Patents by Inventor William A. Counts

William A. Counts 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).

  • PROCESSES TO REDUCE INTERFACIAL ENRICHMENT OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS UNDER ANODIC OXIDE FILMS AND IMPROVE ANODIZED APPEARANCE OF HEAT TREATABLE ALLOYS
    Publication number: 20160237586
    Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Curran, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann
  • Processes to reduce interfacial enrichment of alloying elements under anodic oxide films and improve anodized appearance of heat treatable alloys
    Patent number: 9359686
    Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Curran, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann