Patents Examined by Holly C Rickman
  • Patent number: 6013380
    Abstract: A piston ring formed with a nitrided layer over all surfaces and formed with a composite chromium plating film over the nitrided layer in the outer circumferential surface. The composite chromium plating film has a network of cracks formed on the outer surface and interior. Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 particles are fixed in these cracks. The average size of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 particles is 0.8 to 3 .mu.m and the dispersion ratio of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 particles is 3 to 15 percent by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Teiko Piston Ring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Harayama, Toshiaki Imai
  • Patent number: 6007925
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus casing that includes a casing body made from a magnesium or magnesium alloy material is provided. The external surface of this casing body is protected by a plurality of film layers. Specifically, a first layer of copper is formed on the casing body. Then, a second layer of nickel is formed on the first layer of copper. A third layer of a transparent glass is then formed on the second layer of nickel. Lastly, a fourth layer of silica is formed on the third layer of transparent glass. The combination of these layers functions to exhibit a corrosion resistance, an abrasion resistance as well as an external metallic feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Kakizaki, Takahiro Shimouchi
  • Patent number: 6004684
    Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a nickel-tungsten-boron layer deposited on the nickel layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium layer deposited on the nickel-tungsten-boron layer, a sandwich layer comprised of alternating layers of a refractory metal and of a refractory metal compound deposited on the refractory metal layer, a refractory metal compound layer, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the sandwich layer, and a layer comprised of a refractory metal oxide or the reaction products of a refractory metal, oxygen and nitrogen deposited on the refractory metal compound layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventors: Rolin W. Sugg, Richard P. Welty, Stephen R. Moysan, III
  • Patent number: 5997714
    Abstract: The invention provides a material coated with an organic film which exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and lacquer adhesion. The invention includes an electroconductive substrate coated with an electrolytically polymerized coating film containing chromium. Particularly, a zinc-type plated steel sheet coated with an electrolytically polymerized coating film containing chromium in accordance with the invention is well suited for application in vehicle bodies. The invention further provides a method of making a material coated with an organic film which involves forming organic coating material containing chromium on an electroconductive substrate acting as an electrode by electrolytically polymerizing an organic monomer in an electrolyte solution containing chromium. The method provides a monolithic composite structure comprising chromium compounds and an organic coating film, and avoid the problems associated with passivation after chromium plating of steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoko Hamahara, Hisatada Nakakoji, Tomokatsu Katagiri, Shuichi Asahina, Kazuo Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 5998042
    Abstract: A rolling device includes: an outer member; an inner member; and a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the outer and inner members, the outer member having a first contact surface which contacts the rolling elements, the inner member having a second contact surface which contacts the rolling elements, each of the rolling elements rolling against the first and second contact surfaces. At least one of the outer member, inner member, and rolling elements is formed of steel containing: C of less than 0.6 wt %; Cr of 10.0 wt % to 22.0 wt %; Mn of 0.1 wt % to 1.5 wt %; Si of 0.1 wt % to 2.0 wt %; N from 0.05 wt % to less than 0.2 wt %; Mo of 0 to 3.0 wt %, and V of 0 to 2.0 wt %; and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, the steel satisfying C %+N %.gtoreq.0.45 wt % and containing retained austenite of .ltoreq.6 vol %. The rolling device has excellent characteristics in fatigue strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and acoustic characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Tanaka, Kenji Yamamura, Manabu Ohori
  • Patent number: 5993979
    Abstract: Skeletal columnar coatings with a well-adhered columnar having both intercolumn and intracolumn porosity are metallic alloys of catalytic elements and non-catalytic elements and are particularly useful in making catalytic surfaces, electro-active surfaces and self-cleaning surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Figueroa, Ronald Horace Mattson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5993959
    Abstract: A binding tape is constructed from a binding tape paper, an pressure sensitive adhesive layer formed on one side of the binding tape paper, and a release sheet stuck to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The binding tape paper is made from a composite paper which includes a pulp at 30-70 parts by weight and synthetic resin fibers at 30-70 parts by weight, in which the synthetic resin fibers have a fineness of 0.4-3.0 deniers and a fiber length of 3-10 mm. The binding tape is formed by cutting the binding tape paper such that the machine direction of the composite paper is directed to the lengthwise direction of the respective binding tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lintec Corporation
    Inventors: Masahito Nakabayashi, Yasuyuki Amano, Tomoyuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 5993975
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition capable of forming, on a zinc or zinc alloy plated steel plate subjected to a chromate chemical treatment, a coating film superior in processability, corrosion resistance, adhesive property, impact resistance, scratch resistance, etc. This composition comprises:(A) a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of -25.degree. C. to 35.degree. C., a number-average molecular weight of 1,000-35,000 and a hydroxyl value of 3-80 mgKOH/g,(B) a melamine resin curing agent which is a methyl-etherified melamine resin, or a mixture of a methyl-etherified mel amine resin and a butyl-etherified melamine resin,(C) a rust preventive pigment, and(D) organic polymer fine particles,wherein the proportions of the individual components are:(A) 60-95 parts by weight,(B) 5-40 parts by weight,(C) 1-50 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total of (A) and (B), and(D) 2-40 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total of (A) and (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Tanaka, Takashi Nakano
  • Patent number: 5989731
    Abstract: In a composite material manufactured by connecting a sintered body to a surface of a metal substrate, the connection strength under a high temperature is increased, stress relaxation in the composite material is attained, and the strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance are improved. The sintered body has a multilayer structure having layers with different compositions, i.e. compositions that vary or differ in a direction perpendicular to the connection surface, and the volume relation between the respective layers of the sintered body and the substrate is (substrate volume.times.0.2).gtoreq.(sintered body volume/number of layers), while the thickness of each layer is at least 0.2 mm and not more than 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Arisawa, Michio Otsuka, Hideki Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 5989721
    Abstract: A device for generating electrical current in the presence of ambient heat includes an intermediate layer having a predetermined electronegativity value interposed between a first outer layer and a second outer layer, in which the first outer layer has an electronegative value less than the intermediate layer, and the second outer layer has an electronegative value less than the first outer layer. The intermediate layer includes a first binder combination and a second binder combination. The first binder combination contains a polymeric binder and a first electronegative material. The second binder combination contains a polymeric binder and a second electrogneative material. The first and second binder combinations have a predetermined electronegative value that is greater than said first and second outer layers. A method of making and a method of activating the device for the generation of electricity are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tapeswitch Corporation of America
    Inventor: Walter Carl Lovell
  • Patent number: 5985431
    Abstract: A prepreg comprising (a) reinforcing fibers and (b) a matrix resin which comprises specific epoxy resin composition, a curing agent with a specific structure and a highly heat resistant thermoplastic resin, the cured product of which has a low water absorption. An interlayer toughened prepreg containing reinforcing fibers and a matrix resin comprising a specific epoxy resin composition, a hardening agent with a specific structure and a highly heat resistant thermoplastic resin is also provided. In addition, a cured product can be obtained by curing any of the above prepregs, which product satisfies both impact resistance (residual compressive strength after impact) and heat and wet property (compressive strength of notched coupon at high temperature and high humidity) at high levels, even though these properties have been in contradictory relation in the conventional techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Oosedo, Atsushi Ozaki, Hideo Nagata
  • Patent number: 5985468
    Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising at least one nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, a sandwich layer comprised of alternating layers of refractory metal compound and refractory metal deposited on the refractory metal layer, a refractory metal compound layer, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the sandwich layer, and a layer comprised of a refractory metal oxide or the reaction products of a refractory metal, oxygen and nitrogen deposited on the refractory metal compound layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventors: Rolin W. Sugg, Richard P. Welty, Stephen R. Moysan, III
  • Patent number: 5981086
    Abstract: High-tensile steel, particularly automotive coil springs formed of high-tensile steel, are coated first with an epoxy coating powder containing high levels of zinc and then with a poly(ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer) coating powder. Both coatings are applied and fused or fused and cured at temperatures of 325.degree. F. or below so as not to affect the metallurgic properties of the steel. The dual-coating protects the steel from pitting and corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Siminski
  • Patent number: 5965279
    Abstract: An electrical conductor consisting of an at least partially aluminium-based central core coated by continuous electrodeposition with at least one metal layer, including pretreatment of the surface of the core, characterized in that the following are subsequently performed successively on the core,a) an electrochemical deposition of copper in an aqueous bath maintained at a temperature of between 20.degree. C. and 60.degree.C., containing KCN, CuCN, K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and KNaC.sub.4 H.sub.4 O.sub.6 with a current intensity of between 1 and 10 A/dm.sup.2 ;b) rinsing at ambient temperature;c) an electrochemical deposition of tin in an aqueous bath maintained at a temperature of between 20.degree. C. and 60.degree. C., containing essentially tin dissolved in methanesulphonic acid and, optionally, additives, with a current intensity of between 1 and 100 A/dm.sup.2 ;d) rinsing with water at 60.degree.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Axon'Cable SA
    Inventor: Ning Yu
  • Patent number: 5962145
    Abstract: An aluminum surface treatment method is provided for forming a film having anticorrosion properties and, in particular, antirusting properties by treating aluminum or an aluminum alloy using an aluminum surface treatment agent comprising a fluoromental acid or fluoromental acid salt including at least one of the metals zirconium, titanium hafnium, aluminum, silicon, germanium, tin, or boron, and at least one type of polymer compound comprising a homopolymer or a copolymer of an aromatic sulfonic acid monomer containing unsaturated bonds or an aliphatic sulfonic acid monomer containing unsaturated bonds. Also provided are aluminum or an aluminum alloy on which this film is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 5955203
    Abstract: There is disclosed a resin-coated overlay for bonding to solid substrates, and which imparts improved waterproofing and chemical resistance to the resulting resin-coated overlaid solid substrate. Depending upon the desired end use of resin-coated overlaid solid substrate, the resin-coating may be modified to impart desirable surface features and/or characteristics. For example, additives such as waxes, oils, silicones, fluorocarbons and fatty acid compounds may be used to promote the release of concrete from forms made of solid substrates overlaid with the resin-coated overlays of the present invention. Moreover, resin-coated overlaid solid substrates may be produced having a surface which is suitable for painting and which accepts application of various tape products. Other modifications are disclosed which can be used to gain desirable cure speed, cost, and chemical/mechanical properties in the resin-coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Simpson Timber Company
    Inventors: William Scott Briggs, Stephen James Tellman
  • Patent number: 5952110
    Abstract: An abrasive coating suitable for forming an abrasive blade tip of a gas turbine engine. The coating is characterized as being capable of abrading a ceramic shroud at elevated temperatures during the in-service operation of the engine, and being resistant to oxidation and hot corrosion within the engine environment. The abrasive coating includes an MCrAl alloy layer, a ceramic layer overlying the alloy layer so as to form an outer surface of the abrasive coating, and abrasive particles dispersed between the alloy layer and the ceramic layer so that at least some of the abrasive particles are partially embedded in the alloy layer and also partially embedded in the ceramic layer. In addition, at least some of the abrasive particles project above the outer surface of the abrasive coating formed by the ceramic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerry D. Schell, Howard J. Farr
  • Patent number: 5952114
    Abstract: A Cu skin film is formed of an aggregate of Cu crystals. Pyramid-shaped Cu crystals and/or conical Cu crystals exist in the surface of the Cu skin film. The area rate A of the pyramid-shaped Cu crystals, the area rate A of the conical Cu crystals or the sum A of the area rates of these Cu crystals in the skin film surface are set in a range of A.gtoreq.40%. The skin film surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the existence of the infinite number of pyramid-shaped Cu crystals and/or conical Cu crystals. If such a Cu skin film is formed, for example, on a surface opposite from that surface of a backing of a slide bearing which is opposed to a rotary shaft, the Cu skin film exhibits a good oil retention and therefore seizure due to a fretting can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Gunji, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka
  • Patent number: 5948521
    Abstract: A thermally conductive, electrically insulating connection, which is not sensitive to air moisture comprises a ceramic layer formed by thermal spraying on a surface of the workpiece, which layer is either impregnated or sealed with electrically insulating material and is joined to another workpiece which may be a ceramic layer which has been either impregnated or sealed and attached to another member. The connection is particularly useful in power assemblies with at least one power component for conducting away lost heat from the component with a sufficient electrical insulation of the component from the cooling body or heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellscahft
    Inventors: Dieter Dlugosch, Karl-Heinz Gunzelmann, Karl-Heinz Ideler
  • Patent number: 5939196
    Abstract: The invention provides a coating for a metal surface comprising (i) a primer able to gel and set, (ii) an adhesive and (iii) a thermoplastic polymer, in which said adhesive contains a catalyst, as well as metal objects, particularly pipes, provided with this surface coating, and a method for applying the surface coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: ELF Atochem S.A.
    Inventors: Patrice Perret, Regis Jacquemet, Lucien Murino