Patents by Inventor Colin M. Adam

Colin M. Adam 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: 4929511
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for fabricating continuous metal strip composed of a low density, readily oxidizable aluminum based alloy. The allow is cast directly from the melt through a slotted nozzle onto a moving chill substrate. A scraping mechanism located upstream of the nozzle is adapted to ride on the substrate and remove therefrom the gaseous boundary layer associated therewith. Disposed between the scraping mechanism and the nozzle is a gas supply mechanism adapted to introduce a replacement gas that is carried by the substrate to the nozzle. A shielding means configured to form a semi-enclosed chamber around the nozzle and the substrate apparatus to direct and confine the replacement gas in the vicinity of the nozzle. The alloy preferably has the form of a foil and a composition consisting essentially of about 10 to 13 weight percent silicon, 0 to 3 weight percent magnesium, 0 to 4 weight percent copper, 0 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bye, Jr., Debasis Bose, Santosh K. Das, Amitava Datta, Colin M. Adam
  • Patent number: 4917739
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an aluminum alloy which includes the step of carbo-thermically reducing an aluminous material to provide an alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal TM.sub.d Si.sub.e, wherein TM is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, V, Zr, Cu and Mn, "d" ranges from about 2-20 wt %, "e" ranges from about 2.1-20 wt %, and the balance is aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy is placed in the molten state and rapidly solidified at a quench rate of at least about 10.sup.6 K/sec to produce a rapidly solidified alloy composed of a predominately microeutectic and/or microcellular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Adam, Kenji Okazaki, David J. Skinner, Robert G. Corey
  • Patent number: 4878967
    Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b X.sub.c wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn,V,Cr,Mo,W,Nb,Ta, "a" ranges from 2.0 to 7.5 atom percent, "b" ranges from 0.5 to 3.0 atom percent, "c" ranges from 0.05 to 3.5 atom percent and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the proviso that the ratio {Fe+X}:Si ranges from about 2.0:1 to 5.0:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Adam, Richard L. Bye, Santosh K. Das, David J. Skinner
  • Patent number: 4879095
    Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b V.sub.c, wherein "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 atom percent, "b" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 atom percent, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 atom percent and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that (i) the ratio (Fe+V): Si ranges from about 2.33:1 to 3:33:1 and (ii) the ratio Fe:V ranges from 11.5:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Adam, Richard L. Bye, Santosh K. Das, David J. Skinner
  • Patent number: 4838341
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for fabricating continuous metal strip composed of a low density, readily oxidizable aluminum based alloy. The alloy is cast directly from the metal through a slotted nozzle onto a moving chill substrate. A scraping mechanism located upstream of the nozzle is adapted to ride on the substrate and remove therefrom the gaseous boundary layer associated therewith. Disposed between the scraping mechanism and the nozzle is a gas supply mechanism adapted to introduce a replacement gas that is carried by the substrate to the nozzle. A shielding means configured to form a semi-enclosed chamber around the nozzle and the substrate apparatus to direct and confine the replacement gas in the vicinity of the nozzle. The alloy preferably has the form of a foil and a composition consisting essentially of about 10 to 13 weight percent silicon, 0 to 3 weight percent magnesium, 0 to 4 weight percent copper, 0 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Allied Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bye, Jr., Debasis Bose, Santosh K. Das, Amitava Datta, Colin M. Adam
  • Patent number: 4828632
    Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b V.sub.c, wherein "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 atom percent, "b" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 atom percent, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 atom percent and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that (i) the ratio [Fe+V]:Si ranges from about 2.33:1 to 3:33:1 and (ii) the ratio Fe:V ranges from 11.5:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits high strength ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engine components, automotive engine components, missiles and airframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Adam, Richard L. Bye, Santosh K. Das, David J. Skinner
  • Patent number: 4808226
    Abstract: A process of fabricating steel stock for bearing components from highly alloyed steel powders supersaturated in carbon up to 0.5 weight percent in ferrite and up to 1.0 weight percent in austenite type combinations is disclosed. Rapid solidification of an atomized molten composition yields a metal powder with a diameter ranging between 75 and 105 microns. The metal powder is then compressed and heated to a low forging temperature between 1,600.degree. and 1,800.degree. F. to yield the steel stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Colin M. Adam
  • Patent number: 4734130
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an aluminum alloy which includes the step of carbothermically reducing an aluminous material to provide an alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal TM.sub.d Si.sub.e, wherein TM is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, V, Zr, Cu and Mn, "d" ranges from about 2-20 wt %, "e" ranges from about 2.1-20 wt %, and the balance is aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy is placed in the molten state and rapidly solidified at a quench rate of at least about 10.sup.6 K/sec to produce a rapidly solidified alloy composed of a predominately microeutectic and/or microcellular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Colin M. Adam, Kenji Okazaki, David J. Skinner, Robert G. Corey
  • Patent number: 4715893
    Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a V.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, Zr, Ti, Hf, Y and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 2-10 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0-5 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a distinctive microstructure which is at least about 50% composed of a generally spherical, intermetallic O-phase.Particles composed of the alloys of the invention can be heated in a vacuum and compacted to form a consolidated metal article have high strength and good ductility at both room temperature and at elevated temperatures of about 350.degree. C. The consolidated article is composed of an aluminum solid solution phase containing a substantially uniform distribution of dispersed intermetallic phase precipitates therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Skinner, Richard L. Bye, Jr., Kenji Okazaki, Colin M. Adam
  • Patent number: 4661172
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low density aluminum-base alloy, consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Zr.sub.a Li.sub.b Mg.sub.c T.sub.d, wherein T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Si, Sc, Ti, V, Hf, Be, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, "a" ranges from about 0.25-2 wt %, "b" ranges from 2.7-5 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0.5-8 wt %, "d" ranges from about 0.5-5% and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a primary, cellular-dendritic, fine-grained, supersaturated aluminum alloy solid solution phase with intermetallic phases of the constituent elements uniformly dispersed therein. A consolidated article can be produced by compacting together particles composed of the aluminum alloy of the invention in a vacuum at elevated temperature. The compacted alloy is solutionized by heat treatment, quenched in a fluid bath, and optionally, stretched and aged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Skinner, Kenji Okazaki, Colin M. Adam
  • Patent number: 4647321
    Abstract: Aluminum alloy compositions and related fabrication techniques are described. Articles made of the composition by the process contain a novel dispersed strengthening phase based on iron and refractory metals. Rapid solidification techniques are used to assure a fine distribution of this phase. Articles made according to the invention have mechanical properties significantly in excess of those of conventional aluminum alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Colin M. Adam
  • Patent number: 4193822
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aluminium base alloys consisting essentially of aluminium, about 0.5 to 5% iron and at least one element selected from magnesium, copper, zinc and manganese. The alloys of the present invention contain cells of Al--Al.sub.6 Fe eutectic, whereas the Al.sub.6 Fe phase is present in the form of fibres, in combination with precipitates due to precipitation hardening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Comalco Aluminium (Bellbay) Limited
    Inventors: Colin M. Adam, Clive G. Bennett