Patents Examined by Robert R. Koehler
  • Patent number: 6974531
    Abstract: A conductive material is electroplated onto a platable resistive metal barrier layer(s) employing a plating bath optionally comprising a super filling additive and a suppressor, and by changing the current or voltage as a function of the area of plated metal. A structure is also provided that comprises a substrate, a platable metal barrier layer(s) located on the substrate and a relatively continuous uniform electroplated layer of a conductive material located on the platable resistive metal barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Panayotis Andricacos, Hariklia Deligianni, Wilma Jean Horkans, Keith T. Kwietniak, Michael Lane, Sandra G. Malhotra, Fenton Read McFeely, Conal Murray, Kenneth P. Rodbell, Philippe M. Vereecken
  • Patent number: 6974636
    Abstract: A turbine engine component comprising a substrate made of a nickel-base or cobalt-base superalloy and a protective coating overlying the substrate, the coating formed by electroplating at least two platinum group metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium and iridium. The protective coating is typically heat treated to increase homogeneity of the coating and adherence with the substrate. The component typically further comprises a ceramic thermal barrier coating overlying the protective coating. Also disclosed are methods for forming the protective coating on the turbine engine component by electroplating the platinum group metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ramgopal Darolia, Mark Daniel Gorman, Melvin Robert Jackson, Ji-Cheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 6953627
    Abstract: A process for the production of thin walled parts of steel, wherein there are layers that are at least partly differently treatable relating to their strength and hardness qualities. This process can include creating a composite material from a plurality of different layers by connecting at least one core layer and at least one surface layer together. At least one layer of the core or surface layer is cast adjacent to another layer to form a composite material having an alloy gradient that is flat at each interface between any of the core layer or the surface layer. Next, the process can include deforming the composite material along a length of these layers. Finally the process can include heat treating the layers to transform the strength and hardness qualities of at least one of these layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: C.D. Walzholz-Brockhaus GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Toni Junius
  • Patent number: 6949300
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces in heat exchangers for brazing by depositing thereon a kinetic sprayed brazing composition. The process simultaneously deposits monolith or composite coatings that can include all braze materials and corrosion protection materials used in the brazing of aluminum fins to plates and tubes in a single stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan A. Gillispie, Zhibo Zhao, John Robert Smith, Thomas Hubert Van Steenkiste, Alaa A. Elmoursi, Yang Luo, Hartley F. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 6946201
    Abstract: A chromium(VI)-free, chromium(III)-containing and substantially coherent conversion layer on zinc or zinc alloys presenting, even in the absence of further components such as silicate, cerium, aluminum and borate, a corrosion protection of approx. 100 to 1000 h in the salt spray test according to DIN 50021 SS or ASTM B 117-73 until first attack according to DIN 50961 Chapter 10; being clear, transparent and substantially colorless and presenting multi colored iridescence; having a layer thickness of approx. 100 nm to 1000 nm; and being hard, adhering well and being resistant to wiping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: SurTec International GmbH
    Inventors: Patricia Preikschat, Rolf Jansen, Peter Hulser
  • Patent number: 6942779
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selectively removing one or more organic and inorganic and also preferably one or more inorganic contaminants from plating baths. More particularly, the invented method relates to the use of a source of energy in combination with chemical oxidants, alone or in conjunction with a catalyst to oxidize organic contaminants in the plating bath to a level such that the electroplating bath can be recovered and reused after appropriate chemical adjustment. The oxidative treatment method may be a continuous process or a batch process that is performed in a single pass. Residual organics, if desired and chloride ions in the bath are removed from the solution by a chemisorption or physisorption treatment. Inorganic contaminants are removed from the electroplating bath by selective ion exchange resins or electrodialysis, while particulate and suspended colloidal particles are removed by filtration before the treated plating bath is recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mykrolis Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Matthew Belongia, Zhen Wu Lin, John E. Pillion, Jieh-Hwa Shyu
  • Patent number: 6924046
    Abstract: A protective layer has the composition 0.5 to 2% of rhenium, 15 to 21% of chromium, 9 to 11.5% of aluminum, 0.05 to 0.7% of yttrium and/or at least one equivalent metal from the group consisting of scandium and the rare earths, 0 to 1% of ruthenium, remainder cobalt and/or nickel and production-related impurities, and is scarcely subject to any embrittlement from Cr/Re precipitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Stamm
  • Patent number: 6921584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a series of extra strong and durable aluminium alloy brazing sheets with enhanced corrosion resistance for brazed heat exchangers. The alloy sheets are based on recycled materials and are suitable for manufacturing of fins, welded tubes, headers and sideplates. The alloy sheets showed improved corrosion performance with respect to pitting corrosion, excellent high temperature sagging resistance and post braze strength, and a good brazeability. By optimising the material combination of fin, tube, header and sideplates it is possible to produce a heat exchanger with adequate corrosion performance in SWAAT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Morten Syslak, Gro Stakkestad, Jon Dag Evensen, Xiao-Jun Jiang, Børge Bjørneklett
  • Patent number: 6921586
    Abstract: A coating system for an article comprising a substrate formed of a metal alloy that is prone to the formation of a deleterious secondary reaction zone (SRZ) as a result of containing more than three weight percent rhenium and at least one additional refractory metal. The coating system comprises an aluminum-containing overlay coating and a diffusion barrier coating between the overlay coating and the substrate. The diffusion barrier coating consists of, in atomic percent, about 20% to about 90% ruthenium, about 2% to about 60% chromium, optionally up to about 50% aluminum, optionally up to about 20% of a platinum-group metal, and the balance at least one of nickel, cobalt, and iron and incidental impurities. The diffusion barrier coating sufficiently inhibits diffusion of aluminum from the overlay coating into the substrate, such that the substrate remains essentially free of SRZ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ji-Cheng Zhao, Jeffrey Allan Pfaendtner, Christine Govern, Melvin Robert Jackson
  • Patent number: 6919010
    Abstract: A substantially uniform layer of a metal is electroplated onto a work piece having a seed layer thereon. The current of a plating cell is provided from an azimuthally asymmetric anode, which is rotated with respect to the work piece (i.e., either or both of the work piece and the anode may be rotating). The azimuthal asymmetry provides a time-of-exposure correction to the current distribution reaching the work piece, whereby peripheral regions of the work piece see less current than central regions over the period of rotation. In some embodiments, the total current is distributed among a plurality of anodes in the plating cell in order to tailor the current distribution in the plating electrolyte over time. Focusing elements may be used to create “virtual anodes” in proximity to the plating surface of the work piece to further control the current distribution in the electrolyte during plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6913839
    Abstract: A coated article having a high resistance to particle-impact damage has a substrate, and a layered coating overlying the substrate. The layered coating includes a substantially continuous quasicrystalline layer, and a substantially continuous ductile metallic layer in facing contact with the quasicrystalline layer. The coated article is preferably used in applications where it is subjected to particle-impact conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ramgopal Darolia, Robert Edward Schafrik
  • Patent number: 6913841
    Abstract: Liquid aluminum is sprayed onto an iron article to produce a thin tenacious non-corrodible layer. In one embodiment, an iron article is heated to at least 400° F. or preferably until cherry red. It is sprayed with a fine aluminum mist generated by heating aluminum in a container and then passing a gas under pressure through the container and out through a heat resistant ceramic nozzle. In another embodiment, aluminum is heated to at least 2000° F. in a container to produce a pool of liquid aluminum. Pressure is applied to the container to project the liquid aluminum in the form of a fine mist through a ceramic nozzle onto the iron article. The aluminum mist produces a tenacious aluminum layer on the iron article that is workable, weldable and non-corrodible. The aluminum layer is a permanent part of the iron article and cannot be removed by conventional means, such as buffing with a wire wheel driven by a electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Charles J. Upchurch
  • Patent number: 6911268
    Abstract: Disclosed are a high strength hot-dip galvanized or galvannealed steel sheet, which has improved press formability and plating adhesion and is useful as a member for automobile, building, electric or other members, and a process for producing the same. This high strength hot-dip galvanized or galvannealed steel sheet comprises: (a) a steel sheet substrate comprising, by weight, carbon (C): 0.05 to 0.2%, silicon (Si): 0.2 to 2.0%, manganese (Mn): 0.2 to 2.5%, and aluminum (Al): 0.01 to 1.5%, the silicon and the aluminum having a mutual relationship represented by formula 0.4(%)?Si+0.8 Al (%)?2.0(%), the steel sheet substrate further comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) 0.003 to 1.0% of tin (Sn), (ii) 0.005 to 1.0% in total of at least one member selected from antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), and selenium (Se), (iii) 0.005 to 1.0% in total of at least one member selected from beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and zirconium (Zr), and (iv) 0.005 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Takada, Masayoshi Suehiro, Takehide Senuma
  • Patent number: 6911139
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for forming a deposit on the surface of a metallic or conductive surface. The process employs an electrolytic process to deposit a silicate containing coating or film upon a metallic or conductive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Elisha Holding LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Heimann, Branko Popov, Bruce Flint, Nancy G. Heimann, Ravi Chandran, William M. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6911267
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brazing sheet comprising an aluminum 3xxx series core alloy wherein at least one side thereof is provided with an aluminum clad material comprising from 0.7-2.0% Mn and 0.7-3.0.0% Zn, wherein the clad is capable of being used as an Inner-liner of a heat exchange product. In one embodiment one side of the core alloy is provided a material that comprises from 0.7-2.0% Mn and 0.7-3.0% Zn and the other side of the core is provided with an aluminum alloy comprising at least 5.5% Si. Thee are further provided methods for preparing brazing sheets as described herein as well as methods for use of brazing sheet materials including as tube stock and as heat exchangers, as well as other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Pechiney Rolled Products
    Inventors: H. Scott Goodrich, Scott L. Palmer, Gregory R. Johnson, Zayna M. Connor
  • Patent number: 6908691
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a metal strip for epitaxial coating with a biaxially textured layer, this metal strip, however, being able to be produced in an uncomplicated manner and having a high tensile strength, low magnetic losses and/or a high electrical conductivity. According to the invention, the metal strip is comprised of Nj, Cu, Ag or alloys thereof all serving as basic material, whereby the one-layer metal strip and, in the instance of a multilayer metal strip, at least one of its layers contains 10 nm to 5 ?m large, strength-increasing dispersoids comprised of carbides, borides, oxides and/or nitrides with a volume proportion ranging from 0.1 to 5%. In the instance of a multilayer metal strip, the layers form a composite, and at least one of the layers does not contain any dispersoids and has a biaxial texture. For the production, a starting material is used, which is comprised of Ni, Cu, Ag or of alloys thereof all serving as basic material and which contains 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Institut fuer Festkoerper-und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e.V.
    Inventors: Bernd De Boer, Bernhard Holzapfel, Gunter Risse
  • Patent number: 6905777
    Abstract: A laminate composite that includes a phosphoric acid anodized metal layer that includes an anodic film of from between about 0.005 mils to about 0.015 mils thick as measured through standard acid dissolution testing; an adhesive layer; a top layer adhered to the metal layer at least in part by the adhesive layer; and wherein the metal includes a metal chosen from the group that includes an aluminum and an aluminum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Shannon D. Near
  • Patent number: 6905783
    Abstract: Steel sheet for porcelain enameling having excellent workability yet capable of providing an enamel layer having excellent adhesion with the steel sheet on direct-on enameling once and still free of black specks defects, a method for producing the same, as well as a porcelain enamel product and the method for producing the same are provided, in which low carbon Al-killed steel sheet, high oxygen steel sheet, Ti-added steel sheet, Nb-added steel sheet, Ti—Nb-added steel sheet or B-added steel sheet is used. A steel sheet for porcelain enameling is produced by applying Ni—Mo alloy plating to the low carbon Al-killed steel sheet, high oxygen steel sheet, Ti-added steel sheet, Nb-added steel sheet, Ti—Nb-added steel sheet or B-added steel sheet having specified components and composition ratio, and after performing heat treatment thereto to control the content of Ni, Mo, and Fe that are present on the surface of the steel sheet in a predetermined range, porcelain enamel is applied and fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignees: Ferro Enamels (Japan) Limited, Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Toshihira Hamada, Shuzo Oda, Yoshihiro Jono, Takahiro Hayashida, Junichi Fujimoto, Masao Komai
  • Patent number: 6902828
    Abstract: A bright composite sheet product including a roll cast core and a clad material bonded to the core. The core is an aluminum alloy of the AA series 1XXX, 3XXX, 5XXX, or 8XXX, and the clad material contains at least 99.5 wt. % aluminum. The composite sheet products is particularly suited for use in lighting fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Gazapo, Catalina Fernandez Rivera, Emilio Sanchez Suarez
  • Patent number: 6902829
    Abstract: A high strength dual phase cold rolled steel having controlled amounts of carbon, manganese, and molybdenum is used as a starting material in a hot-dip zinc coating process to manufacture a high strength dual phase cold rolled steel having a conventional galvanized or galvannealed coating applied to at least one surface thereof, the zinc coated steel product having a uniform coating of zinc in spite of the high manganese content of the steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: ISG Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Rajendra Pradhan, C. Ramadeva Shastry