Patents Examined by Alexander Polyansky
  • Process for the heat treatment of cylinder heads made of an aluminium-based alloy, and cylinder heads having improved fatigue resistance properties
    Patent number: 9303303
    Abstract: The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a process for the heat treatment of a cylinder head-type casting made from an aluminum alloy, in particular an alloy of aluminum, of silicon and of magnesium, and where appropriate of copper, comprising the steps of: —solution annealing (L) of the part for a time between three and ten hours; —quenching (S) of the part in air or in a fluidized bed; —tempering (H) of the part at the peak of resistance, or in the vicinity of the peak of resistance to attain a level of resistance of the part at least equal to 85% of the maximum level of resistance at the tempering temperature in question. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to the castings obtained at the end of the process according to the invention, and which have an improved fatigue resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Montupet S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Meyer, Denis Massinon, Julien Morichon
  • Method of leaching copper and gold from sulfide ores
    Patent number: 9290827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of leaching copper and gold from sulfide ores, which includes Process (1) of bringing a first aqueous acidic solution which contains chlorine ion, copper ion and iron ion, but no bromine ion, into contact with sulfide ores under supply of an oxidizing agent, so as to leach copper component contained in the sulfide ores; Process (2) of separating, by solid-liquid separation, a leaching reaction liquid obtained in Process (1), into a leaching residue and a leachate; and Process (3) of bringing a second aqueous acidic solution which contains chlorine ion, bromine ion, copper ion and iron ion, into contact with the leaching residue obtained in Process (2) under supply of an oxidizing agent, so as to leach gold contained in the leaching residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hatano, Yoshifumi Abe, Koji Katsukawa, Eiki Ono
  • Increase in the separation factor between americium and curium and/or between lanthanides in a liquid-liquid extraction operation
    Patent number: 9284620
    Abstract: A method using diglycolamide for increasing the separation factor between americium and curium and/or between lanthanides during an extraction operation. The operation comprising putting an acid aqueous phase, in which are found the americium, curium and/or lanthanides, in contact with an organic phase non-miscible with water, containing at least one extractant in an organic diluent. The aqueous and organic phases are then separated, and the diglycolamide is added to the aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, AREVA NC
    Inventors: Xavier Heres, Pascal Baron
  • Induction stirred, ultrasonically modified investment castings and apparatus for producing
    Patent number: 9278389
    Abstract: A method for making an equiaxed investment casting. The method utilizes an ultrasonic generator to send an ultrasonic pulse into molten metal in an investment casting mold. The investment casting mold is positioned within a working zone of furnace having low output induction coils for generating a convection current in molten metal. The ultrasonic pulse separates dendrites growing from the face of the mold inward into the molten metal. Instead, equiaxed grains can nucleate within the molten metal. In addition, the ultrasonic pulse and the low output induction coils circulate the molten metal as solute is rejected from solidifying equiaxed grains. The mixing reduces the effects of segregation in the solidifying alloy and assists in nucleating equiaxed grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Junyoung Park, Jason Robert Parolini, Ibrahim Ucok
  • Material for anisotropic magnet and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9281106
    Abstract: A material for anisotropic magnet, comprising, (1) a Pr-T-B—Ga-based composition containing Pr: 12.5 to 15.0 atomic percent, B: 4.5 to 6.5 atomic percent, Ga: 0.1 to 0.7 atomic percent, and the balance of T and inevitable impurities, wherein T is Fe or obtained by substituting Co for a portion of the Fe; and having, (2) a degree of magnetic alignment of 0.92 or more, wherein the degree of magnetic alignment is defined by remanence (Br)/saturation magnetization (Js); and (3) a crystal grain diameter of 1 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: DAIDO STEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiko Hioki, Takao Yabumi, Hayato Hashino
  • Thermomechanical methodology for stabilizing shape memory alloy (SMA) response
    Patent number: 9273369
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Santo A. Padula, II
  • Nanomaterial-based methods and apparatuses
    Patent number: 9273375
    Abstract: Nanomaterials are incorporated within a material, such as within a metal-based material. As may be implemented in accordance with various embodiments, nanomaterials are introduced to a metal-based material in a liquid state, and the metal-based material and nanomaterials are cooled from the liquid state to a viscous state. The metal-based material is stirred in the viscous state to disperse the nanomaterials therein, and the metal-based material is used in the viscous state to maintain dispersion of the nanomaterials as the metal-based material cools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiaochun Li, Lianyi Chen, Hongseok Choi, Jiaquan Xu
  • Systems and methods for processing alloy ingots
    Patent number: 9267184
    Abstract: Processes and methods related to processing and hot working alloy ingots are disclosed. A metallic material layer is deposited onto at least a region of a surface of an alloy ingot before hot working the alloy ingot. The processes and methods are characterized by a reduction in the incidence of surface cracking of the alloy ingot during hot working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ATI PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Urban J. De Souza, Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy, Christopher M. O'Brien
  • Nanocrystal titanium alloy and production method for same
    Patent number: 9260773
    Abstract: A titanium alloy has high strength and superior workability and is preferably used for various structural materials for automobiles, etc. The titanium alloy is obtained by the following production method. An alloy having a structure of ?? martensite phase is hot worked at conditions at which dynamic recrystallization occurs. The working is performed at a heating rate of 50 to 800° C./second at a strain rate of 0.01 to 10/second when the temperature is 700 to 800° C. or at a strain rate of 0.1 to 10/second when the temperature is more than 800° C. and less than 1000° C. so as to provide a strain of not less than 0.5. Thus, equiaxed crystals with an average grain size of less than 1000 nm are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: NHK SPRING CO., LTD., TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sang-Hak Lee, Yoshiki Ono, Kazuya Ikai, Hiroaki Matsumoto, Akihiko Chiba
  • Profiled steel wire with high mechanical characteristics resistant to hydrogen embrittlement
    Patent number: 9249486
    Abstract: A profiled wire, of NACE grade, made of low-alloy carbon steel intended to be used in the offshore oil exploitation sector is provided. The profiled wire includes the following chemical composition, expressed in percentages by weight of the total mass: 0.75<% C<0.95; 0.30<% Mn<0.85; Cr?0.4%; V?0.16%; Si?1.40% and preferably ?0.15%; and optionally no more than 0.06% Al, no more than 0.1% Ni and no more than 0.1% Cu, the balance being iron and the inevitable impurities arising from smelting the metal in the liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: ArcelorMittal Wire France, Thyssenkrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Sylvain Foissey, Christophe Bertout, Xavier Perroud
  • High-strength steel sheet and method for producing same
    Patent number: 9238848
    Abstract: A high-strength steel sheet includes, by mass %, C: 0.03% to 0.30%, Si: 0.08% to 2.1%, Mn: 0.5% to 4.0%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.0001% to 0.1%, N: 0.01% or less, acid-soluble Al: more than 0.004% and less than or equal to 2.0%, acid-soluble Ti: 0.0001% to 0.20%, at least one selected from Ce and La: 0.001% to 0.04% in total, and a balance of iron and inevitable impurities, in which [Ce], [La], [acid-soluble Al], and [S] satisfy 0.02?([Ce]+[La])/[acid-soluble Al]<0.25, and 0.4?([Ce]+[La])/[S]?50 in a case in which the mass percentages of Ce, La, acid-soluble Al, and S are defined to be [Ce], [La], [acid-soluble Al], and [S], respectively, and a microstructure includes 1% to 50% of martensite in terms of an area ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Suwa, Kenichi Yamamoto, Daisuke Maeda, Satoshi Hirose, Genichi Shigesato, Naoki Yoshinaga
  • Brass alloy comprising silicon and arsenic and a method of manufacturing thereof
    Patent number: 9217191
    Abstract: An improved brass alloy providing improved ability for machining is detailed that is free of lead and is at the same time environmental friendly. The alloy comprises added alloying elements in an amount that is identified through an iterative process during manufacturing of the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Raufoss Water & Gas AS
    Inventors: Sverre Gulbrandsen Dahl, Jon Ivar Moe
  • Galvanized or galvannealed silicon steel
    Patent number: 9206498
    Abstract: The invention deals with a hot-dip galvanized or galvannealed steel sheet wherein, the composition of the steel sheet comprises, by weight: 0.01?C?0.22%, 0.50?Mn?2.0%, 0.2?Si?3.0%, 0.005?Al?2.0%, Mo<1.0%, Cr?1.0%, P<0.02%, Ti?0.20%, V?0.40%, Ni?1.0%, Nb?0.20%, the balance of the composition being iron and unavoidable impurities resulting from the smelting, and the steel sheet comprises a layer of an internal nitride of at least one type of nitride selected from a Si nitride, Mn nitride, Al nitride, complex nitride comprising Si and Mn, or Al and Si, or Al and Mn, or complex nitride comprising Si, Mn and Al, said steel sheet comprising no further outer layer of iron nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: ArcelorMittal France, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Mataigne, Florence Bertrand
  • Iron-chromium based brazing filler metal
    Patent number: 9193011
    Abstract: An iron-chromium based brazing filler metal is provided which exhibits an excellent wetting behavior on a stainless steel base material. The brazing filler metal produces a brazed joint which exhibits high strength and good corrosion resistance. The brazing filler metal is suitable for brazing stainless steel and other materials where corrosion resistance and high strength is required. Typical examples of applications are heat exchangers and catalytic converters. The iron-chromium based brazing filler metal powder according to the invention comprises: between 11 and 35 wt % chromium, between 0 and 30 wt % nickel, between 2 and 20 wt % copper, between 2 and 6 wt % silicon, between 4 and 8 wt % phosporous, between 0-10 wt % manganese, and at least 20 wt % iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HOGANAS AB (PUBL)
    Inventors: Owe Mårs, Ulrika Persson
  • Reformer gas-based reducing method with reduced NO emission
    Patent number: 9181595
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides (3) to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with gaseous hydrocarbons, the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is provided at least partially by the combustion of a fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS VAI METALS TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Guenter Peer
  • Apparatus and method for producing Mg(2)Si(1-x)Sn(x) polycrystal
    Patent number: 9181607
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for producing an inexpensive Mg2Si1-xSnx polycrystal that can be effectively used as thermoelectric conversion materials that can be expected to have a high performance index by doping if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: IBARAKI UNIVERSITY, SHOWA KDE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Udono, Yohiko Mito
  • Method for producing an internal combustion engine valve and valve obtained in this manner
    Patent number: 9181824
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a unitary spark ignition valve, characterized in that it consists in preparing and casting a steel made up in wt. % of: 0.45%?C 0.55%; 12%?Cr?18%; 1%?Si?2.5%; traces?Mn?2%; 0.2%?V?0.5%; traces?Mo?0.5%; 0.05%?N?0.15%, with 0.55%?C+N?0.70%; traces?Ni?1%; traces?Cu?0.25%, or Cu?0.5 Ni if Cu>0.25%; traces?Co?1%; traces?W?0.2%; traces?Nb?0.15%; traces?AI?0.025%; traces?Ti?0.010%; traces?S?0.030%; traces?P?0.040%; traces?B?0.0050%; the balance being iron and impurities resulting from the preparation; in transforming by hot thermomechanical process, for example, by rolling and/or forging between 1000 and 1200° C.; optionally soft annealing, between 650 and 900° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: AUBERT & DUVAL
    Inventor: Jacques Montagnon
  • Device for degassing molten steel with an improved discharge nozzle
    Patent number: 9181602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for degassing molten steel, comprising an evacuation vessel (2), a pouring ladle (3), an inlet nozzle (4) with a gas purging device (5) arranged therein, and a discharge nozzle (1), wherein at its lower edge (9), in a radial direction in relation to the central longitudinal axis (6) of the discharge nozzle (1), the discharge nozzle (1) has at least one bore (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SMS group GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Odenthal, Dieter Tembergen
  • Copper alloy having high strength, high electric conductivity and excellent bending workability
    Patent number: 9177686
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a copper alloy having high strength, high electrical conductivity, and excellent bendability, the copper alloy containing, in terms of mass %, 0.4 to 4.0% of Ni; 0.05 to 1.0% of Si; and, as an element M, one member selected from 0.005 to 0.5% of P, 0.005 to 1.0% of Cr, and 0.005 to 1.0% of Ti, with the remainder being copper and inevitable impurities, in which an atom number ratio M/Si of elements M and Si contained in a precipitate having a size of 50 to 200 nm in a microstructure of the copper alloy is from 0.01 to 10 on average, the atom number ratio being measured by a field emission transmission electron microscope with a magnification of 30,000 and an energy dispersive analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aruga, Akira Fugono, Takeshi Kudo, Katsura Kajihara
  • Aluminum alloy forged material for automobile and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9175372
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an aluminum alloy forged material for an automobile excellent in tensile strength while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance, and a method for manufacturing the same. Provided are the aluminum alloy forged material for an automobile and a method for manufacturing the same, the aluminum alloy forged material being composed of an aluminum alloy including Si: 0.7-1.5 mass %, Fe: 0.1-0.5 mass %, Mg: 0.6-1.2 mass %, Ti: 0.01-0.1 mass % and Mn: 0.3-1.0 mass %, further including at least one element selected from Cr: 0.1-0.4 mass % and Zr: 0.01-0.2 mass %, restricting Cu: 0.1 mass % or less and Zn: 0.05 mass % or less, and a hydrogen amount: 0.25 ml/100 g-Al or less, the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities, in which the depth of recrystallization from the surface is 5 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hori, Yoshiya Inagaki