Rare Earth Containing Patents (Class 420/455)
  • Patent number: 7052782
    Abstract: A high-temperature protection layer contains (% by weight) 23 to 27% Cr, 4 to 7% Al, 0.1 to 3% Si, 0.1 to 3% Ta, 0.2 to 2% Y, 0.001 to 0.01% B, 0.001 to 0.01% Mg and 0.001 to 0.01% Ca, remainder Ni and inevitable impurities. Optionally, the Al content is in a range from over 5 up to 6% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Bossmann, Dietrich Eckardt, Klaus Erich Schneider, Christoph Toennes
  • Patent number: 6863990
    Abstract: Enhancing wear and corrosion resistance of an industrial component by depositing a Ni-based alloy coating having a thickness of at least about 50 microns onto a surface of the industrial component by high velocity oxyfuel propulsion of a Ni-based alloy powder containing a) Cr, b) from about 15 to about 25 wt % Mo, c) no more than about 1 wt % Fe, and d) no more than about 1 wt % elements having an atomic number greater than 42. A Ni-based alloy powder for HVOF deposition containing a) Cr, b) from about 15 to about 25 wt % Mo, c) no more than about 1 wt % Fe, and d) no more than about 1 wt % elements having an atomic number greater than 42. A Ni-based coating on an industrial component having enhanced corrosion and wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Deloro Stellite Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: James B. C. Wu, Matthew X. Yao
  • Publication number: 20040247481
    Abstract: New alloys of the AB5 type are disclosed which are of the formula:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: HERA, Hydrogen Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Guoxian Liang, Robert Schulz
  • Publication number: 20040219354
    Abstract: Enhancing wear and corrosion resistance of an industrial component by depositing a Ni-based alloy coating having a thickness of at least about 50 microns onto a surface of the industrial component by high velocity oxyfuel propulsion of a Ni-based alloy powder containing a) Cr, b) from about 15 to about 25 wt % Mo, c) no more than about 1 wt % Fe, and d) no more than about 1 wt % elements having an atomic number greater than 42. A Ni-based alloy powder for HVOF deposition containing a) Cr, b) from about 15 to about 25 wt % Mo, c) no more than about 1 wt % Fe, and d) no more than about 1 wt % elements having an atomic number greater than 42. A Ni-based coating on an industrial component having enhanced corrosion and wear resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Deloro Stellite Company
    Inventors: James B. C. Wu, Matthew X. Yao
  • Publication number: 20040219053
    Abstract: Electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage alloy compositions that provide superior performance, especially at low temperature, and excellent cycle life characteristics. The alloys of this invention are AB5 type alloys that include a cycle life enhancement element and a low Co concentration. The preferred cycle life enhancement elements include Zr and Si. The cycle life enhancement elements increase the cycle life of the instant alloys by reducing the pulverization of alloy particles upon repeated cycles of charging-discharging or hydriding-dehydriding. The alloys are characterized by low hysteresis on cycling, where hysteresis is measured in terms of mass concentration difference, a parameter related to the activation energy associated with the incorporation of hydrogen into the alloy. The instant alloys are designed to have a low activation energy for hydrogen incorporation and as a result, provide low hysteresis and a more uniform concentration of absorbed hydrogen within the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael A. Fetcenko, Kwo Young, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Taihei Ouchi
  • Patent number: 6756131
    Abstract: A high temperature corrosion resistant alloy composition comprising, in addition to Ni, 0.1 to 12% by weight of Co, 10 to 30% by weight of Cr, 4 to 15% by weight of Al, 0.1 to 5% by weight of Y, and 0.5 to 10% by weight of Re. The high temperature corrosion resistant alloy composition has an excellent oxidation resistance and ductility and is suitable for use in a bonding layer of a thermal barrier coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Oguma, Ikuo Okada, Taiji Torigoe, Kouji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6733724
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen absorbing alloy which can improve a high rate discharge property while suppressing particle size reduction, exhibits cycle life characteristics equal to or higher than those of conventional alloys even when its cobalt content is decreased, and has a high capacity. Specifically, the present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure in its principal phase, wherein the La content in the alloy is in the range of 24 to 33% by weight and the Mg or Ca content in the alloy is in the range of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, as well as the aforesaid alloy wherein the Co content in the alloy is not greater than 9% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Maeda, Satoshi Shima, Naofumi Shinya
  • Patent number: 6689233
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage material which is characterized by having, as a cast alloy, a flaky or similar shape with a thickness of 50 to 500 &mgr;m and showing such crystallite orientation that the X-ray diffraction pattern has an intensity ratio of plane indices (002)/(200) of 2 to 10 as measured with the cooled surface of the flaky cast alloy being in parallel with a mount, and a process of producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Yasuda, Daisuke Mukai, Minoru Sakai, Shigeo Hirayama, Kazuhito Komatsu, Shinya Kagei
  • Publication number: 20040013560
    Abstract: A nickel-based alloy contains 1.8 wt % to 2.2 wt % silicon, 0.05 wt % to 0.1 wt % yttrium and/or hafnium and/or zirconium, 2 wt % to 2.4 wt % aluminum and the remainder is nickel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Klaus Hrastnik
  • Publication number: 20040005477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a product (1), in particular a gas-turbine blade (1), having a metallic basic body (2) to which a protective layer (3, 4) for protecting against corrosion is bonded. The protective layer (3, 4) has an inner layer (3) of a first MCrAlY alloy and an outer layer (45) having a second MCrAlY alloy, which is bonded to the inner layer (3). The second MCrAlY alloy is predominantly in the &ggr;-phase. The invention also relates to a process for producing a protective layer (3, 4) in which the outer layer (4) is produced by re-melting a region of the inner layer (3) or by deposition of an MCrAlY alloy from a liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Werner Stamm
  • Patent number: 6660431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy electrode composed of a hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 region and a Ce2Ni7 region in the crystal structure and satisfies the relational formula: p:q=1:(4+a), where p is the sum of the mole fraction of an element occupying the Ca site of the CaCu5 region and the mole fraction of an element occupying the Ce site of the Ce2Ni7 region, q is the sum of the mole fraction of an element occupying the Cu site of the CaCu5 region and the mole fraction of an element occupying the Ni site of the Ce2Ni7 region, and −0.2≦a≦0.4. Accordingly, although the hydrogen storage alloy electrode contains a little or no Co, it is possible to obtain an electrode having little deterioration due to pulverization of the alloy and a high capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sou Kuranaka, Akihiro Maeda, Yoshio Moriwaki
  • Patent number: 6652991
    Abstract: The addition of small amounts of CeO2 and Cr to intermetallic compositions of NiAl and FeAl improves ductility, thermal stability, thermal shock resistance, and resistance to oxidation, sulphidization and carburization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: You Wang, Weixing Chen
  • Patent number: 6635362
    Abstract: Coating for high temperature gas turbine components that include a MCrAlX phase, and an aluminum-rich phase, significantly increase oxidation and cracking resistance of the components, thereby increasing their useful life and reducing operating costs. The aluminum-rich phase includes aluminum at a higher concentration than aluminum concentration in the MCrAlX alloy, and an aluminum diffusion-retarding composition, which may include cobalt, nickel, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, cadmium, indium, cerium, iron, chromium, tantalum, silicon, boron, carbon, titanium, tungsten, rhenium, platinum, and combinations thereof, and particularly nickel and/or rhenium. The aluminum-rich phase may be derived from a particulate aluminum composite that has a core comprising aluminum and a shell comprising the aluminum diffusion-retarding composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Xiaoci Maggie Zheng
  • Patent number: 6372059
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage material which is an AB5 type hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure represented by general formula: MmNiaMnbAlcCod wherein Mm denotes a misch metal, 4.0<a≦4.3, 0.25≦b≦0.4, 0.25≦c≦0.4, 0.3≦d≦0.5, and 5.05≦a+b+c+d≦5.25, or general formula: MmNiaMnbAlcCodXe wherein Mm denotes a misch metal, X is Cu and/or Fe, 4.0<a≦4.3, 0.25≦b≦0.4, 0.25≦c≦0.4, 0.3≦d≦0.5, 0<e≦0.1, and 5.05≦a+b+c+d+e≦5.25, characterized in that the lattice length on the c-axis is 404.9 pm to 405.8 pm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Yasuda, Yoshiki Sakaguchi, Akira Uchiyama, Daisuke Mukai, Shingo Kikugawa
  • Patent number: 6342181
    Abstract: A nickel based, high silicon alloy exhibits very high corrosion resistance in high temperature sulfuric acid environments. The alloy may be cast and is sufficiently ductile to be fabricated and machined. The alloy is ductile and has sufficient resistance to mechanical and thermal shock to be reliable in service when used as rotating parts. The alloy may have the following composition, in percent by weight: Nickel about 82-86% Silicon about 9-11% Niobium about 3-6% Cerium about 0-0.1% Boron about 0.-0.11% Cesium about 0.1-0.7% Lanthanum about 0.04-0.3% Neodymium about 0.04-0.3% Iron about 0-0.65% Carbon about 0-0.08%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Joseph W. Newkirk, Sanhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 6261517
    Abstract: A rare earth metal-nickel hydrogen storage alloy of a composition represented by the formula: RNiaMnbCocAldXe (R stands for one or more rare earth elements including Sc and Y, not less than 95 atom % of which is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, and Nd; X stands for one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cu, Zn, V, and Nb; a, b, c, d, and e satisfy the relations of 3.9≦a<6.0, 0.45≦b<1.5, 0.01≦c<0.3, 0.4≦d≦1, 0≦e≦0.2, and 5.2≦a+b+c+d+e≦7.5), the alloy having a matrix of CaCu5 structure, and a Mn-rich secondary phase of 0.3 to 5 &mgr;m finely dispersed in the matrix at surface ratio of 0.3 to 7%; a method for producing the same; and an anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery containing as anode material the hydrogen storage alloy and an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Santoku Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihito Kaneko, Masafumi Irikawa, Yuji Tanibuchi
  • Publication number: 20010007638
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen occluding alloy used for a cathode of battery which enables to provide for a high discharge capacity at small number of charge/discharge cycles by a high-rate initial activation treatment and to increase a high-rate discharge capacity at low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Kita, Masahiro Wada, Katsuo Sugahara, Takeshi Isobe, Takuya Murai
  • Patent number: 6238823
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-stoichiometric alloy comprising a composition having the formula AB5+X an atomic ratio wherein A is selected from the group consisting of the rare earth metals, yttrium, mischmetal, or a combination thereof; B is nickel and tin, or nickel and tin and at least a third element selected from the group consisting of the elements in group IVA of the periodic table, aluminum, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, antimony or a combination thereof; X is greater than 0 and less than or equal to about 2.0; and wherein at least one substituted A site is occupied by at least one of the B elements. An electrode incorporating said alloy and an electrochemical cell incorporating said electrode are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates
    Inventors: James J. Reilly, Gordana D. Adzic, John R. Johnson, Thomas Vogt, James McBreen
  • Patent number: 6130006
    Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen-absorbing alloy which contains an alloy ingot manufactured by means of a casting or sintering method or a pulverized product of the alloy ingot, and the alloy ingot being represented by the following general formula (1),(Mg.sub.1-a-b R1.sub.a M1.sub.b)Ni.sub.z (1)wherein R1 is at least one element selected from rare earth elements (including Y), M1 is at least one element selected from elements having a larger electronegativity than that of Mg (excluding the elements of R1, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn and Ni), and a, b and z are respectively a number satisfying conditions 0.1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.8, 0<b.ltoreq.0.9, 1-a-b>0, and 3.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.3.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuoki Kohno, Isao Sakai, Masaaki Yamamoto, Motoya Kanda, Hideki Yoshida, Fumiyuki Kawashima, Takao Sawa, Takamichi Inaba, Shusuke Inada, Hirotaka Hayashida, Hiroshi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6106769
    Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy composition for a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery which includes LnNi.sub.5 hydrogen absorbing alloy, where Ln represents at least one rare-earth element. The hydrogen absorbing alloy composition also includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of heavy rare-earth oxides, heavy rare-earth hydroxides, compound oxides including at least one rare-earth element and compound hydroxides including at least one rare-earth element. Rare-earth elements can be selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu. Exemplary hydrogen absorbing alloy compositions include La alone or in combination with one other rare-earth element, such as Ce, Pr, Nd, or Sm. Exemplary rare-earth oxides include Yb.sub.2 O.sub.3, Er.sub.2 O.sub.3 and GdO.sub.3 and exemplary rare-earth hydroxides include Yb(OH).sub.3 and Er(OH).sub.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naofumi Shinya, Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 6083327
    Abstract: A Ni based hydrogen occluding alloy having the composition, comprising: by weight:(i) 32-38% of at least one of La or Ce,(ii) 0.1-17% Co,(iii) 0.1-3.5% Al,(iv) 0.5-10% Mn,(v) 0.005-0.1% of hydrogen, withthe balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities, wherein said alloy has a microstructure of a phase having a Ce.sub.2 Ni.sub.7 -type crystal structure and rare earth element hydride dispersively distributed in a matrix having a CaCu.sub.5 -type crystal structure and, wherein the amount of said phase having a Ce.sub.2 Ni.sub.7 -type crystal structure is 1-40% by area and the amount of said rare earth element hydride is 0.5-20% by area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Kita, Katsuo Sugahara, Masahiro Wada, Takuya Murai, Takeshi Isobe
  • Patent number: 6074603
    Abstract: A novel intermetallic superconductor with surprisingly high transition temperature is disclosed. The material comprises B and C, and can form a bulk superconductor. Exemplary of the novel superconductors is material of nominal composition YPd.sub.5 B.sub.3 C.sub.x, with x chosen such that the C:B ratio is in the range 0.05-2. An exemplary bulk sample of such composition has T.sub.c (onset) of 22.5 K, with more than 15 volume % of the sample being superconducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Cava, James Joseph Krajewski
  • Patent number: 6039920
    Abstract: A process for making iron, cobalt and/or nickel base alloys containing rhenium. The process involves melting together the components that form the alloys, at least one of the components being a rhenium master alloy having 30 to 70 wt % rhenium, then casting the resultant melt and allowing the melt to solidify. Possible difficulties such as the formation of rhenium heptoxide are avoided by using a master alloy containing (i) rhenium and (ii) iron, cobalt and/or nickel, instead of sintered rhenium as the rhenium source during the melting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Koch, Wulf Kock, David Francis Lupton, Friedhold Scholz
  • Patent number: 5985054
    Abstract: An age precipitation-containing rare earth metal-nickel alloy of AB.sub.5 type having a composition represented by a formula (1)R(Ni.sub.1-x M.sub.x).sub.5+y (1)wherein R stands for a rare earth element including Y or mixtures thereof, M stands for Co, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zr, Ti, Mo, W, B, or mixtures thereof, x satisfies the relation of 0.05.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, and y satisfies the relation of -0.45.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.45, the alloy containing a precipitated phase having an average size of 0.1 to 20 .mu.m as measured along the longitudinal axis. A method of producing the alloy as defined above including the steps of subjecting a raw alloy material having a composition represented by the formula (1) to a solid solution treatment at a temperature of not less than 1000.degree. C., and ageing the alloy material subjected to said solution heat treatment at a temperature T (.degree. C.) of not less than 700.degree. C. and less than 1000.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Santoku Metal Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Tanibuchi, Kazuhiko Yamamoto, Chikara Okada
  • Patent number: 5932513
    Abstract: A container packed with a mixture of powders classified respectively into two or at least three particle-size distribution groups which are different in average particle size, the powders comprising a hydrogen absorbing alloy singly or the combination of such an alloy and a substance not absorbing hydrogen. The mixture is at least 0.03 to not greater than 0.50 in the ratio d.sub.2 /d.sub.1 wherein d.sub.1 is the average particle size of the powder having the particle-size distribution of the largest average particle size, and d.sub.2 is the average particle size of the powder having the particle-size distribution of the second largest average particle size. The weight ratio of the powder to the total weight of the powders is greater when that powder has a particle-size distribution of larger average particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamura, Shin Fujitani, Yumiko Nakamura, Hiroshi Watanabe, Ikuo Yonezu, Takahiro Yonesaki, Kouichi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5916519
    Abstract: To provide a hydrogen storage alloy usable as a negative electrode having a long life and good high-discharge characteristics. Hydrogen storage alloy for cell wherein its general expression is as follows:RNi.sub.a Co.sub.b Al.sub.c Mn.sub.d Fe.sub.e(where R is a mixture of rare earth elements and contains 25.about.75 wt. % La; 3.7.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.4.0, 0.1.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.0.4, 0.20.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.0.4, 0.30.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.0.45, 0.2.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.0.4, 0.5.ltoreq.b+c.ltoreq.0.7, and 5.0.ltoreq.a+b+c+d+e.ltoreq.5.0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Saito, Masashi Takahashi, Takashi Sasai
  • Patent number: 5908487
    Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy-packed container packed with a mixture of powders classified respectively into at least two particle-size distribution groups, each of which is different in mean particle size, the powders comprising a hydrogen absorbing alloy singly or the combination of a hydrogen absorbing alloy and a substance not absorbing hydrogen, the mixture having a ratio r.sub.N+1 /r.sub.N, wherein r.sub.N is the mean particle size of the powder having a particle-size distribution of the Nth largest mean particle size, N being an integer of not smaller than 1, and r.sub.N+1 is the mean particle size of the powder having a particle-size distribution of the (N+1)th largest mean particle size, of at least 0.03 to not greater than 0.50. The alloy powders can be selected from the group consisting of lanthanum-nickel, mischmetal-nickel, iron titanium and titanium manganese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Nishimura, Takahiro Yonesaki, Shin Fujitani, Hiroshi Nakamura, Yumiko Nakamura, Ikuo Yonezu, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5902700
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy electrode for use in electrochemical hydrogen storage cells, the electrode being in the form of a negative electrode fabricated by sintering a mixture of a hydrogen storage alloy containing manganese and an alloy containing a measured amount of manganese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamichi Hirosawa, Takaaki Ikemachi
  • Patent number: 5902545
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen occlusion alloy suitable for a negative electrode material of a closed type nickel hydride secondary cell in which the increase of gas pressure in the cell during overcharging is prevented and self discharge in the open circuit state would be effectively inhibited, being represented by the following compositional formula: ANiaCobMncXd wherein A is a misch metal containing not more than 60% by weight of Ce, X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, CU, Mo and Zn, and a, b, c and d are numbers satisfying the following relations: 0.4 <b<2.0, 0.ltoreq.c<0.2, 0.1<d<2.0, and 4.55<a+b+c+d<4.80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Furukawa Denchi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruo Sawa
  • Patent number: 5900334
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen occluding alloy exhibiting high hydrogen absorption and desorption rates, and excellent initial activation in practical use, and a method of making it. There is provided a hydrogen occluding alloy having a composition comprising, by wt %, 32 to 38% of rare earth elements essentially consisting of La and/or Ce, 0.5 to 3.5% of Al, 0.5 to 10% of Mn, 0.005 to 0.5% of hydrogen, optionally 0.1 to 17% of Co, and the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities; wherein the alloy has a microstructure characterized in that fine rare earth element hydride is dispersively distributed in a matrix having a CaCu.sub.5 -type crystal structure in a ratio of 0.5 to 20% by area. There are also provided electrodes and batteries containing such alloys, and methods of making and using such electrodes and batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Wada, Yoshio Takizawa
  • Patent number: 5810981
    Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen occluding alloy exhibiting high absorption and desorption speeds. A hydrogen occluding alloy comprising as an overall composition: 25 to 45 weight % Zr+Hf, wherein the Hf comprises not more than 4%, 1 to 15 weight % Ti, 10 to 20 weight % Mn, 2 to 12 weight % V, 0.6 to 5 weight % rare earth elements, and a balance Ni (of which content is not less than 25 weight %) and unavoidable impurities, and basically having a three-phase structure consisting of: a net-shaped continuous phase which is made of a Ni--Zr type alloy, a main phase (in the net-shaped continuous phase) made of a Zr--Ni--Mn based alloy, and a dispersed granular phase made of a rare earth elements-Ni type alloy distributed along the net-shaped continuous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Komada, Mitsugu Matsumoto, Shinichiro Kakehashi, Yoshitaka Tamo, Chris N. Christodoulou
  • Patent number: 5725687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wear-resistant high permeability alloy nsisting of Ni, Nb, C and Fe, a wear-resistant high permeability alloy consisting of Ni, Nb, C and Fe as main components and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo, Ge, Au, Co, V, W, Cu, Ta, Mn, Al, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Sn, Sb, Ga, In, Tl, Zn, Cd, rare earth element, platinum element, Be, Ag, Sr, B, P, N, O, S as a secondary component and a method of manufacturing the same and a magnetic recording and reproducing head, and an object of the invention is to obtain an excellent wear-resistant magnetic alloy having easy forging processability, a large effective permeability, a saturated flux density of more than 4000G, and a recrystallization texture of {110}<112>+{311}<112>+{111}<112>, and a wear-resistant high permeability alloy consisting by weight of Ni 60-90%, Nb 0.5-14%, C 0.0003-0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Foundation: The Research Institute of Electric and Magnetic Alloys
    Inventors: Yuetsu Murakami, Katashi Masumoto
  • Patent number: 5662729
    Abstract: A shaped body of hydrogen absorbing alloy prepared by pressing a mixture of a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder A having a first particle-size distribution, a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder B having a second particle-size distribution and a binder C. The powder A is larger than the powder B in mean particle size. The mixture has a mean particle size ratio r.sub.B /r.sub.A of the powder B to the powder A, wherein r.sub.A and r.sub.B are the mean particle sizes of the respective powders A and B of at least 0.03 to not greater than 0.50. The hydrogen absorbing alloy of the powder B has a higher rate of progress of pulverization resulting from absorption and desorption of hydrogen than the hydrogen absorbing alloy of the powder A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Nishimura, Takahiro Yonesaki, Shin Fujitani, Hiroshi Nakamura, Yumiko Nakamura, Ikuo Yonezu, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5616435
    Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode for metal hydride alkaline batteries is obtained by coating or filling a collector with a hydrogen-absorbing alloy powder consisting essentially of spherical particles and/or nearly spherical particles and then sintering the powder, the powder having an average particle diameter of 30 to 70 .mu.m and containing 5 to 30% by volume of particles having a diameter of at least 2 times the average diameter and 10 to 40% by volume of particles having a diameter of not more than 1/2 of the average diameter. This electrode can give metal hydride alkaline batteries having excellent high-rate discharge characteristics and a long life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Matsuura, Yasushi Kuroda, Nobuyuki Higashiyama, Mamoru Kimoto, Mitsuzou Nogami, Koji Nishio, Toshihiko Saito
  • Patent number: 5556719
    Abstract: This invention disclosures a method to make an improved hydrogen/hydride electrode for electro-chemical applications. The method comprises the steps of: (1) preparing the slurry of hydrogen storage material; (2) pasting the slurry onto and/or into a substrate current collector to make a wet pasted electrode; (3) drying the wet pasted electrode; and (4) sintering the pasted electrode. The aforementioned method is very useful for the hydrogen storage alloy comprising of Ti, 2-70 at. %; Zr, 2-70 at. % and Ni, 5-80 at. %. It is also useful for a pseudo AB.sub.5 - or AB.sub.2 -type alloy. In particular, a high capacity hydrogen storage electrode comprising a multicomponent hydrogen storage alloy having composition represented by the formula: Ti.sub.a Zr.sub.b Ni.sub.c Nb.sub.y R.sub.z M.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventors: Kuochih Hong, Kuoshiu Hong, Huiyim Hong
  • Patent number: 5541017
    Abstract: A method to make new improved high capacity rechargeable hydride batteries comprising steps of (1) preparing an improved hydrogen storage material represented by the composition formula: A.sub.a B.sub.b Ni.sub.c D.sub.y M.sub.x R.sub.z, where A is one or more element chosen from the group of Ti, Zr, Mg; B is one or more elements chosen from the group of Al, V, Mn, Nb, Si, Pd, and Ag; D is one or more elements chosen from the group of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo, W and Sn; R is one or more elements chosen from the group of C, B, Ca, Sb, Bi, Y, Hf, Ta, N, O, Ge, Ga and Mm, where Mm is mischmetal; M is one or more elements chosen from the group of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, P and S; and where a, b, c, y, x and z are defined by: 0.10.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.85, 0.01.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.0.65, 0.02.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.0.75, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.30, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.30, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.30 and a+b+c+y+x+z=1.00; (2) preparing a high capacity (1.15-2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Kuochih Hong, Kuoshiu Hong, Huiyim Hong, Kuoping Hong
  • Patent number: 5512385
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy for negative electrodes in an alkaline storage battery is disclosed. The alloy is represented by the general formula MmNi.sub.x M.sub.y, wherein Mm is a misch metal or a mixture of rare earth elements, and M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, Cr, Zr, Ti and V and wherein 5.0.gtoreq.x +y.gtoreq.5.5, and has a microstructure comprising a phase composed of a crystal structure of CaCu.sub.5 type and is capable of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen in a reversible manner, and at least one phase consisting mainly of an element or elements other than Mm, and incapable of storing hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Komori, Osamu Yamamoto, Yoshinori Toyoguchi, Kohei Suzuki, Seiji Yamaguchi, Ayako Tanaka, Munehisa Ikoma
  • Patent number: 5510080
    Abstract: There is provided an oxide dispersion-strengthened nickel alloy which has a hot working property, a structure stability at high temperature, improved creep characteristics at high temperature and improved heat resistant fatigue characteristics. The oxide dispersion-strengthened alloy is composed of an oxide containing one or more kinds of elements in an amount of 2 wt % or less selected from the group composed of titanium, zirconium and hafnium, chromium in an amount of 15-35 wt %, carbon in an amount of 0.01-0.4 wt % and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 in an amount of 0.3-2.0 wt %, and the balance of substantially nickel, wherein Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 is dispersed as particles in the matrix of the nickel alloy containing one or more kinds of elements selected from the group composed of titanium, zirconium and hafnium, chromium and carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Nishi, Kishio Hidaka, Tetsuo Kashimura, Shigeyoshi Nakamura, Yutaka Fukui, Shinichi Nakahara
  • Patent number: 5501917
    Abstract: Improved multicomponent alloys for hydrogen storage and rechargeable hydride electrode applications, and in particular for rechargeable hydride battery applications, according to the formula: A.sub.a B.sub.b Ni.sub.c D.sub.y M.sub.x R.sub.z, and the hydride thereof, where A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, Y, V, Nb, Pd, Mg, Be, and Ca; B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, V, Wb, Ta, Cr, Mn, Si, C, B, and Mo; D is at least one element selected from the group consisting of W, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ag, Sb and Sn; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, P, S, Sr, and Ba; R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, and Yb; and where a, b, c, x, y and z are defined by: 0.10.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.85, 0.02.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.0.85, 0.02.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.0.85, 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.30, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.25, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.12 and a+b+c+x+y=1.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Kuochih Hong
  • Patent number: 5470530
    Abstract: Material comprising an effective amount of a novel intermetallic bulk superconductor compound is disclosed. The compound has the composition LnNi.sub.2 B.sub.2 C, with Ln being Y or a rare earth (atomic number 57-71), preferably Tm, Er, Ho or Ln. A compound of composition XPt.sub.2 B.sub.2 C, with X=Y and/or La, is also a superconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T IPM Corp.
    Inventors: Robert J. Cava, Theo Siegrist
  • Patent number: 5468260
    Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode having a hydrogen-absorbing alloy in a single crystal system and composed of at least three elements which are coated on a conductive substrate. One of the at least three elements has a density distribution profile with at least two adjacent high density peaks and a lowest density point between the at least two adjacent high density peaks. A density difference between one of the at least two adjacent high density peaks and the lowest density point is not less than about 3.0 wt % and a distance between the two adjacent high density peaks is not less than about 20 .mu.m. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a volume of 2 .mu.m.sup.3 and may include an additive selected from a group consisting of Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Tungsten (W) and Cobalt (co).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Takee, Mamoru Kimoto, Yoshito Tikano, Husago Mizitaki, Yoshinori Mastuura, Koji Nishio, Nobohiro Furukawa
  • Patent number: 5441826
    Abstract: Three types of novel hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrodes A, B and C usable for metal hydride secondary batteries are provided. All three types are represented by the general formula AB.sub.x wherein A represents Ti or elements that principally comprise Ti and generate heat upon absorption of hydrogen, B represents Mo and Ni or elements that principally comprise Mo and Ni and absorb heat upon absorption of hydrogen and 0.5.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.2, and are readily producible and difficult to undergo cycle deterioration and need only short activation treatment time. (A) uses a hydrogen-absorbing alloy obtained by quenching and solidifying an alloy melt under an atmosphere of a reducing gas containing hydrogen at a cooling rate of at least 1.times.10.sup.3 .degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Watanabe, Akio Furukawa, Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu, Takahiro Isono
  • Patent number: 5434022
    Abstract: An electrode has a substrate and a finely divided active material on the substrate. The active material is ANi.sub.x-y-z Co.sub.y Sn.sub.z, wherein A is a mischmetal or La.sub.1-w M.sub.w, M is Ce, Nd, or Zr, w is from about 0.05 to about 1.0, x is from about 4.5 to about 5.5, y is from 0 to about 3.0, and z is from about 0.05 to about 0.5. An electrochemical storage cell utilizes such an electrode as the anode. The storage cell further has a cathode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignees: Hughes Aircraft Company, The Texas A&M University System, The Regents of the University of California, Associated Universities, Inc.
    Inventors: Anaba Anani, John Johnson, Hong S. Lim, James Reilly, Ricardo Schwarz, Supramaniam Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 5389333
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydrogen storage alloy having a formula ofMm.sub.1-a M.sub.a Ni.sub.b Mn.sub.c Co.sub.d Al.sub.e X.sub.fwherein, Mm is misch metal mainly containing La, Ce, Pr, Nd and the balance amount of unavoidable impurities; M is titanium, zirconium or the mixture thereof; X is nitrogen, boron or the mixture thereof; and a is in the range of 0.01-0.2; b is in the range of 3.50-4.60; c is in the range of 0.20-0.60; d is in the range of 0.10-0.7; e is in the range of 0.1-0.5; f is in the range of 0.005-0.2; and b+c+d+e+f is in the range of 4.8-5.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Central Iron & Steel Research Institute of Ministry of Metallurgical Industry
    Inventors: Yufeng Li, Deming Xu, Mingming Geng, Jun Li, Siqing Xu
  • Patent number: 5354576
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode composed of an active material. This electrode comprises a composition of a hydrogen storage alloy powder possessed of relatively high electrochemical capacity with a formula of MmNi5-x-y-z AxByCz and a hydrogen storage alloy powder possessed of catalytic activity with a formula of D2-uE1-vFuGv wherein Mm is the mischmetal, A=Co, Cr, V; B=Mn, Sn, Be; C=Al, Ca, Mg, Zr, Nb; D=Mg, Al; E=Cu, Zn; F=Ca, Be; G=Sn, Bi; 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, O.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.l.5, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.5, 0.ltoreq.u.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.v.ltoreq.0.5. The internal pressure of the alkali battery assembled with this electrode can be effectively lowered, the capacity and the cycle life of the sealed battery are improved, the activation period of the battery is shortened to 3-5 times, thus the crucial technical problem about industrial mass production of this kind of alkali batteries is surmounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Nan Kai University
    Inventors: Yunshi Zhang, Deying Song, Youxiao Chen, Jun Chen, Genshi Wang, Huatang Yuan, Zuoxiang Zhou, Xeujun Cao, Taoshi Zang, Daxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 5330710
    Abstract: A nickel-base alloy for a glass-contacting member used in an unenergized state and having a composition comprising by weight 25 to 40% of chromium, 10 to 45% of cobalt, optionally 0.1 to 3.0% of titanium and optionally 0.01 to 0.05% of at least one element selected from among rare earth metals with the balance consisting of nickel and unavoidable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Doryokuro Kakunenryo Kaihatsu Jigyodan
    Inventors: Toshio Masaki, Noriaki Sasaki, Shin-ichiro Torata, Hiroshi Igarashi, Tetsuya Shimizu, Tomohito Iikubo
  • Patent number: 5306583
    Abstract: A hydridable alloy material represented by the formula AB.sub.5 for the negative electrode of a nickel-hydride storage cell. A represents La.sub.(1-x-y-z) Ce.sub.x Nd.sub.y Pr.sub.z, where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.784, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.1, 0.1.ltoreq.x+z, 0<y+z, x+y+z.ltoreq.1, and 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.205-1.17x+2.39x.sup.2 -1.57x.sup.3 -z(0.23-0.65x+1.18x.sup.2)+z.sup.2 (0.18-0.54x), and B represents Ni partially substituted by Mn, Al and Co.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Jacques Bouet, Bernard Knosp, Annick Percheron-Guegan, Jean-Michel Cocciantelli
  • Patent number: 5304345
    Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy having a crystal structure of CaCu.sub.5 -type hexagonal system and represented by the general formula Re.sub.1-x Y.sub.x (Ni.sub.5-y G.sub.y).sub.z wherein Re is one of La, Ce, Nd, Pr, misch metal and lanthanum-rich misch metal, Y is yttrium, Ni is nickel, and G is an element capable of forming an intermetallic compound or complete solid solution in corporation with Ni or a mixture of such elements, and x, y and z are in the ranges of 0<x.ltoreq.0.6, 0<y.ltoreq.1 and 0.8<z.ltoreq.1.2, respectively. This alloy has a high equilibrium hydrogen desorbing pressure at room temperature, a great capacity to absorb hydrogen and high durability to repeatedly absorb and desorb hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu, Koichi Nishimura, Toshihiko Saito, Akio Furukawa
  • Patent number: 5290509
    Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode for an alkaline storage cell, the electrode including a hydrogen-absorbing alloy expressed by a composition formula ReBxMy, wherein Re is at least one element selected from a group consisting of rare earth elements and alkali earth elements, B is boron, and M is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Cr, Fe, Cu. Sn, Sb, Mo, V, Nb, Ta, Zn, Zr and Ti. The alloy consists essentially of an RM.sub.y main metal phase, and a subordinate boron-containing phase, such as a compound phase of boron and a IV-a, V-a, or VI-a group metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Furukawa, Kazuro Moriwaki, Mitsuzo Nogami, Seiji Kameoka, Motoo Tadokoro
  • Patent number: 5284619
    Abstract: A mixture of rare earth elements, in which La is comprised from 75 to 90 wt % of rare earth elements, with the balance being Ce, Nd, Pr and other rare earth elements (the mixture being referred to as a highly lanthanum-rich misch metal, and is hereinafter designated Lm), is used to produce a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a composition represented by LmNi.sub.x-A-B Co.sub.A Al.sub.B, Lm.sub.1-x Zr.sub.x Ni.sub.Y-A-B Co.sub.A Al.sub.B, or Lm.sub.1-x Zr.sub.x Ni.sub.Y-A-B-C Co.sub.A Mn.sub.B Al.sub.C. By using these hydrogen absorbing alloys as negative electrode materials, nickel metal hydride secondary batteries can be fabricated that have a large discharge capacity and that also have excellent cycle life and high rate discharge characteristics. Such electrode characteristics that are balanced between the aspects of discharge capacity and cycle life have heretofore been unattainable by either La alone or a misch metal having a relatively low La content or a conventional lanthanum-rich misch metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Company, Limited
    Inventor: Tokuichi Hazama