Patents Assigned to Alcoa Inc.
  • Patent number: 9086083
    Abstract: A clip for assembling corners of hollow members such as the rails and stiles of an extruded aluminum door. The clip has an L shape and may feature a double L shape. A portion inserts into the hollow of a first member and is attached thereto. Another portion extends into the other hollow member for attachment thereto to form a sturdy joint without welding. Pairs of clips may be used at each corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Hooper, Ion-Horatiu Barbulescu, William Ling
  • Patent number: 9067623
    Abstract: An automobile component including an aluminum alloy product having a base aluminum alloy layer and a first additional aluminum alloy layer disposed directly on the base layer. The base aluminum alloy layer includes 2.0 to 22 wt. % zinc and the zinc is a predominate alloying element of the base layer other than aluminum and the first additional aluminum alloy layer includes 0.20 to 8.0 wt. % magnesium and the magnesium is a predominate alloying element of the first additional aluminum alloy layer other than aluminum. The automobile component may include outer panel sections, high form inner sections, reinforcement sections, crash sections, large flat panel sections, and high strength sections and, when tested in a static axial crush test, a peak load of the automobile component increases at least 20% when compared to alloy 6014 in the T6 temper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto J. Rioja, Brett P. Conner, Rajeev G. Kamat
  • Patent number: 9068344
    Abstract: A method to cast-in-place thermal barriers to create a hollow tubular extrusion is disclosed herein. Clips, configured to engage and lock with a first and a second extrusion profile, maintain a pocket with precise tolerances into which liquid polyurethane is poured. The clips easily engage in a manner to form a hollow tubular extrusion assembly. Once the assembly is made, it becomes very difficult to take the assembly apart. This feature allows the first and the second extrusion profiles to be cut to length or handled without the potential of the assembly coming apart prior to pouring the liquid polyurethane. Once the polyurethane cures, there is no need to remove the clips because the clips are made from a very low conductance material, and the clips can remain as part of the finished product thus saving the expense of removing and discarding the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Greg McKenna
  • Publication number: 20150147134
    Abstract: A fastener including a bolt having an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion having an external bolt thread, the bolt thread including a bolt pitch. The fastener includes a nut having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the nut, and an internal nut thread extending between the first and second ends of the nut and adapted to engage threadedly the bolt thread of the bolt. The nut thread includes a nut pitch and a hardness that changes gradationally between the first and second ends of the nut. The bolt pitch of the bolt thread of the bolt is mismatched with the nut pitch of the nut thread of the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Donald C. Busby, Richard Franklin, James L. Wollard
  • Patent number: 9038702
    Abstract: System and method of producing multi-layered aluminum alloy products are disclosed. A multi-layered aluminum alloy product may be formed by first heating a first aluminum alloy to a first temperature where the first temperature is at least about 5° C. lower than the eutectic temperature of the first aluminum alloy, second heating a second aluminum alloy to a second temperature where the second temperature is at least about 5° C. higher than the liquidus temperature of the second aluminum alloy, and coupling the second aluminum alloy to the first aluminum alloy to produce a multi-layered aluminum alloy product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Men G. Chu, Jeffrey J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9032600
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for the installation of wheels. In one embodiment, a brake drum and wheel mounting tool assists in the mounting of wheels and brake drums onto wheel hubs. The brake drum and wheel mounting tool comprises an elongated body and a threaded bore. The elongated body is dimensioned to be received through a stud hole of a wheel. The elongated body has first end and a second end. The first end of the body is dimensioned to apply pressure to a brake drum when the body is threaded on a wheel stud. The second end of the body is tapered and dimensioned to accept a socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Art Pulphus, Grant DeGeorge, Will Waiwood, Matthew Brest
  • Patent number: 9004427
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for connecting a light shelf to a structure in cantilever fashion. A pair of receiver units attach to the structure and each has a pair of brackets with a slot there between. A recess is formed on an upper interior surface of the upper bracket. The lower bracket has an abutment support surface distal to the structure. A pair of inserter units attach to opposite sides of the shelf, each having an insertion leg and an abutment support. The insertion leg inserts into the recess of a corresponding receiver when the abutment support rests on the abutment surface. The weight of the shelf pulls the abutment support into engagement with the abutment surface and pushes the insertion leg into engagement with the recess, holding the shelf horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Prashanth Philip Irudayaraj, Jeffrey Scott Dolby, Jotpreet Singh Chahal, Gregory B. Mckenna, Robert Holcombe
  • Patent number: 8999079
    Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
  • Publication number: 20150093212
    Abstract: A fastening system including a pin member and a key for engaging the pin member. The pin member includes a shank portion and a recess formed within an end face of the shank portion. The recess includes a plurality of splines and recesses that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The key includes a key head having a plurality of splines and grooves that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The plurality of splines and recesses of the pin member and the plurality of splines and recesses of the key are adapted to communicate with each other when tightening and loosening the pin member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Pinheiro, Luke Haylock
  • Publication number: 20150082609
    Abstract: A clip for assembling corners of hollow members such as the rails and stiles of an extruded aluminum door. The clip has an L shape and may feature a double L shape. A portion inserts into the hollow of a first member and is attached thereto. Another portion extends into the other hollow member for attachment thereto to form a sturdy joint without welding. Pairs of clips may be used at each corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: William J. Hooper, JR., Ion-Horatiu Barbulescu, William Ling
  • Publication number: 20150082583
    Abstract: A clip for assembling corners of hollow members such as the rails and stiles of an extruded aluminum door. The clip has an L shape and may feature a double L shape. A portion inserts into the hollow of a first member and is attached thereto. Another portion extends into the other hollow member for attachment thereto to form a sturdy joint without welding. Pairs of clips may be used at each corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Hooper, Ion-Horatiu Barbulescu, William Ling
  • Patent number: 8985923
    Abstract: A fastener having a pin member and a sleeve. The pin includes a head, a pin tail portion, and a locking portion with a plurality of crests and roots. Each of the crests includes a first diameter, the first diameters sequentially increase along the locking portion towards the head, while the roots include a second diameter, the second diameters sequentially decrease towards the head. The sleeve has a head and a tubular portion which is deformed into a bulb that engages a workpiece. The tubular portion of the sleeve locks onto the crests and the pintail portion of the pin member breaks off at one of the grooves located substantially flush with the head of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8986850
    Abstract: Various illustrative embodiments of a multi-layer brazing sheet are provided. The multi-layer brazing sheet demonstrates improved corrosion resistance on its exposed air side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Baumann, Raymond J. Kilmer, Baolute Ren
  • Publication number: 20150078856
    Abstract: A rivet includes a pin member having a head and a lock groove, and a lock ring having a flange. The flange of the lock ring is swaged into the lock groove of the pin member and transformed to a bead that engages the lock groove, and a portion of an outer surface of the lock ring deforms and is rotated inwardly. The rivet is installed within a structure such that the head of the pin member is flush with an outer surface of a panel and the portion of the outer surface of the lock ring is flush with an outer surface of another panel. The pin member includes a frangible portion that breaks off when the rivet is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Brennetot, Arnoldo Gutierrez, Gilbert Lee, Gerhart Hufnagl, Randy Torrence
  • Publication number: 20150078859
    Abstract: A lock bolt collar comprises a shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a through-bore extending from the first end to the second end, an inner wall having an internal bead located proximate to the first end of the shank and extending circumferentially and inwardly into the through-bore. The bead includes a first inner diameter and an extended portion extending from the bead and to a point proximate to the second end, the extended portion including a second inner diameter, where the second inner diameter is greater than the first inner diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Donald William Haines, JR.
  • Patent number: 8979453
    Abstract: A blind fastener including a pull-type core bolt having a shank with a head, and a sleeve having an elongated body with a head, and a tapered notch formed within an exterior surface thereof and defined by a tapered portion having a slope and a frictional enhanced surface. The core bolt is installed within the sleeve. During installation of the fastener within the plurality of work pieces, an axial force is applied to the core bolt the head of the core bolt engages the sleeve, and a bulb is formed on the elongated body of the sleeve, the bulb defining a portion of a bulbed portion. When a selected axial force is reached, the bulbed portion separates from the elongated body and engages axially the tapered portion of the sleeve, increasing the diameter of the bulb which engages a blind side of one of the work pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo
  • Publication number: 20150068141
    Abstract: A manufacture for reducing thermal transfer through windows has a composite metal/nonmetallic frame and/or a composite vent surround. The metallic and non-metallic components are modular and selectively coupled, such that a range of variations to accommodate different applications may be inter-coupled via common interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Cardinal
  • Patent number: 8961715
    Abstract: Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the ability to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially aged, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentially of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt. % Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt. % Mg, about 1.75 to about 2.3 wt. % Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than about 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt. % Cr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities and a method for making same. The instantly disclosed alloys are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes including, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gary H. Bray, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Diana K. Denzer, Jen C. Lin, John Newman, Gregory B. Venema, Cagatay Yanar, Julien Boselli
  • Patent number: 8959851
    Abstract: A manufacture for reducing thermal transfer through windows has a composite metal/nonmetallic frame and/or a composite vent surround. The metallic and non-metallic components are modular and selectively coupled, such that a range of variations to accommodate different applications may be inter-coupled via common interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Cardinal
  • Patent number: 8956472
    Abstract: Systems and methods for continuously casting Al—Mg alloy sheet or plate product having a high amount of magnesium are disclosed. The Al—Mg products have 4 or 6 to 8 or 10 wt. % Mg and are resistant to both stress corrosion cracking and intergranular corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Unal, David A. Tomes, Jr., Gavin Wyatt-Mair, David Timmons