Patents Assigned to Aluminum Company of America
  • Patent number: 5795647
    Abstract: A printing plate is made by coating a metal substrate with a polymer layer having an outer surface, coating the polymer layer with solid particles having an average particle size of less than about 30 microns, and compressing the solid particles so that most of them are below the polymer layer outer surface. The solid particles are preferably alpha-alumina particles having an average size of about 1-10 microns. The printing plate has improved wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Edward C. Robinson, Robert E. Bombalski, Thomas L. Levendusky, Jean Ann Skiles, Mark L. Weaver, Nickolas C. Kotow
  • Patent number: 5794112
    Abstract: A process for making an inert electrode composite wherein a metal oxide and a metal are reacted in a gaseous atmosphere at an elevated temperature of at least about 750.degree. C. The metal oxide is at least one of the nickel, iron, tin, zinc and zirconium oxides and the metal is copper, silver, a mixture of copper and silver or a copper-silver alloy. The gaseous atmosphere has an oxygen content that is controlled at about 5-3000 ppm in order to obtain a desired composition in the resulting composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Siba P. Ray, Robert W. Woods
  • Patent number: 5778723
    Abstract: A method for necking an end of a metal container include effecting initial deformation, generally radially inwardly, of an axial portion to establish a necked-in generally convex transition portion and an adjacent portion disposed between the transition portion and the container end which is initially generally cylindrical. Both portions are of reduced diameter with respect to the original can body diameter. Sequentially, through the series of formation steps, the portion to be necked-in is further reduced in diameter to produce an outwardly generally convex portion disposed in underlying relationship with respect to an outwardly concave portion. A generally, radially, outwardly directed flange may be established within the end section of the necked-in portion. Apparatus to perform the foregoing forming steps consists of a plurality of die means which are subjected to relative axial movement and contact and reshape the exterior of the container portion that is to be necked-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Hans H. Diekhoff
  • Patent number: 5776424
    Abstract: There is provided a method for making a monovalent inorganic anion-intercalated hydrotalcite-like material by first reacting a magnesium-containing powder and a transition alumina powder in a carboxylic acid-free, aqueous suspension to form a meixnerite intermediate. This intermediate is then contacted with a monovalent inorganic anion, in its acid or soluble salt form, to make a hydrotalcite-like material. The latter is then separated from the suspension. Representative materials include a bromide-, chloride-, nitrate- or vanadate-intercalated, hydrotalcite-like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Edward S. Martin, John M. Stinson, Vito Cedro, III, William E. Horn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5776270
    Abstract: A method for reforming the generally cylindrical sidewalls of aluminum containers is disclosed. The method produces highly expanded and/or contoured container sidewalls which provide a distinctive appearance in comparison with cylindrical containers having straight sidewalls. Multiple expansion steps are used to expand the sidewall to a diameter substantially greater than the initial diameter of the cylindrical starting container. The sidewalls are thermally treated prior to expansion, for example, by annealing to reduce or eliminate residual stresses and work hardening. The sidewall thickness of the cylindrical starting container is preferably selected in order to maximize the total amount of sidewall expansion that can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Scott C. Biondich
  • Patent number: 5775403
    Abstract: A method of fabricating MMCs having high thermal conductivity coupled with coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values which approximates the CTE of ceramics and semi-conductor materials typically used in electronic packaging. The method comprises preparing a formed agglomeration of powder particles (preform); partially sintering the preform; placing the partially sintered preform into a forming chamber; infiltrating the preform with liquid-phase metal; and allowing the liquid-phase metal to solidify and form an MMC around and through the preform. In a preferred embodiment, the preform is constructed from silicon carbide, and the metal matrix is an aluminum-silicon alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: M. K. Premkumar, Ralph R. Sawtell, Frankie E. Phelps, James A. DerKacy, David I. Yun
  • Patent number: 5775160
    Abstract: An improved can body maker apparatus has a redraw system of reduced mass. An air actuator is incorporated into the redraw motion assembly to maintain a cam actuated arm in contact with a cam surface during the reform cycle. A improved mechanical linkage eliminates the conventional redraw carriage. The redraw sleeve is supported within a fluid bearing mounted in a stationary housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Karl S. Fleischer, Behzad Bakhti-Suroosh
  • Patent number: 5761942
    Abstract: A can body embossing apparatus has a first mandrel with a first tooling member adapted to receive thereon a can body and a second mandrel with a second tooling member reciprocally movable from a first position distal the first tooling member to a second position proximate the first tooling member. In the second position, the can body side wall is engaged between the first tooling member and the second tooling member. The first tooling member defines one or more recessed portions therein and the second tooling member defines one or more protuberances extending therefrom and adapted to correspond with the recessed portions. The first mandrel and second mandrel are in mechanical communication throughout the reciprocal movement of the second mandrel such that the first and second tooling members rotate continuously with respect to each other and maintain a substantially constant relative position with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Brian D. Johnson, Randall E. Carr, Larry W. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5755134
    Abstract: An easy open can end having an improved rivet structure integrally formed thereon for the attachment of a pull tab, a method of further forming a can end to incorporate the improved rivet, and tooling for accomplishing the method. The further formation of the can end includes the steps of bubble formation, first button formation, and final rivet formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Carl McEldowney
  • Patent number: 5753056
    Abstract: A method of controlling bulk absorption of atomic hydrogen and facilitating degassing of hydrogen from aluminum alloy workpieces during heat treatment in furnaces with ambient and/or moisture-laden atmospheres. The method includes exposing the surface of the workpieces to an acidified inorganic salt solution or dispersion, with the inorganic salt of the solution containing a transition metal cation and a sulfate, phosphate or nitrate anion, before being subjected to the heat treatment. The workpieces are next subjected to the heat treatment, and the acidified transition metal sulfate, phosphate or nitrate salt is used to substantially decrease the amount of atomic hydrogen entering the respective bulks of the workpiece during heat treatment and to facilitate removal of atomic and molecular hydrogen from the bulks of the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Susanne M. Opalka, Joseph T. Laemmle
  • Patent number: 5750453
    Abstract: A method for making a synthetic mixed metal oxide or meixnerite which, when activated, has a high B.E.T. surface area, typically about 290 m.sup.2 /g or greater. The method comprises activating hydrotalcite, then cooling and hydrating such activated material with a metal salt solution in a carbon dioxide-free environment. Such hydration can produce a material that absorbs more than 100% of its weight in water. Following hydration, this material is activated a second time in a virtually carbon dioxide-free environment. Such reactivation decomposes the salt and leaves a supported metal oxide readily available to be used for catalyst reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Michael A. Easley, William E. Horn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5749257
    Abstract: An easy open can end having an improved rivet structure integrally formed thereon for the attachment of a pull tab, a method of further forming a can end to incorporate the improved rivet, and tooling for accomplishing the method. The further formation of the can end includes the steps of bubble formation, first button formation, and final rivet formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Carl McEldowney
  • Patent number: 5746267
    Abstract: Metal matrix composites are manufactured in a vacuum die casting machine. Solid aggregate material is placed in a die, the die is evacuated, and molten metal is driven by a piston to infiltrate the solid aggregate material where it subsequently solidifies to form a metal matrix composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: David I. Yun, Ralph R. Sawtell, Warren H. Hunt, H. Robert Baumgartner, Eric T. Streicher, Michael F. Ehman
  • Patent number: 5746476
    Abstract: An automotive bench seat assembly which may be removable from a vehicle, has a seat, a seatback adjacent to the seat, a pair of relatively spaced stanchions having an upper portion secured to the seat, and a lower floor engaging portion. The seat has a front rail, a rear rail, and a pair of side members connecting the front and rear rails. A pair of belt supporting towers are operatively associated with shoulder belts and serve to transmit impact loads to the floor through the stanchions. The stanchions have upper portions supportingly secured to towers or the rear rail intermediate the ends thereof and to the front rail intermediate the ends thereof. The stanchions have the floor engaging portion positioned inwardly of the side members. Lap belts also transmit impact loads through the stanchions to the floor. The stanchion may be generally V-shaped and have sidewalls composed of reinforced sheet members. Reinforced sheet members may be provided in the seatback and seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Miloslav Novak, Andrew B. Trageser, Isabel M. Summe, Susan L. Kane
  • Patent number: 5747135
    Abstract: A memory media-ready substrate having a substrate, a hardening layer and a film made of a nonferromagnetic material that is disposed between the substrate and the film. A memory disk including the film and associated methods of making a hardening layer-ready substrate, the memory media-ready substrate and the memory disk are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, Richard A. Hoffman, Craig L. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5744412
    Abstract: A composition and process for making an insulating refractory material. The composition includes calcined alumina powder, flash activated alumina powder, an organic polymeric binder and a liquid vehicle which is preferably water. Starch or modified starch may also be added. A preferred insulating refractory material made with the composition has a density of about 2.4-2.6 g/cm.sup.3 with reduced thermal conductivity, compared with tabular alumina. Of importance, the formulation has good abrasion resistance and crush strength during intermediate processing (commercial sintering) to attain full strength and refractoriness, good abrasion resistance and crush strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Alan Pearson, Thomas G. Swansiger
  • Patent number: 5738237
    Abstract: An easy open can end having an anti-missiling score integrally formed thereon, a method of further forming a can end to incorporate the anti-missiling score, and tooling for accomplishing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Carl McEldowney
  • Patent number: 5737953
    Abstract: A process for stretch forming hollow metal bodies, such as aluminum alloy extrusions. The extrusions are stretched longitudinally, bent transversely of the pulling direction, and then subjected to pressure from an incompressible fluid in a hollow interior. In a preferred embodiment, the incompressible fluid is water at a pressure sufficient to deform at least part of the extrusion outwardly of its hollow interior. The incompressible fluid reduces dimensional distortions in the shaped product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Blair T. Allison, Thomas J. VanSumeren, Robert P. Evert, John S. Schultz
  • Patent number: D396635
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Carl McEldowney
  • Patent number: D397296
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Carl F. McEldowney, Ken M. Fultz, Wayne A. Spoltman, Greg S. Williams