Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Van Daam

Thomas J. Van Daam 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: 7824507
    Abstract: A method of producing high strength nanophase metal alloy powder by cryomilling metal powder under conditions which cause the formation of intrinsic nitrides, and of producing high strength metal articles by subjecting the nitrided cryomilled powder to thermo-mechanical processing. The intrinsic nitrides present within the alloy significantly reduce grain growth during thermo-mechanical processing, resulting in formed metal products of high strength and improved ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Clifford C. Bampton
  • Publication number: 20080138240
    Abstract: A method of producing high strength nanophase metal alloy powder by cryomilling metal powder under conditions which cause the formation of intrinsic nitrides, and of producing high strength metal articles by subjecting the nitrided cryomilled powder to thermo-mechanical processing. The intrinsic nitrides present within the alloy significantly reduce grain growth during thermo-mechanical processing, resulting in formed metal products of high strength and improved ductility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Clifford C. Bampton
  • Patent number: 7354490
    Abstract: High strength aluminum alloy powders, extrusions, and forgings are provided in which the aluminum alloys exhibit high strength at atmospheric temperatures and maintain high strength and ductility at extremely low temperatures. The alloy is produced by blending about 89 atomic % to 99 atomic % aluminum, 1 atomic % to 11 atomic % of a secondary metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lithium, silicon, titanium, zirconium, and combinations thereof, and up to about 10 atomic % of a tertiary metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, W, and combinations thereof. The alloy is produced by nanostructure material synthesis, such as cryomilling, in the absence of refractory dispersoids. The synthesized alloy is then canned, degassed, consolidated, extruded, and optionally forged into a solid metallic component. Grain size within the alloy is less than 0.5 ?m, and alloys with grain size less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Leslie G. Fritzemeier, Daniel E. Matejczyk, Thomas J. Van Daam
  • Patent number: 7344675
    Abstract: A method of producing high strength nanophase metal alloy powder by cryomilling metal powder under conditions which cause the formation of intrinsic nitrides, and of producing high strength metal articles by subjecting the nitrided cryomilled powder to thermo-mechanical processing. The intrinsic nitrides present within the alloy significantly reduce grain growth during thermo-mechanical processing, resulting in formed metal products of high strength and improved ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Clifford C. Bampton
  • Patent number: 6902699
    Abstract: High strength aluminum alloy powders, extrusions, and forgings are provided in which the aluminum alloys exhibit high strength at atmospheric temperatures and maintain high strength and ductility at extremely low temperatures. The alloy is produced by blending about 89 atomic % to 99 atomic % aluminum, 1 atomic % to 11 atomic % of a secondary metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lithium, silicon, titanium, zirconium, and combinations thereof, and up to about 10 atomic % of a tertiary metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, W, and combinations thereof. The alloy is produced by nanostructure material synthesis, such as cryomilling, in the absence of refractory dispersoids. The synthesized alloy is then canned, degassed, consolidated, extruded, and optionally forged into a solid metallic component. Grain size within the alloy is less than 0.5 ?m, and alloys with grain size less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Leslie G. Fritzemeier, Daniel E. Matejczyk, Thomas J. Van Daam
  • Patent number: 6848163
    Abstract: A nanophase composite duct assembly and method of fabricating the same are provided that comprise an ultra-high strength nanophase aluminum alloy duct joined with a ceramic particulate reinforced metal matrix fitting, preferably using solid-state friction welding. The nanophase aluminum alloy duct is fabricated by extruding a billet formed by a process of cryogenic milling the alloy, followed by out-gassing, then hot isostatic pressing. The fitting is fabricated by combining a ceramic particulate with a metal matrix, preferably by powder processing or liquid metal infiltration. Further, the solid-state friction welding may comprise inertial welding, friction stir welding, or a combination thereof. As a result, a lightweight duct assembly is provided for high-pressure liquids such as propellants in rocket engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Clifford C. Bampton, Thomas J. Van Daam, Daniel E. Matejczyk
  • Publication number: 20040255460
    Abstract: A nanophase composite duct assembly and method of fabricating the same are provided that comprise an ultra-high strength nanophase aluminum alloy duct joined with a ceramic particulate reinforced metal matrix fitting, preferably using solid-state friction welding. The nanophase aluminum alloy duct is fabricated by extruding a billet formed by a process of cryogenic milling the alloy, followed by out-gassing, then hot isostatic pressing. The fitting is fabricated by combining a ceramic particulate with a metal matrix, preferably by powder processing or liquid metal infiltration. Further, the solid-state friction welding may comprise inertial welding, friction stir welding, or a combination thereof. As a result, a lightweight duct assembly is provided for high-pressure liquids such as propellants in rocket engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Clifford C. Bampton, Thomas J. Van Daam, Daniel E. Matejczyk
  • Publication number: 20040228755
    Abstract: High strength aluminum alloy powders, extrusions, and forgings are provided in which the aluminum alloys exhibit high strength at atmospheric temperatures and maintain high strength and ductility at extremely low temperatures. The alloy is produced by blending about 89 atomic % to 99 atomic % aluminum, 1 atomic % to 11 atomic % of a secondary metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lithium, silicon, titanium, zirconium, and combinations thereof, and up to about 10 atomic % of a tertiary metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, W, and combinations thereof. The alloy is produced by nanostructure material synthesis, such as cryomilling, in the absence of refractory dispersoids. The synthesized alloy is then canned, degassed, consolidated, extruded, and optionally forged into a solid metallic component. Grain size within the alloy is less than 0.5 &mgr;m, and alloys with grain size less than 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Leslie G. Fritzemeier, Daniel E. Matejczyk, Thomas J. Van Daam
  • Publication number: 20040177723
    Abstract: A method of producing high strength nanophase metal alloy powder by cryomilling metal powder under conditions which cause the formation of intrinsic nitrides, and of producing high strength metal articles by subjecting the nitrided cryomilled powder to thermo-mechanical processing. The intrinsic nitrides present within the alloy significantly reduce grain growth during thermo-mechanical processing, resulting in formed metal products of high strength and improved ductility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Clifford C. Bampton
  • Publication number: 20040065173
    Abstract: High strength aluminum alloy powders, extrusions, and forgings are provided in which the aluminum alloys exhibit high strength at atmospheric temperatures and maintain high strength and ductility at extremely low temperatures. The alloy is produced by blending about 89 atomic % to 99 atomic % aluminum, 1 atomic % to 11 atomic % of a secondary metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lithium, silicon, titanium, zirconium, and combinations thereof, and up to about 10 atomic % of a tertiary metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, W, and combinations thereof. The alloy is produced by nanostructure material synthesis, such as cryomilling, in the absence of refractory dispersoids. The synthesized alloy is then canned, degassed, consolidated, extruded, and optionally forged into a solid metallic component. Grain size within the alloy is less than 0.5 &mgr;m, and alloys with grain size less than 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Leslie G. Fritzemeier, Daniel E. Matejczyk, Thomas J. Van Daam
  • Patent number: 6547526
    Abstract: An article that is configured to be rotatably mounted includes an embedded hollow cavity into which at least one dampening member is inserted. The dampening member or members frictionally engage the hollow cavity such that relative movement between the dampening member or members and the hollow cavity operates to attenuate vibration that is generated when the article is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Timothy J. Hosking
  • Patent number: 6482533
    Abstract: An article having a hollow cavity formed therein and a method for forming the same. The article includes a hollow structure having an open end and a body portion that is surrounded by a powdered material. The article is processed in, for example, a hot isostatic pressing operation, to permit a pressurized fluid to consolidate the powdered material. The pressurized fluid is permitted to pass through the open end of the hollow structure and into the body portion to thereby prevent the body portion from collapsing while the powdered material is being consolidated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Timothy J. Hosking
  • Publication number: 20020122725
    Abstract: An article that is configured to be rotatably mounted includes an embedded hollow cavity into which at least one dampening member is inserted. The dampening member or members frictionally engage the hollow cavity such that relative movement between the dampening member or members and the hollow cavity operates to attenuate vibration that is generated when the article is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Timothy J. Hosking
  • Publication number: 20020122738
    Abstract: An article having a hollow cavity formed therein and a method for forming the same. The article includes a hollow structure having an open end and a body portion that is surrounded by a powdered material. The article is processed in, for example, a hot isostatic pressing operation, to permit a pressurized fluid to consolidate the powdered material. The pressurized fluid is permitted to pass through the open end of the hollow structure and into the body portion to thereby prevent the body portion from collapsing while the powdered material is being consolidated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Timothy J. Hosking