matsen
  • Publication number: 20030230366
    Abstract: A method of thermomechanically forming an aluminide part of a workpiece resistively heats at least a portion of the aluminide part, plastically deforms the heated portion of the aluminide part to a predetermined shape by applying pressure to the aluminide part positioned in a shaping member, and cools the aluminide part while applying pressure to maintain the aluminide part in the predetermined shape. The shaping member is movably mounted on a support base and a source of electricity provides an electrical current passing through the aluminide part for resistive heating of the part. The aluminide part can be a heater blade array for an electrical heater cigarette smoking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: John M. Adams, Naohisa Tsukamura
  • Publication number: 20030150531
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention for heat-treating electrical contacts. The method and apparatus include plating a core wire with at least one conductive coating to form an electrical contact that experiences internal stresses. The method and apparatus further include induction heating the electrical contact for a predetermined period of time to at least partially relieve the internal stresses. A plurality of electrical contacts may be mounted on a substrate that is held near induction coils to cause heating. The electrical contacts may be formed with spring shaped bodies that are aligned at a desired orientation within magnetic fields created during induction heating. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, different portions of each electrical contact may be annealed by different desired amounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: George Jyh-Shann Chou, Bogdan Octav Ciocirlan
  • Patent number: 6511559
    Abstract: A process for producing wear-resistant edge layers in precipitation-hardenable materials wherein a component that was conventionally solution annealed and subsequently subjected to a conventional aging heat treatment is subjected to another short-time solution annealing affecting only the edge layer of the component, whereafter another aging heat treatment that evenly includes the interior of the component and its edge layer is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Geselleschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Berndt Brenner, Frank Tietz
  • Publication number: 20020195176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating an integrally bladed rotor which comprises providing a hub section, preferably formed from a titanium based alloy, and welding an airfoil, also preferably formed from a titanium based alloy, to the hub section. The method further comprises partially aging and cooling the hub section prior to welding and aging the airfoil and the weld joint between the airfoil and the hub section subsequent to welding. The post welding aging step is preferably carried out using a novel encapsulated local airfoil heating device having a plurality of heating elements woven into a jacket made from a high temperature cloth material. The method of the present invention may also be used to repair integrally bladed rotors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Smith, Janet M. Stanley, David S. Murphy, Robert W. Baumgarten, Thomas DeMichael, Stephen L. Mayers
  • Patent number: 6491770
    Abstract: A method for annealing and galvanizing wires which comprises induction heating the wires in a first chamber at a first higher temperature to anneal the wires, cooling the wires to a second lower temperature in a second chamber and galvanizing the wires in a third chamber. The chambers are in serial communication and the heating, cooling and galvanizing steps are effected in an oxygen free atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: James M. Knott, Sr.