Patents by Inventor Brian D. Merkle

Brian D. Merkle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9834832
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed and formulations and methods to provide alloys having relative high strength and ductility. The alloys may be provided in seamless tubular form and characterized by their particular alloy chemistries and identifiable crystalline grain size morphology. The alloys are such that they include boride pinning phases. In what is termed a Class 1 Steel the alloys indicate tensile strengths of 700 MPa to 1400 MPa and elongations of 10-70%. Class 2 Steel indicates tensile strengths of 800 MPa to 1800 MPa and elongations of 5-65%. Class 3 Steel indicates tensile strengths of 1000 MPa to 2000 MPa and elongations of 0.5-15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: The NanoSteel Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel James Branagan, Sheng Cheng, Longzhou Ma, Jason K. Walleser, Grant G. Justice, Andrew T. Ball, Kurtis Clark, Scott Larish, Alissa Peterson, Patrick E. Mack, Brian D. Merkle, Brian D. Meacham, Alla V. Sergueeva
  • Patent number: 8658934
    Abstract: A method of applying a metallic alloy overlay including providing an iron based feedstock powder including 10 to 75 weight percent iron and manganese, 10 to 60 weight percent of chromium, 1 to 30 weight percent of an interstitial element selected from boron, carbon, silicon or combinations thereof, 0 to 40 weight percent of a transition metal selected from molybdenum, tungsten or combinations thereof and 1 to 25 weight percent niobium. The method also includes providing an electrode including at least 50 weight percent iron and depositing a weld overlay with the feedstock powder and the electrode to create a metallic alloy exhibiting a grain size in the range of 1,000 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The NanoSteel Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel James Branagan, Brian D. Merkle, Brian E. Meacham, William D. Kiilunen, David Paratore
  • Patent number: 8474541
    Abstract: A drill pipe and a method of applying hardbanding thereto. A hardbanding alloy comprising iron and manganese present in the range of 67 to 87 weight percent (wt. %), niobium and chromium present in the range of 9 to 29 wt. %, and boron, carbon and silicon present in the range of 3 to 6.5 wt. % may be welded around at least a portion of a tool joint circumference. The hardbanding alloy may exhibit a hardness of 45 Rc to 70 Rc and a wear rate in the range of 0.08 grams to 1.60 grams of mass loss after 6,000 cycles as measured using ASTM G65-04, Procedure A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: The NanoSteel Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel James Branagan, Brian E. Meacham, William D. Kiilunen, James N. Milloway, Brian D. Merkle
  • Publication number: 20110031222
    Abstract: A method of applying a metallic alloy overlay including providing an iron based feedstock powder including 10 to 75 weight percent iron and manganese, 10 to 60 weight percent of chromium, 1 to 30 weight percent of an interstitial element selected from boron, carbon, silicon or combinations thereof, 0 to 40 weight percent of a transition metal selected from molybdenum, tungsten or combinations thereof and 1 to 25 weight percent niobium. The method also includes providing an electrode including at least 50 weight percent iron and depositing a weld overlay with the feedstock powder and the electrode to create a metallic alloy exhibiting a grain size in the range of 1,000 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: THE NANOSTEEL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel James Branagan, Brian D. Merkle, Brian E. Meacham, William D. Kiilunen, David Paratore
  • Patent number: 4897282
    Abstract: Thin coatings of normally solid materials are applied to target substrates using an inductively coupled plasma. Particles of the coating material are vaporized by plasma heating, and pass through an orifice to a first vacuum zone in which the particles are accelerated to a velocity greater than Mach 1. The shock wave generated in the first vacuum zone is intercepted by the tip of a skimmer cone that provides a second orifice. The particles pass through the second orifice into a second zone maintained at a higher vacuum and impinge on the target to form the coating. Ultrapure coatings can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Iowa State University Reserach Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Kniseley, Frederick A. Schmidt, Brian D. Merkle