Patents Examined by Tom Dunn
  • Lost foam casting apparatus for reducing porosity and inclusions in metal castings
    Patent number: 6619373
    Abstract: Apparatus for the gravity-cast, bottom-fill, “lost foam” casting of metal castings, including a fugitive, pyrolizable pattern (for forming a casting cavity), and a hollow sprue (for conducting melt to the casting cavity) embedded in a bed of loose sand. The sprue is free from pyrolyzable foam and conducts melt from above the pattern to a gating system supplying melt to the pattern. The sprue is constructed so as to cause the melt to approach the gating system from beneath and keep any pyrolysis products from entering the sprue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon Alwin Tooley, Mark Eugene Hoover, June-Sang Siak, Richard Simerson
  • Method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy fin material for brazing
    Patent number: 6620265
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy fin material brazing comprises forming an ingot sheet by casting a molten liquid of an aluminum alloy by a continuous casting rolling method, and cold-rolling the ingot sheet to prepare a fin material. The aluminum alloy contains prescribed amounts of Mn, Fe, and Si, with the balance being Al and inevitable impurities. The continuous cast-rolling is applied under each a prescribed condition of a molten liquid temperature, a roll press load, a casting speed, and a thickness of the ingot sheet. Two or more intermediate annealings are applied midway in the cold-rolling process, with intermediate annealing including final intermediate annealing with a heating furnace in prescribed temperature range, thereby adjusting the prescribed rolling ratio in the cold-rolling, after the final intermediate annealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kawahara, Takeyoshi Doko
  • Synthesis of aluminophosphates and silicoaluminophosphates
    Patent number: 6620983
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of synthesizing aluminophosphate or silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves and in particular to the synthesis of silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves using synthesis templates in combination with a source of fluoride comprising at least two fluoride substituents. The use of such fluorine containing compounds results in good quality low silica SAPO molecular sieves of CHA framework type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Guang Cao, Matu J. Shah, Karl G. Strohmaier, Richard B. Hall
  • Welding material with conductive sheet and method
    Patent number: 6621037
    Abstract: A welding material assembly is constructed and arranged to position a welding material in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. The welding material assembly includes at least one welding material member mounted on a flexible carrier sheet in a predetermined arrangement with each welding material member being constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of melting when heated by application of an electrical current. Each welding material member is mounted on the sheet such that when the sheet is placed between the exterior surfaces of the first and second weldable members to be welded, each welding material member is electrically conductively disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Richard D. Ashley, Ralph Miller
  • Sealed type alkaline storage battery
    Patent number: 6620548
    Abstract: A sealed type alkaline storage battery in which the entire surface of a positive electrode plate is opposed to a negative electrode plate through a separator, wherein a discharge capacity ratio of the negative electrode plate to the positive electrode plate is determined to be more than or equal to 1.9, an area ratio of the negative electrode plate to the positive electrode plate is determined to be less than or equal to 1.4, and the thickness of the positive electrode plate is determined to be less than or equal to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousuke Satoguchi, Masao Takee
  • Solder process and solder alloy therefor
    Patent number: 6619536
    Abstract: A solder alloy containing indium, lead, silver and copper as its alloying constituents, and a soldering process employing the solder alloy. The solder alloy consists essentially of, by weight, about 50% to about 65% indium, about 0.5% to about 3.0% silver, up to about 3.0% copper, the balance lead and incidental impurities. The alloy preferably has a solidus temperature in a range of about 173° C. to about 178° C., and a liquidus temperature in a range of about 187° C. to about 196° C. As such, the alloy can be used in a reflow process with a peak reflow temperature of about 220° C. to about 240° C., and is therefore compatible with most circuit components and can be simultaneously reflowed with 63Sn-37Pb solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shing Yeh, Scott D. Brandenburg, Bradley H. Carter
  • Method and device for machining components
    Patent number: 6617545
    Abstract: A method for machining components (8) which do not contain magnetic material is provided. The method comprises placing the component (8) on at least one clamping magnet arranged on a machining table, whereby at least one clamping element (52) in a magnetic material is arranged on that side of the component (8) which faces the clamping magnet. The clamping element (52) is activated by and cooperates with the clamping magnet to fix the component (8) in its position. The technical problem of improving the effectiveness of the material throughput of the method and reducing the space requirements of the device for carrying out the method is solved by having the clamping element match the form of the component (8). The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Technologies AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Alber
  • Method of casting a metal article having a thinwall
    Patent number: 6615899
    Abstract: A method of casting a metal article comprising the steps of forming a mold having a mold cavity with a height, a thinwall portion and a base wall portion. The thinwall portion may be less than 0.05 inches thick and free of gating. The method comprises the steps of: positioning the mold in a preheated furnace so that the furnace substantially surrounds the mold and so that a longitudinal axis of the long thin portion of the mold cavity is in an upright orientation; heating the mold in the furnace to a temperature between 1045° C. and 1055° C.; and drawing a vacuum in the furnace. The metal is heated until it is molten and is then poured at a temperature between 1560° land 1570° C. into the mold cavity. The vacuum is then broken and the mold cavity withdrawn from the furnace. The molten metal is allowed to solidify in the mold cavity so that it will solidify with a equiaxed grain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Woodward, Tom Miller, Candy Mitchell
  • Method and device for selective laser sintering
    Patent number: 6617546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for selective laser sintering in which powder is introduced in layers into a jacketed design space, forming a powder cake which is consolidated layerwise by laser radiation. The design space is encircled and heated by a jacket heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Karsten Manetsberger, Jialin Shen, Juergen Steinberger
  • Hydrocarbon trap/catalyst for reducing cold-start emissions from internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 6617276
    Abstract: An active metal, particularly cesium, impregnated hydrocarbon adsorbent, such as zeolite, comprises an improved hydrocarbon trap/oxidizing catalyst for use in effectively adsorbing hydrocarbons during automotive cold-start and subsequently desorbing, oxidizing and removing hydrocarbons during warmer operating conditions. The active metal modified hydrocarbon adsorbent may be combined in other forms of multi-layer automotive exhaust gas catalytic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Todd Howard Ballinger, Paul Joseph Andersen
  • Control apparatus for a three-dimensional laser working machine and three-dimensional laser working machine
    Patent number: 6617544
    Abstract: The control apparatus for a three dimensional laser working machine teaches a tip position and an attitude of a nozzle and carries out working based on the teaching in a three-dimensional laser working machine having a head structure that a working point does not change when a rotational axis and an attitude axis are rotated. A nozzle direction vector is calculated from current angles of a rotational axis (14) and an attitude axis (16). An angle that the attitude axis (16) changes for constant time is calculated. An angle through which the rotational axis (14) is to be rotated is calculated so that X and Y directions of the nozzle direction vector are kept constant according to an angle change amount of the attitude axis (16), and the rotation of the rotational axis (14) is controlled by the calculated angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masuki Tsukamoto, Tomonori Mukae
  • Method of making pattern for decorative piece
    Patent number: 6617543
    Abstract: A method of making patterns for decorative piece, comprising the steps of using a metal plate as the molding substrate for laser etching; placing the mold substrate under a laser etching device, and cutting the substrate into a recession of appropriate depth. Further, the height of the laser head of the laser etching device is lifted, and then the dispersion of laser beam can be accomplished by means of a reflective lens. In the meantime, the depth of etching is reduced progressively, and the etching area is expanded along the path of previously cut recession. The manufacturing is made by progressively lifting the laser emitting head according to the theory described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Shih-Sheng Yang
  • Connecting rod with ball joint and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 6615900
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a connecting rod in which a pair of ball-shanks are connected to a rod main body such that they are axially perpendicular to each other, having a sufficient strength and which can be produced easily and at low cost, and a manufacturing method thereof. The connecting rod of this invention to achieve such an object comprises first and second ball-shanks and a rod main body to which the first and second ball-shanks are connected freely swingably and rotatably. The first ball-shank is connected to the rod main body such that the shank portion is perpendicular thereto, while the second ball-shank is connected to the rod main body such that the shank is in parallel thereto. Further, the rod main body is die cast with a ball portion of each ball-shank inserted as a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihisa Takahashi
  • Low stress relaxation elastomeric materials
    Patent number: 6617016
    Abstract: A low stress relaxation elastomeric material comprises a block copolymer having an elasotmeric soft block portion and thermoplastic hard block portions, at least one vinylarene resin and mineral oil. The elasotmeric material may be used in a film comprising an elastomeric layer and at least one substantially less elastomeric skin layer. The skin layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer such as polyolefins. The film exhibits desired elastic and stress relaxation properties at body temperature. The film is useful in forming a macroscopically-expanded, three-dimensional elastomeric web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Jianbin Zhang, John Joseph Curro, Michele Ann Mansfield
  • Apparatus and method for bond force control
    Patent number: 6616031
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing bond force in a die bonding operation. The apparatus comprises means such as a compression spring for generating a primary bond force, and additionally means such as a voice coil for generating a compensatory bond force. The compensatory bond force can be controlled by varying the current to the voice coil so as to add to or reduce the bond force whereby a bond force comprising the sum of the primary bond force and the compensatory bond force may be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Limited
    Inventors: Sun Kuen Wong, Ming Yeung Luke Wan
  • Brazing composition and method for brazing parts made of alumina-based materials with said composition
    Patent number: 6616032
    Abstract: A refractory braze composition and process for assembling alumina-containing parts to another alumina-based material, metal or a metal alloy by reactive or non-reactive refractory brazing using a braze composition provide assemblies entirely of alumina or containing alumina and a metal or metal alloy. The braze composition is non-reactive with alumina or a reactive composition, whose reactivity with alumina is controlled, and it is formed of aluminium, of titanium, and of a matrix made up either of palladium, or of nickel, or of a nickel and palladium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Adrien Gasse, Nicolas Eustathopoulos
  • Method of laser polishing surfaces on a head suspension assembly
    Patent number: 6617542
    Abstract: A method of treating an operative surface on a head suspension with laser energy. A laser beam is patterned such that a single pulse extends across the entire operative surface. One or more pulses of the laser energy is applied to the operative surface sufficient to melt the operative surface. The melting serves to polish, smooth and/or reshape the operative surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fredrick V. Hayen, Nathan M. Kinkaid, Mark R. Christianson, Hryhory T. Koba
  • Method of depositing an electrically conductive oxide buffer layer on a textured substrate and articles formed therefrom
    Patent number: 6617283
    Abstract: An article with an improved buffer layer architecture includes a substrate having a textured metal surface, and an electrically conductive lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer on the surface of the substrate. The article can also include an epitaxial superconducting layer deposited on the epitaxial buffer layer. An epitaxial capping layer can be placed between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer. A method for preparing an epitaxial article includes providing a substrate with a metal surface and depositing on the metal surface a lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The method can further include depositing a superconducting layer on the epitaxial buffer layer, and depositing an epitaxial capping layer between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: M. Parans Paranthaman, Tolga Aytug, David K. Christen
  • Casting of engine blocks
    Patent number: 6615901
    Abstract: An engine block mold package includes a barrel crankcase core having a plurality of barrels on each of which a respective cylinder bore liner is disposed. Each cylinder bore liner includes an inside diameter that is tapered along at least a portion of its length to match a draft angle present on the barrels to permit removal of the barrel crankcase core from a core box in which it is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Kaminski, Douglas P. Leu, Norman L. Neuenschwander
  • Process for preparing a catalyst for aromatic production
    Patent number: 6617275
    Abstract: A novel process for converting C2 to C6 aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatics and catalyst for use in this process are disclosed. The catalyst that contains a zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio greater than about 20 and a pore diameter from about 5 Å to about 6 Å, an essentially non-acidic binder, and a gallium component. The binder is selected from silica, zirconia, titania, and mixtures thereof and results in a catalyst formulation having both enhanced selectivity to desired C6-C9 aromatic products and improved stability compared to prior art compositions. Preferred zeolites that can be used include those of the MFI structure type, with ZSM-5 being a specific example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanjay B. Sharma, John Kulach, Aaron James Imrie