Patents Examined by L. Dewayne Rutledge
  • Controlled addition of lithium to molten aluminum
    Patent number: 4761266
    Abstract: Lithium feed to an aluminum-lithium alloy production system is achieved at a highly controlled rate by advancing a plunger at a predetermined volumetric rate into a body of molten lithium retained in a holding vessel to displace the lithium toward an overflow port through which it is fed into a mixing vessel where it is combined with molten aluminum. Control of the aluminum feed rate is achieved by maintaining a constant head height upstream of an orifice. The thus metered streams of molten lithium and aluminum are then combined in a vortex bowl, whose outlet is then fed to a casting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Richard S. Bruski
  • Function alloy and method of producing the same
    Patent number: 4759906
    Abstract: A method of producing functional alloys by adding not more than 20 atomic percent Cr to a TiPd alloy with 40-60 atomic percent Ti which develops thermoelastic martensitic transformation, for adjusting the transformation point of the alloy. Such a functional alloy may comprise in addition to the Ti, 0.001-20 atomic percent Cr, the balance being Pd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Soji Nenno, Kazuyuki Enami, Kazuhiko Hayashi
  • Method for torch guniting of a metallurgical unit
    Patent number: 4759531
    Abstract: A method for torch guniting of a metallurgical unit, wherein a guniting force formed by a guniting mix, fuel and oxygen is directed into the refractory lining of the unit involved. Simultaneously the guniting torch is exposed in the effect of a wave energy field which is established by virtue of sonic vibrations which are maximally concentrated at the guniting torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Vsesojuzny Institut Ogneuporov
    Inventors: Mikhail V. Malakhov, Albert N. Ivoditov, Jury I. Zhavoronkov, Viktor A. Breido, Izrail A. Juzefovsky, Igor P. Tsibin, Alexandr A. Shershnev, Oleg N. Chemeris, Nina P. Chernova, Vyacheslav F. Badakh
  • Pb-free, tin base solder composition
    Patent number: 4758407
    Abstract: A lead free, cadmium free tin and tin/antimony based solder alloy having a wide melting range for joining copper tubes and brass pipe and fittings. The non-toxic tin based solder composition has a range of 92.5-96.9% tin, 3.0-5.0% copper, 0.1-2.0% nickel and 0.0-5.0% silver. The non-toxic tin/antimony based solder composition has a range of 87.0-92.9% tin, 4.0-6.0% antimony, 3.0-5.0% copper, 0.0-2.0% nickel and 0.0-0.5% silver and is especially suited for plumbing applications having tight loose fitting solder joints which are exposed to potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: J.W. Harris Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Ballentine, Joseph W. Harris
  • Ultrafine particle and fiber production in microgravity
    Patent number: 4758267
    Abstract: In a system and method for producing ultrafine particles and ultrafine fibers of a given source material by evaporating and condensing the material in a gas atmosphere that includes inert gas. A smaller, more narrow size distribution is accomplished by producing the particles and fibers in a microgravity environment in order to reduce particle coalescence caused by convection currents. Particle coalescence also is reduced in an Earth gravity environment by controlling the convection currents. Condensed particles are collected either by providing an electrostatic field or a spatially varying magnetic field or by causing the gas to move through a filter which collects the particles. Nonferromagnetic material fibers are produced and collected by electrodes which produce an electro- static field. Ferromagnetic particles are collected by spatially varying magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Energy Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: George W. Webb
  • Molten metal pouring nozzle
    Patent number: 4756452
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a porous nozzle which is made up of an upper porous brick, a dense brick, and a lower porous brick arranged vertically in layer and a casing surrounding them. The casing is provided with an inert gas supply pipe which leads to the peripheral space of the upper porous brick. The casing is also provided with another inert gas supply pipe which leads to the peripheral space of the lower porous brick.Disclosed also herein is another porous nozzle which is made up of an upper porous brick, a dense brick, and a lower porous brick arranged vertically in layer and a casing surrounding them. The casing is provided with an inert gas supply pipe which leads to the peripheral space of the lower porous brick which communicates with the peripheral space of the upper porous brick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Shinagawa Refractories Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Tsukamoto, Masaru Terao, Hiroyasu Uiji
  • Method of and apparatus for dispensing a controlled amount of a liquid metal
    Patent number: 4754900
    Abstract: A controlled volume of a liquid metal is dispensed from a ceramic capillary tube. A wetted film of the liquid metal is applied to the tip of the tube and the liquid metal is inserted into the interior of the tube. The tube contacts a receiving surface with the wetted film and ultrasonic energy is applied to the tube to dispense a small control volume with extreme precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Colin A. MacKay
  • Refractory device for introducing a gas into a molten metal and a method for making the device
    Patent number: 4754954
    Abstract: A device for bubbling gases through molten metal and specially adapted to be used in ladles or metallurgical vessels where it is necessary to stop the flow of gas without risk of penetration of liquid metal through the device. The device includes a metal casing holding a number of refractory plates or concentric cylinders that have opposed, specially roughened surfaces and that have their roughened surfaces juxtaposed without inserts or slots between them. The plates or cylinders can be roughened by controlled shot blasting to provide a plurality of randomly arranged surface discontinuities that define a plurality of unoriented flow passages when the plates or cylinders are placed in contacting, face-to-face relationship. Gas flow rates substantially greater than 5 liters per second can be obtained, and the device prevents molten metal flow therethrough when the gas flow has been cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventors: Arturo Lazcano-Navarro, Gregorio Vargas Gutierrez
  • Tuyere assembly and positioning method
    Patent number: 4754951
    Abstract: A tuyere assembly and positioning method comprising mechanically separate or separable inner and outer tubes, the inner tube(s) being removeable and replaceable and the outer tube being extendable into a vessel and held in place by a flared end abutting the wall of a cavity through the vessel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Ian F. Masterson, Roger Bridgeman, Steven Bailey
  • Method of manufacturing pressure vessel steel with high strength and toughness
    Patent number: 4755234
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pressure vessel steel having high strength and high toughness comprising the steps of heating steel to a temperature higher than 1200.degree. C., said steel containing from 0.03 to 0.12 wt. % C, 0.10 to 0.8 wt. % Si, 0.45 to 1.00 wt. % Mn, 0.80 to 3.50 wt. % Cr, 0.10 to 1.60 wt. % Mo, 0.10 to 0.53 wt. % Ni, 0.010 to 0.040 wt. % soluble aluminum, at least one of 0.05 to 0.40 wt. % V and 0.02 to 0.20 wt. % Nb, less than 0.010 wt. % Ti, 0.0002 to 0.0010 wt. % B, and less than 0.004 wt. % N, the balance of iron and impurities, the N and Ti satisfying the following equationN<14/48.times.Ti+0.0024%;rolling the heated steel at a temperature above 1050.degree. C. to obtain a total reduction of more than 30%; directly quenching the rolled steel; and tempering the rolled steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruo Suzuki, Toshio Takano, Koshiro Tsukada, Hiroaki Tsukamoto
  • Methods for making cutting tools
    Patent number: 4755237
    Abstract: Improvements are provided in the structures of cutting tools and methods for producing such tools. The tool structures include providing a select portion or portions of a cutting tool, such as one or more portions adjacent a cutting or forming portion or edge or plurality of edges of a tool, of amorphous or non-crystalline metal or metal alloy having strength and wear characteristics which are superior to those of conventional metals and alloys which are crystalline in structure. Such amorphous metal may be formed in situ along the cutting edge portion of a cutting tool or blade by intense radiation beam scanning or may be formed of deposited or otherwise secured amorphous metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson
  • Multiple layer, tungsten/titanium/titanium nitride adhesion/diffusion barrier layer structure for gold-base microcircuit interconnection
    Patent number: 4753851
    Abstract: The inability of conventional adhesion/diffusion barrier Ti-TiN laminates to secure a narrow linewidth electrodeposited gold layer to a silicon structure and prevent unwanted gold diffusion during anneal cycles at temperatures greater than 370.degree. C. for substantial periods of time is overcome by the addition of a medium thickness (.gtoreq.1,500.ANG.) layer of tungsten over the exposed silicon prior to formation of the titanium/titanium nitride laminate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Harris
    Inventors: Bruce E. Roberts, Charles M. Dalton, Jimmy C. Black
  • Regeneration of nickel-based superalloy parts damaged by creep
    Patent number: 4753686
    Abstract: Method for the regeneration of machine parts of a nickel-based alloy, such as turbo-machine blades having reached the end of their useful operational life as a consequence of damage by creep in particular, consisting in holding the part for at least 1 hour at a temperature sufficient to redissolve a volumetric fraction of at least 50% of the .gamma.' phase, then controlling its precipitation by controlling the rate of cooling so as to regenerate its microstructural morphology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteur d'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventors: Jose Company, Alain R. Leonnard
  • Disposable enema unit
    Patent number: 4752288
    Abstract: A one-piece sealed disposable enema unit with a lubricated rectal tip is disclosed. The rectal tip of the unit is sealed with a break-off tab. Attached to the tab is a sleeve which covers the exterior of the rectal tip and prevents contamination of the lubricant. Before use, the break-off tab must be twisted off and the tab with the attached sleeve removed. Therefore, the unit is tamper proof and security of the contents is insured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Aid-Pack, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard P. Hussey
  • Austenitic stainless steel with high cavitation erosion resistance
    Patent number: 4751046
    Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel alloy showing a high cavitation erosion resistance making it particularly useful for the manufacture and/or repair of hydraulic machine components. The alloy consists essentially of from 8 to 30% by weight of Co; from 13 to 30% by weight of Cr; from 0.03 to 2.0% by weight of C; up to 0.3% by weight of N; up to 5.0% by weight of Si; up to 1.0% by weight of Ni; up to 2.0% by weight of Mo; and up to 16% by weight of Mn, the balance being substantially Fe, with the proviso that at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the amount of C is higher than 0.3%, and/or the amount of Si is higher than 3.0% and/or the amount of Mn is higher than 9.0%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Hydro Quebec
    Inventor: Raynald Simoneau
  • Castings made from aluminium and its alloys, whereof at least one face has at least one region of wear-resistant zones
    Patent number: 4750945
    Abstract: Castings made from aluminum and its alloys have at least one face including at least one region of wear-resistant zones. These castings are formed by a controlled distribution of zones hardened by local melting effect. The zones, no matter what their length and shape, have a width and depth between 3 and 150 .mu.m and the surface fraction or percentage of the zones for the wear-resistant region is between 5 and 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Cegedur Societe de Transformation de l'Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Gerard Laslaz, Serge Terroni
  • Copper-base shape-memory alloys
    Patent number: 4750953
    Abstract: A copper-base shape-memory alloy consisting essentially of 15-35% Zn, 3.2-10% Al, 0.01-1% Si, at least one element selected from the group of 0.5-2% Ti, 0.01-1% Cr, 0.01-8% Mn, 0.01-2% Co and 2.1-4% Ni, the balance being Cu and incidental impurities, the percent being by weight is disclosed.This alloy has high resistance to intercrystalline cracking and thermal cycling as well as improved shape-memory properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Kinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Tabei
  • Substrate for magnetic recording media
    Patent number: 4751050
    Abstract: In composition of an Al-base substrate for magnetic recording media, additional inclusion of at least one of specified amount of Cr, Mg and Zn greatly improves recording and reproducing function of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Toyoda
  • Injection lance
    Patent number: 4750716
    Abstract: An injection lance is provided for introducing flux mixtures and the like into baths of molten metal, which lance has inner and outer spaced metal tubes with between them a tubular sheath of refractory material that is spaced from both the inner and outer tubes by air gaps. The outer tube may be of high temperature metal with a refractory coating. The tubes can be maintained in coaxial relationship by an end cap at the inlet end of the lance and by rammed ceramic fibre insulation introduced at both ends, the outer tube at the discharge end being chamfered and containing a body of rammed insulation in which the inner tube is buried, with the terminal portion of the flow passage through the lance at the discharge end being provided as a passage formed through the rammed insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Ashland Oil, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Reeve-Parker
  • Photoengraving articles of zinc-free magnesium-based alloys and methods of producing such articles
    Patent number: 4751162
    Abstract: A photoengraving article is provided formed of an essentially zinc-free magnesium-based alloy which also contains an amount of calcium effective to control lateral etching and improvement the sharpness of the resultant etched pattern. A method of forming a photoengraved article is also provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a photoengraving article from a photoengraving alloy and etching a pattern on the article in an etching bath. The improvement that comprises forming the photoengraving article from essentially zinc-free magnesium-based alloys containing an amount of calcium effective to control the lateral etching and improve the clarity of the resultant pattern. The article and method do not release zinc into the etching bath. Ultimate release of zinc into the environment is also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Geoffrey S. Newhouse