With Vibration (e.g., Mechanical, Sound, Etc.) Patents (Class 148/558)
  • Patent number: 11919040
    Abstract: A control device for reducing and homogenizing welding residual stress by acoustic waves, comprising: a fixing tool having two rows of through holes; a plurality of ultrasonic transducers each having a body and a conical horn transmitting portion at a lower end of the body, wherein lower ends of the horn transmitting portions are fixedly connected with flanges, the horn transmitting portions of the ultrasonic transducers extend into respective through holes of the fixing tool to be in contact with welded parts below the fixing tool, the flanges are fixed to the fixing tool by bolts, and the two rows of through holes are arranged both sides of a welding seam of the welded parts; and a driving device for driving the ultrasonic transducers to operate. A corresponding control method is also provided. The control device can be used to control residual stress at the welding seam of steels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chunguang Xu, Peng Yin, Yuren Lu, Shuangyi Li, Wenyuan Song
  • Patent number: 11525652
    Abstract: A preparation method of a uniform low stress cone shaped charge liner includes the steps of multi-pass extrusion forming, vibration aging treatment, and cryogenic treatment. The step of multi-pass extrusion forming refers to 4 to 8 passes of extrusion deformation under the actions of a three-dimensional compressive stress and a deformation rate of 5 to 10 mm/s, having a deformation amount of 5 to 50% for each pass. The shaped charge liner prepared by the present invention has high dimensional accuracy, good geometric symmetry, low stress value, and excellent stability in the precise machining process and in use, which may significantly improve the penetration capability and stability of the shaped charge liner of high-explosive anti-tank warheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: No.59 Research Institute of China Ordnance Industry
    Inventors: Qiang Chen, Dayu Shu, Qiang Zhao, Feng Kang, Shuhai Huang, Wei Zhang, Zude Zhao, Xiangsheng Xia
  • Patent number: 11327054
    Abstract: A method for determining the excitation frequency of vibratory stress relief by employing a system for determining the excitation frequency of vibratory stress relief is disclosed, comprising the steps of: connecting the component to the system for determining excitation frequency of vibratory stress relief; selecting a group of preferred excitation frequency of the vibratory stress relief according to the results of numerical simulation; obtaining the reference voltage peak of the sinusoidal signal from the preferred excitation frequency, and transforming the sinusoidal signal into an excitation signal for vibratory stress relief treatment; converting the vibration signal of the component during vibratory stress relief treatment into voltage signal to obtain the actual voltage peak; comparing the actual voltage peak with the reference voltage peak, and selecting the frequency with the maximum difference of voltage peak as the excitation frequency for the vibratory stress relief treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventors: Bangping Gu, Siqi Wang, Zhenwu Yan, Wei Wei, Xiong Hu, Jintao Lai
  • Patent number: 10906083
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of articles, using glass failure generated pulses. The apparatus and method is directed towards the hardening and compaction of a spherical article surrounded by a glass orb in a confined arrangement. The apparatus includes a striker having first and second opposing strikers for striking the glass orb from different sides of the confinement arrangement, to create an explosive reaction that pressure-treats the spherical article, thereby causing the hardening and compaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Philip Dudt, Roshdy George Barsoum
  • Patent number: 10906076
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of extruding, rolling and drawing metal wire or rod with assistance of a combined static magnetic field, characterized by providing, in a moving direction of a metal wire or rod, a gradient static magnetic field generated by a combination of a permanent magnet and a steady electromagnet; and after a raw material for rolling the metal wire or rod is processed by the gradient static magnetic field, performing rolling extrusion and pulling on the material. For multiple passes of rolling extrusion and pulling, the static magnetic field processing is performed before each pass of rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hongming Wang, Guirong Li
  • Patent number: 10731238
    Abstract: A cast steel shot media for performing a blasting treatment, including, at a weight ratio, 0.8% or more and 1.2% or less of C, 0.35% or more and 1.2% or less of Mn, and 0.4% or more and 1.5% or less of Si, in which a remainder has a hyper-eutectoid composition including Fe and inevitable impurities, and the cast steel shot media has a structure having a fine pearlite structure as a main constituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoya Tanuma, Hayato Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10273550
    Abstract: An ultrasound-assisting quenching process includes: S1) connect the workpiece with the ultrasonic unit tightly; S2) heat the workpiece to the quenching temperature and then hold for a period of time; S3) start the ultrasonic unit, then the ultrasound energy can be injected into the workpiece directly; and S4) put the workpiece into the coolant quickly to make the workpiece to be quenched. The device for this process mainly includes the ultrasonic unit and a heating unit. This invention inputs the ultrasound energy into the workpiece during the quenching process. Under the action of the ultrasound, the grain size of the workpiece after quenching process will be much smaller compared with the conventional quenching process. Therefore, the ultrasound-assisting quenching process can improve the strength and plasticity of the material, and extend the life of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: WUHAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Lin Hua, Yanxiong Liu, Xiaowen Wang, Zhou Wang, Wuhao Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9456655
    Abstract: A manufacturing method, within a modularized manufacturing environment for stabilizing a phylon article that is produced utilizing a heat press, is provided. Initially, the method includes immersing a phylon article in a first tank, with a fluid disposed therein, and withdrawing the phylon article from exposure with the fluid. Typically, the midsole is heated from its production with the heat press when it is placed into the first tank. The immersion in the first tank acts to cool the phylon article, thereby stabilizing the heated phylon. The phylon article may be next placed in a second tank, with a fluid disposed therein, and withdrawn from exposure with the fluid. The fluid of the first tank may reside at a temperature comparable to or higher than the temperature of the fluid of the second tank. Recursively exposing the heated phylon article to the fluid of the tanks incrementally decreases the volume of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Liebeno, Jeff Rask, Anthony Dean
  • Publication number: 20140290808
    Abstract: An ultrasonic impact treatment method for remediating metal sensitization including introducing ultrasound compression wave energy through ultrasonic mechanical impulse impacts into an area of sensitized metal in a workpiece. The ultrasound compression wave energy and impulse impacts impart compressive residual stress to the workpiece thereby decreasing tensile stresses in the sensitized metal and modifying the grain structure of the workpiece. These changes to the structure of the workpiece combine to slow the rate of enrichment of alloying elements at grain boundaries within the area of sensitized metal, cause intergranular diffusion of alloying elements in the area of sensitized metal, return a portion of alloying elements in the area of sensitized metal to solution and reduce or eliminate substantially straight intergranular paths through the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: UIT, LLC
    Inventors: David John Sharman, Samuel B. Abston, II, Taylor Hanes
  • Patent number: 8685178
    Abstract: A method of preparing metal-modified silica particles is disclosed. Specifically, a treatment chamber is provided in which a first and a second formulation are ultrasonically mixed to prepare metal-modified silica particles. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the first and second formulations flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the formulations within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bao Trong Do, Thomas David Ehlert, Robert Allen Janssen, John Gavin MacDonald, Paul Warren Rasmussen, Shiming Zhuang
  • Patent number: 8545645
    Abstract: A method of producing steel with reduced internal stress concentrations is disclosed. In an embodiment, hot steel is shaped by a rolling mill. The resultant steel product is bundled as soon as practicable and the bundle is allowed to cool. Vibration energy is applied to the bundle of steel product so that internal stress concentrations within the steel product are relieved. In an embodiment, a plurality of bundles are stored on a rack and the rack is vibrated, the vibrations being transmitted to the plurality of bundles so that undesired internal stress concentrations within the steel products are relieved. Alternatively, magnetics may be used to relieve the undesired internal stress concentrations within the steel products. Thus, improved steel is produced as well as improved steel that can be produced more rapidly than known techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Franklin Leroy Stebbing
  • Patent number: 8394214
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rinascimetalli Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Nakamura, Zenji Horita, Koji Neishi, Michihiko Nakagaki, Kenji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8357225
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for making magnesium-based composite material. The method comprises the following steps. Firstly, a semi-solid-state magnesium-based material is provided. Secondly, at least one nanoscale reinforcement is added into the semi-solid-state magnesium-based material to obtain a semi-solid-state mixture. Thirdly, the semi-solid-state mixture is heated to a liquid-state mixture. Fourthly, the liquid-state mixture is ultrasonically processed. Fifthly, the liquid-state mixture is cooled to obtain the magnesium-based composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Zhen Li, Shi-Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 8287622
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for making aluminum-based composite material. The method includes the following steps. First, a aluminum-based material in semi-solid state is provided. Second, at least one nanoscale reinforcement is added into the aluminum-based material in semi-solid state to obtain a mixture in semi-solid state. Third, the mixture in semi-solid state is heated to a mixture in liquid state. Fourth, the mixture in liquid state is ultrasonically processed. Fifth, the mixture in liquid state is cooled to obtain the aluminum-based composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Zhen Li, Shi-Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20110036467
    Abstract: A method of producing steel with reduced internal stress concentrations is disclosed. In an embodiment, hot steel is shaped by a rolling mill. The resultant steel product is bundled as soon as practicable and the bundle is allowed to cool. Vibration energy is applied to the bundle of steel product so that internal stress concentrations within the steel product are relieved. In an embodiment, a plurality of bundles are stored on a rack and the rack is vibrated, the vibrations being transmitted to the plurality of bundles so that undesired internal stress concentrations within the steel products are relieved. Alternatively, magnetics may be used to relieve the undesired internal stress concentrations within the steel products. Thus, improved steel is produced as well as improved steel that can be produced more rapidly than known techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: REX ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventor: Franklin Leroy Stebbing
  • Patent number: 7857918
    Abstract: A method of production of a metallic product with a nanocrystallized surface layer comprising subjecting a surface layer of a metallic product to ultrasonic impact treatment by one or more ultrasonic indenters vibrating in a plurality of directions, then subjecting the surface layer subjected to the ultrasonic impact treatment to heat treatment at a low temperature to cause precipitation of nanocrystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Ishikawa, Kiyotaka Nakashima, Tetsuro Nose, Tomonori Tominaga, Yakichi Higo, Kazuki Takashima
  • Publication number: 20100322778
    Abstract: In one form, a turbocharger component, such as a compressor wheel or an impeller, formed of a cast material or a material made using a powder metal process, includes a surface having at least a portion thereof treated by a thermo-mechanical treatment process, such as friction stir processing. At the treated portion, the material forming the component includes a microstructure that is different than the microstructure of the material throughout the rest of the component. For example, in one form the material at the treated portion includes a homogenous microstructure while the material throughout the rest of the component includes a cast microstructure. In one or more forms, the treated portion exhibits at least one of increased strength, ductility and fatigue-resistant properties. In another form, a method is directed to providing components for a turbocharger which exhibit enhanced structural properties. However, other embodiments, forms and applications are also envisioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Uma Ramadorai, Yong-Ching Chen, Kevin W. Westerson
  • Patent number: 7837811
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite of a carbon nanomaterial and a metallic material which has a homogeneous composite metal structure and thixotropic properties by compositing a metallic material of a non-ferrous metal alloy with a carbon nanomaterial by using both stirring and ultrasonic vibration. The method comprises compositing the metallic material of the non-ferrous metal alloy with the carbon nanomaterial by adding the carbon nanomaterial in a state where the metallic material shows thixotropic properties by spheroidization of solid phase in a semi-solid state, and the compositing is performed by a process for stirring and kneading the semi-solid metallic material while keeping the temperature thereof at a solid-liquid coexisting temperature, and a process for dispersing the carbon nanomaterial to liquid phase between solid phases by ultrasonic vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd., Chiba Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuichi Motegi, Fumi Tanabe, Masashi Suganuma, Kazuo Anzai
  • Publication number: 20100269960
    Abstract: A method for surface processing at least a portion of a component of zirconium or hafnium alloy, including at least one operation of nanostructuring a surface layer of the alloy so as to confer on the alloy over a thickness of at least 5 ?m a grain size which is less than or equal to 100 nm, the nanostructuring being carried out at a temperature which is less than or equal to that of the last thermal processing operation to which the component was previously subjected during its production. Component of zirconium or hafnium alloy processed in this manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: AREVA NP
    Inventor: Dominique Hertz
  • Patent number: 7754033
    Abstract: A method of improvement of toughness of a heat affected zone in a multi-layer welded joint, a fillet welded joint, and a one-pass or several-pass large heat input welded joint of a steel plate is provided, that is, a method of improvement of toughness of a heat affected zone in a welded joint of a steel plate characterized subjecting a surface of a heat affected zone formed by a last pass of a multi-layer welded joint of a steel plate to impacts by an ultrasonic vibration tool or shot peening by ultrasonic vibration steel balls to thereby make an average of longitudinal axis of crystal grains up to a depth of 2 mm or more from the surface of the steel plate in the microstructure adjacent to a fusion line (FL) of a weld metal and a steel plate matrix in said heat affected zone formed by the last pass the equivalent of the crystal grain size of the steel plate matrix before the welding at a depth of ¼ of a thickness t from the surface of the steel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Ishikawa, Kiyotaka Nakashima, Tetsuro Nose
  • Patent number: 7734450
    Abstract: A region for which nonlinear analysis should be carried out is extracted and welding deformation of only the extracted region is computed by nonlinear analysis. Specifically, the displacement and reaction force at the limit surface are computed by linear analysis of the object to be welded, the reaction force at the limit surface is computed by nonlinear analysis of the region for which nonlinear analysis is necessary, an amount of correction of the displacement at the limit surface is computed and the above processing is repeated when it is judged that a difference between the two reaction forces is larger than a predetermined value, and welding deformation of the object to be welded is computed based on the computed displacement if it is judged that the difference between the reaction forces is smaller than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Osaka Industrial Promotion Organization
    Inventors: Hidekazu Murakawa, Hisashi Serizawa
  • Patent number: 7703325
    Abstract: A method for relieving residual stress in an object includes: (a) applying a vibration energy to the object over a frequency range; (b) monitoring vibration behavior of the object over the frequency range so as to identify a reference frequency, where the vibration amplitude of a fundamental wave component of the wave pattern is approximately one third of a maximum vibration amplitude of a resonate frequency of the object, and an optimum frequency, where the frequency and the vibration amplitude of the harmonic wave component of the wave pattern are respectively larger than those of the harmonic wave component of the wave pattern of the reference frequency; and (c) applying the vibration energy to the object at the identified optimum frequency for an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Weite Wu
  • Patent number: 7695825
    Abstract: A circularly welded joint featuring excellent fatigue strength obtained by welding the ends of two pieces of steel plates perpendicularly together and used for the welded structures such as buildings, ships, bridges, construction machinery and off-shore structures, a method of producing the circularly welded joints and a welded structure using the circularly welded joints are provided. A circularly welded joint is obtained by welding the ends of two pieces of steel plates perpendicularly together. Between the two pieces of the steel plates, at least the steel plate on the side on which the main stress is exerted is one that suppresses the propagation of cracks due to fatigue and, preferably, one having the compressive residual stress in the surface layer of the steel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Nakashima, Tadashi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100024927
    Abstract: A process for producing a semi-solidified slurry of an iron alloy including the steps of pouring a melt of an iron alloy into a semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 and cooling the melt therein to obtain a semi-solidified slurry having a crystallized solid phase and a residual liquid phase, wherein a hypoeutectic cast iron composition is used as a material, a melt of the composition is poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 in a predetermined amount at a time, a temperature of the melt when poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 is controlled to be not lower than a crystallization initiation temperature of the composition and not greater than a temperature that is 50° C. higher than the crystallization initiation temperature, and a cooling rate of the melt poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 is controlled not to exceed 20° C. per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Syuichi Shikai, Yasushi Fujinaga, Minoru Sasaki, Yoshihito Isshiki, Susumu Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20090277541
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for surface hardening parts is disclosed. To harden a surface of a part, a relative movement, or advancing motion, is established between the part and at least one sonotrode-like tool which is excited in the ultrasonic frequency range. The tool is aligned during the surface hardening in such a way to the surface of the part to be hardened that a tool axis running in the effective direction of the tool runs at an angle to the surface of the part to be hardened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines Gmbh
    Inventors: Joachim Bamberg, Roland Hessert, Wilhelm Satzger
  • Publication number: 20090266454
    Abstract: In a method for the coating of a surface of at least one substrate with zinc in which the at least one substrate to be coated is heat treated together with zinc as the coating agent at a temperature between 200 and 500° C., wherein, before the start of the heat treatment in the reaction space in which the substrate to be coated is heat treated, the oxygen content in the atmosphere contained in the reaction space is set to less than/equal to 5 volume percent and the heat treatment is then started in the atmosphere obtained in this manner in the reaction space and the heat treatment is carried out in the reaction space, with no gas being supplied into the reaction space during the heat treatment or with no gas containing oxygen being supplied or with gas being supplied which has been pretreated so that it has an oxygen content of a maximum of 100 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicants: Bodycote Warmebehandlung GmbH, Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Graf, Frank Natrup, Martin Pohl
  • Publication number: 20090220816
    Abstract: A metal base including a surface portion containing aluminum. The metal base is formed with at least either of recesses and projections at a surface of the metal base and therefore has a planar pattern formed by the at least either of the recesses and projections when viewed from above the surface of the metal base, in which the planar pattern is a scale-like pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Masahiro Takaya, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Toru Sekiba, Yasunari Hanaki, Takeshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7574888
    Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Rinascimetalli Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenji Horita, Katsuaki Nakamura, Koji Neishi, Michihiko Nakagaki, Kenji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7559221
    Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Rinascimetalli Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenji Horita, Katsuaki Nakamura, Koji Neishi, Michihiko Nakagaki, Kenji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7524385
    Abstract: A process for electromagnetic (EM) energy-induced solid to liquid phase transitions in metals is disclosed. The method utilizes coherent EM fields to transform solid materials such as silicon and aluminum without significant detectable heat generation. The transformed material reverts to a solid form after the EM field is removed within a period of time dependent on the material and the irradiation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Elemetric, LLC
    Inventor: Terrence S. McGrath
  • Publication number: 20090101239
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: RINASCIMETALLI Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Nakamura, Zenji Horita, Koji Neishi, Michihiko Nakagaki, Kenji Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20090007996
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for affecting the properties of a material include vibrating the material during its formation (i.e., “surface sifting”). The method involves the steps of providing a material formation device and applying a plurality of vibrations to the material during formation, which vibrations comprise oscillations having dissimilar, non-harmonic frequencies and at least two different directions. The apparatus includes a plurality of vibration sources that impart vibrations to the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bailey, Roger N. Johnson, John T. Munley, Walter R. Park
  • Patent number: 7439470
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for affecting the properties of a material include vibrating the material during its formation (i.e., “surface sifting”). The method includes the steps of providing a material formation device and applying a plurality of vibrations to the material during formation, which vibrations are oscillations having dissimilar, non-harmonic frequencies and at least two different directions. The apparatus includes a plurality of vibration sources that impart vibrations to the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bailey, Johnson N. Roger, Munley T. John, Park R. Walter
  • Patent number: 7431193
    Abstract: A method of stress relief for stainless steel combustion turbine components includes vibrating the components during welding at a subharmonic frequency. The proper frequency is selected to be below a harmonic frequency, and to produce an amplitude in the range of ¼ to ½ the amplitude produced by a harmonic frequency. The component to be repaired is vibrated during and after welding at this frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucian Iordache, Ovidiu Timotin
  • Publication number: 20080105339
    Abstract: Methods are presented for modifying a physical property of a structure, such as reducing or relieving remaining internal stress, in which two or more energy types are concurrently applied to the structure to change the physical property of interest in an accelerated fashion. A first energy type, such as heat, is applied according to time values and operational settings derived from a first order rate relationship for the first energy type and from a first order rate relationship for a second energy type. The second energy type, such as vibration or other time-varying energy form, is applied concurrently for the time value. Methods are also provided for determining operational settings for concurrent application of multiple energy types to a structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Donna Murray Walker
  • Patent number: 7344609
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of treatment for work products of materials such as steel, bronze, plastic, etc. and particularly welded steel bodies by pulse impact energy, preferably ultrasonic, to relax fatigue and aging and extend expectant life. The treatment may occur (a) at original production, (b) during the active life period for maintenance or (c) after failure in a repair stage. The ultrasonic treatment improves the work product strength. In welded products residual stress patterns near the weld sites are relaxed and micro-stress defects such as voids and unusual grain boundaries are reduced. The basic method steps are non-destructive in nature, inducing interior pulse compression waves with ultrasonic transducers and accessory tools impacting an external product surface with enough impulse energy to heat and temporarily plasticize the metal interior and relax stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: U.I.T., L.L.C.
    Inventor: Efim S. Statnikov
  • Publication number: 20080038140
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fullerene, nanotube, or nanofiber filled metals and polymers. This invention stems from a cross-disciplinary combination of electromagnetic and acoustic processing and property enhancement of materials through fullerene or nanofiber additives. Containerless processing (CP) in the form of electromagnetic field enduced and/or acoustic mixing leads to controlled dispersion of fullerenes, nanotubes, or nanofibers in various matrices. The invention provides methods of mixing that highly disperse and align the fullerenes, nanotubes, or nanofibers within the matrices of metals and polymers. The invention provides new compositions of matter and multifunctional materials based on processing, composition, and degree of in situ processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Enrique V Barrera, Yildiz Bayazitoglu
  • Patent number: 7323136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fullerene, nanotube, or nanofiber filled metals and polymers. This invention stems from a cross-disciplinary combination of electromagnetic and acoustic processing and property enhancement of materials through fullerene or nanofiber additives. Containerless processing (CP) in the form of electromagnetic field enduced and/or acoustic mixing leads to controlled dispersion of fullerenes, nanotubes, or nanofibers in various matrices. The invention provides methods of mixing that highly disperse and align the fullerenes, nanotubes, or nanofibers within the matrices of metals and polymers. The invention provides new compositions of matter and multifunctional materials based on processing, composition, and degree of in situ processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Enrique V. Barrera, Yildiz Bayazitoglu
  • Patent number: 7301123
    Abstract: A method of impulse treatment which modifies at least one specified property of a material or object (such as a welded joint), or produces a material or object with at least one specified physical, mechanical or structural property, by adaptively controlling an impulse action upon the material/object is described. An impulse action includes normalized impulses and pauses, i.e., a controlled and adaptive alternation of periods of material condition impulse activation with periods of relaxation therebetween, wherein the pauses allow the material to recover from the impulse before the next impulse is applied to the material. The energy of the impulse actions can originate from various sources, but the method of the invention is in particular advantageous when the energy of action is initiated and delivered by ultrasonic impact, wherein the energy is applied to any suitable material so that at least one property of the material is modified or produced in order to attain a desired technical effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: U.I.T., L.L.C.
    Inventor: Efim S. Statnikov
  • Patent number: 7175722
    Abstract: Methods are presented for modifying a physical property of a structure, such as reducing or relieving remaining internal stress, in which two or more energy types are concurrently applied to the structure to change the physical property of interest in an accelerated fashion. A first energy type, such as heat, is applied according to time values and operational settings derived from a first order rate relationship for the first energy type and from a first order rate relationship for a second energy type. The second energy type, such as vibration or other time-varying energy form, is applied concurrently for the time value. Methods are also provided for determining operational settings for concurrent application of multiple energy types to a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Donna M. Walker
  • Patent number: 7147726
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a mechanical method for generating nanostructures in order to obtain on a surface of a metal piece a nanostructured layer of defined thickness. A quantity of perfectly spherical balls (22) are disposed in a chamber that is closed for the size of the balls. At least one of the walls of the chamber supports or constitutes the piece to be treated (10). A vibrating motion is imparted to the chamber in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the circular motion of the chamber supporting or constituting the piece to be treated. The speed of the circular motion and the frequency and amplitude of the vibrating motion is determined based on the physical properties of the balls so as to communicate to the latter sufficient kinetic energy to create nanostructures on the material of the piece treated by impaction of the balloon surface of the piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Universite de Technologie de Troyes, The Institute of Metal Research
    Inventors: Jian Lu, Ke Lu
  • Patent number: 6984272
    Abstract: A titanium material for a target has a microstructure in which the grain size is small and uniform and also has a macrostructure of the surface of the titanium material which is non-patterned and is excellent in surface property. A titanium ingot in which Vacuum Arc Remelting or Electron Beam Melting is performed is roughly forged at a temperature from 700° C. up to the ? transformation temperature, and is then forged for finishing at room temperature to 350° C., and is finally annealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Toho Titanium Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Takahashi, Takao Iwabuchi, Kensuke Ushijima
  • Patent number: 6932876
    Abstract: Metallic workpieces of diverse shapes having work surfaces which are deformed at the surface and adjacent sub-surface layers by surface impact from ultrasonic transducers employing freely axially moving impacting elements propelled and energized by a transducer oscillating surface vibrating periodically at an ultrasonic frequency. The impacting elements are propelled in a random aperiodic and controlled impact mode at different phases of the periodic oscillation cycles. The transducer may be portable and provides a series of mechanically interconnected stages having mechanical resonances harmonically related as a multiple of the primary ultrasonic frequency and have matched stage resistances under instantaneous loading when the impact elements are driven by the transducer oscillating surface into the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: U.I.T., L.L.C.
    Inventor: Efim S. Statnikov
  • Patent number: 6926780
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of surface treatment of metallic materials, more particularly, to a method of the surface self-nanocrystallization of metallic materials by the bombarding of supersonic fine particles. The method comprises the step of bombarding the surface of metallic substrate material with fine particles at supersonic speed of 300-1200 m/s carried by a compressed gas, which is ejected from a nozzle. The present method can be used for the surface self-nanocrystallization of metallic parts with a complicated structure or a large area, and the nanometer layer obtained is homogeneous. In addition, it can be operated in a simple way with low energy consumption, low cost, high efficiency of production and high surface nanocrystallization rate of from 1 cm2 to 10 cm2/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Institute of Metal Research
    Inventors: Tianying Xiong, Tiefan Li, Jie Wu, Huazi Jin, Minjie Wu, Jinsheng Chen, Ming Li
  • Patent number: 6916387
    Abstract: A method of repairing a void on a nickel or cobalt base superalloy investment casting by vibrating the casting for a time before repairing the void, vibrating the casting while filling the void wherein the void is filled by repeatedly making incremental weld deposits of a superalloy filler material in the void using pulsed gas tungsten arc welding, and impinging each incremental deposit with a cooling gas after each incremental weld deposit is made and before the next incremental weld deposit is made, and vibrating the casting for a time after the void is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Howmet Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Lulofs
  • Patent number: 6852178
    Abstract: A static magnetic field and a wave are applied to an electrically conductive fluid so as to satisfy the mathematical expression 2?f<(?/?)B2, where f is the frequency (Hz) of the applied wave, ? is the electrical conductivity (S/m) of the conductive fluid, ? is the density (kg/m3) of the conductive fluid, and B is the strength of the applied static magnetic field (T), to thereby generate and propagate vibratory motion into the conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nagoya University
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Iwai, Shigeo Asai
  • Publication number: 20040244882
    Abstract: The inventive method relates to reinforcing treatment of welded metalwork joints using a power ultrasound. Said method can be used for mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, bridge engineering and other branches of industry and construction producing welded structures which can be safely used at conditions of static, dynamic and repeated-variable loading. The inventive method consists in specifying the method for calculating normalised residual compressive stresses to be produced by an ultrasound impact processing. Said stresses are related to the geometrical dimensions of a groove formed when the area disposed along a line between the joint and a base metal is treated. Said invention makes it possible to maximally increase the fatigue limit and the cyclic life duration of welded joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Leonid M. Lobanov, Pavel P. Mikheev, Georgiy I. Prokopenko, Vitaliy V. Knysh, Yuriy F. Kudryavtsev, Jakob I. Kleiman, Bogdan M. Mordyuk
  • Publication number: 20030205303
    Abstract: A method of repairing a void on a nickel or cobalt base superalloy investment casting by vibrating the casting for a time before repairing the void, vibrating the casting while filling the void wherein the void is filled by repeatedly making incremental weld deposits of a superalloy filler material in the void using pulsed gas tungsten arc welding, and impinging each incremental deposit with a cooling gas after each incremental weld deposit is made and before the next incremental weld deposit is made, and vibrating the casting for a time after the void is filled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: James B. Lulofs
  • Publication number: 20030150533
    Abstract: A method using electronic or electromechanical technology to improve the biological effects and to reduce the toxic properties of aluminium, of products made from aluminium, alloys containing aluminium and aluminium chemical compounds (2), endowing the aluminium products (2) with food and beverage preservative properties, and even neutralising the toxicity of the industrial wastes (1) of the production and the processing of aluminium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Athanasios Nikolaou
  • Patent number: 6585152
    Abstract: A method of making a double layer capacitor consists of the steps of: impregnating each of a plurality of carbon preforms with a metal; forming a plurality of current collector foils, each of the plurality of current collector foils having a tab portion and a paddle portion; forming a plurality of electrodes by positioning one of the plurality of carbon preforms against respective paddle portions of each of the plurality of current collector foils, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes comprises one of the plurality of current collector foils and one of the plurality of carbon preforms; stacking each of the plurality of electrodes such that tab portions of adjacent ones of the plurality of current collector foils are offset, thereby forming an electrode stack; interposing respective porous separator portions between each of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the porous separator portions function as electrical insulators between the adjacent ones of the plurality of electrodes preventing electrical sh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Joseph Farahmandi, John M. Dispennette, Edward Blank, Robert W. Crawford