Patents by Inventor Christopher Dellacorte
Christopher Dellacorte 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).
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Patent number: 11517962Abstract: A method for making small diameter NiTi metal alloy components, including balls, comprising providing a metal powder comprising nickel, titanium, and a transition metal, consolidating the metal powder into cylindrical rods, and cutting the cylindrical rods into segments. The segments are then machined into spheres slightly larger than the finished ball size diameter. The spheres are heat treated to solutionize and dissolve all phases and subsequently cooled without the need for rapid quenching due to the influence of the transition metal to suppresses the formation of soft phases in the spheres, wherein such soft phases prevent hardening, to achieve a Rockwell hardness of HRC 58-62. Finally, the hardened spheres are polished until the desired finished ball size diameter and surface finish is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Christopher DellaCorte, Fransua Thomas, Malcolm K. Stanford
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Patent number: 11033963Abstract: A method for making small diameter NiTi metal alloy components, including balls, comprising providing a metal powder comprising nickel, titanium, and a transition metal, consolidating the metal powder into cylindrical rods, and cutting the cylindrical rods into segments. The segments are then machined into spheres slightly larger than the finished ball size diameter. The spheres are heat treated to solutionize and dissolve all phases and subsequently cooled without the need for rapid quenching due to the influence of the transition metal to suppresses the formation of soft phases in the spheres, wherein such soft phases prevent hardening, to achieve a Rockwell hardness of HRC 58-62. Finally, the hardened spheres are polished until the desired finished ball size diameter and surface finish is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Christopher DellaCorte, Fransua Thomas, Malcolm K. Stanford
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Patent number: 10364483Abstract: One or more substitutional elements may be used to reduce the solution treatment temperature and required quench rates for hardening of 60-NITINOL. The advantages of modified NITINOL include that less energy is consumed during the heat treatment process, the material is subjected to less thermal distortion, and less machining is required. Modified NITINOL may have adequate hardness for bearing applications and may display highly elastic behavior.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Malcolm K. Stanford, Ronald D. Noebe, Christopher DellaCorte, Glen Bigelow, Fransua Thomas
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Patent number: 9393619Abstract: Disclosing herein is a method for manufacturing nickel-titanium compositions. The method includes disposing a powdered composition in a mold; the powdered composition comprising nickel and titanium; the titanium being present in an amount of about 38 to about 42 wt % and the nickel being present in an amount of about 58 to about 62 wt %; sintering the powdered composition to produce a sintered preform; compacting the preform; machining the preform to form an article; heat treating the article; the annealing being conducted at a temperature of about 1650° F. to about 1900° F. at a pressure of about 3 Torr to about 5 Kg?f/cm2 for a time period of about 10 minutes to about 5 hours; and quenching the article.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignees: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, ABBOTT BALL COMPANYInventors: Glenn N. Glennon, Christopher DellaCorte
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Patent number: 9169545Abstract: A material for use as a mechanical component is formed of a superelastic intermetallic material having a low apparent modulus and a high hardness. The superelastic intermetallic material is conditioned to be dimensionally stable, devoid of any shape memory effect and have a stable superelastic response without irrecoverable deformation while exhibiting strains of at least 3%. The method of conditioning the superelastic intermetallic material is described. Another embodiment relates to lightweight materials known as ordered intermetallics that perform well in sliding wear applications using conventional liquid lubricants and are therefore suitable for resilient, high performance mechanical components such as gears and bearings.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Santo Padula, II, Ronald D. Noebe, Malcolm K. Stanford, Christopher DellaCorte
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Patent number: 8753417Abstract: A self-lubricating, friction and wear reducing composite useful over a wide temperature range is described herein. The composite includes metal bonded chromium oxide dispersed in a metal binder having a substantial amount of nickel. The composite contains a fluoride of at least one Group I, Group II, or rare earth metal, and optionally a low temperature lubricant metal.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Christopher DellaCorte, Brian J Edmonds
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Patent number: 8709176Abstract: A method and an apparatus confer full superelastic properties to the active surface of a mechanical component constructed of a superelastic material prior to service. A compressive load is applied to the active surface of the mechanical component followed by removing the compressive load from the active surface whereby substantially all load strain is recoverable after applying and removing of subsequent compressive loads.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Christopher DellaCorte
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Patent number: 8377373Abstract: Disclosing herein is a method for manufacturing nickel-titanium compositions. The method includes disposing a powdered composition in a mold; the powdered composition comprising nickel and titanium; the titanium being present in an amount of about 38 to about 42 wt % and the nickel being present in an amount of about 58 to about 62 wt %; sintering the powdered composition to produce a sintered preform; compacting the preform; machining the preform to form an article; heat treating the article; the annealing being conducted at a temperature of about 1650° F. to about 1900° F. at a pressure of about 3 Torr to about 5 Kg-f/cm2 for a time period of about 10 minutes to about 5 hours; and quenching the article.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignees: The United States of America, Abbott Ball CompanyInventors: Glenn N. Glennon, Christopher DellaCorte
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Patent number: 8182741Abstract: Disclosed herein is a friction reducing nickel-titanium composition. The nickel-titanium composition includes a first phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.45:0.55 to about 0.55:0.45; a second phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.70:0.30 to about 0.80:0.20; and a third phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.52:0.48 to about 0.62:0.38. A bearing for reducing friction comprising a nickel-titanium composition comprising a first phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.45:0.55 to about 0.55:0.45; a second phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.70:0.30 to about 0.80:0.20; and a third phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.52:0.48 to about 0.62:0.38; where the bearing is free from voids and pinholes.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Abbott Ball CompanyInventors: Christopher DellaCorte, Glenn N. Glennon
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Publication number: 20120080123Abstract: A shape memory alloy for use as a mechanical component is formed of an intermetallic material having a low apparent modulus and a high hardness. The intermetallic material is conditioned to have a stable, superelastic response without irrecoverable deformation while exhibiting strains of at least 3%. The method of conditioning the intermetallic material is described. Another embodiment relates to lightweight materials known as ordered intermetallics that perform well in sliding wear applications using conventional liquid lubricants and are therefore suitable for high performance mechanical components such as gears and bearings.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Santo Padula, II, Ronald D. Noebe, Malcolm K. Stanford, Christopher DellaCorte
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Patent number: 6007068Abstract: A radial face seal arrangement is disclosed comprising a stationary seal g that is spring loaded against a seal seat affixed to a rotating shaft. The radial face seal arrangement further comprises an arrangement that not only allows for preloading of the stationary seal ring relative to the seal seat, but also provides for dampening yielding a dynamic sealing response for the radial face seal arrangement. The overall seal system, especially regarding the selection of the material for the stationary seal ring, is designed to operate over a wide temperature range from below ambient up to 900.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1996Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: US Government as represented by the Administrator of NASA HeadquartersInventor: Christopher Dellacorte
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Patent number: 5866518Abstract: A self lubricating, friction and wear reducing composite material useful over a wide temperature range of from cryogenic temperature up to about 900.degree. C. contains 60-80 wt. % of particulate Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, dispersed in a metal binder of a metal alloy containing Cr and at least 50 wt. % of Ni, Cr or a mixture of Ni and Cr. It also contains 5-20 wt. % of a fluoride of at least one Group I, Group II, or rare earth metal and, optionally, 5-20 wt. % of a low temperature lubricant metal. Such as Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh and Cu. This composite exhibits less oxidation instability and less abrasiveness than composites containing chromium carbide, is readily applied using plasma spray and can be ground and polished with a silicon carbide abrasive.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Christopher Dellacorte, Brian J. Edmonds
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Patent number: 5034187Abstract: A composition containing 30 to 70% chromium carbide, 5 to 20% soft noble metal, 5 to 20% metal fluorides, and 20 to 60% metal binder is used in a powdered metallurgy process for the production of self-lubricating components, such as bearings. The use of the material allows the self-lubricating bearing to maintain its low friction properties over an extended range of operating temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1990Date of Patent: July 23, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Harold E. Sliney, Christopher Dellacorte