Patents Issued in May 20, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040094203
    Abstract: A removable flow restrictor 750 and a corresponding method for regulating flow through a fluid fertilizer distributor 700 are provided. A supply inlet port 712 is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid outlet ports 716. The flow restrictor 750 is removable positionable within the fluid distributor 700 between the inlet port 712 and the outlet ports 716, for restricting flow between the inlet port 712 and the outlet ports 716. A restrictor engagement member 752, which may be a thread, on the flow restrictor 750, engages with a tool engagement member 762 on a retrieval tool 760. With the restrictor engagement member 752 engaged with the tool engagement member 762, the retrieval tool can be used to both position the flow restrictor 750 within the fluid distributor 700, and to remove the flow restrictor 750 from the fluid distributor 700. After positioning within or removing from the fluid distributor 700, the flow restrictor 750 may be disengaged from the retrieval tool 760.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Spencer M. Nimberger
  • Publication number: 20040094204
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a flat water hose coiler, comprising a hollow main shaft pivotally passing through a central hole of a middle partition, a water hose connecting section and a water outlet are protruded outward from the hose body, and the water hose connecting section is for connecting a flat water hose, and the water outlet and is connected to a connecting shaft outside the hose, and a water hose connecting section is also disposed on the outside of the shaft for connecting another flat water hose; the shaft and the connecting shaft at their outer end each has a side ring cover; rotating the side ring cover can coil or release the flat water hose. The coiler accommodates two water hoses separately into the water hose accommodating space on both sides of the coiler. The coiling and releasing actions can be performed independently without interfering each other; the two independent water hoses regardless of being coiled or released, the water in the water hoses keeps on running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Pei-Ying Lin
  • Publication number: 20040094205
    Abstract: A valve locking device comprising an intermediate member (18) mountable between a valve body and valve actuator and securable to said valve body and/or actuator; a stem attachment member (20) attachable to and rotatable with a valve stem (14) and contained at least partially within said intermediate member, and an engagement member (22) movably located within said intermediate member for selective engagement with said stem attachment member; whereby in use, engagement between said engagement member and said stem attachment member prevents rotation of said stem attachment member, thus preventing rotation of said valve stem to operate the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Charles Frederick Thomas Shuter
  • Publication number: 20040094206
    Abstract: An opening/closing of a plurality of valves are controlled so that a plurality of gases flow into a chamber in an operation of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and the opening/closing of the plurality of valves are controlled so that a gas A flows into mass flowmeters in an inspection of a mass flow controller MFC 2′. Therefore, the inspection can be achieved while maintaining the connection of mass flow controller MFC 2′ to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Shoji Ishida
  • Publication number: 20040094207
    Abstract: The invention relates to an unlockable non-return valve which is intended to be used for very high system pressures, and to a valve housing having a continuous receiving bore located on a valve axis, a poppet piston which can be acted upon at a piston collar by a control pressure in order to unlock a closing element and, on both sides of the piston collar, is guided on end sections of at least approximately identical diameters in the direction of the valve axis. Two inserts are placed into the receiving bore on each side of the piston collar, into which the poppet piston dips with an end section, the end section being guided in a first insert which is close to the piston collar and is manufactured from a metallic material having good sliding properties, and a second insert following the first insert has a high-pressure seal which bears radially against the end section of the poppet piston and is supported axially by the first insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Helmut Behl, Karl J H Cords, Dragoljub Djenadija, Helmut Etzel, Frank Hofmann, Michael Reinert, Bruno Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040094208
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding fertilizer to water flowing in an underground sprinkler system includes a pressure chamber with a bladder therein which holds liquid fertilizer. Water under line pressure surrounds the bladder in the chamber to pressurize the bladder and fertilizer therein. The pressurized liquid fertilizer flows from the bladder through a valve such as a needle valve which controls flow rate and through a valve such as a butterfly valve which opens to allow fertilizer flow when water flows through the line to which the fertilizer is to be added. With no flow of water, the valve is closed to prevent flow of fertilizer. The lid to the opening to the inside of the bladder used to fill the bladder with fertilizer is arranged to operate two valves. One controls flow of pressurized line water into the chamber to pressurize the bladder in the chamber when the lid is opened and the other opens a drain to depressurize the chamber when the lid is opened to allow fertilizer to be added to the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: James Marsden, A. Ray Snow, David Manzanares, David Morton
  • Publication number: 20040094209
    Abstract: A sump liner comprising a liner wall joined with a base member, the liner wall extending about the periphery of the base member, the liner wall comprising a primary reservoir portion and a secondary reservoir portion, with a weir extending from the base member and the inside surface of the liner wall. The weir divides the sump liner interior into a primary reservoir and a secondary reservoir, with a primary pump to remove water from the primary reservoir and a secondary pump to remove water from the secondary reservoir. The primary reservoir receives drainage water through an inlet pipe. The secondary reservoir receives drainage water that flows over the weir in the event the primary pump in the primary reservoir fails, in which case the secondary pump in the secondary reservoir pumps out the water. The weir may have an inverted V-shape. A sump liner and with a vented lid bolted to it to form an airtight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Alden Harwood
  • Publication number: 20040094210
    Abstract: A directional control valve includes a pressure regulator piston configured as a hollow slide with a radial passage positioned in such a way that a connection from the internal chamber of the pressure regulator piston to a pump pressure annular channel (P) can be regulated by the radial passage and a second radial passage of a directional control valve piston. The second radial passage constitutes a control edge, which is used to regulate the connection from the internal chamber to a load sensing annular channel (LS). An annular groove, which in the neutral position forms a connection from the internal chamber to the load sensing annular channel (LS), is joined to the second radial passage. The pressure regulator is impervious to different flow forces caused by different mass fluxes and ensures that the hydraulic consumer is prevented from moving in the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Winfried Rb
  • Publication number: 20040094211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for coupling two storage and/or transport means with a cleaning device. In one cleaning position, either before or after a transfer process, an area is provided between two connecting branches (10, 100) and at least one part of the front surfaces (22, 122) of two closing valves (21, 121) in the connecting valves, i.e. the impact chamber, which is initially embodied as a cleaning chamber enclosed on all sides, which can be sealed in respect to the outside atmosphere and product area and which is, optionally, protected against unintentional opening as a result of at least partial locking of the connecting branches with respect to each other, whereby cleaning can occur using a cleaning fluid, without any danger of contamination, be it from the transfer product and/or the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Koch, Bernd Elsasser, Klaus Moeller
  • Publication number: 20040094212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring the safety of an articulated mast (22), especially of a concrete distribution mast, whose mast segments (23 to 27) are controlled via a remote control (50) and a control device (62) that is responsive to the remote control signals using a computer-assisted circuit arrangement (80). Safety monitoring is made possible by the provision of an interrupter element (112, 112′) in the control device (62) which disrupts, via a delay member (116), the connection to the control inputs of the actuators (92, 94) associated drive units and/or the feed units (98, 100) for the purpose of power or pressured oil feed once the remote control elements (52) of the remote control device (50) are in the off-position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Hartmut Benckert, Paul Von Bumen
  • Publication number: 20040094213
    Abstract: A cartridge, including the mechanisms for a hydraulic equipment, functionally comprising an envelope (1), a bottom member (5) of the envelope, a pair of plates (7,10) made of hard material, one (7) of which is operatively fixed, while the other (10) one is operatively mobile, a slide (12) for moving the mobile plate, a support member for the operating means along with the operating means themselves, a retaining lid (16), and the packings needed for sealing among said component parts and toward the outside, wherein the bottom member and the operatively fixed plate (7) constitute a single structural element (8A), made by means of one of the processes for making plates of hard material that make it possible to confer to the plates relatively complex configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Publication number: 20040094214
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure balancer to associate with a mixer valve, comprising a balancer body which defines a chamber and a piston in said chamber. The chamber has a middle section between two side sections, where the middle section has a larger diameter than the side sections. The piston has an intermediate flange joined at opposite ends to two side flanges, where the intermediate flange has an external diameter compatible with that of the middle section of the chamber and features a peripheral seal on the inner surface of the middle section, and the side flanges each has a diameter corresponding to that of the side sections of chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Carlo Ottelli
  • Publication number: 20040094215
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electrovalve proportional to a field current supplying the field coil (5) axially enclosing a mobile core (76), whereto is secured a push rod (16) sliding in a polar component (9) of the fixed magnetic circuit co-operating with the field coil, actuating a shutter (2, 3) comprising at least a valve (25, 26) co-operating with a scat (28, 29) to open and close the shutter, return means (32, 33) providing it with a stable neutral position relative to the seal when the field current is null, each valve being coaxial to the push rod and actuated thereby. The invention is characterised in that the mechanical linkage between the stem of each valve (17, 27) and, either the stem of the adjacent valve, or the push rod, constitutes a punctual contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Dragoni, Emmanuel Hermet, Michel Hernandez, Francois Rosaz
  • Publication number: 20040094216
    Abstract: Rotary sequencing valve comprising a rotor having a rotor face rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the rotor face, wherein the rotor face has a plurality of openings, one or more of which are disposed at a selected radial distance from the axis, and wherein the rotor includes at least one passage connecting at least one pair of the plurality of openings. The valve includes a flexible port plate having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side faces the rotor and engages the rotor such that the flexible port plate can be rotated coaxially by the rotor and can move axially with respect to the rotor, wherein the flexible port plate has a plurality of ports between the first and second sides, which ports are aligned with the openings in the rotor face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Glenn Paul Wagner
  • Publication number: 20040094217
    Abstract: A rotary stop cock is formed so that in a first selected position it can separate a plurality of compartments, in a second selected position can allow for the flow of material from one or more upstream compartments into a downstream compartment, while also allowing air to vent from the downstream compartment through the stop cock and out to the atmosphere, and in another selected position can allow for the flow of material from what was the downstream compartment to what was the one or more upstream components without venting any of the compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald W. Hagel, Scott Retterer
  • Publication number: 20040094218
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic valve is provided for use in a system to control flow and/or pressure within the system. An electro-hydraulic valve arrangement includes a housing and a valving mechanism disposed in the housing. The electro-hydraulic valve arrangement has a hold coil assembly connected to the housing adjacent to the valving mechanism. A force control member having a clapper face is positioned adjacent to the hold coil assembly and the clapper face thereof is maintained at a predetermined distance from a coil face of the hold coil assembly. A double precision adjustment mechanism is operative associated with the force control member and is operative to precisely control the distance between the coil face and the clapper face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: David P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040094219
    Abstract: An improved structure of sprout assembly to allow it to be externally fixed to the faucet without welding and permit faucet and sprout to be plated first before connecting both to each other is characterized by that a connector in the faucet to engage a locking sleeve in the sprout, and a threaded tube being inserted through both of the connector and the locking sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Scott Ouyoung
  • Publication number: 20040094220
    Abstract: A method and flow system for controlling the flow of a liquid in a flow system, the liquid flow comprising particles and being led into a channel thereof. The method comprises the steps of enveloping the liquid flow by a flow of carrier liquid, hydrodynamically focussing the particles in the liquid flow providing a measurement signal of the liquid flow from an observation area in the channel, and dividing the liquid flow at a branching point into two or more outlets in response to the measurement signal. The division of the liquid comprises introducing a control liquid from at least one control channel at a merging point or merging area in the channel. The amount of control liquid is controlled by at least one electro-kinetic pump, the pump effect of which is controlled in response to the measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Claus Barholm-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20040094221
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hose assembly with an inner fluoropolymer layer having a smooth inner surface and an outer polyamide layer having an undulated surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Norman S. Martucci, Boney A. Mathew
  • Publication number: 20040094222
    Abstract: A composite strip 10 windable to form a helical pipe is disclosed. The composite strip 10 comprises: an elongate plastic strip 11 having a base portion 12 and at least one lengthwise extending rib portion 20 upstanding from the base portion 12; and an elongate reinforcing strip 30 extending lengthwise and supported laterally by the rib portion 20, the reinforcing strip 30 having a height to thickness ratio of at least three to one and orientated substantially perpendicular to the base portion 12. When wound into a helical pipe, the reinforcing strip 30 reinforces the pipe against radial crushing loads. A bead 40 seals the reinforcing strip 30 from the environment. Desirably the composite strip 10 further comprises: a planar lamina 50 extending lengthwise and bonded to the base portion 12, the lamina 50 having a higher Young's modulus and strength than those of the plastic strip 11. The lamina 50 greatly improves the pressure rating of a pipe wound from the strip 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Ian Roger Bateman, Gulcay Uysal
  • Publication number: 20040094223
    Abstract: A double layer forming fabric for a paper making machine is woven to an overall repeating pattern, which comprises in combination paper side layer weft yarns, machine side layer weft yarns, and warp yarns. The paper side layer weft yarns interweave with the warp yarns in a first repeating weave pattern, the machine side layer weft yarns interlace with the warp yarns in a second repeating weave pattern, and the fabric is woven in an overall repeating pattern requiring 3N sheds, in which N is an integer and is at least 2. For each warp yarn, the first repeating weave pattern includes interweaving locations comprising a first and a second interweaving point, each of the interweaving points being separated by an internal warp float of at least two paper side layer weft yarns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Dale Johnson, Richard Stone
  • Publication number: 20040094224
    Abstract: A belt, in particular a drive belt, is proposed having a woven fabric (G) as a traction layer, said fabric comprising two woven fabric layers, which are interlaced together. Both woven fabric layers have plain weaves. Such a belt transmits high tractive forces, while remaining flexible at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Marion Becella
  • Publication number: 20040094225
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling a cartridge with a liquid comprises, a platform on which the cartridge is supported and which can be lifted relative to a stationary filling needle (5) so that this filling needle is moved into the cartridge (6), a pump (1) feeding liquid through the filling needle (5) into the cartridge (6), a sensor head (10) from which a beam of light is sent from one side of the cartridge to the other along a path immediately over an upper edge of the cartridge (6), and a reflector (11) reflecting the light beam back to the sensor head (10), which is connected to a sensor box (12) which produces a signal stopping the pump (1) and causing the needle (5) to be drawn out of the cartridge (6) when this cartridge is full and the liquid forms a droplet over the opening of the cartridge, which droplet deflects the light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Rene Ohms, Flemming S.J. Manique, Preben Kobbero
  • Publication number: 20040094226
    Abstract: The present invention can be characterized as a tamper proof apparatus for dispensing a selected liquid such as a cleaning product in a environment where protection against abuse and vandalism is desired. The tamper proof apparatus includes a cabinet enclosure having an open front for accessing interior components; a hinged faceplate covering the open front of the cabinet enclosure; a mixing unit fastened to an inside surface of the hinged faceplate for dispensing the selected liquid; a filling recess formed in the hinged faceplate for limiting a dimension of a container placed inside the filling recess; a filling nozzle coupled to the mixing unit for dispensing the selected liquid into the container placed inside the filling recess; a pushbutton coupled to the mixing unit through the hinged faceplate for causing the selected liquid to be dispensed through the filling nozzle; and a locking plate that may be detachably coupled to the hinged faceplate for restricting access to the pushbutton individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Keene Sanitary Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Wertheim
  • Publication number: 20040094227
    Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus including a manifold body with a fluid transfer circuit defining a plurality of pathways between a number of ports including first and second pump ports opening into a pump cavity for receiving a pump body coupled to a motor for driving the pump body to circulate fluid in the cavity and through the fluid transfer circuit to exchange fluid between the new and used fluid tanks and a vehicle subsystem fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
  • Publication number: 20040094228
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and emitting a continuous stream of bubbles formed from a supply of bubble liquid directs a first airstream into a supply of bubble liquid to create a froth of bubble liquid in a chamber, directs a second airstream against the froth in the chamber to drive the froth from the chamber through an exit chimney so that a film of the driven bubble liquid froth becomes attached to the exit chimney and the second airstream directed against the attached film creates and inflates a bubble attached to the exit chimney, and directs a third airstream peripherally about the exit chimney to facilitate detachment from the exit chimney of the created and inflated bubble attached to the exit outlet and displacement of the detached bubble away from the exit outlet. A self-contained apparatus incorporates a user-operable generator for creating a primary airstream which is redistributed to form the first, second and third airstreams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Craig P. Nadel, Hans R. Bronner
  • Publication number: 20040094229
    Abstract: A method for dispensing a fluent material to articles which receive the fluent material. The method comprises the steps of selectively dispensing fluent material to the articles through open ends of nipples of a first flexible bag positioned for dispensing fluent material to the articles by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom. The open ends of the nipples of the first flexible bag are sealed. A second flexible bag having nipples is positioned for dispensing fluent material from the nipples to the articles, and fluent material is selectively dispensed to the articles through open ends of the nipples of second flexible bag by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Hal C. Danby, Alun Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20040094230
    Abstract: A fuel gas filling system for a vehicle having a supply section and a fuel lid, which includes an opening operation section to which an opening operation for the fuel lid is applied, an operation wire, which is provided between the opening operation section and the fuel lid, for making the fuel lid respond to the opening operation applied to the opening operation section, and a locking device having a movable element, a fixed element, a lock pin, and an actuator. The actuator is adapted to make the lock pin to be engaged with the fixed element and the movable element when the vehicle is not in a stationary state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Ono, Masahiro Kawazu, Masami Ogura, Hiroyuki Abe, Kimiaki Yamada, Ken Kumagai, Katsumi Saito, Masanori Hayashi, Masaru Shibasawa
  • Publication number: 20040094231
    Abstract: The anchorage used at a corner part of woods includes a first anchorage including a first anchorage body; nails, punching on a long side plate of the first anchorage body; and nail insertion holes formed at the short side plate of the first anchorage body; and a second anchorage including a second anchorage body, forming via a bended part which overlaps with the short side plate of the first anchorage; nails, punching on a base plate of the second anchorage body; and nails formed in the shape of an overlapped pin, punching on an overlapped part of the second anchorage body so as to insert into the nail insertion holes of the first anchorage. Therefore, it can perform the attachment work easily; it can fix at the corner part by sufficient intensity; and it can attach to the corner part without forming a insertion hole for the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Kaoru Taneichi
  • Publication number: 20040094232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a veneer slicing machine. The output of prior art veneer slicing machines is limited by virtue of the fact that the slideways quickly heat up at a maximum stroke rate. As a result, the maximum permissible temperature of 120° C. is quickly reached thereby making it necessary to shut down the machine in order to permit the slideways to cool. The inventive veneer slicing machine should be able to be used in continuous operation at a maximum stroke rate and thus function without resulting in a loss in quality. To this end, cooling means are arranged on the slideways (16) and are provided in said slideways (16) e.g. in the form of borings (21) through which the coolant circulates whereby enabling heat to be carried away in a well-directed manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Jean Meyer, Heinrich Weppler, Armin Heiner
  • Publication number: 20040094233
    Abstract: There are provided an intermetallic-compound superconductor that is high in superconducting transition temperature, and an alloy superconductor that is high in superconducting transition temperature and excels in malleability and ductility, as well as a method of making such a superconductor with good reproducibility and at a low cost of manufacture. This entirely new intermetallic compound superconductor is made of magnesium (Mg) and beryllium (Be) and has a chemical composition expressed by formula: Mg1Be2, has a hexagonal AlB2 type crystallographic structure and has a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 35 K. An alloy containing this intermetallic compound excels in malleability and ductility and constitutes the alloy superconductor having a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 35 K and being low in specific resistance for normal conduction at a temperature ranging from the superconducting transition temperature to a room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. and TOKUYAMA SEKISUI CO LTD
    Inventors: Jun Akimitsu, Yuji Zenitani, Takahiro Murakana, Kazunobu Kadomura
  • Publication number: 20040094234
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods of reducing the sound level caused by meshing of gear teeth in a gear box, and in particular by reducing distortion caused by heat treatment as used in the manufacturing process of the gear teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Curtis Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Stuart Curtis, Warren Eckelman, Harvey Blattner, Galen Kohn, Rajasekhar Pudi, John Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040094235
    Abstract: A chromate free conversion coating for Al based metals and methods of use. The compositions comprise (a) water soluble fluoacids of Group IVB metals, (b) fluoboric acid, (c) boric acid, (d) gluconic acid and, optionally (e) an aminosilane adhesion promoter or an organophosphonate corrosion inhibitor. In the method, the requisite metal part is contacted by the composition such as by immersion or spraying or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: GE Betz, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rodzewich, Philip D. Deck
  • Publication number: 20040094236
    Abstract: Methods for passivating stainless steel after acid pickling treatment in the absence of nitric acid are provided. The methods include the steps of cleaning the pickled stainless steel with an alkaline composition to obtain clean steel, activating the clean steel with an activator composition to obtain activated steel, and passivating the activated steel with a passivating composition in the absence of nitric acid. In the preferred embodiment, the activator composition contains at least one activator, the activator having a significantly higher binding affinity for iron than for chromium as evidenced by their metal complex formation constants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Crown Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tucker D. Maurer
  • Publication number: 20040094237
    Abstract: An R—Fe—B base sintered magnet having a composition of 12-17 at % of R (wherein R stands for at least two of yttrium and rare earth elements and essentially contains Nd and Pr), 0.1-3 at % of Si, 5-5.9 at % of B, 0-10 at % of Co, and the balance of Fe, containing a R2(Fe,(Co),Si)14B intermetallic compound primary phase and at least 1% by volume of an R—Fe(Co)—Si grain boundary phase, and being free of a B-rich phase exhibits a coercive force of at least 10 kOe despite a reduced content of heavy rare earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Tadao Nomura, Takehisa Minowa
  • Publication number: 20040094238
    Abstract: Bearing steel containing 0.10 wt % to 0.35 wt % of C, less than 0.5 wt % of Si, 0.3 wt % to 1.5 wt % of Mn, 0.03 wt % or less of P, 0.03 wt % or less of S, 1.0 wt % to 3.5 wt % of Ni, 1.0 wt % to 5.0 wt % of Cr, 0.03 wt % to 2.5 wt % of Mo, 0.005 wt % to 0.050 wt % of Al, 0.003 wt % or less of Ti, 0.0015 wt % or less of O, 0.025 wt % or less of N, and a substantially residual part of Fe, wherein the bearing steel after carburizing or carbonitriding treatment exhibits a surface C concentration of not lower than 0.9%, contains 15% by area or less of carbide and contains 0.1% by area or less of rod-like carbide 10 having an aspect ratio of not lower than 3 in terms of the ratio of major diameter to minor diameter and having a minor diameter of not smaller than 2 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Kinami, Toshimitsu Kimura, Hisato Nishisaka, Masao Goto
  • Publication number: 20040094239
    Abstract: A steel article consists of an alloy which consists in weight- %: 1.7-2.5; 0.1-2.0 Si; 0.1-2.0 Mn; max 0.2 N; max 0.2 S; 12 16 Cr; 2.1-3.5 (Mo+W/2); 5-8 V; max 0.1 Nb, balance essentially only iron and unavoidable impurities. The steel has a micro-structure obtainable by a manufacturing of the steel which comprises spray forming of an ingot, the micro-structure of which contains 14-25 vol-% carbides of mainly MC-type, where M substantially consists of vanadium, of which carbides at least 80 vol-% have a substantially rounded shape and a size in the longest extension of the carbides amounting to 1-10 &mgr;m, and M7C3-carbides, where M substantially consists of chromium, which carbides typically have a more elongated shape than the MC-carbides, of which MC-carbides at least 80 vol-% have a maximal extension amounting to 3-50 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Odd Sandberg, Lennart Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20040094240
    Abstract: A ferritic stainless steel sheet for fuel tanks and fuel pipes comprises, by mass percent, about 0.1% or less of C; about 1.0% or less of Si; about 1.5% or less of Mn; about 0.06% or less of P; about 0.03% or less of S; about 1.0% or less of Al; about 11% to about 20% Cr; about 2.0% or less of Ni; about 0.5% to about 3.0% Mo; about 0.02% to about 1.0% V; about 0.04% or less of N; at least one of about 0.01% to about 0.8% Nb and about 0.01% to about 1.0% Ti; and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. The ferritic stainless steel sheet is produced by rough-rolling a slab having the above composition; hot-rolling the rough-rolled sheet under a linear pressure of at least about 3.5 MN/m at a final pass in the finish rolling; cold-rolling the hot-rolled sheet at a gross reduction rate of at least about 75%; and annealing the cold-rolled sheet. The cold-rolling step includes one rolling stage or at least two rolling stages including intermediate annealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: JFE Steel Corporation, a corporation of Japan
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yazawa, Mineo Muraki, Yoshihiro Ozaki, Kunio Fukuda, Atsushi Miyazaki, Yasushi Katoh
  • Publication number: 20040094241
    Abstract: An oxidation resistant, high strength titanium alloy, particularly adapted for use in the manufacture of automotive exhaust system components and other applications requiring oxidation resistance and strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy comprises, in weight percent, iron less than 0.5, or 0.2 to less than 0.5% oxygen 0.02 to less than 0.15%, silicon 0.15 to 0.6%, and balance titanium. Optional alloying elements are Al, Nb, V, Mo, Sn, Zr, Ni, Cr and Ta, with a total content of less than 1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Yoji Kosaka, Stephen P. Fox
  • Publication number: 20040094242
    Abstract: A shaped part or article of manufacture is formed of a selected gamma titanium aluminide alloy with outstanding mechanical properties which can be produced particularly economically. First, a semi-finished article is formed in a hot forming process with a degree of deformation of greater than 65%. Then the semi-finished article is shaped with the alloy being in a solid-liquid phase by applying mechanical forming forces during at least part of the shaping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Andreas Hoffmann, Heinrich Kestler
  • Publication number: 20040094243
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lead-free copper alloy with superior properties as compared to currently available lead-free copper alloys which can be produced at lower costs than currently available lead-free copper alloys. The lead-free copper alloy uses a novel combination of tin, nickel and zinc along with selenium and bismuth to avoids the problems associated with leaded copper alloys, while maintaining physical properties comparable to traditional leaded copper alloys. In one embodiment, the lead-free copper alloy described contains from about 7.5 to 10.0 percent by weight zinc, from about 0.8 to 1.5 percent by weight nickel, from about 1.6 to 2.2 percent by weight bismuth, from about 0.04 to 0.35 percent by weight selenium, from about 2.2 to 3.0 percent by weight tin and up to about 0.3 percent by weight iron (maximum), the balance, apart from impurities, being copper. In an alternate embodiment, the lead-free copper alloy described contains from about 5 to 7.5 percent by weight zinc, from about 1.0 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Albert Wynne, Peter B. Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20040094244
    Abstract: A method of forming an elongated tubular blank into a tubular structural component having a predetermined outer configuration, the method comprising: providing a shape imparting shell formed from a low permeability, rigid material which includes an inner surface defining the predetermined shape, plugging the open ends of the tubular blank, placing the plugged blank into the shell, and forming the tubular blank into the tubular component by inductively heating axial portions of the blank by axially spaced conductors adjacent the shell while or before forcing gas at a high pressure into the plugged blank until the blank conforms to at least a portion of the inner surface of the shell to form the structural component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Hot Metal Gas Forming Intellectual Property, Inc., a Michigan corporation
    Inventors: William C. Dykstra, George D. Pfaffmann, Xin Wu
  • Publication number: 20040094245
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing aluminum vehicular frame members such as frame members from molten aluminum alloy using a continuous caster to cast the alloy into a slab. The method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 2.7 to 3.6 wt. % Mg, 0.1 to 0.4 wt. % Mn, 0.02 to 0.2 wt. % Si, 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % Fe, 0.1 wt. % max. Cu, 0.1 wt. % max. Cr, 0.2 wt. % max. Zr, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities and providing a continuous caster such as a belt caster for continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy. The molten aluminum alloy is cast into a slab which is rolled into a sheet product and then annealed. The sheet has an improved distribution of intermetallic particles (Al—Fe—Mn) and improved formability. Thereafter, the sheet product is formed into a tube having a seam which is welded to provide a seam welded tube. The seam welded tube is placed in a forming die and hydroformed to form the frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Zhong LI, Paul Platek
  • Publication number: 20040094246
    Abstract: A method is provided for welding two gamma titanium aluminide articles together. The method includes preheating the two articles to a welding temperature of from about 1700° F. to about 2100° F., thereafter electron beam welding the two articles together at the welding temperature and in a welding vacuum to form a welded structure, and thereafter annealing the welded structure at an annealing temperature of from about 1800° F. to about 2200° F., to form a joined structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Kelly
  • Publication number: 20040094247
    Abstract: A process is provided for preparation of an aluminum-killed medium-carbon steel sheet containing by weight from 0.040 to 0.080% of carbon, from 0.35 to 0.50% of manganese, from 0.040 to 0.070% of aluminum, from 0.004 to 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: SOLLAC
    Inventor: Mohamed Bouzekri
  • Publication number: 20040094248
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing components with a high load capacity from &agr;+&ggr; TiAl alloys, especially for producing components for aircraft engines or stationary gas turbines. According to this method, enclosed TiAl blanks of globular structure are preformed by isothermal primary forming in the &agr;+&ggr;− or &agr; phase area. The preforms are then shaped out into components with a predeterminable contour by means of at least one isothermal secondary forming process, with dynamic recrystallization in the &agr;+&ggr;− or &agr; phase area. The microstructure is adjusted by solution annealing the components in the &agr; phase area and then cooling them off rapidly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Janschek, Lothar Knippschild, Karl Schreiber, Dan Roth-Fagaraseanu
  • Publication number: 20040094249
    Abstract: A sheet of a 6000 type aluminum alloy containing Si and Mg as main alloy components and having excellent formability sufficient to allow flat hemming, excellent resistance to denting, and good hardenability during baking a coating, which exhibits an anisotropy of Lankford values of more than 0.4 or the strength ratio for cube orientations of the texture thereof of 20 or more, and exhibits a minimum bend radius of 0.5 mm or less at 180° bending even when the offset yield strength thereof exceeds 140 MPa through natural aging; and a method for producing the sheet of the aluminum alloy, which comprises subjecting an ingot to a homogenization treatment, cooling to a temperature lower than 350° C. at a cooling rate of 100° C./hr or more, optionally to room temperature, heating again to a temperature of 300 to 500° C. and subjecting it to hot rolling, cold rolling the hot rolled product, and subjecting the cold rolled sheet to a solution treatment at a temperature of 400° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Uchida, Tadashi Minoda, Mineo Asano, Yoshikazu Ozeki, Tsutomu Furuyama
  • Publication number: 20040094250
    Abstract: The invention relates to propellant compositions comprising a solid inorganic perchlorate oxidizing agent, a nitrogen-containing fuel, and a burn rate catalyst. Such compositions may be used as a propellant material, (e.g., in rocketry), a pyrotechnic material, an explosive material, a light generating material, a heat generating material, or a sound generating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Estes-Cox Corporation
    Inventors: Scott James Dixon, Barry Richard Tunick, Edwin Duane Brown
  • Publication number: 20040094251
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transponder which is mounted in a tire. The transponder includes at least a transponder chip and a transponder antenna and is embedded in a substrate. The substrate is connected to an inner side of the tire by a connecting structure. In order to provide a transponder with the longest possible service life, the substrate is decoupled from the inner side of the tire via a connecting structure in the form of a soft or gliding support in such a manner that no or only minimum mechanical stresses are transmitted to the substrate. The connecting structure is arranged between the substrate and the inner side of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Strache, Jorg Lehmann, Holger Behrends, Marc-Andre Besson, Carla Recker, Roland Jenke, Volker Hartel, Andreas Wulf
  • Publication number: 20040094252
    Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a pair of inextensible annular structures, a belt structure, a tread band, a pair of sidewalls, and at least one coating layer. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply shaped in a substantially-toroidal configuration and is engaged, by opposite circumferential edges, to the inextensible annular structures. The belt structure includes at least one belt strip applied in a circumferentially-external position relative to the carcass structure. The tread band is circumferentially superimposed on the belt structure. The sidewalls are applied to opposite sides of the carcass structure. The at least one coating layer includes crosslinked elastomeric material placed in a radially-internal position relative to the at least one carcass ply. The at least one coating layer is obtained by crosslinking at least one elastomer comprising hydrolyzable silane groups. A related process for producing the tyre is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Maurizio Galimberti, Luigi Fino, Daniela Senatore, Enrico Albizzati