Refractory Metal Base Patents (Class 148/407)
  • Patent number: 11884991
    Abstract: A method for producing a further wire, wherein the method includes, providing a first wire and feeding the first wire through a furnace to obtain the further wire. A further cast of the further wire is larger than a first cast of the first wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Heraeus Materials Singapore Pte., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen Yun Liu, Muhammad Shahzali Bin Jolani, Yang Yu
  • Patent number: 11725516
    Abstract: A method of servicing a gas turbine engine is disclosed. According to the method, a component including a titanium alloy is removed from the gas turbine engine after operating the gas turbine engine with the component in service. The removed component is subjected to heat treatment, and the heat-treated component is re-installed into the gas turbine engine or installed into a different gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sara Ann Beck, David Ulrich Furrer, Vasisht Venkatesh
  • Patent number: 11344937
    Abstract: A process to fabricate ultra-fine grain metal hollow object, comprising: inserting an annealed hollow prototype in an Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) die, providing a flexible elastic polyurethane mandrel to fill the central hollow space, optionally (if needed) provide polyurethane support to fill the spaces between the outer boundary of the prototype and the inner surface of the ECAP channel and to exert sufficient pressure to complete the ECAP process. The process is designed to improve thermal conductance and mechanical properties of hollow metal parts and is especially applicable to achieving the maximal heat conductance and tensile strength of titanium piping, construction tubing, and cylindrical reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
    Inventor: Faramarz Djavanroodi
  • Patent number: 11268179
    Abstract: A non-limiting embodiment of a titanium alloy comprises, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: 5.5 to 6.5 aluminum; 1.5 to 2.5 tin; 1.3 to 2.3 molybdenum; 0.1 to 10.0 zirconium; 0.01 to 0.30 silicon; 0.1 to 2.0 germanium; titanium; and impurities. A non-limiting embodiment of the titanium alloy comprises a zirconium-silicon-germanium intermetallic precipitate, and exhibits a steady-state creep rate less than 8×10?4 (24 hrs)?1 at a temperature of at least 890° F. under a load of 52 ksi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ATI PROPERTIES LLC
    Inventors: John V. Mantione, David J. Bryan, Matias Garcia-Avila
  • Patent number: 10960448
    Abstract: A process to fabricate ultra-fine grain metal hollow object, comprising: inserting an annealed hollow prototype in an Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) die, providing a flexible elastic polyurethane mandrel to fill the central hollow space, optionally (if needed) provide polyurethane support to fill the spaces between the outer boundary of the prototype and the inner surface of the ECAP channel and to exert sufficient pressure to complete the ECAP process. The process is designed to improve thermal conductance and mechanical properties of hollow metal parts and is especially applicable to achieving the maximal heat conductance and tensile strength of titanium piping, construction tubing, and cylindrical reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
    Inventor: Faramarz Djavanroodi
  • Patent number: 10922278
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing computing efficiency include a compiler configured to compress a variant table into a variant decomposition diagram (VDD). VDDs are compact representations of one or more variant tables and comprise a series of nodes and links that can be used to evaluate (e.g., filter, iterate, access) the variant table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Albert Haag
  • Patent number: 10829849
    Abstract: The invention is directed at sputter targets including 50 atomic % or more molybdenum, a second metal element of niobium or vanadium, and a third metal element selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, niobium, vanadium, and tantalum, wherein the third metal element is different from the second metal element, and deposited films prepared by the sputter targets. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the sputter target includes a phase that is rich in molybdenum, a phase that is rich in the second metal element, and a phase that is rich in the third metal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: H.C. STARCK, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Alan Rozak, Mark E. Gaydos, Patrick Alan Hogan, Shuwei Sun
  • Patent number: 10575929
    Abstract: An orthodontic archwire includes an anterior region, bicuspids regions and posterior regions. The archwire exhibits substantially constant unloading force in at least one of the anterior region, bicuspids regions and posterior regions, having a variation of unloading force of less than 15 gf during unloading from about 2 mm to about 0.6 mm deflection. A set of orthodontic archwires can have the property that the anterior region of a first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the anterior region of a second archwire, the bicuspids regions of the first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the bicuspids regions of the second archwire, and the posterior regions of the first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the posterior regions of the second archwire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ACME MONACO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Fasci, Khoa Q. Tran, Lucas B. Karabin
  • Patent number: 10529873
    Abstract: The invention discloses an aging resistant backside silver paste used for the crystalline silicon solar cells and a preparation method thereof. The paste comprises 40-50 parts by weight of silver powder, 1-10 parts by weight of nanosized copper powder, 2-10 parts by weight of lead-free glass powder, 35-55 parts by weight of organic binder, 1-5 parts by weight of other additives. The preparation method comprises the following steps: preparation of an organic binder; preparation of lead-free glass powder and preparation of an aging resistant backside silver paste. Application of the aging resistant backside silver paste used for crystalline silicon solar cells prepared in the invention may results in a dense electrode conductive layer, excellent welding properties and a distinct advantage in aging resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NANTONG T-SUN NEW ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peng Zhu
  • Patent number: 10403483
    Abstract: The invention is directed at sputter targets including 50 atomic % or more molybdenum, a second metal element of titanium, and a third metal element of chromium or tantalum, and deposited films prepared by the sputter targets. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the sputter target includes a phase that is rich in molybdenum, a phase that is rich in titanium, and a phase that is rich in the third metal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: H.C. STARCK INC.
    Inventors: Gary Alan Rozak, Mark E. Gaydos, Patrick Alan Hogan, Shuwei Sun
  • Patent number: 10352428
    Abstract: A slide component comprises a base member and a plated layer. The base member is made of a titanium alloy including beta phase of titanium. The base member includes a surface having a plurality of recesses. The plated layer is provided on the surface of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Dai Yokozawa, Wataru Yamauchi, Michiaki Komada, Takeshi Oi
  • Patent number: 10340885
    Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is of a first electrode material. The second electrode is of a second electrode material. The piezoelectric layer is of a piezoelectric material doped with at least one rare earth element. The BAW resonator has a resonant frequency dependent at least in part on respective thicknesses and materials of the first electrode, the second electrode and the piezoelectric layer. The resonant frequency has a temperature coefficient. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a niobium alloy electrode material that, relative to molybdenum as the electrode material, reduces the temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency of the BAW resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Kevin J. Grannen, Phil Nikkel, Tangshiun Yeh, Chris Feng, Tina L. Lamers, John Choy
  • Patent number: 10323312
    Abstract: A method includes heating an initial titanium alloy comprising a duplex microstructure at a first solution temperature that is below a phase transition temperature of the alloy. Substantially all secondary alpha phase domains may dissolve during the heating. The method also includes cooling the initial titanium alloy at a first cooling rate to form a recrystallized annealed titanium alloy comprising primary alpha phase domains. The method further includes heating the recrystallized annealed titanium alloy to a second solution temperature that is below the phase transition temperature of the alloy. The method additionally includes cooling the recrystallized annealed titanium alloy at a second cooling rate to form a treated titanium alloy comprising the duplex microstructure. The second cooling rate is different than the first cooling rate. A distribution of crystallographic orientations of primary alpha phase domains in the treated titanium alloy may be different than in the initial titanium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Michael George Glavicic
  • Patent number: 10311981
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various configurations and components for bimetallic and trimetallic claddings for use as a wall element separating nuclear material from an external environment. The cladding materials are suitable for use as cladding for nuclear fuel elements, particularly for fuel elements that will be exposed to sodium or other coolants or environments with a propensity to react with the nuclear fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLC
    Inventors: Micah J. Hackett, Greg A. Vetterick, Cheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10213837
    Abstract: A method for producing titanium powder containing a solid-soluted nitorogen comprises the step of heating titanium powder comprised of titanium particles in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere to dissolve nitrogen atoms and form a solid solution of nitrogen atom in a matrix of the titanium particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: HI-LEX CORPORATION, KATSUYOSHI KONDOH
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Kondoh
  • Patent number: 10125411
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ?-type titanium alloy that includes, by mass %, when Al: 2 to 5%, 1) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 6.2 to 11%, and V: 4 to 10%, 2) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 5 to 11%, and Mo: 4 to 10%, or 3) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 5.5 to 11%, and Mo+V (total of Mo and V): 4 to 10% in range, and a balance of substantially Ti. These include Zr added in amounts of 1 to 4 mass %. Furthermore, by making the oxygen equivalent Q 0.15 to 0.30 or leaving the alloy in the work hardened state or by applying both, the tensile strength before aging heat treatment can be further increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takahashi, Hideki Fujii, Kenichi Mori
  • Patent number: 10119181
    Abstract: A treatment process for a zirconium alloy is provided. The process includes the following steps: a zirconium alloy ingot is prepared, the composition of which is: 0.40%?Nb?1.05%; traces?Sn?2%; (0.5Nb?0.25) %?Fe?0.50%; traces?Ni?0.10%; traces?(Cr+V) %?0.50%; traces?S?35 ppm; 600 ppm?O?2000 ppm, preferably 1200 ppm?O?1600 ppm; traces?Si?120 ppm; traces?C?150 ppm; the remaining being Zr and unavoidable impurities; the ingot undergoes at least one reheating and hot shaping step, and possibly a reheating and quenching step following a hot shaping step; optionally the hot-shaped ingot undergoes an annealing; the hot-shaped and possibly annealed ingot undergoes at least one cycle of cold rolling-annealing steps; the annealing of at least one of the cold rolling-annealing steps being performed at a temperature comprised between 600° C. and the lowest of either 700° C. or (710?20×Nb %)° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Pierre Barberis, Pascal Guerin, Pascaline Fremiot
  • Patent number: 10119180
    Abstract: A titanium-based intermetallic alloy includes, in atomic percent, 16% to 26% Al, 18% to 28% Nb, 0% to 3% of a metal M selected from Mo, W, Hf, and V, 0.1% to 2% of Si, 0% to 2% of Ta, 1% to 4% of Zr, with the condition Fe+Ni?400 ppm, the balance being Ti, the alloy also presenting an Al/Nb ratio in atomic percent lying in the range 1.05 to 1.15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Guedou, Jean-Michel Patrick Maurice Franchet, Jean-Loup Bernard Victor Strudel, Laurent Germann, Dipankar Banerjee, Vikas Kumar, Tapash Nandy
  • Patent number: 10060012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a TiAl alloy for use at high temperatures having the main constituents titanium and aluminum and having a proportion of aluminum of greater than or equal to 30 at. % and a matrix composed of ? phase and precipitates of ? phase embedded in the matrix, with the ? phase and the ? phase together making up at least 55% by volume of the microstructure, and also a process for the production thereof and the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES AG
    Inventor: Martin Schloffer
  • Patent number: 9989923
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes an outer case, a back cover, and an antenna for receiving radio waves disposed in the outer case, wherein at least one of the outer case and the back cover is formed from a titanium alloy composed of aluminum in an amount of 3.50 mass % or more and 4.50 mass % or less and vanadium in an amount of 20.00 mass % or more and 23.00 mass % or less, with the remainder including titanium and impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kobayashi, Takahiro Watanabe, Shuichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 9837253
    Abstract: The invention is directed at sputter targets including 50 atomic % or more molybdenum, a second metal element of titanium, and a third metal element of chromium or tantalum, and deposited films prepared by the sputter targets. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the sputter target includes a phase that is rich in molybdenum, a phase that is rich in titanium, and a phase that is rich in the third metal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: H.C. STARCK INC.
    Inventors: Gary Alan Rozak, Mark E. Gaydos, Patrick Alan Hogan, Shuwei Sun
  • Patent number: 9777361
    Abstract: One embodiment of a method of refining alpha-phase grain size in an alpha-beta titanium alloy comprises working an alpha-beta titanium alloy at a first working temperature within a first temperature range in the alpha-beta phase field of the alpha-beta titanium alloy. The alloy is slow cooled from the first working temperature. On completion of working at and slow cooling from the first working temperature, the alloy comprises a primary globularized alpha-phase particle microstructure. The alloy is worked at a second working temperature within a second temperature range in the alpha-beta phase field. The second working temperature is lower than the first working temperature. The is worked at a third working temperature in a third temperature range in the alpha-beta phase field. The third working temperature is lower than the second working temperature. After working at the third working temperature, the titanium alloy comprises a desired refined alpha-phase grain size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ATI PROPERTIES LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Phillippe A. Thomas, Ramesh S. Minisandram, Robin M. Forbes Jones, John V. Mantione, David J. Bryan
  • Patent number: 9619392
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory that includes: a variable resistance element formed over a substrate; and a carbon-containing aluminum nitride layer formed on sidewalls and in an upper portion of the variable resistance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan-Woo Do, Ki-Seon Park, Ga-Young Ha, Gil-Jae Park
  • Patent number: 9404170
    Abstract: A process for making an article of a titanium alloy having ?? phase as a major phase according to the present invention includes providing a work piece of a titanium alloy consisting essentially of 7-9 wt % of molybdenum and the balance titanium and having ?? phase as a major phase; and cold working at least a portion of the work piece at room temperature to obtain a green body of the article, wherein the cold worked portion of the green body has a thickness which is 20%-80% of that of the at least a portion of the work piece, and the cold worked portion has ?? phase as a major phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chien-Ping Ju, Jiin-Huey Chern Lin
  • Patent number: 9156058
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a component having increased thermal conductivity through layer-by-layer construction. At least one section of the component is constructed by applying a layer section having predetermined dimensions of a composite material of a metal and/or a metal alloy and particles of a highly heat-conducting material, including diamond and/or cubic boron nitride, in a predetermined area on a base layer by melting the metal or the metal alloy a heat source, in such a way that the metal and/or metal alloy form(s) within the predetermined dimensions a cohesive matrix, in which particles of the highly heat-conducting material are embedded, and then cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Brandl, Joerg Sander, Achim Schoberth
  • Patent number: 8882939
    Abstract: A zirconium alloy that is resistant to shadow corrosion for a boiling water nuclear reactor fuel assembly component, the alloy being characterized in that: its composition in percentages by weight is as follows: Nb=0.4%-4.5% Sn=0.20%-1.7% Fe=0.05%-0.45% Fe+Cr+Ni+V=0.05%-0.45%, with Nb?9×[0.5?(Fe+Cr+V+Ni)] S=traces-400 ppm C=traces-200 ppm Si=traces-120 ppm O=600 ppm-1800 ppm the balance being Zr and impurities from processing; in that, during fabrication, after its last hot deformation, it is subjected to one or more heat treatments lying in the range 450° C. to 610° C. for a total duration of at least 4 h, with at least one cold rolling operation with a rolling ratio of at least 25%; and in that a final heat treatment operation is performed at a temperature in the range 450° C. to 610° C. for 1 minute to 20 hours. A fuel assembly component made of the alloy, a fuel assembly including the component, and the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Areva NP
    Inventors: Pierre Barberis, Véronique Rebeyrolle, Petra-Britt Hoffmann, Jean-Jérôme Vermoyal
  • Publication number: 20140290811
    Abstract: According to a thermomechanical treatment process for a titanium alloy including between 23 and 27% niobium in atomic proportion, between 0 and 10% zirconium, and between 0 and 1% oxygen, nitrogen and/or silicon, the following steps are performed: a) an increase of a sample of the alloy to a temperature higher than 900° C., b) a fast quench, c) a severe cold strain, d) an ageing treatment at a temperature included between 200 and 600° C., the time of the ageing treatment being included between 10 seconds and 10 minutes. Alloy obtained by this process and prostheses made from such an alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Pascal Laheurte, Frédéric Prima, Thierry Gloriant, Wafa Elmay, André Eberhardt, Etienne Patoor
  • Publication number: 20140185977
    Abstract: A titanium alloy that is created to be formed into a bearing component, wherein the titanium alloy comprises from 5 to 7 wt % Al, from 3.5 to 4.5 wt % V, from 0.5 to 1.5 wt % Mo, from 2.5 to 4.5 wt % Fe, from 2.5 to 4.5 wt % Fe, from 0.05 to 2 wt % Cr. The alloy can optionally include one or more of the following elements: up to 2.5 wt % Zr, up to 2.5 wt % Sn, and up to 0.5 wt % C. The balance of the composition comprises Ti together with unavoidable impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Alejandro Sanz, Alejandro De Vries
  • Publication number: 20140076468
    Abstract: Metastable beta titanium alloys and methods of processing metastable (?-titanium alloys are disclosed. For example, certain non-limiting embodiments relate to metastable (?-titanium alloys, such as binary ?-titanium alloys comprising greater than 10 weight percent molybdenum, having tensile strengths of at least 150 ksi and elongations of at least 12 percent. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to methods of processing metastable ?-titanium alloys, and more specifically, methods of processing binary (?-titanium alloys comprising greater than 10 weight percent molybdenum, wherein the method comprises hot working and aging the metastable ?-titanium alloy at a temperature below the (?-transus temperature of the metastable (?-titanium alloy for a time sufficient to form ?-phase precipitates in the metastable ?-titanium alloy. The metastable ?-titanium alloys are not solution heat treated after hot working and prior to aging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: ATI PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Marquardt, John Randolph Wood, Howard L. Freese, Victor R. Jablokov
  • Patent number: 8557015
    Abstract: In a Cr—Cu alloy that is formed by powder metallurgy and contains a Cu matrix and flattened Cr phases, the Cr content in the Cr—Cu alloy is more than 30% to 80% or less by mass, and the average aspect ratio of the flattened Cr phases is more than 1.0 and less than 100. The Cr—Cu alloy has a small thermal expansion coefficient in in-plane directions, a high thermal conductivity, and excellent processibility. A method for producing the Cr—Cu alloy is also provided. A heat-release plate for semiconductors and a heat-release component for semiconductors, each utilizing the Cr—Cu alloy, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: JFE Precision Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hoshiaki Terao, Hiroki Ota, Hideaki Kobiki, Aya Uenosono
  • Patent number: 8512486
    Abstract: The present invention provides a beta-type titanium alloy including, by weight %: Nb: 10 to 25%; Cr: 1 to 10%; at least one of Zr: 10% or less and Sn: 8% or less, satisfying Zr+Sn being 10% or less; and the balance of Ti and inevitable impurities, the alloy having Young's modulus of 100 GPa or less, a process for producing the beta-type titanium alloy, and a beta-type titanium alloy product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Koyanagi, Michiharu Ogawa, Tetsuya Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20130139564
    Abstract: A process for making an article of a titanium alloy having ?? phase as a major phase according to the present invention includes providing a work piece of a titanium alloy consisting essentially of 7-9 wt % of molybdenum and the balance titanium and having ?? phase as a major phase; and cold working at least a portion of the work piece at room temperature to obtain a green body of the article, wherein the cold worked portion of the green body has a thickness which is 20%-80% of that of the at least a portion of the work piece, and the cold worked portion has ?? phase as a major phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
  • Patent number: 8366845
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally treating a plurality of curved suture needles. The apparatus includes a conveyer for transferring the plurality of curved suture needles from a source of curved suture needles to a receiver, a housing positioned adjacent the conveyer, the housing having a first end, a second end, and an opening running from the first end to the second end, the opening aligned with the conveyer to enable the plurality of curved suture needles to pass therethrough, and a heat source located within the housing for heating the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of curved suture needles are transferred by the conveyer from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing. Also provided is a process for thermally treating a plurality of curved suture needles to enhance the stiffness and yield moment of the curved suture needles. The curved suture needles so treated have a desirable combination of stiffness, strength and ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Richard Cichocki, Jr., David DeMarest, Gregory Hollin, Eugene D. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8241441
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally treating and coloring a plurality of curved suture needles. The apparatus includes a conveyer for transferring the plurality of curved suture needles from a source of curved suture needles to a receiver, a housing positioned adjacent the conveyer, the housing having a first end, a second end, and an opening running from the first end to the second end, the opening aligned with the conveyer to enable the plurality of curved suture needles to pass therethrough, a heat source located within the housing for heating the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of curved suture needles are transferred by the conveyer from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing and a system for providing a gas mixture containing a fractional concentration of oxygen to oxidize and colorize the surfaces of the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of suture needles pass through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Richard Cichocki, Jr., David Demarest, Gregory Hollin, Eugene D. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20120181385
    Abstract: A high strength near-beta titanium alloy including, in weight %, 5.3 to 5.7% aluminum, 4.8 to 5.2% vanadium, 0.7 to 0.9% iron, 4.6 to 5.3% molybdenum, 2.0 to 2.5% chromium, and 0.12 to 0.16% oxygen with balance titanium and incidental impurities is provided. An aviation system component comprising the high strength near-beta titanium alloy, and a method for the manufacture of a titanium alloy for use in high strength, deep hardenability, and excellent ductility applications are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: TITANIUM METALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Fanning
  • Publication number: 20120145287
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a zirconium alloy composition, which exhibits excellent corrosion resistance by varying the kinds of metal oxides and controlling the size of precipitates of the composition, including: 1.05˜1.45 wt % of Nb; one or more selected from the group consisting of 0.1˜0.7 wt % of Fe and 0.05˜0.6 wt % of Cr; and residual Zr, and a method of preparing the same. The zirconium alloy composition exhibits excellent corrosion resistance by controlling the kinds and amounts of the elements included in the zirconium alloy composition and the heat-treatment temperature and thus varying the kinds of metal oxides formed during an oxidation process and controlling the size of precipitates of the zirconium alloy, so that it can be usefully used as a raw material for nuclear fuel cladding tubes, spacer grids, nuclear reactor internals and the like of a light-water reactor or a heavy-water reactor in a nuclear power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyun Gil Kim, Yong Hwan Jeong, Byoung Kwon Choi, Sang Yoon Park, Myung Ho Lee, Jeong Yong Park, Jun Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20120097297
    Abstract: There are provided a high hardness, high corrosion resistance and high wear resistance alloy, wherein the alloy is an aging heat treated Cr(chromium)-Al(aluminum)-Ni(nickel)-base alloy, the proportion of a mixed phase of (? phase+?? phase+? phase) precipitated at grain boundaries of ? phase grains in a metal structure in the cross section of the alloy is not less than 95% in terms of area ratio, and the intensity ratio as measured by X-ray diffractometry of the alloy is not less than 50% and not more than 200% in terms of I?(110)/[I?(200)+I??(004)]×100, and a component comprising this alloy, a material for an alloy which can form this alloy, and a process for producing this alloy. The present invention can provide a Cr—Al—Ni-base alloy possessing excellent corrosion resistance, hardness, wear resistance, releasability, fatigue strength, and planishing property in a molding face, a component comprising this alloy, a material for an alloy which can form this alloy, and a process for producing this alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicants: Toshiba Materials Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Rokutanda, Tomohisa Arai, Takao Kusaka, Nobuyoshi Jimbo
  • Publication number: 20120076611
    Abstract: An article of manufacture selected from a titanium alloy fastener and a titanium alloy fastener stock including an alpha/beta titanium alloy comprising, in percent by weight: 3.9 to 5.4 aluminum; 2.2 to 3.0 vanadium; 1.2 to 1.8 iron; 0.24 to 0.3 oxygen; up to 0.08 carbon; up to 0.05 nitrogen; titanium; and up to a total of 0.3 of other elements. In certain embodiments, article of manufacture has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 170 ksi (1,172 MPa) and a double shear strength of at least 103 ksi (710.2 MPa). A method of manufacturing a titanium alloy fastener and a titanium alloy fastener stock comprising the alpha/beta alloy is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20120012233
    Abstract: Processes for forming an article from an ?+? titanium alloy are disclosed. The ?+? titanium alloy includes, in weight percentages, from 2.90 to 5.00 aluminum, from 2.00 to 3.00 vanadium, from 0.40 to 2.00 iron, and from 0.10 to 0.30 oxygen. The ?+? titanium alloy is cold worked at a temperature in the range of ambient temperature to 500° F., and then aged at a temperature in the range of 700° F. to 1200° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20100180991
    Abstract: Ti 5-5-5-3 titanium alloy heat treatment process having, in weighted percentages, the following composition: between 4.4 and 5.7% aluminum, between 4.0 and 5.5% vanadium, between 0.30 and 0.50% iron, between 4.0 and 5.5% molybdenum, between 2.5 and 3.5% chromium, between 0.08 and 0.18% oxygen, 0.10% traces of carbon, 0.05% traces of nitrogen, 0.30% traces of zirconium, 0.15% traces of silicon, the residual percentage being titanium and impurities, characterised in that the heat treatment of said alloy is carried out by: heating to a first stage of between 810 and 840?° C. and below the ?-transus temperature of the alloy; maintaining at the first stage for one to three hours; cooling to a second stage of between 760° C. and 800° C. without intermediate reheating; maintaining at the second stage for two to five hours; cooling to ambient temperature; heating to a third stage of between 540° C. and 650° C.; maintaining at the third stage for four to twenty hours, then cooling to ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: AUBERT & DUVAL
    Inventors: Philippe HERITIER, Laurent Cluzel
  • Publication number: 20100126636
    Abstract: A zirconium alloy that is resistant to shadow corrosion for a boiling water nuclear reactor fuel assembly component, the alloy being characterized in that: its composition in percentages by weight is as follows: Nb=0.4%-4.5% Sn=0.20%-1.7% Fe=0.05%-0.45% Fe+Cr+Ni+V=0.05%-0.45%, with Nb?9×[0.5?(Fe+Cr+V+Ni)] S=traces-400 ppm C=traces-200 ppm Si=traces-120 ppm O=600 ppm-1800 ppm the balance being Zr and impurities from processing; in that, during fabrication, after its last hot deformation, it is subjected to one or more heat treatments lying in the range 450° C. to 610° C. for a total duration of at least 4 h, with at least one cold rolling operation with a rolling ratio of at least 25%; and in that a final heat treatment operation is performed at a temperature in the range 450° C. to 610° C. for 1 minute to 20 hours. A fuel assembly component made of the alloy, a fuel assembly including the component, and the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Areva NP
    Inventors: Pierre Barberis, Veronique Rebeyrolle, Petra-Britt Hoffmann, Jean-Jerome Vermoyal
  • Patent number: 7648592
    Abstract: A stent that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ICON Medical Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Furst, Raymond W. Buckman, Jr., Udayan Patel
  • Patent number: 7648590
    Abstract: A stent that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ICON International Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Furst, Raymond W. Buckman, Jr., Udayan Patel
  • Patent number: 7648591
    Abstract: A medical device that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ICON Medical Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Furst, Udayan Patel, Raymond W. Buckman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090053090
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an inexpensive alloy for heat dissipation having a small thermal expansion coefficient as known composite materials, a large thermal conductivity as pure copper, and excellent machinability and a method for manufacturing the alloy. In particular, since various shapes are required of the alloy for heat dissipation, a manufacturing method by using a powder metallurgy method capable of supplying alloys for heat dissipation, the manufacturing costs of which are low and which take on various shapes, is provided besides the known melting method. The alloy according to the present invention is a Cu—Cr alloy, which is composed of 0.3 percent by mass or more, and 80 percent by mass or less of Cr and the remainder of Cu and incidental impurities and which has a structure in which particulate Cr phases having a major axis of 100 nm or less and an aspect ratio of less than 10 are precipitated at a density of 20 particles/?m2 in a Cu matrix except Cr phases of 100 nm or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Hoshiaki Terao
  • Patent number: 7438849
    Abstract: A titanium alloy includes at least one alloying element whose molybdenum equivalent “Moeq” is from 3 to 11% by mass, at least one interstitial solution element selected from the group consisting of O, N and C in an amount of from 0.3 to 3% by mass, and the balance of Ti, when the entirety is taken as 100% by mass. Its content of Al is controlled to 1.8% by mass or less, and it is ? single phase at room temperature at least.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Shigeru Kuramoto, Tadahiko Furuta, Junghwan Hwang, Rong Chen, Nobuaki Suzuki, Kazuaki Nishino, Takashi Saito
  • Publication number: 20080121319
    Abstract: There are provided a high hardness, high corrosion resistance and high wear resistance alloy, wherein the alloy is an aging heat treated Cr(chromium)-Al(aluminum)-Ni(nickel)-base alloy, the proportion of a mixed phase of (? phase+?? phase+? phase) precipitated at grain boundaries of ? phase grains in a metal structure in the cross section of the alloy is not less than 95% in terms of area ratio, and the intensity ratio as measured by X-ray diffractometry of the alloy is not less than 50% and not more than 200% in terms of I?(110)/[I?(200)+I??(004)]×100, and a component comprising this alloy, a material for an alloy which can form this alloy, and a process for producing this alloy. The present invention can provide a Cr—Al—Ni-base alloy possessing excellent corrosion resistance, hardness, wear resistance, releasability, fatigue strength, and planishing property in a molding face, a component comprising this alloy, a material for an alloy which can form this alloy, and a process for producing this alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Takashi Rokutanda, Tomohisa Arai, Takao Kusaka, Nobuyoshi Jimbo
  • Publication number: 20080071347
    Abstract: A medical device includes an alloy having a microstructure that provides desirable properties. The alloy can be a eutectoid composition of e.g. titanium as a major constituent and any combination of iridium, platinum, chromium, gold, silver, bismuth, manganese, palladium, cobalt, copper, iron, and/or nickel as a minor constituent, wherein the alloy forms at least a portion of the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Cambronne
  • Publication number: 20070227628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a beta-type titanium alloy including, by weight %: Nb: 10 to 25%; Cr: 1 to 10%; at least one of Zr: 10% or less and Sn: 8% or less, satisfying Zr+Sn being 10% or less; and the balance of Ti and inevitable impurities, the alloy having Young's modulus of 100 GPa or less, a process for producing the beta-type titanium alloy, and a beta-type titanium alloy product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: DAIDO TOKUSHUKO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Koyanagi, Michiharu Ogawa, Tetsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6895991
    Abstract: An improved pneumatic valve and a missile with an improved thrust directional valve. In one embodiment, a refractory material lining for a pneumatic valve enables better valve operation and better valve performance. A thin-wall cylindrical sleeve of rhenium or other suitable refractory metal is located inside a cylinder. A valve piston may then travel within the refractory sleeve with greater reliability and better operation. The refractory sleeve cylinder lining can be subject to high temperatures at a rapid rate and remain operational. Under such a hostile environmental, including corrosive/erosive environments created by the passage of hot propellant gasses, the refractory cylinder sleeve has a more reliable operational life and is lighter in weight than conventional valves made entirely of refractory metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: George T. Woessner