Patents by Inventor Joseph Grohowski

Joseph Grohowski 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: 20240279786
    Abstract: A method of modifying the physical characteristics of a base titanium alloy article previously manufactured through a selective melting process is disclosed. The method includes introducing hydrogen through a thermohydrogen process to the base titanium alloy article, the resulting titanium alloy article exhibiting an isotropic and fine grained equiaxed microstructure. The thermohydrogen process may include introducing hydrogen into the base titanium alloy article to lower the beta transus temperature, heating the base titanium article above the lowered beta transus temperature to form hydrided beta, lowering the temperature of the base titanium alloy article to affect a eutectoid transformation, and dehydriding the base titanium alloy article via vacuum heating. The base titanium alloy article may have an elevated oxygen content and/or hydrogen may be introduced at 0.4 weight percent or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Grohowski, Paul H. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 11987872
    Abstract: A method of modifying the physical characteristics of a base titanium alloy article previously manufactured through a selective melting process is disclosed. The method includes introducing hydrogen through a thermohydrogen process to the base titanium alloy article, the resulting titanium alloy article exhibiting an isotropic and fine grained equiaxed microstructure. The thermohydrogen process may include introducing hydrogen into the base titanium alloy article to lower the beta transus temperature, heating the base titanium article above the lowered beta transus temperature to form hydrided beta, lowering the temperature of the base titanium alloy article to affect a eutectoid transformation, and dehydriding the base titanium alloy article via vacuum heating. The base titanium alloy article may have an elevated oxygen content and/or hydrogen may be introduced at 0.4 weight percent or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Grohowski, Jr., Paul H. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20220002855
    Abstract: A method of modifying the physical characteristics of a base titanium alloy article previously manufactured through a selective melting process is disclosed. The method includes introducing hydrogen through a thermohydrogen process to the base titanium alloy article, the resulting titanium alloy article exhibiting an isotropic and fine grained equiaxed microstructure. The thermohydrogen process may include introducing hydrogen into the base titanium alloy article to lower the beta transus temperature, heating the base titanium article above the lowered beta transus temperature to form hydrided beta, lowering the temperature of the base titanium alloy article to affect a eutectoid transformation, and dehydriding the base titanium alloy article via vacuum heating. The base titanium alloy article may have an elevated oxygen content and/or hydrogen may be introduced at 0.4 weight percent or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: JOSEPH A. GROHOWSKI, JR., PAUL H. SHEFFIELD
  • Patent number: 10792484
    Abstract: A vascular access port includes a base with a floor. A cap is engaged with the base to form a reservoir above the floor as a septum seals the reservoir in a fluid-tight manner. An outlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir. At least one of the base and cap is formed by metal injection molding. The cap and base may be engaged with a snap fit connection or a rotatable connection. The fluid communication may be along a non-tangential non-radial flow path. The flow path may be asymmetrical and may also include textured walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Houde, Joseph A. Grohowski, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190212090
    Abstract: A method of forming a firearm suppressor baffle including preparing a titanium alloy powder system, forming of the powder system into a green shape, optionally green machining the green shape, sintering the green shape to create a firearm suppressor baffle formed from sintered material, where the firearm suppressor baffle has an elevated oxygen content of between 0.2 and 0.5 weight percent. The resultant sintered material may have a creep value of less than 1.5% at 50 hours at 450 C. Also, a method of forming a firearm suppressor baffle including preparing a titanium aluminide powder system, forming the titanium aluminide powder system into a green shape through one of compaction and powder metal injection molding, and sintering the green shape to create the firearm suppressor baffle. The titanium aluminide powder method may also include deoxygenating the firearm suppressor baffle. Also disclosed are baffles and suppressors formed using these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Jobe Piemme, Joseph A. Grohowski, JR., Paul H. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 10254068
    Abstract: A method of forming a firearm suppressor baffle including preparing a titanium alloy powder system, forming of the powder system into a green shape, optionally green machining the green shape, sintering the green shape to create a firearm suppressor baffle formed from sintered material, where the firearm suppressor baffle has an elevated oxygen content of between 0.2 and 0.5 weight percent. The resultant sintered material may have a creep value of less than 1.5% at 50 hours at 450 C. Also, a method of forming a firearm suppressor baffle including preparing a titanium aluminide powder system, forming the titanium aluminide powder system into a green shape through one of compaction and powder metal injection molding, and sintering the green shape to create the firearm suppressor baffle. The titanium aluminide powder method may also include deoxygenating the firearm suppressor baffle. Also disclosed are baffles and suppressors formed using these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jobe Piemme, Joseph A. Grohowski, Jr., Paul H. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20180245187
    Abstract: A titanium alloy having a Ti—Zr—X—Y formulation, wherein the X component is a Group V or Group VI metal and the Y component is an alpha stabilizer selected from aluminum, tin, silicon, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, where the titanium alloy is capable of being blackened in an air, oxygen, or oxygen containing environment. The alloy may have a yield strength of at least 100 ksi. The Y component may be oxygen above 1300 ppm. The Zr content may be greater than 22 weight percent. The alloy may have a lightness index of 46 or less on the CIELAB scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Paul H. Sheffield, Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170160035
    Abstract: A method of forming a firearm suppressor baffle including preparing a titanium alloy powder system, forming of the powder system into a green shape, optionally green machining the green shape, sintering the green shape to create a firearm suppressor baffle formed from sintered material, where the firearm suppressor baffle has an elevated oxygen content of between 0.2 and 0.5 weight percent. The resultant sintered material may have a creep value of less than 1.5% at 50 hours at 450 C. Also, a method of forming a firearm suppressor baffle including preparing a titanium aluminide powder system, forming the titanium aluminide powder system into a green shape through one of compaction and powder metal injection molding, and sintering the green shape to create the firearm suppressor baffle. The titanium aluminide powder method may also include deoxygenating the firearm suppressor baffle. Also disclosed are baffles and suppressors formed using these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Jobe Piemme, Joseph A. Grohowski, JR., Paul H. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20170095654
    Abstract: A vascular access port includes a base with a floor. A cap is engaged with the base to form a reservoir above the floor as a septum seals the reservoir in a fluid-tight manner. An outlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir. At least one of the base and cap is formed by metal injection molding. The cap and base may be engaged with a snap fit connection or a rotatable connection. The fluid communication may be along a non-tangential non-radial flow path. The flow path may be asymmetrical and may also include textured walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Houde, Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160296672
    Abstract: High strength implantable devices having complex surfaces are injection molded from powder metal wherein the surface is defined by a monolithic insert made by additive manufacturing. The insert defines the surface texture of the device and may also include a portion to form an ingrowth texture and a portion to form a substrate interface texture. The tensile bond strength of the texture is 20 Mega Pascal or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Patent number: 9370609
    Abstract: High strength implantable devices having complex surfaces are injection molded from powder metal wherein the surface is defined by a monolithic insert made by additive manufacturing. The insert defines the surface texture of the device and may also include a portion to form an ingrowth texture and a portion to form a substrate interface texture. The tensile bond strength of the texture is 20 Mega Pascal or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150328685
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention may be a method of making a porous biocompatible metal article by combining a metal powder with a homogenizing aid to form metal granules, including blending the metal granules and an extractable particulate to form a composite, forming the composite into a green article, removing the extractable particulate from the green article to form a metal matrix and pore structure, and sintering the metal matrix and pore structure. Furthermore the present invention may include a second homogenizing aid combined with the extractable particulate. The present invention also includes shaping the metal matrix and pore structure with or without the use of a binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Patent number: 9089431
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a porous article including a porous portion with an average ratio between about 2:1 and about 5:1 of major pore size to minor pore size, having a substantially uniform pore distribution and a porosity of at least 70 percent, the porous article for use as a biological implant. The biological implant can be, for example, an acetabular cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9089427
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention may be a method of making a porous biocompatible metal article by combining a metal powder with a homogenizing aid to form metal granules, including blending the metal granules and an extractable particulate to form a composite, forming the composite into a green article, removing the extractable particulate from the green article to form a metal matrix and pore structure, and sintering the metal matrix and pore structure. Furthermore the present invention may include a second homogenizing aid combined with the extractable particulate. The present invention also includes shaping the metal matrix and pore structure with or without the use of a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140195001
    Abstract: High strength implantable devices having complex surfaces are injection molded from powder metal wherein the surface is defined by a monolithic insert made by additive manufacturing. The insert defines the surface texture of the device and may also include a portion to form an ingrowth texture and a portion to form a substrate interface texture. The tensile bond strength of the texture is 20 Mega Pascal or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Praxis Power Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130289735
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a porous article including a porous portion with an average ratio between about 2:1 and about 5:1 of major pore size to minor pore size, having a substantially uniform pore distribution and a porosity of at least 70 percent, the porous article for use as a biological implant. The biological implant can be, for example, an acetabular cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Patent number: 8500843
    Abstract: An article of controlled porosity. The porosity of the article may be controlled by display of a particular pore character with respect to pore size, morphology and distribution through a metal, including a uniform distribution. The uniform distribution of porosity within the metal may be provided by a way of a coated pore former including a homogenizing agent thereat to maintain a uniform distribution of pore former throughout a mixture of the coated pore former and a powdered metal. A metal article may be formed of varying layers of porous metals each formed from an independent mixture of coated pore former and metal as indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski
  • Publication number: 20120065739
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention may be a method of making a porous biocompatible metal article by combining a metal powder with a homogenizing aid to form metal granules, including blending the metal granules and an extractable particulate to form a composite, forming the composite into a green article, removing the extractable particulate from the green article to form a metal matrix and pore structure, and sintering the metal matrix and pore structure. Furthermore the present invention may include a second homogenizing aid combined with the extractable particulate. The present invention also includes shaping the metal matrix and pore structure with or without the use of a binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: PRAXIS POWDER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100180724
    Abstract: A porous metal article having a predetermined pore structure. The porosity is provided by the use of an extractable particulate in a powder forming route to create a desired porosity. Extraction of the pore forming particulate prior to sintering of the powder minimizes contamination of the sintered article and allows for the processing of material sensitive to contamination such as titanium. Added functionality can be gained by co-forming the porous material with non-porous material to create an article with layers of differing characteristics. The article is suitable for use as an implant body is porous enough to facilitate tissue in-growth and bony fusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Praxis Powder Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Grohowski, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100094426
    Abstract: A spinal implant of hybrid construction. The implant includes both porous and radiolucent elements. In this manner, the implant allows for substantial fusing of vertebrae while simultaneously allowing for useful follow-on evaluations through imaging. Furthermore, in spite of the potentially differing material character of the porous and radiolucent elements, they may nevertheless be coupled together in an interlocking configuration such that the implant exhibits the behavior of a single unitary device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph A. Grohowski, Jr., Mark Walter, Tracy M. MacNeal