Patents Examined by John Sheehan
  • Patent number: 6499211
    Abstract: A storage tray for storing magnetized magnets for assembly in a disc drive. The tray includes a base having a support surface and a cover sized to cover the support surface. The base is formed of a material having magnetic properties for attracting magnetized magnets for removably supporting the magnets until assembled in a voice coil motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Terry R. Fahley
  • Patent number: 6500278
    Abstract: A hot rolled electromagnetic steel sheet having excellent magnetic properties and corrosion resistance is obtained by heating a super-high purity iron comprising Fe: not less than 99.95 mass %, C+N+S: not more than 10 mass ppm, O: not more than 50 mass ppm and the remainder being inevitable impurity to &ggr;-zone and subjecting in this &ggr;-zone to hot rolling at a total rolling reduction of not less than 50% and under condition that at least one pass is a friction coefficient between roll and rolling material of not more than 0.3 and thereafter cooling at an average cooling rate of 0.5˜150° C. over Ar3 transformation point ˜300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Abiko
  • Patent number: 6497772
    Abstract: An article is protected with a wear-resistant coating. The wear-coated article is thereafter treated to produce a chemical conversion coating on any portions of the surface of the article accessible through micropores in the wear-resistant coating. For steel articles, the wear-resistant coating is preferably a titanium nitride-based intermetallic compound such as TiN, Ti2N, (TiAl)N, Ti(CN), (TiAl)(CN), ZrN, and CrN, and the chemical conversion coating is preferably a phosphate-based compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Molecular Metallurgy, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan K. Meckel, Dana Howard Campbell
  • Patent number: 6494968
    Abstract: Lamellar rare earth-iron-boron-based magnet alloy particles for a bonded magnet, having an intrinsic coercive force (iHc) of not less than 3.5 kOe, a residual magnetic flux density (Br) of not less than 9.5 kG, and a maximum energy product ((BH)max) of not less than 13 MGOe. These particles have an average major axial diameter of 60 to 500 &mgr;m, an average minor axial diameter of 50 to 460 &mgr;m, an average axis ratio (major axial diameter/minor axial diameter) of 1.1 to 10 and an average aspect ratio (major axial diameter/thickness) of 3 to 100. The magnet alloy particles have a residual magnetic flux density (Br) as high as not less than 10 kG, an intrinsic coercive force (iHc) as large as not less than 3.5 kOe and a maximum energy product ((BH)max) as large as not less than 13 MGOe, are used as a material for high-performance bonded magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Toda Kogyo Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Hamano, Minoru Yamasaki, Hirotaka Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 6491765
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing alloy powder for R—Fe—B type rare earth magnets of the present invention includes a first pulverization step of coarsely pulverizing a material alloy for rare earth magnets and a second pulverization step of finely pulverizing the material alloy. In the first pulverization step, the material alloy is pulverized by a hydrogen pulverization method. In the second pulverization step, easily oxidized super-fine powder (particle size: 1.0 &mgr;m or less) is removed to adjust the particle quantity of the super-fine powder to 10% or less of the particle quantity of the entire powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Special Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Okayama, Naoyuki Ishigaki, Shuhei Okumura
  • Patent number: 6491766
    Abstract: A coating composition and process have been developed to provide an activated coating on nickel screen for use as cathodes in electrolytic cells for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen. Compared to the earlier Classical Pack Cementation process, the disclosed process is less expensive, reduces processing time from 20 hours to a few minutes, eliminates dusts and toxic gases, and provides improved performance in cells for hydrogen and oxygen generation. The coating is characterized by the presence of two activated layers with a high surface area, a multitude of fissures and a nickel to aluminum weight ratio greater than 20/1 in the top layer and greater than 4/1 in the bottom layer adjacent to the nickel substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Alloy Surfaces Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Alfonso L. Baldi, Frank J. Clark
  • Patent number: 6491772
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a solderable aluminum alloy having an aluminum alloy which is formable into a substrate. The aluminum alloy has 0.05-4.5% by weight of tin added to the aluminum alloy to be formed into the substrate. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a solderable aluminum substrate. The process includes preparing an aluminum slug with 0.05-4.5% of tin added to the aluminum slug; then rolling the aluminum slug to the desired thickness for the substrate; finally forming the rolled slug into the final shaped of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Scappaticci, Peter John Donovan
  • Patent number: 6491867
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy, represented by the following formula I which is suitable for use as an active anode material for ni-metal hydride secondary cells by virtue of its high discharge characteristics including, for example, a discharge capacity ranging from approximately 300 to 400 mAh/g and a rate capability of at least 80%; Zr1−xtix(MnuVvNiy)z  I wherein, x, u, v, and z each represent an atom fraction under the condition of: 0<x≦0.2, 1.5≦u≦0.7, 0.5≦v≦0.7, 1.0≦y≦1.4, and 0.84≦z≦1.0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jai Young Lee, Dong Myung Kim, Jae Han Jung, Ji Sang Yu, Sang Min Lee, Jeong Gun Park, Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6488784
    Abstract: By forming, after the annealing of the continuously cast body, a limited number of precipitates apt to the control of the grain growth, and utilising a cold rolling reduction ratio of at least 70%, it is possible to obtain in a subsequent step of continuous nitriding the direct formation of nitrides useful for the grain growth control and subsequently, still in a continuous treatment, to at least start the oriented secondary recrystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Fortunati, Stefano Cicale′, Giuseppe Abbruzzese
  • Patent number: 6488888
    Abstract: A lead-free solder alloy having a relatively low melting temperature and suitable for use to solder electronic devices consists essentially of: from 7 to 10 wt % of Zn; at least one of from 0.01 to 1 wt % of Ni, from 0.1 to 3.5 wt % of Ag, and from 0.1 to 3 wt % of Cu; optionally at least one of from 0.2 to 6 wt % of Bi, from 0.5 to 3 wt % of In, and from 0.001 to 1 wt % of P; and a balance of Sn. Another such lead-free solder alloy consists essentially of: from 2 to 10 wt % of Zn; from 10 to 30 wt % of Bi; from 0.05 to 2 wt % of Ag; optionally from 0.001 to 1 wt % of P, and a balance of Sn. These solder alloys have a tensile strength of at least 5 kgf/mm2 and at least 10% elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Murata, Hiroji Noguchi, Sadao Kishida, Toshihiko Taguchi, Shozo Asano, Ryo Oishi, Takashi Hori
  • Patent number: 6488783
    Abstract: A method for forming a chromium-rich layer on the surface of a nickel alloy workpiece containing chromium includes heating the workpiece to a stable temperature of about 1100° C., and then exposing the workpiece to a gaseous mixture containing water vapor and one or more non-oxidizing gases for a short period of time. The process conditions are compatible with high temperature annealing and can be performed simultaneously with, or in conjunction with, high temperature annealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter J. King, David M. Doyle
  • Patent number: 6488782
    Abstract: Method for reducing in situ the electrochemical corrosion potential and susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking of a nickel-base alloy and boiling water nuclear reactor components formed therefrom when in contact with high temperature water. The method comprises the steps of: adding a metal hydride to the high temperature water; dissociating the metal hydride in the high temperature water to form a metal and at least one hydrogen ion; and reducing the concentration of the oxidizing species by reacting the hydrogen ions with an oxidizing species, thereby reducing in situ the electrochemical corrosion potential of the nickel-base alloy. The method may further include the steps of reacting the metal with oxygen present in the high temperature water to form an insoluble oxide and incorporating the metal into the surface of the nickel-base alloy, thereby reducing the electrical conductivity of the surface of the nickel-base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Peter Louis Andresen
  • Patent number: 6485579
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of soft magnetic composite products comprising the steps of providing particles of an iron based soft magnetic material with an electrically insulating layer; optionally mixing the dry powder with a lubricant; compacting the powder and heating the obtained component at an elevated temperature in the presence of water vapour. The invention also comprises the iron powder compact subjected to this treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Höganäs AB
    Inventors: Magdalena Nillius, Patricia Jansson
  • Patent number: 6478884
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a thin-film magnetic head with a spin valve effect MR read sensor includes a temperature-annealing step of firmly fixing the direction of the pinned magnetization in the spin valve effect MR sensor. The temperature-annealing step is executed by a plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Shimazawa, Manabu Ohta, Tetsuro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6478891
    Abstract: The ribbon shaped magnet material (quenched ribbon 8) according to the present invention is obtained by ejecting a molten liquid 6 of an alloy containing rare earth elements and transition metals from a nozzle 3, and quenching the molten liquid allowing it to collide with a circumference face 53 of a cooling roll 5. The micostructure of the quenched ribbon comprises. soft magnetic phases and hard magnetic phases in adjoining relation to one another. Crystal grain sizes of the quenched ribbon 8 preferably satisfy the following equations [1] and [2], and preferably satisfy at least one of the following equations [3] and [4]: D1s/D1h≦0.9  [1] D2s/D2h≦0.8  [2] 0.5≦D1h/D2h≦1  [3] 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Arai, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6478886
    Abstract: Agent for sealing metallic substrates, in particular zinc or zinc alloy substrates, characterized in that it consists of an aqueous dispersion of a) at least one silane derivative and b) a colloidal silica and/or colloidal silicate. This agent may be used for a direct coating of metallic substrates without chromatation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kunz GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Kunz, Hermann Donsbach, Burkhard Flamme
  • Patent number: 6478890
    Abstract: Isotropic magnetic alloy powder having an intrinsic magnetic induction of at least two third of its magnetic remanence and method for making same are provided. The powder is made from an alloy having a composition comprising, by weight percentage, approximately 15 to 35 percent of one or more rare earth metals, approximately 0.5 to 4.5 percent of boron, and approximately 0 to 20 percent of cobalt, balanced with iron. The alloy powder is made by a process wherein an amount of the alloy is melt and spun in an inert environment, preferably at a distance between an orifice and a wheel being less than one and one half inches, into ribbons, followed by crushing the ribbons into powder and annealing the powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Magnequench, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanathan Panchanathan, William Ray Green, Kevin Allen Young
  • Patent number: 6479014
    Abstract: A Co-based saw tip for attachment to saw blades for cutting wood, the saw tip formed from an alloy containing Mo in an amount from about 4 to about 20% by weight, Cr, C, and the balance Co. Certain embodiments specifically avoid all W. The tip optionally further contains elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Si, Ni, B and Fe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Deloro Stellite Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. C. Wu, Damadoran Raghu, Bradley McKee
  • Patent number: 6478889
    Abstract: The method for producing iron-base alloy permanent magnet powder of the present invention includes the steps of: chilling an Fe—R—B molten alloy by melt quenching, thereby forming a rapidly solidified alloy having a thickness in a range of 80 &mgr;m to 300 &mgr;m; crystallizing the rapidly solidified alloy by heat treatment, thereby producing an alloy having permanent magnet properties; and pulverizing the alloy to produce powder having an average particle size in a range of 50 &mgr;m to 300 &mgr;m or less and a ratio of minor axis size to major axis size of powder particles in a range of 0.3 to 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Special Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Kanekiyo
  • Patent number: 6478894
    Abstract: At least any one of a bearing member (inner race, outer race and rolling element) is formed with a steel material containing 0.2 to 1.2 wt % of C, 0.7 to 1.5 wt % of Si, 0.5 to 1.5 wt % of Mo, 0.5 to 2.0 wt % of Cr, and 12 ppm or less of O. The bearing member is treated with carbonitriding, and thereafter, quenching and tempering so as to provide carbon concentration in the steel surface being 0.8 to 1.3 wt % and nitrogen concentration on the same being 0.2 to 0.8 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Mitamura, Kazuo Sekino, Yasuo Murakami