Patents by Inventor Eric W. Hamann

Eric W. Hamann 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).

  • Publication number: 20220304175
    Abstract: A component for an electronic device can include a pre-formed substrate comprising a first metal and an additively manufactured portion bonded to the pre-formed substrate. The additively manufactured portion can include a first portion comprising a second metal and defining a volume, the first portion having a first value of a material property, and a second portion disposed in the volume, the second portion having a second value of the material property that is different from the first value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Eric W. Hamann, Abhijeet Misra, Anthony D. Prescenzi, Brian M. Gable, Christopher D. Prest, Hoishun Li, James A. Yurko, Lee E. Hooton, Michael B. Wittenberg, Richard H. Dinh, Jennifer D. Schuler
  • Patent number: 11345121
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an aluminized composite including a base material. The aluminized composite may also include a diffusion layer disposed over the base material. The aluminized composite may further include an aluminum material disposed over the diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Yokoyama, Naoto Matsuyuki, James A. Wright, Brian M. Gable, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann
  • Patent number: 11345980
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an aluminum alloy may include iron (Fe) of at least 0.10 wt %, silicon (Si) of at least 0.35 wt %, and magnesium (Mg) of at least 0.45 wt %, manganese (Mn) in amount of at least 0.005 wt %, and additional elements, the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Gable, Herng-Jeng Jou, Weiming Huang, Graeme W. Paul, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann, Katie L. Sassaman, Abhijeet Misra, Zechariah D. Feinberg, James A. Yurko, Brian P. Demers, Rafael Yu, Anuj Datta Roy, Susannah P. Calvin
  • Publication number: 20220062998
    Abstract: A method of forming a part can include selectively activating one or more lasers of a laser array comprising at least 100 lasers based at least partially on a geometry of the part being formed. The method can further include scanning laser spots over a powder bed, the laser sports generated by the activated lasers, and selectively sintering a powder contained in the powder bed with the laser spots to form the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert W. Hyers, James A. Yurko, Eric W. Hamann, Brian M. Gable
  • Patent number: 11178781
    Abstract: This application relates to a composite part that can include a non-metal layer having attachment features, and a metal part that is joined with the non-metal layer. The metal part can include a plurality of interlocking structures that are disposed at an external surface of the metal part, where each of the interlocking structures can include an opening characterized as having a first width, and an undercut region, where the opening leads into the undercut region, and the undercut region is characterized as having a second width that is greater than the first width such that the undercut region captures and retains one of the attachment features of the non-metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Todd S. Mintz, Shi Hua Zhang, Abhijeet Misra, Eric W. Hamann
  • Patent number: 11111594
    Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James A. Curran, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann
  • Publication number: 20210087664
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy that may include 0.45 to 0.85 wt % Si, 0.15 to 0.25 wt % Cu, 0.40 to 0.80 wt % Fe, 1.20 to 1.65 wt % Mg, and 0.80 to 1.10 wt % Mn, where the balance is aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy can include used beverage can (UBC) scrap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Eric W. Hamann, Weiming Huang, Brian M. Gable, Herng-Jeng Jou, William A. Counts
  • Patent number: 10760176
    Abstract: Sealed anodic coatings that are resistant to leaching of nickel and nickel-containing products and methods for forming the same are described. Methods involve post-sealing thermal processes to remove at least some of the leachable nickel from the sealed anodic coatings. In some embodiments, the post-sealing thermal processes involve immersing the sealed anodic coating within a heated solution so as to promote diffusion of the leachable nickel out of the sealed anodic coatings and into the heated solution. The resultant sealed anodic coating is pre-leached of nickel and is therefore well suited for many consumer product applications. In some embodiments, a post-sealing thermal process is used to further hydrate and seal the sealed anodic coating, thereby repairing structural defects within the sealed anodic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James A. Curran, Eric W. Hamann, Sean R. Novak
  • Publication number: 20200048744
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an aluminum alloy may include iron (Fe) of at least 0.10 wt %, silicon (Si) of at least 0.35 wt %, and magnesium (Mg) of at least 0.45 wt %, manganese (Mn) in amount of at least 0.005 wt %, and additional elements, the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Brian M. Gable, Herng-Jeng Jou, Weiming Huang, Graeme W. Paul, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann, Katie L. Sassaman, Abhijeet Misra, Zechariah D. Feinberg, James A. Yurko, Brian P. Demers, Rafael Yu, Anuj Datta Roy, Susannah P. Calvin
  • Publication number: 20190098785
    Abstract: This application relates to a composite part that can include a non-metal layer having attachment features, and a metal part that is joined with the non-metal layer. The metal part can include a plurality of interlocking structures that are disposed at an external surface of the metal part, where each of the interlocking structures can include an opening characterized as having a first width, and an undercut region, where the opening leads into the undercut region, and the undercut region is characterized as having a second width that is greater than the first width such that the undercut region captures and retains one of the attachment features of the non-metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Todd S. MINTZ, Shi Hua ZHANG, Abhijeet MISRA, Eric W. HAMANN
  • Patent number: 9869623
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to rapid and repeatable tests that can be used to evaluate the interfacial adhesion of coatings to substrates. In particular embodiments, tests are used to assess the resistance of anodic oxides to delamination from aluminum substrates. The tests can be conducted using standard hardness test equipment such as a Vickers indenter, and yield more controlled, repeatable results than a large sample of life-cycle tests such as rock tumble tests. In particular embodiments, the tests involve forming an array of multiple indentations within the substrate such that stressed regions where the coating will likely delaminate are formed and evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Hamann, William A. Counts, James A. Curran
  • Publication number: 20170009364
    Abstract: Sealed anodic coatings that are resistant to leaching of nickel and nickel-containing products and methods for forming the same are described. Methods involve post-sealing thermal processes to remove at least some of the leachable nickel from the sealed anodic coatings. In some embodiments, the post-sealing thermal processes involve immersing the sealed anodic coating within a heated solution so as to promote diffusion of the leachable nickel out of the sealed anodic coatings and into the heated solution. The resultant sealed anodic coating is pre-leached of nickel and is therefore well suited for many consumer product applications. In some embodiments, a post-sealing thermal process is used to further hydrate and seal the sealed anodic coating, thereby repairing structural defects within the sealed anodic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: James A. Curran, Eric W. Hamann, Sean R. Novak
  • Publication number: 20160290917
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to rapid and repeatable tests that can be used to evaluate the interfacial adhesion of coatings to substrates. In particular embodiments, tests are used to assess the resistance of anodic oxides to delamination from aluminum substrates. The tests can be conducted using standard hardness test equipment such as a Vickers indenter, and yield more controlled, repeatable results than a large sample of life-cycle tests such as rock tumble tests. In particular embodiments, the tests involve forming an array of multiple indentations within the substrate such that stressed regions where the coating will likely delaminate are formed and evaluated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Eric W. Hamann, William A. Counts, James A. Curran
  • Publication number: 20160237586
    Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Curran, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann
  • Patent number: 9359686
    Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Curran, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann