Patents by Inventor Thijs Eerkes

Thijs Eerkes 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).

  • Patent number: 5858132
    Abstract: The invention provides a new method for casting alloys containing a finely divided phase. A bath of the molten metal having a melting point is provided. A finely divided solid metal having a melting point greater than the melting point of molten metal is introduced into the molten metal. The finely divided metal is reacted with the molten metal to form a solid phase within the molten metal. The molten bath is then mixed to distribute the solid phase within the molten metal. The molten alloy is then cast into a solid object containing the solid phase. The solid phase is insoluble in the matrix and has a size related to the initial size of the finely divided solid. The alloy of the invention advantageously consists essentially of, by weight percent, about 3 to 40 aluminum, about 0.8 to 25 nickel, about 0 to 12 copper and balance zinc and incidental impurities. The alloy has a zinc-containing matrix with nickel-containing aluminides distributed throughout the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm Charles Evert Bell, James Alexander Evert Bell, Carlos Manuel Diaz, Thijs Eerkes, Thomas Francis Stephenson, Scott Thomas Campbell, John Francis Brennan, Anthony Edward Moline Warner
  • Patent number: 5765623
    Abstract: The invention provides a new method for casting alloys containing a finely divided phase. A bath of the molten metal having a melting point is provided. A finely divided solid metal having a melting point greater than the melting point of molten metal is introduced into the molten metal. The finely divided metal is reacted with the molten metal to form a solid phase within the molten metal. The molten bath is then mixed to distribute the solid phase within the molten metal. The molten alloy is then cast into a solid object containing the solid phase. The solid phase is insoluble in the matrix and has a size related to the initial size of the finely divided solid. The alloy of the invention advantageously consists essentially of, by weight percent, about 3 to 40 aluminum, about 0.8 to 25 nickel, about 0 to 12 copper and balance zinc and incidental impurities. The alloy has a zinc-containing matrix with nickel-containing aluminides distributed throughout the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm Charles Evert Bell, James Alexander Evert Bell, Carlos Manuel Diaz, Thijs Eerkes, Thomas Francis Stephenson, Scott Thomas Campbell, John Francis Brennan, Anthony Edward Moline Warner
  • Patent number: 5112572
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing the oxide surface from water atomized metal powders containing an oxidizer capable of oxidizing chromium from a trivalent to a soluble hexavalent state, whereby chromium oxides are removed from the metal powder surface. The powder is then treated with a dilute acid solution essentially devoid of hydrofluoric acid to remove other hydrated oxides from the metal powder surface. The powder is then water washed and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Thijs Eerkes, James A. E. Bell, Carlos M. Diaz
  • Patent number: 4996115
    Abstract: A composite structure and a method of producing said composite structure from a combination of copper and a low coefficient of thermal expansion nickel-iron alloy is disclosed wherein the copper clads the nickel-iron sheet and is interposed through the central nickel-iron sheet in such a fashion as to provide a substantially isotropic heat transfer path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Thijs Eerkes, Carlos M. Diaz, James A. E. Bell
  • Patent number: 4836979
    Abstract: A method of producing a composite material from a mixture of copper and a low coefficient of thermal expansion nickel-iron alloy (Invar) powder is disclosed wherein advantageously at least part of the copper is deposited on the Invar powder prior to processing. Processing includes cold compacting to a green strip or other configuration, annealing in the temperature range of 550.degree.-750.degree. C. and working the annealed material at a temperature in that range to high density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: James A. E. Bell, Thijs Eerkes, Carlos M. Diaz, William L. Mankins
  • Patent number: 4038066
    Abstract: Base metal chlorides are recovered from fused alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide salts by precipitation with at least one reagent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide or aluminum. Advantageously, the bulk of the base metals are precipitated by combinations of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen to produce a precipitate having a controlled sulfur content that is molten at temperatures between about 750.degree. C. and 900.degree. C., and final salt cleaning is achieved by precipitating residual base metals with aluminum. The melting point of the precipitate is also controlled by the ratio of nickel to other base metals in the salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: The International Nickel Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Charles Evert Bell, Thijs Eerkes, Ramamritham Sridhar