Patents Assigned to Alcoa Inc.
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Patent number: 8950465Abstract: Decorative shape cast products and methods, systems, compositions and apparatus for producing the same are described. In one embodiment, the decorative shape cast products are produced from an Al—Ni or Al—Ni—Mn alloy, with a tailored microstructure to facilitate production of anodized decorative shape cast product having the appropriate finish and mechanical properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Jen C. Lin, James R. Fields, Albert L. Askin, Xinyan Yan, Ralph R. Sawtell, Shawn Patrick Sullivan, Janell Lyn Abbott
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Publication number: 20150021930Abstract: A pin latch includes a guide block, a handle having a trigger, and a shear pin housed slidably within the guide block and connected to the handle. The shear pin includes a catch-pin engageable by the trigger, and is slidable between an engageable position and a disengageable position when the handle is moved from a closed position to an open position. Alternately, the pin latch includes a bracket connected to the shear pin and includes a catch-pin, and the handle is moveable to an intermediate position, such that a trigger is disengaged from the catch-pin and the shear pin engages a stop pin. A guide block spring acts on the stop pin to retain releasably the handle in its intermediate position. The guide block includes a finger and the shear pin includes a groove sized and shaped to receive the finger when the pin latch is in an unlatchable position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventor: Thai Do
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Publication number: 20150014014Abstract: A fastener installation tool including a cylinder assembly, a handle/sleeve assembly, and a tool head. The handle/sleeve assembly includes a handle having a bore and a sleeve positioned within the bore. An inner wall of the sleeve includes a first portion with a first inner diameter and a second portion with a second inner diameter. The sleeve includes an outer wall having a first portion with a first outer diameter and a second portion with a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter of the first portion of the outer wall of the sleeve being greater than the second outer diameter of the second portion of the outer wall of the sleeve. A space is formed between the second portion of the outer wall of the sleeve and the second portion of the inner wall of the handle, which enables the sleeve to flex during operation of the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventor: ROBERT WILCOX
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Patent number: 8927901Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for buried-arc welding with thru-the-arc seam tracking. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for buried-arc welding with thru-the-arc seam tracking.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Israel Stol, Floyd Thompson, Richard S. Dulski
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Patent number: 8920129Abstract: A locking nut assembly including a bearing nut having a plurality of external serrations, a shaft nut having a plurality of external serrations, and a locking collar having a plurality of internal serrations. The bearing nut and the shaft nut are threadedly installed on a shaft assembly having an impeller, a bearing, and a spline adapter installed within the impeller. The plurality of serrations of the bearing nut align with the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut when they are installed on the impeller. The locking collar is installed on the bearing nut and the shaft nut so that the aligned plurality of serrations of the bearing nut and the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut engage the plurality of serrations of the locking collar. The locking collar is retained on the bearing nut and shaft nut by a retaining ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Harbin, Tung Le, Son Nguyen
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Patent number: 8917754Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting aluminum uses a dense metal salt of Rubidium, Cesium, or Strontium. The salt is melted by a stinger and then superheated by AC applied to electrodes immersed in the salt. Aluminum in contact with the salt melts and floats on the salt. In continuous scrap melting, inflows and outflows of aluminum are comparable and may be shielded by inert gas. The superheated salt may be purified and may be heated in a separate reservoir and pumped to and from another reservoir containing salt and/or metal. The salt may be used to supplement the heating of an existing furnace.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: David DeYoung, Edward Williams, Donald Stewart
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Patent number: 8894748Abstract: Horizontal duct scrubbing systems for removing particulate matter from a gas are disclosed. The horizontal scrubbing systems may receive a particulate-containing gas stream (e.g., containing PM10 and/or PM2.5 particulate matter), and remove at least some of such particulates by spraying liquid droplets co-current to the flow of the gas stream, where the liquid droplets have a volume median droplet diameter (DV0.5) of from 240 microns to 600 microns. The scrubbing system may be substantially free of flow deflection members between a liquid inlet manifold and a demister. The system may be remove at least 50 wt. % PM10 and/or PM2.5 particulate matter from the gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Rajat S. Ghosh, Neal Richard Dando, Jay N. Bruggeman
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Patent number: 8884452Abstract: A sun shade or light guide generates electricity via a wind-driven movable element, such as a turbine, which drives an electrical generator/alternator. The turbine and/or a fan may be interposed between shade elements for driving one or more generators. The generator may be driven directly or may be mechanically coupled to the movable element. Electricity produced by the generator may be stored in a battery and or used immediately.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: William J. Hooper, Jr., William Ling, Ion-Horatiu Barbulescu
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Patent number: 8869900Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising: a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises: a tube having a first end and a second end; a first flanged that is mechanically joined to the first end of the tube; a second flanged that is mechanically joined to the second end of the tube; wherein the tube is constructed of an aluminum alloy; and wherein the flanges are constructed of the aluminum alloy; and wherein the riser apparatus has a length of approximately 1,500 meters or greater.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Ralph Sawtell, Matthew P. Kiley, Harry R. Zonker, James T. Burg, John W. Cobes
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Patent number: 8864185Abstract: A latch includes a body having first end and a second end, a trigger-catch-pin, and a pin adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the trigger-catch-pin within the body. The latch includes a handle having a first end and a second end, an exterior surface, and a trigger. The second end of the handle is attached pivotally to the body such that the handle is moveable between a closed position, in which the trigger of the handle is releasably engaged with the trigger-catch-pin, and an open position, in which the trigger of the handle is disengaged from the trigger-catch-pin. The pin adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the position of the trigger-catch-pin within the body and, in turn, the position of the first end of the handle relative to the body, so that the exterior surface of the handle may be positioned flush with an exterior surface of an external structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventor: Thai Do
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Patent number: 8845827Abstract: The present application discloses wrought 2xxx Al—Li alloy products that are work insensitive. The wrought aluminum alloy products generally include from about 2.75 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % Cu, from about 0.2 wt. % to about 0.8 wt. % Mg, where the ratio of copper-to-magnesium ratio (Cu/Mg) in the aluminum alloy is in the range of from about 6.1 to about 17, from about 0.1 wt. % to 1.10 wt. % Li, from about 0.3 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. % Ag, from 0.50 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % Zn, up to about 1.0 wt. % Mn, the balance being aluminum, optional incidental elements, and impurities. The wrought aluminum alloy products may realize a low strength differential and in a short aging time due to their work insensitive nature.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Cagatay Yanar, Roberto J. Rioja, Jen C. Lin, Ralph R. Sawtell
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Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Patent number: 8840737Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Gary H. Bray, Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Diana K. Denzer, Jen C. Lin, John Newman, Gregory B. Venema, Cagatay Yanar, Julien Boselli -
Publication number: 20140259585Abstract: A nose assembly for a fastener installation tool including an anvil, a collet, and a drawbar having a primary bearing. A secondary bearing is positioned within the collet and located intermediate the primary bearing and jaws of the collet. The secondary bearing is offset from the fastener centerline by a first distance and from a pulling tool centerline axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the drawbar by a second distance. In a pull position, the primary bearing remains engaged with the anvil during a loaded stroke and limits anvil deflection relative to the fastener centerline, while the secondary bearing remains engaged with the collet during the loaded stroke and limits deflection of the collet relative to the fastener centerline. In a return position, the primary bearing remains engaged with the anvil during a return stroke, while the secondary bearing remains engaged with the collet during the return stroke.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Robert Wilcox, Nicholas Gougoutris
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Publication number: 20140271024Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventor: John W. Jones
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Publication number: 20140260072Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventor: Greg McKenna
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Publication number: 20140251511Abstract: New heat treatable aluminum alloys having magnesium and zinc are disclosed. The new aluminum alloys generally contain 3.0-6.0 wt. % Mg, 2.5-5.0 wt. % Zn, where (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.60 to 2.40.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventor: Jen Lin
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Publication number: 20140248176Abstract: New 2xxx aluminum alloys containing vanadium are disclosed. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy includes 3.3-4.1 wt. % Cu, 0.7-1.3 wt. % Mg, 0.01-0.16 wt. % V, 0.05-0.6 wt. % Mn, 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element, the balance being aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The new alloys may realize an improved combination of properties, such as in the T39 or T89 tempers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventors: Jen C. Lin, Ralph R. Sawtell, Gary H. Bray, Cindie Giummarra, Andre Wilson, Gregory B. Venema
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Publication number: 20140248177Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
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METAL SHEETS AND PLATES HAVING FRICTION-REDUCING TEXTURED SURFACES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME
Publication number: 20140248453Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jiantao Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega -
Patent number: 8814125Abstract: A tie down assembly adapted to be installed within a structure includes a cup and a crossbar that is fastened removably to the cup by a plurality of fasteners. The cup includes a recess forming an interior surface, and a plurality of seats extending from the interior surface. The crossbar includes a central portion and a plurality of elongated members extending therefrom. Each of the members includes a head that engages a corresponding one of the seats of the cup and is secured to the seat by one of the fasteners. The central portion of the crossbar may include a central aperture that receives one of the fasteners for an additional attachment point to the cup. The crossbar is adapted to receive tie down hooks, connectors, and the like. When the crossbar requires repair or replacement, it may be removed from the cup by unfastening the fasteners without the need to remove the cup from the structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Franklin David Silvio, James T. Burg, Robert J. Speer, Brett P. Conner, Jean Ann Skiles