Patents by Inventor Kathrin Eckhard
Kathrin Eckhard 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: 11953424Abstract: A method for the surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys. The method includes pickling the flat product, in particular for degreasing the flat product. The method includes carrying out a colour measurement on the surface of the flat product to determine at least one measured colour value after pickling the flat product. The method includes generating output information on the basis of the at least one measured colour value. The output information is indicative of compliance with at least one rule for the measured colour value and outputting or triggering the output of the output information. The invention further relates to a device for the surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys and to a use of a colorimeter which is configured to determine at least one measured colour value in a surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: SPEIRA GMBHInventors: Dirk Zentzis, Gernot Nitzsche, Kathrin Eckhard
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Patent number: 11945008Abstract: A method for cleaning rollers used for metal strip processing. According to said method, the roller surface is cleaned by an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide washing liquid or an acidic washing liquid, the washing liquid is removed and the roller surface is dried. A machine for cleaning rollers includes a washing frame designed for positioning a roller to be cleaned, and at least one means for applying at least one washing solution to the roller surface of the roller to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Hydro Aluminum Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Olaf Güßgen, Frank Hirschmann
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Patent number: 11260439Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminum alloy strip with improved surface optics, which is fabricated via hot and/or cold rolling, and consists of a type AA 3xxx, AA 5xxx, AA 6xxx or AA 8xxx aluminum alloy. The object of proposing an aluminum alloy strip that is suitable for attractive and precious surface optics despite the elevated percentage of alloy constituents is achieved in that, after degreasing, the finish-rolled aluminum alloy strip exhibits an increase in the luminance value L*(?L) in relation to the rolled-greasy state of more than 5 while measuring the color of the surface in the CIE L*a*b* color space using a standard illuminant D65 and a normal observation angle of 10°, excluding direct reflection in 45°/0° geometry.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Dieter Bögershausen, Jochen Schwarz, Bernhard Kernig, Kathrin Eckhard, Axel Blecher, Olaf Güßgen
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Publication number: 20220042904Abstract: A method for the surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys. The method includes pickling the flat product, in particular for degreasing the flat product. The method includes carrying out a colour measurement on the surface of the flat product to determine at least one measured colour value after pickling the flat product. The method includes generating output information on the basis of the at least one measured colour value. The output information is indicative of compliance with at least one rule for the measured colour value and outputting or triggering the output of the output information. The invention further relates to a device for the surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys and to a use of a colorimeter which is configured to determine at least one measured colour value in a surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: Speira GmbHInventors: Dirk Zentzis, Gernot Nitzsche, Kathrin Eckhard
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Patent number: 11131037Abstract: The invention relates to a strip or sheet consisting of an aluminium alloy having a unilateral or bilateral surface structure prepared for a forming process, in particular it relates to a strip or sheet for formed motor vehicle components. The object of providing an aluminium alloy strip or sheet having a surface structure prepared for a forming process, which is easy to produce and has improved tribological characteristics in respect of a subsequent forming process, is achieved for a strip or sheet consisting of an aluminium alloy in that the strip or sheet has on one side or on both sides a surface with depressions as lubricant pockets which are produced using an electrochemical graining process.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Frank Hirschmann, Kathrin Eckhard, Bernhard Kernig, Gernot Nitzsche, Henk-Jan Brinkman
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Publication number: 20210008605Abstract: A method for cleaning rollers used for metal strip processing. According to said method, the roller surface is cleaned by an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide washing liquid or an acidic washing liquid, the washing liquid is removed and the roller surface is dried. A machine for cleaning rollers includes a washing frame designed for positioning a roller to be cleaned, and at least one means for applying at least one washing solution to the roller surface of the roller to be cleaned.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Olaf Güßgen, Frank Hirschmann
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Patent number: 10889912Abstract: The invention relates to a strip consisting of an aluminium alloy for providing adhesive connections. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing a strip having a one or two-sided surface structure which consists of an aluminium alloy, at least provided in certain areas and prepared for an adhesive connection, and also relates to a corresponding adhesive connection. The object of providing an aluminium alloy strip optimised for adhesive connections, which has optimised surface properties for ageing-resistant adhesive connections, on the one hand, and which can be cost-effectively produced in a way which is reliable in terms of the process, on the other hand, is achieved for a strip consisting of an aluminium alloy for providing adhesive connections by the strip at least in areas having a surface structure prepared for adhesive connections, wherein the surface structure has depressions which were produced using an electrochemical graining process.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Bernhard Kernig, Henk-Jan Brinkman, Kathrin Eckhard, Gernot Nitzsche, Frank Hirschmann
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Publication number: 20200308713Abstract: In a method for cleaning a non-machined aluminum alloy product involving alkaline degreasing and treatment thereof after alkaline pickling with an acidic solution, the aluminum alloy product undergoes (a) initial acid cleaning before alkaline degreasing or (b) alkaline degreasing, followed by a subsequent acid rinse, alkaline treatment anew and an additional acid rinse thereafter. The aluminum alloy product may be a rolled aluminum alloy strip, a rolled aluminum alloy sheet and an aluminum alloy profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Olaf Güßgen, Oliver Bauer
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Patent number: 10773325Abstract: Use of an aluminium composite material in a thermal joining method, said material consisting of at least one aluminium core alloy and at least one external brazing layer consisting of an aluminium brazing alloy provided on one or both sides of the aluminium core alloy, wherein the aluminium brazing layer has a pickled surface. Reduced costs and a lower environmental impact is achieved by using an aluminium composite material in which the pickled surface of the aluminium brazing layer had been pickled by pickling with an acid, aqueous pickling solution containing at least one mineral acid and at least one complex-forming agent or a complexing mineral acid, wherein the removal of material in the pickling is between 0.05 g/m2 and 6 g/m2, the aluminium composite material is used in a flux-free, thermal joining method, and the joining method is carried out in the presence of a protective gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Olaf Güßgen, Hartmut Janssen
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Publication number: 20180347067Abstract: The invention relates to a strip consisting of an aluminium alloy for providing adhesive connections. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing a strip having a one or two-sided surface structure which consists of an aluminium alloy, at least provided in certain areas and prepared for an adhesive connection, and also relates to a corresponding adhesive connection. The object of providing an aluminium alloy strip optimised for adhesive connections, which has optimised surface properties for ageing-resistant adhesive connections, on the one hand, and which can be cost-effectively produced in a way which is reliable in terms of the process, on the other hand, is achieved for a strip consisting of an aluminium alloy for providing adhesive connections by the strip at least in areas having a surface structure prepared for adhesive connections, wherein the surface structure has depressions which were produced using an electrochemical graining process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Bernhard Kernig, Henk-Jan Brinkman, Kathrin Eckhard, Gernot Nitzsche, Frank Hirschmann
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Publication number: 20180340268Abstract: The invention relates to a strip or sheet consisting of an aluminium alloy having a unilateral or bilateral surface structure prepared for a forming process, in particular it relates to a strip or sheet for formed motor vehicle components. The object of providing an aluminium alloy strip or sheet having a surface structure prepared for a forming process, which is easy to produce and has improved tribological characteristics in respect of a subsequent forming process, is achieved for a strip or sheet consisting of an aluminium alloy in that the strip or sheet has on one side or on both sides a surface with depressions as lubricant pockets which are produced using an electrochemical graining process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Frank Hirschmann, Kathrin Eckhard, Bernhard Kernig, Gernot Nitzsche, Henk-Jan Brinkman
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Publication number: 20180221994Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of an aluminium composite material for use in thermal flux-free joining methods. The composite material includes at least one core layer having an aluminium core alloy and at least one outer solder layer of an aluminium solder alloy. The aluminium solder alloy has the following composition in wt %: 6.5%?Si?13%, Fe?1%, 90 ppm?Mg?300 ppm, Bi?500 ppm, Mn?0.15%, Cu?0.3%, Zn?3%, and Ti?0.3% with the remainder Al and unavoidable impurities individually at most 0.05%, in total at most 0.15%. The aluminium solder layer has an alkaline pickled or acid pickled surface. Embodiments also relate to a method for producing an aluminium composite material, a method for the thermal joining of components, and a thermally joined construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Olaf Güssgen, Thorsten Richter, Hartmut Janssen, Nico Eigen
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Publication number: 20180222151Abstract: Provided are embodiments of an aluminium composite material for use in thermal flux-free joining methods. The composite material has at least one core layer of an aluminium core alloy and at least one outer solder layer of an aluminium solder alloy. The aluminium solder alloy has the following composition in wt %: 6.5%?Si?13%, Fe?1%, 230 ppm?Mg?450 ppm, Bi?500 ppm, Mn?0.15%, Cu?0.3%, Zn?3%, and Ti?0.30% with the remainder Al and unavoidable impurities individually at most 0.05%, in total at most 0.15% and the aluminium solder layer has an alkaline pickled or acid pickled surface. The invention further relates to a method for producing an aluminium composite material, a method for the thermal joining of components, and a thermally joined construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Olaf Güssgen, Thorsten Richter, Hartmut Janssen, Nico Eigen
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Patent number: 9887044Abstract: The invention relates to a current collector foil for batteries, accumulators or capacitors, comprising a carrier material and at least one electrically conductive layer made from a metal. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing a corresponding current collector foil as well as to the advantageous use thereof. The object of providing a current collector foil for batteries, accumulators or capacitors, which is optimized in relation to the contact surface and the adhesive properties and which results in an improved service life, is achieved as a result of the fact that the at least one electrically conductive layer is produced at least partially by electrodepositing a metal and has a texture.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Ulrich Hampel, Kathrin Eckhard, Simon Jupp, Andreas Siemen
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Publication number: 20160325367Abstract: Use of an aluminium composite material in a thermal joining method, said material consisting of at least one aluminium core alloy and at least one external brazing layer consisting of an aluminium brazing alloy provided on one or both sides of the aluminium core alloy, wherein the aluminium brazing layer has a pickled surface. Reduced costs and a lower environmental impact is achieved by using an aluminium composite material in which the pickled surface of the aluminium brazing layer had been pickled by pickling with an acid, aqueous pickling solution containing at least one mineral acid and at least one complex-forming agent or a complexing mineral acid, wherein the removal of material in the pickling is between 0.05 g/m2 and 6 g/m2, the aluminium composite material is used in a flux-free, thermal joining method, and the joining method is carried out in the presence of a protective gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Olaf Güßgen, Hartmut Janssen
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Patent number: 9160006Abstract: The invention relates to a current collector foil made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, to the use of the current collector foil for batteries or accumulators, in particular lithium-ion accumulators, and to a method for producing the current collector foil. The object of providing a current collector foil, which has very good properties with regard to conductivity and tensile strength, and which can also be produced economically, is achieved in that the current collector foil has an acid-pickled or alkali-pickled surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Ulrich Hampel, Volker Denkmann, Andreas Siemen, Kathrin Eckhard, Wilhelm Schenkel, Sandra Eberhard, Dieter Bögershausen
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Publication number: 20150053751Abstract: Use of an aluminium composite material consisting of at least one aluminium core alloy and at least one outer brazing layer consisting of an aluminium brazing alloy provided on one or both sides of the aluminium core alloy. Based on this prior art the object of the present invention is to provide a thermal joining process for an aluminium composite material, so that the use of fluxes can be dispensed with, this object being achieved in that the aluminium brazing layer of the aluminium composite material has a pickled surface and the aluminium composite material is used in a fluxless thermal joining process and the joining process is carried out in the presence of a protective gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: HYDRO ALUMINIUM ROLLED PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Kathrin Eckhard, Jochen Schwarz, Olaf Güßgen, Raimund Sicking, Hartmut Janssen
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Publication number: 20150050558Abstract: The invention relates to a current collector foil for batteries, accumulators or capacitors, comprising a carrier material and at least one electrically conductive layer made from a metal. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing a corresponding current collector foil as well as to the advantageous use thereof. The object of providing a current collector foil for batteries, accumulators or capacitors, which is optimised in relation to the contact surface and the adhesive properties and which results in an improved service life, is achieved as a result of the fact that the at least one electrically conductive layer is produced at least partially by electrodepositing a metal and has a texture.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: HYDRO ALUMINIUM ROLLED PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Ulrich Hampel, Kathrin Eckhard, Simon Jupp, Andreas Siemen
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Publication number: 20140341678Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminum alloy strip with improved surface optics, which is fabricated via hot and/or cold rolling, and consists of a type AA 3xxx, AA 5xxx, AA 6xxx or AA 8xxx aluminum alloy. The object of proposing an aluminum alloy strip that is suitable for attractive and precious surface optics despite the elevated percentage of alloy constituents is achieved in that, after degreasing, the finish-rolled aluminum alloy strip exhibits an increase in the luminance value L*(?L) in relation to the rolled-greasy state of more than 5 while measuring the color of the surface in the CIE L*a*b* color space using a standard illuminant D65 and a normal observation angle of 10°, excluding direct reflection in 45°/0° geometry.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Dieter Bögershausen, Jochen Schwarz, Bernhard Kernig, Kathrin Eckhard, Axel Blecher, Olaf Güßgen
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Publication number: 20140096375Abstract: The invention relates to a current collector foil made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy, to the use of the current collector foil for batteries or accumulators, in particular lithium-ion accumulators, and to a method for producing the current collector foil. The object of providing a current collector foil, which has very good properties with regard to conductivity and tensile strength, and which can also be produced economically, is achieved in that the current collector foil has an acid-pickled or alkali-pickled surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbHInventors: Ulrich Hampel, Volker Denkmann, Andreas Siemen, Kathrin Eckhard, Wilhelm Schenkel, Sandra Eberhard, Dieter Bögershausen