Patents Examined by Margery Phipps
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Patent number: 6129789Abstract: Steam is contacted with a hydrogen absorbing alloy in a temperature range from 200.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. With a contact catalytic reaction of water, a metal contained in the hydrogen absorbing alloy is changed to an oxide or a hydroxide. Hydrogen produced causes the Ni compound to be reduced and thereby the Ni metal that is catalytically active is produced. Thus, the surface of the hydrogen absorbing alloy is activated. The steam is contained in an inert gas or a reductive gas. This treatment method is suitable as an activation treatment for a hydrogen absorbing alloy used as an active material of a negative electrode of a secondary battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1996Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki SeisakushoInventors: Hiroshi Kawase, Shin-ichi Towata, Kazuhiko Itoh, Shunsuke Yamakawa, Katsushi Abe, Yutaka Ohya, Shinya Morishita
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Patent number: 6059904Abstract: A method combining isothermal and high retained strain forging is described for Ni-base superalloys, particularly those which comprise a mixture of .gamma. and .gamma.' phases, and most particularly those which contain at least about 40 percent by volume of .gamma.'. The method permits the manufacture of forged articles having a fine grain size in the range of 20 .mu.m or less. The method comprises the selection of a fine-grained forging preform formed from a Ni-base superalloy, isothermal forging to develop the shape of the forged article, subsolvus forging to impart a sufficient level of retained strain to the forged article to promote subsequent recrystallization and avoid critical grain growth, and annealing to recrystallize the microstructure. The method permits the forging of relatively complex shapes and avoids the problem of critical grain growth. The method may also be used to produce location specific grain sizes and phase distributions within the forged article.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Gilbert Benz, Michael Francis Henry, Charles Philip Blankenship, Jr., Aldo Enrique Murut
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Patent number: 6053995Abstract: A method of producing an age precipitation-containing rare earth metal-nickel alloy of AB.sub.5 type having a composition represented by a formula (1)R(ni.sub.1-x M.sub.x).sub.5+y (1)wherein R stands for a rare earth element including Y or mixtures thereof, M stands for Co, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zr, Ti, Mo, W, B, or mixtures thereof, x satisfies the relation of 0.05.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, and y satisfies the relation of -0.45.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.45, the alloy containing a precipitated phase having an average size of 0.1 to 20 .mu.m as measured along the longitudinal axis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of subjecting a raw alloy material having a composition represented by the formula (1) to a solid solution treatment at a temperature of not less than 1000.degree. C. and ageing the alloy material subjected to said solution heat treatment at a temperature T (.degree. C) of not less than 700.degree. C. and less than 1000.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1996Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Santoku Metal Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Tanibuchi, Kazuhiko Yamamoto, Chikara Okada
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Patent number: 5976280Abstract: A nickel base superalloy, having either columnar or equiaxed grain structure, which has significantly improved resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, and to fatigue in air. The material is processed so as to be essentially free of script type carbides, .gamma./.gamma.' eutectic islands and porosity. The processing includes heat treating above the .gamma.' solvus temperature to solution the script type carbides and eutectic islands, followed by HIP to eliminate the porosity.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: United Technologies Corp.Inventors: Daniel P. DeLuca, Charles M. Biondo
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Patent number: 5939664Abstract: A tungsten heavy alloy composition comprising tungsten, iron and elements selected from the groups X, Y and Z and having the formula W.sub.100-p Fe.sub.i X.sub.j Y.sub.k Z.sub.l. Such that "X" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Mn and Co; "Y" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo and V; "Z" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of C, Si, Ti and Al; "i" ranges from 5 to 19.5 weight percent; "j" ranges from 0.05 to 6 weight percent; "k" ranges from 0.15 to 5 weight percent; "l" ranges from 0.05 to 4 weight percent; and "p" is the mathematical sum of i, j, k and l, and ranges from 7 to 20 such that "100-p" ranges from 93 to 80 weight percent. The blended powder mixture thus formed is hot consolidated to full density. The hot consolidated blended powder mixture is subjected to a hardening heat treatment.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Deepak Kapoor
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Patent number: 5925199Abstract: Solid and liquid phases coexist in a semi-molten casting material. A plurality of composite-solid phases having liquid and solid phase regions and a plurality of single-solid phases exist as the solid phases in a mixed state in an outer layer portion of the semi-molten casting material. If the sectional area of the solid phase region is represented by A, and the sectional area of the solid phase region is represented by B in one of the composite-solid phases, the liquid phase enclosure rate P of the composite-solid phase is defined as being represented by P={B/(A+B)}.times.100 (%). The liquid phase enclosure rate P of the single-solid phase is equal to 0 (%). When two groups are selected from a class of the solid phases, for example, by first and second straight lines so as to include a plurality of the solid phases, average values M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 of liquid phase enclosure rates of, for example, six solid phases in each of the first and second groups are represented by M.sub.1 =(P.sub.1 +P.sub.2 - - - +P.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1996Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruo Shiina, Nobuhiro Saito, Takeyoshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 5916519Abstract: To provide a hydrogen storage alloy usable as a negative electrode having a long life and good high-discharge characteristics. Hydrogen storage alloy for cell wherein its general expression is as follows:RNi.sub.a Co.sub.b Al.sub.c Mn.sub.d Fe.sub.e(where R is a mixture of rare earth elements and contains 25.about.75 wt. % La; 3.7.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.4.0, 0.1.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.0.4, 0.20.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.0.4, 0.30.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.0.45, 0.2.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.0.4, 0.5.ltoreq.b+c.ltoreq.0.7, and 5.0.ltoreq.a+b+c+d+e.ltoreq.5.0).Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1996Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Saito, Masashi Takahashi, Takashi Sasai
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Patent number: 5916384Abstract: A process for preparing a Ni-based superalloy cast article includes (a) preparing an alloy charge composed of from 1.4 to 4.4 wt. % of Cr, from 3 to 8 wt. % of Co, from 5 to 7.5 wt. % of W, from 4.8 to 7.5 wt. % of Re, from 6 to 9 wt. % of Ta, from 4.8 to 6 wt. % of Al, from 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % of Nb, from 0.8 to 1.8 wt. % of Hf, from 0.05 to 0.1 wt. % of C, from 0.01 to 0.05 wt. % of Y, from 0.005 to 0.15 wt. % of B, and balance Ni, wherein the sum of W+Re is about 12 wt. %, the sum of Al+Ta+Hf+Nb ranges from 13.6 to 15.6 wt. %, and the sum of W+Re+Ta+Hf+Nb ranges from 20.2 to 22.8 wt.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: The Controller, Research & Development OrganizationInventor: Niranjan Das
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Patent number: 5908709Abstract: A material for sliding surface bearings comprises a backing layer of steel and a clad-on layer made of an aluminum-base bearing material. To increase the fatigue limit the material 2 for sliding surface bearings has been heat-treated at 200 to 220.degree. C. for 2 to 12 hours and the bearing material is composed of14 to 18% by weight tin,1.7 to 2.3% by weight copper,balance aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Kolbenschmidt AktiengesellschaftInventors: Klaus Deicke, Harald Pfestorf, Werner Schubert, Thomas Steffens
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Patent number: 5900078Abstract: A high-temperature sulfidation-corrosion resistant nickel-base alloy includes 12.about.15 weight % of cobalt, 18.about.21 weight % of chromium, 3.5.about.5 weight % of molybdenum, 0.02.about.0.1 weight % of carbon, at most 2.75 weight % of titanium, and at least 1.6 weight % of aluminum. The remainder is essentially of nickel except for impurities. The high-temperature sulfidation-corrosion resistant nickel-base alloy has sufficient high-temperature strength and is highly resistant to a high-temperature sulfidation corrosion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Yakuwa, Matsuho Miyasaka, Toshio Narita, Shuhei Nakahama, Masamichi Kawasaki
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Patent number: 5895516Abstract: A bearing alloy for high-temperature application essentially consisting of, by weight, 2 to 8% Cr, 2 to 10% Fe, 0.1 to 1.5% Si, 2 to 22% Co, 1.4 to 11% Mo, and the balance of Ni and unavoidable impurities, and having a structure in which hard particles of a Co--Mo--Cr--Si-system intermetallic compound are dispersed the matrix in the proportion of 5 to 35 weight percent to the matrix. The respective component of the intermetallic compound is also counted in the above alloy composition.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1996Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Tanaka, Masaaki Sakamoto, Koichi Yamamoto, Kouki Ozaki
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Patent number: 5891271Abstract: Fe--Ni alloys for electron gun parts consisting of, all by weight, 30-55% Ni, 0.0010-0.200% S, up to 0.8% Mn, from not less than 0.005 to less than 0.5% in total of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Mg, Ce and Ca, and the balance substantially Fe and unavoidable impurities, and electron gun parts, typically electron gun electrodes, made of the alloys by punching are provided. Controlling the grain size number to No. 7.0 or above is also effective. The Fe--Ni alloys of this invention for electron gun parts are remarkably improved in press punchability and can solve burring problems through the easy formation of sulfide inclusions of Ti, Mg, Ce, and Ca.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norio Yuki, Yoshihisa Kita
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Patent number: 5888451Abstract: A nickel-base superalloy, in particular for the fabrication of monocrystalline components, consisting essentially of (measured in wt %) 6.0-6.8% of Cr, 8.0-10.0% of Co, 0.5-0.7% of Mo, 6.2-6.6% of W, 2.7-3.2% of Re, 5.4-5.8% of Al, 0.5-0.9% of Ti, 7.2-7.8% of Ta, 0.15-0.3% of Hf. 0.02-0.04% of C, 40-100 ppM of B, the remainder being nickel with impurities. The ratio (Ta+1.5 Hf+0.5 Mo-0.5 Ti)/(W+1.2 Re) is greater than or equal to 0.7.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.Inventors: Maxim Konter, Michael Newnham, Christoph Tonnes
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Patent number: 5888316Abstract: This invention relates to nickel-cobalt based alloys comprising the following elements in percent by weight: from about 0.002 to about 0.07 percent carbon, from about 0 to about 0.04 percent boron, from about 0 to about 2.5 percent columbium, from about 12 to about 19 percent chromium, from about 0 to about 6 percent molybdenum, from about 20 to about 35 percent cobalt, from about 0 to about 5 percent aluminum, from about 0 to about 5 percent titanium, from about 0 to about 6 percent tantalum, from about 0 to about 6 percent tungsten, from about 0 to about 2.5 percent vanadium, from about 0 to about 0.06 percent zirconium, and the balance nickel plus incidental impurities, the alloys having a phasial stability number N.sub.v3B less than about 2.60. Furthermore, the alloys have at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, columbium, tantalum and vanadium. Also, the alloys have at least one element selected from the group consisting of tantalum and tungsten.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: SPS Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gary L. Erickson
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Patent number: 5888661Abstract: A composite structure including a substrate and a heat protection element on the substrate, wherein the heat protection element includes a quasicrystalline aluminum alloy of one or a number of quasicrystalline phases which are either quasicrystalline phases in the strict sense, or approximating phases, wherein the quasicrystalline phases exhibit a thermal diffusivity, measured at ambient temperature, lower than 2.5.times.10.sup.-6 m.sup.2 /s, and a thermal diffusivity measured in the temperature range 650.degree.-750.degree. C. which does not exceed the thermal diffusivity measured at ambient temperature by more than a factor of 3, and wherein the quasicrystalline aluminum alloy comprises Al.sub.a Pd.sub.b Mn.sub.c X.sub.d Y.sub.e T.sub.f I.sub.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueInventors: Jean-Marie Dubois, Pierre Archambault, Bernard Colleret
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Patent number: 5885381Abstract: The present invention provides a Ni--Ti--Pd superelastic alloy material of a composition consisting of, by atomic percent, 34 to 49% nickel, 48 to 52% titanium and 3 to 14% palladium. Optionally, a part of nickel and/or titanium of this alloy is replaced with one or more elements selected from a group of Cr, Fe, Co, V, Mn, B, Cu, Al, Nb, W and Zr such that these elements to be replaced amount to 2% or less in total (by atomic percent), wherein a stress hysteresis between the loading and unloading stresses in the stress-strain curve at temperatures between Af and Af+5.degree. is as small as 50 to 150 MPa. Since the Ni--Ti--Pd superelastic alloy material having the above composition is excellent in hot workability, it can be hot-worked into a wire having a diameter up to the range from 1 to 5 mm and manufactured at a low cost. Then, a final heat-treatment is given to the hot-worked material at a temperature in the range from 300.degree. to 700.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1998Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kengo Mitose, Tatsuhiko Ueki
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Patent number: 5885378Abstract: This invention provides a hydrogen occluding alloy having a composition comprising, by wt %, 25% to 45% of Zr, 1% to 12% of Ti, 10% to 20% of Mn, 2% to 12% of V, 0.5% to 5% of at least one rare earth element, optionally 0.1% to 4% of Hf, one or more selected from hydrogen, hydrogen+oxygen, and oxygen, and a balance being Ni (25% or more of Ni) and unavoidable impurities, having a structure comprising: a phase made of a hydrogenated-product, dispersedly distributed in a matrix phase made of a Zr--Ni--Mn based alloy. The hydrogenated-product mainly comprises a rare earth element-Ni type alloy and a rare earth element hydride with numerous cracks formed at the time when the hydrogenated-product phase is generated. The hydrogenated-product phase is formed by exposing a hydrogen-containing substance on the surfaces of the cracks. Electrodes made of the alloy are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1996Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials CorporationInventors: Norikazu Komada, Mitsugu Matsumoto, Shinichiro Kakehashi, Yoshitaka Tamo
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Patent number: 5882586Abstract: A heat-resistant nickel-based alloy having excellent welding properties, said nickel-based alloy consisting essentially of, in terms of wt. %, 0.05 to 0.25% of C, 18 to 25% of Cr, 15 to 25% of Co, at least one selected from the group consisting of up to 3.5% of Mo and 5 to 10% of W, with W+1/2Mo being 5 to 10%, 1.0 to 5.0% of Ti, 1.0 to 4.0% of Al, 0.5 to 4.5% of Ta, 0.2 to 3.0% of Nb, 0.005 to 0.10% of Zr, 0.001 to 0.01% of B and the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities, wherein the (Al+Ti) content and the (W+1/2Mo) content are within the range surrounded by the lines connecting points A (Al+Ti: 5%, W+1/2Mo: 10%), B (Al+Ti: 5%, W+1/2Mo: 5%), C (Al+Ti: 7%, W+1/2Mo: 5%), and D (Al+Ti: 7%, W+1/2Mo: 10%) excluding the line A-B in FIG. 1.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignees: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Itaru Tamura, Kazunori Tokoro, Takashi Kawabata, Tsuyoki Kokubun, Toshio Mochizuki, Shuichi Sakashita, Hisataka Kawai, Ikuo Okada, Ichiro Tsuji, Kouji Takahashi, Taiji Torigoe
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Patent number: 5882493Abstract: A sputtering target, for forming a recording layer of an optical recording medium in which information is written and erased through a transition between two phases by utilizing electromagnetic wave energy, consists of a heat-treated and sintered composition represented by the formula:Ag.sub..alpha. In.sub..beta. Te.sub..gamma. Sb.sub..delta.wherein2.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.303.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.3010.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.5015.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.83.alpha.+.beta.+.gamma.+.delta.=100A method of producing the sputtering target, an optical recording medium having a recording layer formed through sputtering by use of the sputtering target, and a method of forming the recording layer are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroko Iwasaki, Yoshiyuki Kageyama, Makoto Harigaya, Masaetsu Takahashi, Hiroshi Deguchi, Katsuyuki Yamada, Yoshitaka Hayashi, Yukio Ide
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Patent number: 5882446Abstract: In a heat treatment process for material bodies made of nickel base superalloys, in particular for monocrystals made of nickel base superalloys, the heat treatment of the material body comprises the following steps: annealing at 850.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C., heating to 1200.degree. C., heating to a temperature of 1200.degree. C.<T.ltoreq.1300.degree. C. at a heat-up rate of less than or equal to 1.degree. C./min, and a multistage homogenization and dissolution process at a temperature of 1300.degree. C..ltoreq.T.ltoreq.1315.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.Inventor: Maxim Konter