Nickel(ni) Or Nickel Base Alloy Patents (Class 148/675)
  • Publication number: 20120118445
    Abstract: Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Neill Hamilton LUEBKE
  • Patent number: 8133334
    Abstract: A Ni—Fe—Cr alloy having high strength, ductility and corrosion resistance especially for use in deep-drilled, corrosive oil and gas well environments, as well as for marine environments. The alloy comprises in weight %: 35-55% Ni, 12-25% Cr, 0.5-5% Mo, up to 3% Cu, 2.1-4.5% Nb, 0.5-3% Ti, up to 0.7% Al, 0.005-0.04% C, balance Fe plus incidental impurities and deoxidizers. The alloy must also satisfy the ratio of (Nb?7.75 C)/(Al+Ti)=0.5-9 in order to obtain the desired high strength by the formation of ?? and ?? phases. The alloy has a minimum of 1% by weight ?? phase dispersed in its matrix for strength purposes and a total weight percent of ??+?? phases being between 10 and 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Huntington Alloys Corporation
    Inventors: Sarwan K. Mannan, Brett Clark Puckett
  • Patent number: 8128725
    Abstract: A nickel powder with an average particle size of 0.05 to 1.0 ?m, which is composed of nickel particles having an oxidized surface layer and containing sulfur, wherein the sulfur content with respect to the total weight of the powder is 100 to 2000 ppm, and the intensity of a peak identified to sulfur bonded to nickel in surface analysis by ESCA of the nickel particles varies in a direction toward the center from the surface of the particles, and this intensity has its maximum at a location deeper than 3 nm from the particle outermost surface. This nickel powder is manufactured by bringing a nickel powder containing sulfur and dispersed in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere into contact with an oxidizing gas at a high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Shoei Chemical Inc.
    Inventors: Yuji Akimoto, Kazuro Nagashima, Hidenori Ieda, Hitomi Yanagi
  • Publication number: 20120037280
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blank part in Ni-base superalloy, wherein an alloy is prepared and heat treatments are conducted characterized in that: the said superalloy contains at least a total of 2.5% of Nb and Ta; heat treatment is conducted comprising a plurality of steps: a first step at between 850 and 1000° C. held for at least 20 minutes to precipitate the ? phase at the grain boundaries; a second step held at a temperature higher than the temperature of the first step allowing partial dissolution of the ? phase obtained at the first step; ageing treatment comprising a third step and optionally one or more additional steps at a temperature below the temperature of the first step and allowing precipitation of the hardening phases ?? and ??. Part thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: AUBERT & DUVAL, SNECMA, TURBOMECA
    Inventor: Alexandre Devaux
  • Patent number: 8101122
    Abstract: The invention includes a turbine cover bucket of an alloy including carbon at less than approximately 0.04 weight percent, manganese at approximately 0.0-0.2 weight percent, silicon at approximately 0.0-0.25 weight percent, phosphorus at approximately 0.0-0.015 weight percent, sulfur at approximately 0.0-0.015 weight percent, chromium from approximately 20.0-23.0 weight percent, molybdenum from approximately 8.5-9.5 weight percent, niobium from approximately 3.25-4 weight percent, tantalum at approximately 0.0-0.05 weight percent, titanium from approximately 0.2-0.4 weight percent, aluminum from approximately 0.15-0.3 weight percent, iron from approximately 3.0-4.5 weight percent, and the remainder being nickel. The alloy is heat treated at 538° C. to 760° C. for up to 100 hours. A method of manufacturing the turbine bucket cover is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allen Hawk
  • Publication number: 20120012234
    Abstract: This document describes a process/strategy for age hardening nickel based alloys to create desirable properties with reduced energy expenditure. The inventive process introduces isolated atom nucleation sites to accelerate the nucleation rate by approximately 36 times, thereby permitting age hardening to occur in significantly less time and with significantly less energy expenditure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ke Han, Pingli Mao, Yan Xin
  • Patent number: 8083872
    Abstract: A method of heat treating a superalloy component includes solution heat treating the component at a temperature below the gamma prime solvus temperature to produce a fine grain structure. Insulation is placed over a first area to form an insulated assembly that is placed in a furnace at a temperature below the solvus temperature and maintained at that temperature for a predetermined time to achieve a uniform temperature. The temperature is increased at a predetermined rate to a temperature above the solvus temperature to maintain a fine grain structure in a first region, produce a coarse grain structure in a second region and produce a transitional structure in a third region between the first and second regions. The insulated assembly is removed from the furnace when the second region has been above the solvus temperature for a predetermined time and/or the first region has reached a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Robert J Mitchell, David U Furrer, Joseph A Lemsky, Mark C Hardy
  • Patent number: 8083874
    Abstract: A method for producing a low thermal expansion Ni-base superalloy including the steps of subjecting the alloy to a solution heat treatment under the condition of at a temperature of 1000 to 1200° C. and subjecting the alloy to either a carbide stabilizing treatment for making aggregated carbides on grain boundaries and stabilizing the carbides under the conditions of at a temperature of not less than 850° C. and less than 1000° C. and for 1 to 50 hours, or a carbide stabilizing treatment for making aggregated carbides on grain boundaries and stabilizing the carbides by cooling from the temperature in the solution heat treatment to 850° C. at a cooling rate of 100° C. or less per hour. The method also including the steps of subjecting the alloy to a first aging treatment for precipitating y? phase under the conditions of at a temperature of 720 to 900° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Ueta, Toshiharu Noda, Ryuichi Yamamoto, Yoshikuni Kadoya, Ryotaro Magoshi, Shin Nishimoto
  • Publication number: 20110308674
    Abstract: A method for heat treating a nickel base alloy includes the steps of: a. heating a nickel base alloy to at least its delta (?) phase solvus temperature, and lower than its incipient melting temperature for a predetermined time sufficient to dissolve,substantially all of the nickel base alloy's delta (?) phase, and b. cooling the nickel base alloy to a temperature below the gamma prime (?) precipitation temperature at a rate sufficient to precipitate the alloy's chromium carbide and gamma prime (?) in a serrated grain boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Volvo Aero Corporation
    Inventors: Dzevad Imamovic, Göran Sjöberg
  • Publication number: 20110272070
    Abstract: A nickel chromium alloy with 0.4 to 0.6% carbon, 28 to 33% chromium, 15 to 25% iron, 2 to 6% aluminum, up to 2% silicon, up to 2% manganese, up to 1.5% niobium, up to 1.5% tantalum, up to 1.0% tungsten, up to 1.0% titanium, up to 1.0% zirconium, up to 0.5% yttrium, up to 1.0% cerium, up to 0.5% molybdenum, up to 0.1% nitrogen, remainder nickel, has a high oxidation and carburization stability, long-term rupture strength and creep resistance. This alloy is particularly suited as a material for components of petrochemical plants and for parts, for example tube coils of cracker and reformer furnaces, pre-heaters, and reformer tubes, as well as for use for parts of iron ore direct reduction plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Schmidt + Clemens GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietlinde Jakobi, Peter Karduck, Alexander Freiherr Von Richthofen
  • Patent number: 8052810
    Abstract: A metal structure according to the present invention is unlikely to become brittle and has excellent hardness and creep resistance, characterized in that annealing has been applied at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger. This metal structure includes at least two kinds of metal material, and annealing can be applied at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger. For example, the present invention is advantageous in the manner of a microstructure for a contact probe. A fabricating method according to the present invention is a method of fabricating a metal structure unlikely to become brittle and having excellent hardness and creep resistance, characterized in that the step of applying annealing at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Okada, Yoshihiro Hirata, Shinji Inazawa, Masao Sakuta, Yoshiaki Tani, Teruhisa Sakata
  • Patent number: 7959748
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of manufacturing a Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine using a one-step process of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and heat treatment, and a component manufactured by the method. In the method, an HIP process and a heat treatment process, which have been performed to manufacture or repair a Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine, are performed as a one-step process using an HIP apparatus. Thus, component defects, such as micropores and microcracks, which are generated when casting, welding, or brazing the Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine used for a combined cycle thermal power plant or airplane, can be cured using an HIP apparatus at high temperature and high pressure and, at the same time, the physical properties of the Ni-based superalloy component can be optimized using the heat treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Min-Tae Kim, Sung-Yong Chang, Jong-Bum Won, Won-Young Oh
  • Patent number: 7951246
    Abstract: The invention relates to open-pored metallic foam bodies as well as a method for manufacturing thereof. These metallic foam bodies are allowed to be advantageously used with ambient environmental conditions causing a high corrosion to many conventional materials, and accordingly reducing the lifetime thereof frequently. According to the set object, the metallic foam bodies should have a low mass simultaneously with a high specific surface, and increased corrosion resistance under chemically aggressive ambient environmental conditions. An open-pored metallic foam body according to the invention is then developed such that it is formed from a nickel-copper alloy having at least 40 percent by weight of nickel and yet a porosity of at least 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Alantum Corporation, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Naumann, Lloyd Timberg, Alexander Böhm, Gunnar Walther
  • Publication number: 20110120601
    Abstract: Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Neill Hamilton Luebke
  • Patent number: 7938919
    Abstract: A heat treatment method for a nickel-based superalloy, in particular for the production of single-crystal components or directionally solidified components having a chemical composition permits full solution annealing at a temperature T1, the method comprising: partially solution annealing in a controlled manner at a temperature T2<T1 in a first step so as to obtain 5-10% of undissolved ?? phase in a residual eutectic; and performing a two-stage ageing treatment at respectively lower temperatures in a second step. As a function of the selected level of the partial solution annealing temperature, the proportion of the undissolved ?? phase can be adjusted in a controlled way, and the tolerance with respect to the disorientation of small-angle grain boundaries/grain boundaries can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Mohamed Youssef Nazmy, Markus Staubli, Andreas Kuenzler
  • Publication number: 20110061394
    Abstract: A method of heat treating an Ni-base superalloy article is disclosed. The method includes hot-working an article comprising an NiCrMoNbTi superalloy comprising, in weight percent, at least about 55 Ni to produce a hot-worked microstructure; solution treating the article at a temperature of about 1600° F. to about 1750° F. for about 1 to about 12 hours to form a partially recrystallized warm-worked microstructure; and cooling the article. The method also includes precipitation aging the article at a first precipitation aging temperature of about 1300° F. to about 1400° F. for a first duration of about 4 hours to about 12 hours; cooling the article to a second precipitation aging temperature; precipitation aging the article at a second precipitation aging temperature of about 1150° F. to about 1200° F. for a second duration of about 4 hours to about 12 hours; and cooling the article from the second precipitation aging temperature to an ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: JEFFREY ALLEN HAWK, ROBIN CARL SCHWANT
  • Patent number: 7896986
    Abstract: An improved method of heat treating superalloys prior to welding includes subjecting only the portion of the component to be repaired to a localized heat treatment, leaving the remainder of the component untreated. The localized heat treatment permits the use of higher hold temperatures that are near, at, or above the Ni3(Al,Ti) solution temperature of the alloy. Such heat treatment prevents strain age cracking and also prevents recrystallization in areas that are not heat treated. Such localized heat treatment can be applied before and/or after welding, for material rejuvenation, pre-brazing, and post-brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Srikanth C. Kottilingam, Peter J. Ditzel
  • Publication number: 20110036471
    Abstract: A component made of an alloy including carbon at less than approximately 0.04 weight percent, manganese at about 0.0 to about 0.2 weight percent, silicon at about 0.0 to about 0.25 weight percent, phosphorus at about 0.0 to about 0.015 weight percent, sulfur at about 0.0 to about 0.015 weight percent, chromium from about 20.0 to about 23.0 weight percent, molybdenum from about 8.5 to about 9.5 weight percent, niobium from about 3.25 to about 4 weight percent, tantalum at about 0.0 to about 0.05 weight percent, titanium from about 0.2 to about 0.4 weight percent, aluminum from about 0.15 to about 0.3 weight percent, iron from about 3.0 to about 4.5 weight percent, and the remainder being nickel. The alloy may then be subjected to heat treatment procedures such as annealing at a temperature of less than approximately 982° C. and a duration of less than approximately one hour and aging at a temperature between approximately 538° C. and 760° C. and a duration of up to approximately 100 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Afina Lupulescu, Robert Edward Deallenbach, Robin Carl Schwant, Jeffrey Michael Breznak, Jeffrey Allen Hawk
  • Patent number: 7871247
    Abstract: A high modulus component, such as an aircraft engine turbine blade, is formed from a base metal that has a high modulus crystallographic orientation that is aligned with the primary, i.e. radial, direction of the turbine blade. The base metal is Ni, Fe, Ti, Co, Al, Nb, or Mo based alloy. Alignment of a high modulus direction of the base metal with the primary direction provides enhanced high cycle fatigue life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dilip M. Shah, Alan D. Cetel, Alan W. Stoner, William P. Allen
  • Patent number: 7854064
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine engine component comprises the steps of providing a turbine engine component formed from a nickel-based superalloy, removing any defects from the turbine engine component, the removing step comprising subjecting the turbine engine component to a solutioning heat treatment using a heating rate in the range of from 29 degrees Fahrenheit/minute to approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit/minute as the component passes through a temperature in the range of from 1100 degrees Fahrenheit to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, and welding the turbine engine component to effect the repair. A deliberately slow post-solution treatment cooling rate is used to substantially prevent weld cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Malley
  • Patent number: 7824510
    Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing an engine component. In an embodiment, a method includes forming at least one layer of a first braze alloy mixture including about 40% by weight of a first base alloy material and about 60% by weight of a first braze alloy material, over a structural feature of the component. The first braze alloy material includes chromium, cobalt, tungsten, tantalum, aluminum, hafnium, carbon, boron, and a balance of nickel. A second braze alloy mixture is disposed over the at least one layer of the first braze alloy mixture, the second braze alloy mixture including between about 50% and about 60% by weight of a second base alloy material, and between about 40% and about 50% by weight of a second braze alloy material. The component is then subjected to heat treatment, and may be further subjected to machining, coating and final inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yiping Hu, Timothy Hudson, Eric Reinholz, Calum Macintyre
  • Publication number: 20100243111
    Abstract: Disclosed are a high-strength Ni-base alloy, a method of producing the Ni-base alloy, and a method of recovering a member made of a degraded Ni-base alloy. It contains not more than 0.1 wt % C, not more than 50 wt % Fe, not more than 30 wt % Cr, Ti, and at least one of Nb and Al. It has been strengthened by precipitates of a ?? phase (Ni3Al) and/or a ?? phase (Ni3Nb). It contains also a ? phase (Ni3Ti) which is thermodynamically stable in a temperature range of 800° C. to 900° C. When observed a cross-section of the Ni-base alloy, a plurality of nodes exist along each segment connecting two meeting points each of which point is defined by adjacent three crystal grains, and precipitates of the ?? phase and/or the ?? phase in each of crystal grains of the Ni-base alloy have an average particle size of not more than 100 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya IMANO, Jun SATO
  • Patent number: 7782994
    Abstract: This invention relates to an inhibitor of lead-induced stress corrosion cracking including nickel boride in the secondary side of steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants and an inhibition method using the same, and more particularly, to an inhibitor of lead-induced stress corrosion cracking, in which nickel boride is added to secondary side cooling water of the steam generator in an amount of 0.2˜6 g/l, and to an inhibition method using the same. According to this invention, when the inhibitor of lead-induced stress corrosion cracking is added to the secondary side of the steam generator tube in nuclear power plants, stress corrosion cracking of the tubes, which occurs in the lead-containing neutral or caustic solution, and a crack growth rate are decreased, thus increasing elongation. Further, a stress corrosion cracking ratio is decreased, and therefore the stress corrosion cracking resistance of metal or alloy can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Oh-Chul Kwon, Yong-Sun Yi, Hong-Pyo Kim, Joung-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7776129
    Abstract: An improved method of reducing a mixed metal oxide composition comprising oxides of nickel, cobalt, copper and iron in a hydrogen atmosphere to produce a mixture of the respective metals, the improvement wherein the atmosphere further comprises water vapour at a concentration, temperature and time to effect selective reduction of the oxides of nickel cobalt and copper relative to the iron oxide to produce the metallic mixture having a reduced ratio of metallic iron relative to metallic nickel, cobalt and copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Chemical Vapour Metal Refining Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curlook, Dmitri Terekhov, Sergiy Kovtun, Olujide Babatunde Olurin, Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel
  • Patent number: 7754034
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for cooling workpieces. A cooling gas is directed toward a surface of a workpiece. The workpiece is moved relative to the flow of cooling gas. The cooling gas may include at least a first component that is gaseous at a reference ambient condition and a second component that is a liquid at the ambient condition. The second component may be delivered as a gas or as droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Rabinovich
  • Publication number: 20100163142
    Abstract: Superalloy solidified in a directional manner often cannot be subjected to heat treatment because the heat treatment leads to recrystallization. As a result of the temperature profile during a heat treatment according to the invention which oscillates in the manner of a pendulum, a recrystallization during heat treatment can be avoided because mechanical stresses are reduced thanks to the recurring succession of dissolutions and precipitations of the precipitate. The method can be applied to a Ni-based superalloy with ?-precipitates. After the cyclic heat treatment, the temperature can be adjusted to and maintained at a temperature which is the same as or higher than the complete dissolution temperature. An oscillating movement can also take place above the complete dissolution temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Ott, Rolf Wilkenhöner
  • Publication number: 20100116383
    Abstract: A heat treatment method for desensitizing a nickel-based alloy with respect to environmentally-assisted cracking, the alloy having the following composition in percentages by weight: C?0.10%; Mn?0.5%; Si?0.5%; P?0.015%; S?0.015%; Ni?40%; Cr=12%-40%; Co?10%; Al?5%; Mo=0.1%-15%; Ti?5%; B?0.01%; Cu?5%; W=0.1%-15%; Nb=0-10%; Ta?10%; the balance being Fe, and inevitable impurities that result from processing, characterized in that the alloy is held at 950° C.-1160° C. in an atmosphere of pure hydrogen or containing at least 100 ppm of hydrogen mixed with an inert gas. A part made of a nickel-based alloy having the composition and that has been subjected to the heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Cloue, Veronique Garat, Rric Andrieu, Julien Deleume
  • Patent number: 7708846
    Abstract: For a group of nickel-based superalloys, improved properties have been obtained by stabilizing at increased temperature for a reduced time relative to prior art specifications. In particular, improved creep properties have been obtained with a one-hour 1800° F. stabilization relative to a prior art four-hour 1500° F. stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Malley
  • Publication number: 20100080729
    Abstract: A nickel-based alloy suitable for casting gas turbine components having a lower density and basic heat treating process while achieving improved strength is disclosed. Multiple embodiments of the alloy are disclosed capable of providing both directionally-solidified and equiaxed castings. Also disclosed is a method of making a cast and heat treated article utilizing the improved nickel-base alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Power Systems Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Biondo, J. Page Strohl, Jeffery W. Samuelson, Gerhard E. Fuchs, Stanley T. Wlodek, Ramona T. Wlodek
  • Patent number: 7666519
    Abstract: A high temperature sliding alloy has a matrix 1 of a Ni-base alloy or a heat resistant Fe-base alloy, and contains, by mass, 1 to 35% hard particles consisting of a Co-base intermetallic compound dispersed therein, wherein 0.1 to 10% Ag is dispersed in the matrix. Ag is a soft metal, forms an ultrathin film on a sliding surface caused by sliding with a mating member, and presents a lubricating effect. When Ag forms the ultrafine film and spreads on the sliding surface, it works little as a frictional force against the mating member due to its low shear resistance, and accordingly can achieve a low coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7658995
    Abstract: A nickel powder exhibits superior oxidation behavior, reduction behavior and sintering behavior in a production process for a multilayer ceramic capacitor and is suitable for the capacitor; a production method therefor is also provided. The nickel powder, which may be used as a raw material, is treated with a sulfur-containing compound, and the sulfur-containing compound is coated on the surface thereof, or alternatively, a nickel-sulfur compound layer is formed on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Toho Titanium Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsugu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7653995
    Abstract: A method of weld repairing a superalloy material at ambient temperature without causing cracking of the base material. A superalloy material such as CM-247 LC, as is commonly used in gas turbine blade applications, is subjected to an overage pre-weld heat treatment in order to grow the volume percentage of gamma prime precipitate in the material to a level sufficient to permit ambient temperature welding without cracking. CM-247 LC material is heated in a vacuum furnace at a rate of about 0.5° C. per minute to an intermediate temperature of about 885° C. The material is then gas fan quenched to a temperature of about 52° C. to grow the gamma prime precipitate percentage to about 55%. A fusion repair weld may then be performed on the material at an ambient temperature using a filler material having a chemistry matching a chemistry of the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Morin
  • Patent number: 7653996
    Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a component comprising a base material, in particular in a gas turbine blade, a suspension, which comprises a carrier liquid and at least one solid in the form of nanoparticles of the same material as the base material, being applied to the location to be repaired. A heat treatment of the component is carried out, the solid in the form of nanoparticles being melted and a bond with the base material being formed. During the heat treatment, the component is exposed to a thermal shock, in which a maximum temperature which corresponds to the melting temperature of the nanoparticles is reached. The nano size of the particles in the suspension causes a lowering of the melting point of these particles to take place, so that the structure of the base material does not change even at the melting temperature of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Jungbluth, Jan Steinbach, Rolf Wilkenhöner
  • Publication number: 20100012235
    Abstract: An alloy comprising 5 at % ?Al<16 at %, about 0.05 at % to 1 at % of a reactive element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Y, La, Ce, Zr, and combinations thereof, and Ni, wherein the alloy composition has a predominately ?-Ni+??-Ni3Al phase constitution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Gleeson, Daniel J. Sordelet
  • Publication number: 20090320966
    Abstract: A method of weld repairing a superalloy material at ambient temperatures without causing cracking of the base material. A superalloy material such as CM-247 LC, as is commonly used in gas turbine blade applications, is subjected to an overage pre-weld heat treatment in order to grow the volume percentage of gamma prime precipitate in the material to a level sufficient to permit ambient temperature welding without cracking. CM-247 LC material is heated in a vacuum furnace at a rate of about 0.5° C. per minute to an intermediate temperature of about 885° C. The material is then gas fan quenched to a temperature of about 52° C. to grow the gamma prime precipitate percentage to about 55%. A fusion repair weld may then be performed on the material at an ambient temperature using a filler material having a chemistry matching a chemistry of the base material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: James A. Morin
  • Publication number: 20090314393
    Abstract: Provided is a method for heat treating a precipitation-hardened article having a thick section and a thin section so that the thin section can be solution annealed while the metallurgical structure of the thick section is substantially unaffected by the solution-annealing process. The method restores the microstructure of the thin section uniformly by solution annealing the thin section to achieve a preselected microstructure but without affecting the microstructure of the thick section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kelly, Warren D. Grossklaus, JR., Brent R. Tholke, Christine Govern Walston
  • Publication number: 20090308508
    Abstract: The present invention suggests a method of heat treatment of a Ni-based superalloy that improves resistance against creep, fatigue and stress corrosion cracking while being economical and easy, and a Ni-based superalloy produced by using the same. The method and the superalloy of the present invention include solution treatment at the high temperature region during a heat treatment process after manufacturing or final cold working fabrication. Immediately following the solution treatment, the material is slowly cooled at 1˜15° C./minute down to the intermediate temperature region for aging treatment. After the slow cooling stage, aging treatment is directly performed by holding it at the intermediate temperature region for the prescribed time. Lastly, the aging treatment is followed by air-cooling stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Hyun Uk Hong, In Soo Kim, Baig Gyu Choi, Chang Yong Jo, Young Soo Yoo, Hi Won Jeong, Seong Moon Seo
  • Publication number: 20090308507
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized in including Al: more than 5 at % to 13 at % or less; V: 3 at % or more to 9.5 at % or less; and Ti: 0 at % or more to 3.5 at % or less, with the remainder being Ni and unavoidable impurities, and having a multi-phase microstructure including a primary L12 phase and an (L12 phase+D022 phase and/or D024 and/or D0a phase) eutectoid microstructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Chikugo, Takayuki Takasugi, Yasuyuki Kaneno
  • Patent number: 7632362
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering the properties of single crystal and directionally solidified Nickel based superalloys and articles made thereof, after use in a high temperature environment. The method comprises the steps of a stress relief treatment, a ?? rejuvenation heat treatment at a temperature below the ??-solvus temperature (Tsolvus, ??) of the superalloy, a precipitation heat treatment and an aging heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Maxim Konter, Robert Baumann, John Fernihough
  • Patent number: 7628874
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of processing nickel-titanium alloys including from greater than 50 up to 55 atomic percent nickel to provide a desired austenite transformation temperature and/or austenite transformation temperature range. In one embodiment, the method comprises selecting a desired austenite transformation temperature, and thermally processing the nickel-titanium alloy to adjust an amount of nickel in solid solution in a TiNi phase of the alloy such that a stable austenite transformation temperature is reached, wherein the stable austenite transformation temperature is essentially equal to the desired austenite transformation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Wojcik
  • Patent number: 7582125
    Abstract: A method of forming a nickel layer on a metal substrate forming the terminal contact area of the cathode casing for a zinc-air cell. A cathode casing in desired shape and size for a zinc-air cell is formed of a substrate metal such as cold rolled steel or stainless steel. A nickel layer is plated onto the cathode casing substrate metal over the terminal contact area and is subsequently heat treated resulting in reduction in the surface hardness. The method of heat treatment involves heating the substrate metal with nickel plated thereon in an inert atmosphere at temperatures preferably between about 860° F. and 135° F. The method reduces the nickel surface hardness to a level below 8 GPa. This improves the electrical contact with the hearing aid or other device being powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Keith Buckle, Leo White, David L. Pappas
  • Patent number: 7563334
    Abstract: A method for forming a two-way shape memory surface includes thermomechanically training a shape memory alloy under substantially constant indentation strain. Thermomechanical training includes removeably securing an indenter to a surface of the shape memory alloy in its martensite phase, so that an indent is formed in the surface. The shape memory alloy is then heated to its austenite phase while the indenter is secured thereto. The shape memory alloy is then quenched to its martensite phase while the indenter is secured thereto. After thermomechanical training, the shape memory alloy surface exhibits a first indent depth when in its martensite phase, and a second, different indent depth when in its austenite phase. Also disclosed herein is a method for forming one-way and two-way reversible surface protrusions on shape memory alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yijun Zhang, Yang T. Cheng, David S. Grummon
  • Patent number: 7553384
    Abstract: A method for locally heat-treating a gas turbine engine superalloy article to improve resistance to strain-induced fatigue of the article is disclosed. The method comprises providing a gas turbine engine superalloy article having a gamma prime solvus temperature; and locally over aging only a selected portion of the article to locally improve fatigue resistance at the selected portion of the article, wherein the local over age cycle includes heating at about 843° C. for about 3 to 4 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jon Raymond Groh
  • Publication number: 20090148770
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing a phase of a Gd2CO7 type crystal structure, wherein the phase exists at a ratio of 10 weight % or higher in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy and yttrium is contained at a ratio of 2 mol % or more and 10 mol % or less in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicants: GS Yuasa Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ozaki, Tetsuo Sakai, Manabu Kanemoto, Tadashi Kakeya, Minoru Kuzuhara, Masaharu Watada
  • Patent number: 7537725
    Abstract: A compositionally graded gas turbine disk is made by placing a cylindrically symmetric slip case concentrically into an interior of a cylindrically symmetric outer container. A first nickel-base superalloy powder is loaded into a radially inner first portion of the interior and a second nickel-base superalloy powder is loaded into a radially outer second portion of the interior. The slip case is removed so that the first nickel-base superalloy powder and the second nickel-base superalloy powder contact in the transition region and form a non-compacted powder mass. The non-compacted powder mass is processed into a gas turbine disk, typically by compacting the non-compacted powder mass to form a compacted powder mass, and thereafter heat treating the compacted powder mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jon Raymond Groh, Eric Allen Ott, Robert Edward Schafrik, Daniel Donald Krueger
  • Publication number: 20090120543
    Abstract: An Ni3Al-based intermetallic compound of the present invention comprises greater than 5 at % and not greater than 13 at % of Al, not less than 9.5 at % and less than 17.5 at % of V, not less than 0 at % and not greater than 5 at % of Nb, not less than 50 weight ppm and not greater than 1000 weight ppm of B, and the remaining portion consisting of Ni and inevitable impurities, and has a dual multi-phase microstructure comprising a primary L12 phase and an (L12+D022) eutectoid microstructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Takayuki Takasugi, Yasuyuki Kaneno
  • Patent number: 7527702
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, having a desired microstructure that is predominantly strengthened by ??-phase precipitates and comprises an amount of at least one grain boundary precipitate. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, to develop a desired microstructure that can impart thermally stable mechanical properties. Articles of manufacture using the nickel-base alloys and methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys according to embodiments of the present invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Di Cao, Richard L. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20090107592
    Abstract: Heat treatment of alloys having elements for improving grain boundary strength Components directly after castings often reveal a low or no transverse grain boundary strength, so that cracks do appear and decrease the yield rate. The inventive measures does not lead to low transverse grain boundary strength but maintains a efficient grain boundary strength, so that the yield rate of components without cracks is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Winfried Esser, Dirk Goldschmidt, Michael Ott, Uwe Paul, Ursula Pickert, Christopher R. Hanslits, Russel G. Vogt
  • Publication number: 20090071580
    Abstract: A method of heat treating a superalloy component comprises solution heat treating the component at a temperature below the gamma prime solvus temperature to produce a fine grain structure in the component. Insulation is placed over a first area of the component to form an insulated assembly. The insulated assembly is placed in a furnace at a temperature below the solvus temperature and maintained at that temperature for a predetermined time to achieve a uniform temperature in the component. The temperature is increased at a predetermined rate to a temperature above the solvus temperature to maintain a fine grain structure in a first region, to produce a coarse grain structure in a second region and to produce a transitional structure in a third region between the first and second regions of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Mitchell, David U. Furrer, Joseph A. Lemsky, Mark C. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20090044884
    Abstract: Treatment process for stainless steel bars, in particular a solution quenching, to be performed directly in-line downstream of the rolling mill which makes it possible to obtain a material devoid of intergranular corrosion and with microstructural characteristics suitable for subsequent uses. Advantageously, said process also makes it possible to improve the productivity of the entire rolling plant. The treatment is suitable to be performed on austenitic, ferritic, or austeno-ferritic stainless steel bars, Al—Cu alloy bars, Nickel alloy bars, and all other alloys requiring rapid cooling in order to prevent undesired phase precipitations. Prevention of intergranular corrosion obtained with the treatment process of the invention makes it possible to prevent problems, and relative costs, during surface treatment of the bars and those that could occur in final use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Francesco Toschi, Rolando Paolone