Patents Assigned to Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
  • Patent number: 8485245
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method for forming a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy sheets have different surface finish including a “fire” polish surface like that of a float glass. In one embodiment, a first molten metal alloy is poured on a second molten metal of higher density in a float chamber to form a sheet of the first molten that floats on the second molten metal and cooled to form a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy sheet. In another embodiment, a molten metal is poured on a conveyor conveying the sheet of the first molten metal on a conveyor and cooled to form a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy sheet. The cooling rate such that a time-temperature profile during the cooling does not traverse through a region bounding a crystalline region of the metal alloy in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Joseph Stevick, Theodore Andrew Waniuk, Quoc Tran Pham
  • Patent number: 8459331
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum mold with at least a first plate and a second plate to mold materials (e.g., amorphous alloys), and a method for manufacturing parts using the mold. An ejector mechanism, to eject molded material, is enclosed within an ejector box that is vacuum sealed relative to the plates. An ejector rod for moving the mechanism is also vacuum sealed via a seal in a vacuum feed through opening. Seals are provided between adjacent interfaces of the mold parts (plates and ejector box) to vacuum seal the mold. The mold is connected to at least one vacuum source that applies vacuum pressure thereto via a first vacuum port in a first direction. A second vacuum port may also be provided to apply pressure in a second direction. A vacuum release valve may be connected to the mold to release vacuum pressure applied to the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Sean Timothy O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 8445161
    Abstract: Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Wende
  • Patent number: 8431288
    Abstract: Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Wende
  • Publication number: 20130037999
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature regulated vessel, and method for using the same, having a body configured to melt meltable material received therein, and one or more temperature regulating lines within the body configured to flow a liquid therein for regulating a temperature of the meltable material received in the melting portion. The vessel has a poor or low thermally conductive material on one or more of its parts, such as on the melting portion, on exterior surfaces of the body, and/or surrounding the temperature regulating lines to increase melt temperature of the material. The melting portion can also have indentations in its surface, and low thermally conductive material can be provided in the indentations. The vessel can be used to melt amorphous alloys, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: John KANG, Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andrew Waniuk, Sean Timothy O'Keeffe, Joseph W. Stevick
  • Publication number: 20130037232
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum mold with at least a first plate and a second plate to mold materials (e.g., amorphous alloys), and a method for manufacturing parts using the mold. An ejector mechanism, to eject molded material, is enclosed within an ejector box that is vacuum sealed relative to the plates. An ejector rod for moving the mechanism is also vacuum sealed via a seal in a vacuum feed through opening. Seals are provided between adjacent interfaces of the mold parts (plates and ejector box) to vacuum seal the mold. The mold is connected to at least one vacuum source that applies vacuum pressure thereto via a first vacuum port in a first direction. A second vacuum port may also be provided to apply pressure in a second direction. A vacuum release valve may be connected to the mold to release vacuum pressure applied to the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Quoc Tran PHAM, Sean Timothy O'keeffe
  • Publication number: 20130032254
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of melting, comprising: providing a mixture of alloy elements that are at least partially crystalline; and heating the mixture in a container to a temperature above a melting temperature of the alloy elements to form an alloy, wherein the container comprises silica, and wherein the mixture comprising Zr and is free of Ti and Be.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC
    Inventor: Theodore Andrew Waniuk
  • Patent number: 8325100
    Abstract: Antenna structures made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and methods of making antenna structures from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are described. The bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing form and shape durability, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost net-shape fabrication for the highly intricate antenna shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Yun-Seung Choi, James Kang
  • Publication number: 20120298266
    Abstract: Bulk solidifying amorphous alloys exhibiting improved processing and mechanical properties and methods of forming these alloys are provided. The bulk solidifying amorphous alloys are composed to have high Poisson's ratio values. Exemplary Pt-based bulk solidifying amorphous alloys having such high Poisson's ratio values are also described. The Pt-based alloys are based on Pt—Ni—Co—Cu—P alloys, and the mechanical properties of one exemplary alloy having a composition of substantially Pt57.5Cu14.7Ni5.3P22.5 are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC
    Inventors: William Johnson, Jan Schroers
  • Publication number: 20120247622
    Abstract: Mechanical hooks made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, wherein the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys provide ruggedness, durability, higher service loads, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing are provided. In addition, methods of making such mechanical hooks from bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Ogawa, Quoc Tran Pham, Atakan PEKER
  • Publication number: 20120171591
    Abstract: Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor WENDE
  • Publication number: 20120152412
    Abstract: The current invention is directed to a medical implant made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and methods of making such medical implants, wherein the medical implants are biologically, mechanically, and morphologically compatible with the surrounding implanted region of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property LLC.
    Inventors: David OPIE, Tranquoc Thebao NGUYEN, Atakan PEKER
  • Publication number: 20120158151
    Abstract: The current invention is directed to a medical implant made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and methods of making such medical implants, wherein the medical implants are biologically, mechanically, and morphologically compatible with the surrounding implanted region of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: David OPIE, Tranquoc Thebao NGUYEN, Atakan PEKER
  • Patent number: 8197615
    Abstract: Mechanical hooks made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, wherein the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys provide ruggedness, durability, higher service loads, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing are provided. In addition, methods of making such mechanical hooks from bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Ogawa, Quoc Tran Pham, Atakan Peker
  • Patent number: 8063843
    Abstract: Antenna structures made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and methods of making antenna structures from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are described. The bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing form and shape durability, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost net-shape fabrication for the highly intricate antenna shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Yun-Seung Choi, James Kang
  • Publication number: 20110272064
    Abstract: Metallic dental prostheses made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys wherein the dental prosthesis has an elastic strain limit of around 1.2% or more and methods of making such metallic dental prostheses are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC
    Inventors: Atakan PEKER, Choongnyun Paul Kim, Tranquoc ThebaoNguyen
  • Patent number: 8002911
    Abstract: Metallic dental prostheses made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys wherein the dental prosthesis has an elastic strain limit of around 1.2% or more and methods of making such metallic dental prostheses are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Atakan Peker, Choongnyun Paul Kim, Tranquoc ThebaoNguyen
  • Publication number: 20110163509
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is an article, comprising a first part having a first surface and a hermetic seal disposed over a portion of the first surface, wherein the hermetic seal comprises a composition that is at least partially amorphous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andy Waniuk
  • Publication number: 20110162795
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming an interfacial layer or a seal, the method comprising: providing a composition that is at least partially amorphous, the composition having a glass transition temperature Tg and a crystallization temperature Tx; heating the composition to a first temperature that is below Tx; disposing the heated composition to form the interfacial layer or the seal; and cooling the interfacial layer or the seal to a second temperature that is below Tg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Quoc Tran PHAM, Theodore Andy Waniuk
  • Patent number: RE44385
    Abstract: A method of forming in-situ composites of metallic alloys comprising an amorphous phase are provided. The method generally comprising the steps of transforming a molten liquid metal at least partially into a crystalline solid solution by cooling the molten liquid metal down to temperatures below a “remelting” temperature, then allowing the solid crystalline metal to remain at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the remelting temperature such that at least a portion of the metal remelts to form a partially amorphous phase in an undercooled liquid, and finally subsequently cooling the composite alloy to temperatures below the glass transition temperature. A method of forming in-situ composites of alloys is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventor: William L. Johnson