Patents by Inventor Craig A. Blue

Craig A. Blue 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).

  • Method of high-density foil fabrication
    Patent number: 6663826
    Abstract: A method for preparing flat foils having a high density includes the steps of mixing a powdered material with a binder to form a green sheet. The green sheet is exposed to a high intensity radiative source adapted to emit radiation of wavelengths corresponding to an absorption spectrum of the powdered material. The surface of the green sheet is heated while a lower sub-surface temperature is maintained. An apparatus for preparing a foil from a green sheet using a radiation source is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ut-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Craig A. Blue, Vinod K. Sikka, Evan K. Ohriner
  • Rapid infrared heating of a surface
    Publication number: 20030145679
    Abstract: High energy flux infrared heaters are used to treat an object having a surface section and a base section such that a desired characteristic of the surface section is physically, chemically, or phasically changed while the base section remains unchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Vinod K. Sikka, Craig A. Blue, Evan Keith Ohriner
  • Aluminum alloys having improved surface properties and method of making same
    Publication number: 20030118855
    Abstract: A method for fusing a durable overlay on an aluminum article includes the steps of: providing an article comprising aluminum; and, applying a hypereutectic cladding layer to a at least one surface of the aluminum article by fusing a consumable welding filler material to the aluminum article using a welding process. An article includes an aluminum alloy casting having a hypereutectic cladding layer fused to at least a portion of a surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. Santella, Craig A. Blue, Jeffrey D. McNabb, Vinod K. Sikka
  • Consumable welding filler metal for cladding alloys
    Publication number: 20030116234
    Abstract: A consumable welding filler material for cladding alloys includes a ductile metal and an alloying element in appropriate ratio to produce a hypereutectic during a welding process. In one embodiment, a consumable welding filler material for cladding alloys includes a metal sheath, which includes aluminum, and an inner core material, which includes silicon in an amount of greater than 12.6 wt. % so that a hypereutectic is produced when the consumable welding filler material is melted during a welding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. Santella, Craig A. Blue, Jeffrey D. McNabb, Vinod K. Sikka
  • Rapid infrared heating of a surface
    Patent number: 6437292
    Abstract: High energy flux infrared heaters are used to treat an object having a surface section and a base section such that a desired characteristic of the surface section is physically, chemically, or phasically changed while the base section remains unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: U.T. Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Vinod K. Sikka, Craig A. Blue, Evan Keith Ohriner
  • Rapid infrared heating of a surface
    Patent number: 6432555
    Abstract: High energy flux infrared heaters are used to treat an object having a surface section and a base section such that a desired characteristic of the surface section is physically, chemically, or phasically changed while the base section remains unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: U.T. Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Vinod K. Sikka, Craig A. Blue, Evan Keith Ohriner
  • Apparatus and method for sealing fluid filter by infrared heating
    Patent number: 6180909
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for sealing a filter element to a support member. An array of bonding fibers is interposed between the filter element and the support member. Infrared energy is applied for a period of time sufficient to at least partially melt the array of bonding fibers to sinter bond the filter element to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: USF Filtration and Separations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel R. Quick, Tao Li, Robert Malanga, Vinod K. Sikka, Craig A. Blue
  • Rapid infrared heating of a surface
    Patent number: 6174388
    Abstract: High energy flux infrared heaters are used to treat an object having a surface section and a base section such that a desired characteristic of the surface section is physically, chemically, or phasically changed while the base section remains unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: Vinod K. Sikka, Craig A. Blue, Evan Keith Ohriner
  • Material forming apparatus using a directed droplet stream
    Patent number: 6027699
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for rapidly forming precision metallic and intermetallic alloy net shape parts directly from liquid metal droplets. A directed droplet deposition apparatus includes a crucible with an orifice for producing a jet of material, a jet destabilizer, a charging structure, a deflector system, and an impact zone. The systems and methods provide advantages in that fully dense, microstructurally controlled parts can be fabricated at moderate cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: David E. Holcomb, Srinath Viswanathan, Craig A. Blue, John B. Wilgen
  • Method of using infrared radiation for assembling a first component with a second component
    Patent number: 6002110
    Abstract: A method of assembling a first component for assembly with a second component involves a heating device which includes an enclosure having a cavity for inserting a first component. An array of infrared energy generators is disposed within the enclosure. At least a portion of the first component is inserted into the cavity, exposed to infrared energy and thereby heated to a temperature wherein the portion of the first component is sufficiently softened and/or expanded for assembly with a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Vinod K. Sikka, Barry G. Whitson, Craig A. Blue