Patents by Inventor Richard L. Kennedy
Richard L. Kennedy 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: 8747956Abstract: Processes, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for forming products from atomized metals and alloys. A stream of molten alloy and/or a series of droplets of molten alloy are produced. The molten alloy is atomized to produce electrically-charged particles of the molten alloy by impinging electrons on the stream of molten alloy and/or the series of droplets of molten alloy. The electrically-charged molten alloy particles are accelerated with at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field. The accelerating molten alloy particles are cooled to a temperature that is less than a solidus temperature of the molten alloy particles so that the molten alloy particles solidify while accelerating. The solid alloy particles are impacted onto a substrate and the impacting particles deform and metallurgically bond to the substrate to produce a solid alloy preform.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Kennedy, Robin M. Forbes Jones
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Publication number: 20140076471Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of titanium and titanium alloys include thermally managed high strain rate multi-axis forging. A high strain rate adiabatically heats an internal region of the workpiece during forging, and a thermal management system is used to heat an external surface region to the workpiece forging temperature, while the internal region is allowed to cool to the workpiece forging temperature. A further method includes multiple upset and draw forging titanium or a titanium alloy using a strain rate less than is used in conventional open die forging of titanium and titanium alloys. Incremental workpiece rotation and draw forging causes severe plastic deformation and grain refinement in the titanium or titanium alloy forging.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: ATI PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, John V. Mantione, Urban J. DeSouza, Jean-Philippe Thomas, Ramesh S. Minisandram, Richard L. Kennedy, R. Mark Davis
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Patent number: 8642916Abstract: An apparatus for melting an electrically conductive metallic material includes a vacuum chamber and a hearth disposed in the vacuum chamber. At least one wire-discharge ion plasma electron emitter is disposed in or adjacent the vacuum chamber and is positioned to direct a wide-area field of electrons into the vacuum chamber, wherein the wide-area electron field has sufficient energy to heat the electrically conductive metallic material to its melting temperature. The apparatus may further include at least one of a mold and an atomizing apparatus which is in communication with the vacuum chamber and is positioned to receive molten material from the hearth.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 8613818Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of titanium and titanium alloys include thermally managed high strain rate multi-axis forging. A high strain rate adiabatically heats an internal region of the workpiece during forging, and a thermal management system is used to heat an external surface region to the workpiece forging temperature, while the internal region is allowed to cool to the workpiece forging temperature. A further method includes multiple upset and draw forging titanium or a titanium alloy using a strain rate less than is used in conventional open die forging of titanium and titanium alloys. Incremental workpiece rotation and draw forging causes severe plastic deformation and grain refinement in the titanium or titanium alloy forging.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, John V. Mantione, Urban J. De Souza, Jean-Philippe Thomas, Ramesh S. Minisandram, Richard L. Kennedy, R. Mark Davis
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Publication number: 20130279533Abstract: An apparatus for melting an electrically conductive metallic material includes a vacuum chamber and a hearth disposed in the vacuum chamber. At least one wire-discharge ion plasma electron emitter is disposed in or adjacent the vacuum chamber and is positioned to direct a wide-area field of electrons into the vacuum chamber, wherein the wide-area electron field has sufficient energy to heat the electrically conductive metallic material to its melting temperature. The apparatus may further include at least one of a mold and an atomizing apparatus which is in communication with the vacuum chamber and is positioned to receive molten material from the hearth.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: ATI PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 8394210Abstract: A nickel-base alloy having favorable toughness and thermal fatigue resistance comprises, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: 9 to 12 chromium; 25 to 35 iron; 1 to 3 molybdenum; 3.0 to 5.5 niobium; 0.2 to 2.0 aluminum; 0.3 to 3.0 titanium; less than 0.10 carbon; no more than 0.01 boron; nickel; and incidental impurities. Also disclosed are die casting dies, other tooling, and other articles of manufacture made from or comprising the nickel-base alloy.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Wei-Di Cao, Richard L. Kennedy, Michael M. Antony, John W. Smythe
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Publication number: 20130040067Abstract: Processes, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for forming products from atomized metals and alloys. A stream of molten alloy and/or a series of droplets of molten alloy are produced. The molten alloy is atomized to produce electrically-charged particles of the molten alloy by impinging electrons on the stream of molten alloy and/or the series of droplets of molten alloy. The electrically-charged molten alloy particles are accelerated with at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field. The accelerating molten alloy particles are cooled to a temperature that is less than a solidus temperature of the molten alloy particles so that the molten alloy particles solidify while accelerating. The solid alloy particles are impacted onto a substrate and the impacting particles deform and metallurgically bond to the substrate to produce a solid alloy preform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Kennedy, Robin M. Forbes Jones
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Publication number: 20120183708Abstract: A method of processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking may generally comprise depositing a glass material onto at least a portion of a surface of a workpiece, and heating the glass material to form a surface coating on the workpiece that reduces heat loss from the workpiece. The present disclosure also is directed to an alloy workpieces processed according to methods described herein, and to articles of manufacture including or made from alloy workpieces made according to the methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Ramesh S. Minisandram, Richard L. Kennedy, Robin M. Forbes Jones
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Patent number: 8221676Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 8216339Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 8192681Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 8187358Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20120060981Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of titanium and titanium alloys include thermally managed high strain rate multi-axis forging. A high strain rate adiabatically heats an internal region of the workpiece during forging, and a thermal management system is used to heat an external surface region to the workpiece forging temperature, while the internal region is allowed to cool to the workpiece forging temperature. A further method includes multiple upset and draw forging titanium or a titanium alloy using a strain rate less than is used in conventional open die forging of titanium and titanium alloys. Incremental workpiece rotation and draw forging causes severe plastic deformation and grain refinement in the titanium or titanium alloy forging.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, John V. Mantione, Urban J. De Souza, Jean-Philippe Thomas, Ramesh Minisandram, Richard L. Kennedy, R. Mark Davis
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Publication number: 20110206553Abstract: A nickel-base alloy having favorable toughness and thermal fatigue resistance comprises, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: 9 to 12 chromium; 25 to 35 iron; 1 to 3 molybdenum; 3.0 to 5.5 niobium; 0.2 to 2.0 aluminum; 0.3 to 3.0 titanium; less than 0.10 carbon; no more than 0.01 boron; nickel; and incidental impurities. Also disclosed are die casting dies, other tooling, and other articles of manufacture made from or comprising the nickel-base alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Wei-Di Cao, Richard L. Kennedy, Michael M. Antony, John W. Smythe
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Publication number: 20110195270Abstract: Processes and methods related to processing and hot working alloy ingots are disclosed. A metallic material layer is deposited onto at least a region of a surface of an alloy ingot before hot working the alloy ingot. The processes and methods are characterized by a reduction in the incidence of surface cracking of the alloy ingot during hot working.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Urban J. De Souza, Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy, Christopher M. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7985304Abstract: A nickel-base alloy having favorable toughness and thermal fatigue resistance comprises, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: 9 to 20 chromium; 25 to 35 iron; 1 to 3 molybdenum; 3.0 to 5.5 niobium; 0.2 to 2.0 aluminum; 0.3 to 3.0 titanium; less than 0.10 carbon; no more than 0.01 boron; nickel; and incidental impurities. Also disclosed are die casting dies, other tooling, and other articles of manufacture made from or comprising the nickel-base alloy.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Wei-Di Cao, Richard L. Kennedy, Michael M. Antony, John W. Smythe
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Publication number: 20110142975Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate to nozzle assemblies for conveying molten material, the nozzle assemblies comprising a body, which may be formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the molten material to be conveyed, and having a molten material passageway extending therethrough. The molten material passageway comprises an interior surface and a protective layer is adjacent at least a portion of the interior surface of the passageway. The protective layer may comprise a material that is essentially non-reactive with the molten material to be conveyed. Further, the nozzle assemblies according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may be heated, and may be self-inspecting. Methods and apparatus for conveying molten materials and/or atomizing molten materials using the nozzle assemblies disclosed herein are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventor: Richard L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 7913884Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate to nozzle assemblies for conveying molten material, the nozzle assemblies comprising a body, which may be formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the molten material to be conveyed, and having a molten material passageway extending therethrough. The molten material passageway comprises an interior surface and a protective layer is adjacent at least a portion of the interior surface of the passageway. The protective layer may comprise a material that is essentially non-reactive with the molten material to be conveyed. Further, the nozzle assemblies according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may be heated, and may be self-inspecting. Methods and apparatus for conveying molten materials and/or atomizing molten materials using the nozzle assemblies disclosed herein are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventor: Richard L. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20100276112Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 7803212Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy