Patents Examined by R. Dean
  • Patent number: 5284327
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a metal extrusion, such as an aluminum extrusion, may include a carriage which houses the cooling liquid delivery system and is relatively movable with respect to the extrusion press in order to provide the desired amount of air cooling prior to quenching. The quenching apparatus may have a plurality of generally parallel cooling liquid delivery tubes, each having a plurality of nozzles which are preferably independently adjustable as to volume and spray pattern. The cooling liquid delivery tubes may be axially rotated and flow of the cooling liquid within each tube may be independently adjusted. The housing of the quenching unit may have an upper portion which is rotatable generally upwardly and is provided with a transparent window to facilitate viewing of the spraying action. A method of quenching an aluminum extrusion employing such apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: William R. Arthur, Douglas T. Bozich, Richard B. Jacobus, Thomas J. Rodjom, Joseph R. Sikora
  • Patent number: 5284533
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the preparation of metal reference samples for spectrographic analysis. The method consists of producing a substantially cylindrical preform or blank by spray deposition, followed by the consolidation of the blank in the form of a bar having an appropriate diameter and finally the cutting of the reference samples therefrom. Compared with the prior art methods, the method offers the advantages of an improved chemical homogeneity and low oxygen content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Pechiney Recherche
    Inventors: Michel Courbiere, Hubert Dieudonne
  • Patent number: 5284534
    Abstract: A thermomechanical method for improving the fatigue characteristics of a metallic material (for example carbon steel and low alloy steel) takes advantage of the materials' plastic flow characteristics to improve external and internal surface conditions. The material is heated to a temperature in the range of about 0.3 to 0.45 its homologous temperature, e.g., from about 200 degrees C to about the Young's Modulus Transition Temperature of said material. While the temperature of the material is in this range, force is applied to the material to produce in at least the region of said material to be treated a tensile stress level greater than the yield point of said material at the temperature, and thereby to produce limited plastic elongation in the region. The material is then cooled under stress, the stress being maintained above the instantaneous yield point of the material during at least part of the cooling process. As a result of this process, the shape of existing stress raisers (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Carlos A. T. Mendes
  • Patent number: 5284619
    Abstract: A mixture of rare earth elements, in which La is comprised from 75 to 90 wt % of rare earth elements, with the balance being Ce, Nd, Pr and other rare earth elements (the mixture being referred to as a highly lanthanum-rich misch metal, and is hereinafter designated Lm), is used to produce a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a composition represented by LmNi.sub.x-A-B Co.sub.A Al.sub.B, Lm.sub.1-x Zr.sub.x Ni.sub.Y-A-B Co.sub.A Al.sub.B, or Lm.sub.1-x Zr.sub.x Ni.sub.Y-A-B-C Co.sub.A Mn.sub.B Al.sub.C. By using these hydrogen absorbing alloys as negative electrode materials, nickel metal hydride secondary batteries can be fabricated that have a large discharge capacity and that also have excellent cycle life and high rate discharge characteristics. Such electrode characteristics that are balanced between the aspects of discharge capacity and cycle life have heretofore been unattainable by either La alone or a misch metal having a relatively low La content or a conventional lanthanum-rich misch metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Company, Limited
    Inventor: Tokuichi Hazama
  • Patent number: 5279683
    Abstract: A method of producing a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet suitable for working uses which utilizes a steel material having the following composition: not more than 0.006 wt % of C, not more than 0.5 wt % of Si, not more than 2.0 wt % of Mn, and not less than 0.01 wt % but not more than 0.10 wt % of Ti, the Ti, C and N contents being determined to meet the condition of Ti>(48/12) C wt %+(48/14) N wt %, the steel also consisting essentially of not less than 0.0010 wt % but not more than 0.0100 wt % of Nb, not less than 0.0002 wt % but not more than 0.0020 wt % of B, not less than 0.03 wt % but not more than 0.20 wt % of P, not more than 0.03 wt % of S, not less than 0.010 wt % but not more than 0.100 wt % of Al, not more than 0.008 wt % of N, not more than 0.0045 wt % of O, and the balance substantially Fe and incidental inclusions. The steel material is cast and hot-rolled and then subjected to a cold rolling conducted at a sheet temperature not higher than 300.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Okada, Tojiro Ikeda, Susumu Satoh, Hideo Abe, Jun-ichi Mano, Norio Ohta
  • Patent number: 5277717
    Abstract: A rapidly solidified, low density aluminum base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Li.sub.a Cu.sub.b Mg.sub.c Zr.sub.d wherein "a" ranges from about 2.2 to 2.5 wt %, "b" ranges from about 0.8 to 1.2 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0.4 to 0.6 wt % and "d" ranges from about 0.4 to 0.8 wt %, the balance being aluminum plus incidental impurities. The alloy is especially suited to be consolidated to produce a strong, tough, low density aircraft landing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry C. LaSalle, Santosh K. Das
  • Patent number: 5277719
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a forged and rolled Al-Zn-Cu-Mg alloy plate product having improved fatigue properties in the long transverse direction. The method comprises providing a body of an Al-Zn-Cu-Mg alloy, working said body by a forging operation to reduce its thickness in a C direction by at least 30% and rolling or working the forged body to provide a forged and rolled plate product having improved fatigue properties in the long transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: G. William Kuhlman, Paul E. Magnusen, Paul L. Mehr, Dell F. Skluzak, Andrew C. Spitznas, Paul T. Wang, Charles J. Warren, Kenton P. Young, John A. Schelin
  • Patent number: 5275672
    Abstract: Steel which is particularly useful for making a razor blade of high corrosion resistance contains more than 0.45%, but less than 0.55%, of carbon, 0.4 to 1.0% of silicon, 0.5 to 1.0% of manganese, 12 to 14% of chromium and 1.0 to 1.6% of molybdenum all by weight, in addition to iron and inevitable impurities, and has a carbide density of 100 to 150 particles per 100 square microns as annealed. The razor blade has a Vickers hardness of at least 620 and a carbide density of 10 to 45 particles per 100 square microns, and preferably has a specific distribution of residual austenite content. The improved properties of the razor blade are achieved by an improved process of heat treatment which includes austenitizing the steel at a temperature of 1075.degree. C. to 1120.degree. C., cooling it to a temperature between -60.degree. C. and -80.degree. C. for hardening it, and tempering it at a temperature of 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignees: Wilkinson Sword Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hitachi Metals Ltd.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Althaus, Atsushi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5273594
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving aluminum alloy plate product properties by delaying final stretching of the plate product. During processing of the product, a time interval or intentional delay is provided between the final cold rolling step and the final stretching step. By delaying the final stretching procedure, an aluminum alloy plate product is provided with an improved fracture toughness without significant decrease in strength values. The method of intentionally delaying final stretching is particularly adapted for 2000 series aluminum alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: William A. Cassada, III
  • Patent number: 5270001
    Abstract: An alloy, in particular for use in the manufacture of jewelry, frames for glasses, and the like. In order to be able to manufacture jewelry, frames for glasses, and the like of a nickel-free alloy inexpensively and well, the following alloy has been produced according to the invention, which, in percentages by weight, has the following composition: Cu 86.0-90.0 percent, Al 2.8-4.5 percent, Mn 0.4-1.3 percent, Fe 1.0-2.5 percent, Si 0-0.5 percent, the remainder being Zn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Berkenhoff GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Rechtziegel, Wolfgang Brandstaetter, Juergen Fackert, Klaus Tauber
  • Patent number: 5268236
    Abstract: A composite aluminum plate suitable for making targets for coating processes, and methods for making them are disclosed. The plate comprises a surface layer of pure aluminum or an alloy of pure aluminum, and a supporting layer made of a hardenable aluminum alloy having a Brinell hardness index HB of at least about 50 after being heat-treated under suitable conditions. The targets made are suitable for physical or sputter coating processes such as cathodic sputtering and magnetron sputtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Vereinigte Aluminum-Werke AG
    Inventors: Christian M. Dumont, Norberg W. Schmitz, Hans Quaderer
  • Patent number: 5266130
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an aluminum alloy material having excellent shape fixability and bake hardenability, the process comprising: conducting semicontinuous casting of an aluminum alloy comprising 0.4 to 1.7% (wt.%) Si and 0.2 to 1.4% Mg, optionally further comprising 0.05% or less Ti and 100 pm or less B and optionally further comprising at least one member selected from the group of 1.00% or less Cu, 0.50% or less Mn, 0.20% or less Cr and 0.20% or less V, with the balance consisting of Al and unavoidable impurities, subjecting the cast alloy to conventional hot rolling; conducting solution heat treatment by holding the hot-rolled alloy at a temperature of from 450 to 580.degree. C. for 10 minutes or less; conducting first-stage cooling of the alloy at a cooling rate of 200.degree. C./min or more to a quenched temperature in the range of from 60 to 250.degree. C.; and subjecting the alloy to second-stage cooling at a cooling rate selected within the zone ABCD shown in the attached FIG. 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Uchida, Hideo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5264052
    Abstract: In composition of Fe-Ni alloy preferably used for lead frames in production of IC, specified amount of Be is added to the basic composition for increase in mechanical strength whilst maintaining the low thermal expansion characteristic of the conventional Fe-Ni alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kato, Tsuyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5264053
    Abstract: A production method for an endless track bushing wherein high-carbon low-alloy steel is selected as a bushing material, the bushing material is quench-hardened without pre-carburizing the bushing material, and then tempered. In the quench-hardening, the bushing material is induction-heated from an outside surface of the bushing material only so that an inside surface of the bushing material is heated to a temperature above and close to a transformation temperature of the high-carbon low-alloy steel, and then the heated bushing material is cooled from the outside surface of the bushing material only so that a residual compressive stress is produced at the inside surface of the bushing material when it has been cooled to an ambient temperature. The thus produced bushing has a high hardness throughout the entire cross section and a high toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakajima, Hisahiko Kusano, Isao Yoshida, Yoshio Hamajima, Hiroyuki Takeno
  • Patent number: 5262124
    Abstract: An alloy suited for use in water service, having less tendency for lead to dissolve in water, free cutting property and freedom from gravity segregation in casting and cracks caused by forming is provided. The alloy according to the invention comprises about 60 weight % of copper, 0.5 to 3.5 weight % of lead, at least one rare earth metal in an amount of 1/17 to 1/5 relative to lead in weight and zinc for the rest. The lead content is preferably at most 3.0% for less dissolution of lead into water, while less than 3.0% of lead is preferred for hot forged alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi Alloy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenkichi Yamaji, Rokuro Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 5259898
    Abstract: An alloy, in particular for the manufacture of spectacle frames, and a spectacle wire or a spectacle frame and connecting wires for electronic component parts manufactured using the alloy of the invention. In order to obtain good mechanical characteristics, for example, of the spectacle frame at low expense, the invention provides the following alloy which, in percentage by weight, is composed as follows: 63-78% copper, 3-7% nickel, 1-3% iron, 0.01-0.20% phosphorus, the remainder being zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Berkenhoff GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Tauber, Wolfgang Brandstaetter, Erich Dommer, Juergen Fackert, Bruno Rechtziegel
  • Patent number: 5259886
    Abstract: A rolling member used as an outer race, inner race, a ball or roller of a bearing contains a metal flow in the structure formed by plastic working (fold forging). The angle of metal flow determined by a tangent line of the metal flow and the axis of rotation of the rolling member is 10.degree. or larger to improve the service line against rolling fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Utsumi, Kousuke Nonaka
  • Patent number: 5252147
    Abstract: The surface properties of copper-refractory metal (CU-RF) alloy bodies are modified by heat treatments which cause the refractory metal to form a coating on the exterior surfaces of the alloy body. The alloys have a copper matrix with particles or dendrites of the refractory metal dispersed therein, which may be niobium, vanadium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, or tungsten. The surface properties of the bodies are changed from those of copper to that of the refractory metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Verhoeven, Edwin D. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5252151
    Abstract: An Fe-Ni alloy sheet for a shadow mask, which consists essentially of:nickel: from 34 to 38 wt. %,silicon: from 0.01 to 0.15 wt. %,manganese: from 0.01 to 1.00 wt. %, andthe balance being iron and incidental impurities.The surface portion of the alloy sheet has a silicon (Si) segregation rate, as expressed by the following formula, of up to 10%: ##EQU1## and a center-line mean roughness (Ra) of the alloy sheet satisfies the following formula:0.3 .mu.m<.ltoreq.Ra .ltoreq.0.7 .mu.m.The above-mentioned Fe-Ni alloy sheet is manufactured by preparing an Fe-Ni alloy sheet having the chemical composition and the silicon segregation rate as described above, and imparting a center-line mean roughness (Ra) which satisfies the above-mentioned formula onto the both surfaces of the alloy sheet by means of a pair of dull rolls during the final rolling of the alloy sheet for said preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Inoue, Masayuki Kinoshita, Tomoyoshi Okita
  • Patent number: RE34442
    Abstract: In a method for producing an aluminum alloy, for instance to make a billet or ingot for extrusion purposes, and which may consist of a structural hardening Al-Mg-Si-alloy, the production comprises the following steps:casting an ingot or billet,homogenizing the billet,cooling of the homogenized billet,reheating the billet to a temperature in the alloy above the solubility temperature in the precipitated phases in the Al matrix, for instance the solubility temperature for the Mg-Si-phases in a billet made of an Al-Mg-Si-alloy,holding the billet at the temperature above the solubility temperature for the precipitated phases in the Al matrix, for instance the Mg-Si-phases in a billet made of an Al-Mg-Si-alloy, until the phases are dissolved,quick cooling of the billet to the desired extrusion temperature to prevent new precipitation of said phases in the alloy structure, or that the billet is extruded at said solubility temperature.[., until the phases are dissolved.]..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro a.s
    Inventor: Oddvin Reiso