Patents by Inventor Wei K. Chu

Wei K. Chu 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).

  • Surface modification of boron carbide to form pockets of solid lubricant
    Patent number: 5075130
    Abstract: A method of forming solid lubricant pockets in boron based and boron containing ceramic materials (i.e. boron carbide) by nitrogen ion implantation and laser annealing. By employing the present method said solid lubricant pockets may be formed in approximately the first 750 Angstroms of the surface and near surface regions of, for example, a polycrystalline boron carbide sample. Moreover, the present invention enables one to direct the formation of solid lubricants to specific areas on the boron based or boron containing ceramics to meet a specific need. The product of the present invention is a ceramic having a reduced coefficient of friction, greater durability, and reduced chipping and fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert R. Reeber, Wei K. Chu, Ning Yu