Surface Feature (e.g., Rough, Mirror) Patents (Class 428/687)
  • Patent number: 6127050
    Abstract: An archival medium, such as a compact disc, is made of a metal such as aluminum which is mechanically gained with particulate material under conditions that embed particulate material into the surface of the medium and visibly imageable by selective exposure to infrared laser radiation. A mechanically grained aluminum medium can also be anodically oxidized under conditions that do not impair the ability of the substrate to be laser imaged. The archival medium can be coated with opaque and transparent polymer coatings before or after imaging for security and/or protection. The coating can be a laser ablatable coating to provide a tamper-proof medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventors: Howard A. Fromson, William J. Rozell
  • Patent number: 6117566
    Abstract: A lead frame material, which can be provided with an etching stop layer without requiring a troublesome process such as vapor deposition and has an excellent heat-resistance, is obtained by forming a nickel-phosphorus alloy layer (B) of 1.6 to 10 .mu.m thickness containing 0.3 to 1.0 wt % of phosphorus on a copper or copper alloy layer (A) of 35 to 300 .mu.m thickness, and forming an optional copper layer (C) of 0.2 to 30 .mu.m thickness on the nickel-phosphorus alloy layer (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignees: Nippon Denkai, Ltd., North Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsunori Matsumoto, Masami Noguchi, Kazuyoshi Aso
  • Patent number: 6110607
    Abstract: A high reflectance-low stress Mo-Si multilayer reflective coating particularly useful for the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength region. While the multilayer reflective coating has particular application for EUV lithography, it has numerous other applications where high reflectance and low stress multilayer coatings are utilized. Multilayer coatings having high near-normal incidence reflectance (R.gtoreq.65%) and low residual stress (.ltoreq.100 MPa) have been produced using thermal and non-thermal approaches. The thermal approach involves heating the multilayer coating to a given temperature for a given time after deposition in order to induce structural changes in the multilayer coating that will have an overall "relaxation" effect without reducing the reflectance significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude Montcalm, Paul B. Mirkarimi
  • Patent number: 6103401
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a window for an optical use having excellent transmission property over a wide range of from infra-red to vacuum ultraviolet as well as excellent baking resistance and capable of being fitted to an ultra-high vacuum apparatus and a process for the production of the same.This object can be attained by a window for an optical use comprising a diamond as a window material, a flange for a vacuum apparatus, a frame for bonding the diamond to the flange and the specified adhesive material for bonding the frame and diamond, and a process for the production of the window for an optical use comprising a step of preparing a diamond plate, a step of fitting a frame to a flange and bonding the diamond plate to the frame through an adhesive material. The benefits can be enlarged by suitably selecting the shape, material, etc. of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Okada, Shuji Asaka, Tsuneo Urisu, Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, Keiichiro Tanabe, Yoshiaki Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 6071389
    Abstract: A sputter target assembly includes a cobalt target diffusion bonded to an aluminum or copper backing plate by means of a titanium interlayer. The sputter target assembly may be made by hot vacuum pressing or, preferably, by hot isostatically pressing the target, interlayer and backing plate together. Preferably, the titanium interlayer is provided as a foil, but may also be formed on a mating surface of either the target or the backing plate by electroplating, sputtering, electroless plating, or plasma spraying. The target may be advantageously machined with grooves defining salient points prior to providing the interlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Tosoh SMD, Inc.
    Inventor: Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 6054225
    Abstract: A piston ring is formed with a nitrided layer over all surfaces and formed with a composite chromium plating film over the nitrided layer in the outer circumferential surface. The composite chromium plating film has a network of cracks formed on the outer surface and interior. Spherical alumina particles are fixed in these cracks. The average size of the spherical alumina particles is 0.7 to 10 .mu.m and the dispersion ratio of the spherical alumina particles is 3 to 15 percent by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Teikoku Piston Ring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Harayama, Toshiaki Imai
  • Patent number: 6015632
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor based on a giant magnetoresistance multilayer uses a multilayer structure formed of alternating layers or stripes of ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic metal that are spontaneously formed or "self-assembled" laterally on a special template layer. The template layer is a crystalline structure that has a two-fold uniaxial surface, i.e., one that is structurally invariant for a rotation by 180 degrees (and only 180 degrees) about an axis (the symmetry axis) perpendicular to the surface plane. Such a template layer is the (110) surface plane of body-centered-cubic Mo. The alternating stripes of ferromagnetic metal (such as Co or Fe) and nonferromagnetic metal (such as Ag) become spontaneously arranged laterally on the template layer during co-deposition, such as during ultrahigh vaccum evaporation, and are aligned so that the direction of composition modulation, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Darden Chambliss, Robin Frederick Charles Farrow, Ronald Franklin Marks, Eric Dean Tober
  • Patent number: 5998044
    Abstract: Aluminium sheet suitable for use as a lithographic plate support has a surface that is uniformly rough by virtue of a rippled topography having an aspect ratio of at least 1.3 on a ale of 5-200 .mu.m and a superimposed pitted surface on a scale of 1-20 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Peter Karl Ferdinand Limbach, Martin Philip Amor, Jonathan Ball
  • Patent number: 5989726
    Abstract: A highly reliable multi-layer ceramic electronic part in which is compact, in which cracks tend not to occur in the ceramic element even in cases where it is handled in bulk by a chip mounting device. A plurality of electrodes (internal electrodes) are disposed within a ceramic element whose length L.ltoreq.1.0 mm, height H.ltoreq.0.5 mm and width W.ltoreq.0.5 mm. The thickness t.sub.1 of a ceramic outer layer portion of the multi-layer ceramic electronic part, is 0.15 mm or less. The thickness of the ceramic outer layer portion t.sub.1 and the thickness t.sub.2 of the portion where the internal electrodes are disposed have the relationship 1/4 t.sub.2 .ltoreq.t.sub.1.ltoreq.1/3 t.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Noji, Mamoru Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5989727
    Abstract: Treated electrolytic copper foil wherein the shiny side of the raw foil is modified and smoothed by an electrodeposited copper gilding layer, a copper-clad laminate produced with such foil, and an electrical circuit produced from such a laminate. The preferred foil has the surface of the shiny side of the raw foil modified by an electrodeposited copper gilding layer, a copper dendritic layer electrodeposited on the gilding layer, and a second copper gilding layer electrodeposited on the first dendritic layer, while a copper dendritic layer is electrodeposited on the surface of the matte side of the foil, and a copper gilding is electrodeposited on the latter dendritic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Circuit Foil U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Yates, Adam Wolski, George Gaskill, Chinsai T. Cheng, Keith Bodendorf, Paul Dufresne
  • Patent number: 5986205
    Abstract: The stainless steel sheet useful as a substrate for non-single crystalline semiconductor solar cells has minute ripples with undulations along a rolling direction, and its surface roughness is controlled in the range of R.sub.z 0.3-1.4 .mu.m and R.sub.max 0.5-1.7 .mu.m. It is manufactured by finish cold rolling a stainless steel strip with a reduction ratio of at least 20% at a rolling speed of at least 400 m/min. using work rolls polished with abrasives of gage #100-#400 at a final pass, annealing the rolled strip in an open-air atmosphere and then electrolytically pickling the annealed strip in a nitric acid solution. Since minute ripples with undulations are formed on the surface of the stainless steel sheet, an energy conversion efficiency is increased by acceleration of scattering and multiple reflection of incident light rays projected into a non-single crystalline semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignees: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd., Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Matsune, Yasushi Nishimura, Takuji Okiyama, Masafumi Sano
  • Patent number: 5981084
    Abstract: An electrolytic process for cleaning the surface of a workpiece of an electrically conducting material, which process comprises:i) providing an electrolytic cell with a cathode comprising the surface of the workpiece and an inert anode;ii) introducing an electrolyte into the zone created between the anode and the cathode by causing it to flow under pressure through at least one opening in the anode and thereby impinge on the surface of the cathode, the surface of the cathode not otherwise being immersed in the electrolyte; andiii) applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode and operating in a regime in which the electrical current decreases or remains substantially constant with increase in the voltage applied between the anode and the cathode, and in a regime in which gas bubbles are present on the surface of the workpiece during treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vitalij M. Riabkov, Valerij L. Steblianko
  • Patent number: 5958604
    Abstract: An electrolytic process for metal-coating the pre-cleaned surface of a workpiece of an electrically conducting material, which process comprises:i) providing an electrolytic cell with a cathode comprising the workpiece and an anode comprising the metal for metal-coating of the surface of the workpiece;ii) introducing an electrolyte into the zone created between the anode and the cathode by causing it to flow under pressure through at least one opening in the anode impinge on the cathode; andiii) applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode and operating in a regime in which the electrical current decreases or remains substantially constant with increase in the voltage applied between the anode and the cathode, and in a regime in which discrete gas bubbles are present on the surface of the workpiece during treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vitalig M. Riabkov, Valerij L. Steblianko
  • Patent number: 5952114
    Abstract: A Cu skin film is formed of an aggregate of Cu crystals. Pyramid-shaped Cu crystals and/or conical Cu crystals exist in the surface of the Cu skin film. The area rate A of the pyramid-shaped Cu crystals, the area rate A of the conical Cu crystals or the sum A of the area rates of these Cu crystals in the skin film surface are set in a range of A.gtoreq.40%. The skin film surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the existence of the infinite number of pyramid-shaped Cu crystals and/or conical Cu crystals. If such a Cu skin film is formed, for example, on a surface opposite from that surface of a backing of a slide bearing which is opposed to a rotary shaft, the Cu skin film exhibits a good oil retention and therefore seizure due to a fretting can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Gunji, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka
  • Patent number: 5928800
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of metal crystals. The area rate A of hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals in a slide surface of the slide surface construction is in a range of A.gtoreq.40%, and the Co (cobalt) content in the aggregate is in a range of Co.gtoreq.13% by weight. The metal crystals are preferably Fe (ferrous) crystals. The slide surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the existing of a large number of hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals and hence, has a good oil retention. In addition, the wearing of the hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals is inhibited due to an increase in hardness resulting from the incorporation of Co and therefore, the oil retention is maintained. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka, Takahiro Gunji, Kenji Hirose
  • Patent number: 5902685
    Abstract: A grinding roll for use in a material bed roll mill for the comminution of brittle material has a cylindrical body in the periphery of which are alternating grooves and lands. To the exterior of each land is secured a wear strip. The grooves of the confronting rolls may be directly opposite one another or the grooves may be offset axially so that the grooves in one roll confront a land of the opposite roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Krupp Polysius AG
    Inventors: Heinz Schroder, Oswald Haberhauer
  • Patent number: 5897968
    Abstract: A slide surface construction of a slide bearing is formed of an aggregate of two different metal crystals. The sliding condition of a first region of the slide bearing is more severe than that of a second region. The (2hhh) oriented metal crystals having a body-centered cubic structure with their (2hhh) planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface exist in the first region. The content S.sub.2hhh of the (2hhh) oriented metal crystals is set in a range of S.sub.2hhh .gtoreq.20%. These crystals have a high hardness and are in the form of fish-like metal crystals in the slide surface and hence, an aggregate of these metal crystals has a good oil retention. The (hhh) oriented metal crystals having a body-centered cubic structure with their (hhh) planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface exist in the second region. The content S.sub.hhh of the (hhh) oriented metal crystals is set in a range of S.sub.hhh .gtoreq.40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Dosaka, Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Hiroshi Koinuma
  • Patent number: 5895562
    Abstract: Gas shielding is employed to prevent metal plating on contacts during electroplating to reduce particulate contamination and increase thickness uniformity. In another embodiment, gas shielding is employed to prevent deposition on the backside and edges of a semiconductor wafer during plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Valery Dubin
  • Patent number: 5882804
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of metal crystals on a surface of a slide member. The area rate A of pyramid-shaped metal crystals in the slide surface is in the range of A.gtoreq.40%, and the oxygen (O) content and/or the phosphorous (P) content in the aggregate is in a range of 0.gtoreq.0.2% by weight and P.gtoreq.0.04% by weight. The slide surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the presence of the large number of hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals and hence, has a good oil retention. In addition, the wearing of the hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals is inhibited by an increase in hardness caused by the oxygen contained, and therefore, the oil retention is maintained. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance. In addition to oxygen (O) and/or phosphorous (P), the elements that may be added to the aggregate include hydrogen (H), carbon (C) and boron (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka, Takahiro Gunji
  • Patent number: 5871852
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Fe crystals on a surface of a slide member such as a piston, cylinder, piston ring of the like. The area rate A of hexagonal pyramid-shaped Fe crystals in the slide surface is in the range of 40%.ltoreq.A.ltoreq.100%, and the content of Ni in the aggregate is in a range of 1% by weight.ltoreq.Ni.ltoreq.40% by weight. The slide surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the presence of a large number of hexagonal pyramid-shaped Fe crystals and hence, has a good oil retention. The slide surface construction exhibits an excellent corrosion resistance, because it contains nickel (Ni) or chromium (Cr) or both. Thus, the corrosion of the pyramid-shaped Fe crystals is inhibited in a corrosive sliding environment and hence, the oil retention is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Toyoda, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka
  • Patent number: 5861076
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bond enhancement process for promoting strong, stable adhesive bonds between surfaces of copper foil and adjacent resin impregnated substrates or superimposed metallic sublayers. According to the process of the invention, a black oxide-coated copper surface is treated with an aqueous reducing solution containing sodium metabisulfite and sodium sulfide to convert the black oxide coating to a roughened metallic copper coating. The roughened metallic copper-coated surface is then passivated and laminated to a resin impregnated substrate. The bond enhancement process is especially useful in multilayer printed circuit fabrication and in the treatment of copper circuit lines and areas which are disconnected from each other, that is, which do not have electrically conductive continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Park Electrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin J. Adlam, Sukianto Rusli, Jordan L. Wahl, Tayfun Ilercil, Robert A. Forcier, Jerome S. Sallo
  • Patent number: 5858517
    Abstract: An electrodeposited copper foil for use in the manufacture of a printed wiring board in which the original profile of the matte surface has been completely removed, preferably by buffing, leaving a surface having linear streaks and a roughness 1.5 .mu.m or less. The new surface is then given a nodule forming treatment which produces a surface roughness of 1.5 to 2.0 .mu.m, which may be followed by a corrosion resisting treatment. This invention further provides a method of manufacturing such an electrodeposited copper foil. Such copper foils are especially useful in making fine circuit patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Tagusari, Yutaka Hirasawa, Kazuhide Oshima
  • Patent number: 5849423
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a zinciferous plated steel sheet, comprises: forming a zinciferous plating layer on a steel sheet; and forming an Fe--Ni--O film on the zinciferous plating layer. The Fe--Ni--O film is formed by carrying out electrolysis with the steel sheet as a cathode in an aqueous solution, dipping the steel sheet in an aqueous solution, or spraying a mist on a surface of the zinciferous plating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Urakawa, Toru Imokawa, Michitaka Sakurai, Jun-ichi Inagaki, Masaaki Yamashita, Shuji Nomura
  • Patent number: 5840391
    Abstract: A decorative glass sheet simulating a multi-pane, camed window or door, and a method for forming the same. The decorative glass sheet includes a glass panel having an outer surface. At least one groove is formed through the outer surface and into the glass panel. Each groove includes a first wall extending from a first peripheral edge to a groove bottom apex and a second wall extending from the apex to a second peripheral edge. The second wall has a width greater than a width of the first wall. At least one decorative caming strip is adhered to the outer surface of the glass panel and is disposed adjacent and along the first peripheral edge of the at least one groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Glass Unlimited of High Point, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith L. Eichhorn, Lars Richter
  • Patent number: 5834140
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrodeposited copper foil characterised in that roughening treatment is performed on a matte side of an untreated copper foil wherein the surface roughness R.sub.z of the matte side of the untreated copper foil is the same as or less than the surface roughness R.sub.z of the shiny side of this untreated copper foil. The electrodeposited copper foil is made by electrodepositing copper onto a drum from an electrolyte which contains 0.05 to 5 ppm 3-mercapto 1-propanesulfonate; at least one organic compound selected from 0.1 to 15 ppm of a polysaccharide which is a carbohydrate such as starches, celluloses and vegetable rubbers, and 0.3 to 35 ppm of a low molecular weight glue having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or less; and 10 to 60 ppm of a chloride ion. The copper foil may be used in making a printed circuit board or as a component of a secondary battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Circuit Foil Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam M. Wolski, Michel Streel, Akitoshi Suzuki, Hideo Otsuka
  • Patent number: 5832834
    Abstract: An aluminum support for a lithographic printing plate used in off-set printing or the like is disclosed, having a surface shape determined using an atomic force microscope (AFM) such that when measured within the measurement range of 100 .mu.m square with the resolution in the horizontal (X, Y) direction being 0.1 .mu.m, assuming that the surface area obtained by an approximate three-point problem is .alpha. and the upper projected area is .beta., the .alpha./.beta. value (specific surface area) is from 1.15 to 1.5, and when measured within the measurement range of 240 .mu.m square with the resolution in the horizontal (X, Y) direction being 1.9 .mu.m, the average surface roughness is from 0.35 to 1.0 .mu.m and the ratio of the sum of the surface area where the gradient of 30.degree. or more to the total surface area is from 5 to 40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Nishino, Kiyotaka Fukino, Akio Uesugi
  • Patent number: 5834129
    Abstract: The present invention relates to supports for lithographic printing plates and to a process for producing the same. In particular, the invention relates to aluminum plates having an electrochemically grained and anodized surface which is has a smooth, shiny surface and hence greater image contrast when a lithographic image is formed thereon. The surface has a substantially uniform surface topography comprising peaks and valleys and surface roughness parameters wherein Ra ranges from about 0.10 to about 0.50 microns, Rz ranges from about 0.00 to about 5.00 microns, Rt ranges from about 0.00 to about 6.00 microns and Rp ranges from about 0.00 to about 4.00 microns. The surface preferably has tristimulus color coordinate values wherein L ranges from about 35.00 to about 75.00, a ranges from about -4.00 to about +4.00 and b ranges from about -4.00 to about +4.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Major S. Dhillon, Gerhard Sprintschnik, Jose G. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 5817397
    Abstract: The surface of a lining member 3 is formed with a multiplicity of uneven surfaces 3a. The entire surface of the lining member 3 is coated by an intermediate layer 4 which comprises Ni. The surface of the intermediate layer 4 is additionally coated by an overlay layer 5 which comprises an Sn alloy. The lining member 3 has a surface roughness t.sub.1, as a result of forming the uneven surfaces 3a, which is chosen to be in a range from 2 to 8 .mu.mRz, and a thickness t.sub.2 of the intermediate layer 4 is chosen to be in a range from 0.01 to 0.6 .mu.m. When a sliding bearing 1 is heated, the overlay layer 5 and the intermediate layer 4 chemically react with each other to produce an Sn--Ni compound. As the overlay layer 5 becomes abraded, the Sn--Ni compound 6 will be exposed on the sliding contact surface. However, the described choice prevents the Sn--Ni compound from being exposed across the entire region of the sliding contact surface, thus improving the anti-seizure resistance of the sliding bearing 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soji Kamiya, Yuji Yokota, Yoshio Kumada
  • Patent number: 5800930
    Abstract: There it is disclosed a chemical treatment for copper foil which imparts a dark brown to black color to the foil and improves the bond strength of the foil to a dielectric substrate without detrimentally changing the etching characteristics of the foil. The treatment includes depositing a nodular copper/nickel alloy layer on a surface of the foil. These nodules are 55% to 95% by weight copper and are electrolytically deposited using a pulse power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Szuchain Chen, Nina Yukov
  • Patent number: 5789066
    Abstract: Method of producing metal sheets or strips by cold reduction rolling of a metal sheet or strip with at least one pair of work rolls, at least one of which being a textured work roll in order to transfer the surface pattern of the textured work roll to the surface of said sheet or strip, characterized in that said pattern of the textured work roll consists in a bidimensional deterministic pattern of spots wherein each spot has the form of a crater with a rim around it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Sidmar N.V.
    Inventors: Carl De Mare, Damien De Soete, Yves Gadeyne
  • Patent number: 5738929
    Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes a non-magnetic substrate, a ferromagnetic dispersion layer or a ferromagnetic layer, and a non-magnetic metal film. The ferromagnetic dispersion layer is a layer of a ferromagnetic metal or alloy that is independently and dispersedly formed on the substrate. The alternative ferromagnetic layer is a layer of a ferromagnetic metal or alloy that is formed on the substrate with a textured surface. The non-magnetic metal film is made of at least one atomic element having a non-soluble relation with the ferromagnetic metal or alloy, and is formed on the non-magnetic substrate and the ferromagnetic dispersion layer or the ferromagnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Maeda, Satoru Oikawa, Minoru Kume
  • Patent number: 5738928
    Abstract: A TAB (tape automated bonding) tape of high precision is formed without the deformations of its conductor pattern and the like and which is hermetically sealed with resin. The method for producing a TAB tape includes punching required holes, such as a device hole 14 and the like, in a metal plate 10 coated with an insulating adhesive layer 12 over the area where a conductor pattern is to be formed; and forming a required conductor pattern 24 by bonding a conductor metal foil onto the adhesive layer and by etching the conductor metal foil. Thus, the material cost of this TAB tape can be reduced and the production of this tape is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Kodani, Kazuo Koyanagi, Kiyokazu Sato
  • Patent number: 5733650
    Abstract: A wearing surface for tires includes a rubber or rubber mix and an admixture of friction-improving materials. The admixture of friction-improving materials include a mixture of crystalline chrysolite (olivine) and a metal powder. The metal powder can be steel or an aluminum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Erling Christensen
  • Patent number: 5714271
    Abstract: A raw aluminum foil for use to prepare electrolytic condenser electrodes has an aluminum purity of 99.9% or higher and contains 50-500 ppm of Mg. A method of etching the raw foil to prepare the electrodes consists of a primary etching step and a secondary etching step, and the primary etching is conducted in an aqueous bath containing 3-10% by weight of HCl and 10-40% by weight of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, at 70.degree.-90.degree. C. and with a current density of 10-40 A/dm.sup.2. The secondary etching is conducted electrolytically or chemically in a further bath containing 3-10% by weight of HCl, with or without 1% or less of H.sub.2 C.sub.2 O.sub.4 added to the further bath, at a bath temperature of 70.degree.-95.degree. C. and with a current density of 0-10 A/dm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yamanoi, Tadao Fujihira, Ichizo Tsukuda, Eizo Isoyama, Shigeru Endo
  • Patent number: 5712048
    Abstract: A ship that is partially hot-tin-plated with at least one metallic coating track extending in longitudinal direction on or both of its upper and lower surfaces and/or along one or both side edges. An intermetallic phase exists between the ship material and the coated track. In order to satisfy the many uses for partially tin-plated ships in the electronics and electrotechnical fields and for the manufacture of semiconductor elements, the track, viewed in longitudinal direction, is interrupted according to the invention at regular and/or irregular spacings (A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3 . . . ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Wieland-Werke AG
    Inventors: Isabell Buresch, Traugott Schneider, Hermann Sturm
  • Patent number: 5681636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a substrate for a thin film magnetic data storage disc, the process including the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) printing a masking pattern of ink dots onto at//least a portion of the surface of the substrate by an offset printing process in which the ink to form the masking pattern is transferred from a printing plate to the substrate by an offset printing member and wherein on transfer from the printing plate to the offset member the ink fragments into the ink dots; and (c) etching the unmasked surface of the substrate thereby to texture the substrate surface. The present invention also relates to a substrate for a thin film magnetic data storage disc, the substrate having a roughened surface composed of peaks separated by valleys produced by preferential area etching, the peaks being grouped into a plurality of substantially circular sub-arrays with the sub-arrays forming a regular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Pilkington plc
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Marshall
  • Patent number: 5681661
    Abstract: The performance of many macroscopic structures (those whose dimensions are on the order of centimeters, meters, or even larger) can be greatly improved by covering their surfaces with microstuctures. There are several applications in which "large," microstructure-covered sheets are useful. For example, dissimilar sheets of material that otherwise would not bond well to one another (such as a polymer and a metal) can be more strongly bonded with microstructures extending from one of the sheets and embedded into the other sheet. Such products make valuable laminate composites. As another example, the rate of heat transfer between an object and the surrounding medium can be dramatically changed (up or down) by covering the surface of the object with high aspect ratio microstructures, without significantly changing the component's size or weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventor: Kevin W. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5670265
    Abstract: A steel component is provided on its surface with an electroplated anti-corrosive coating of a metallic material and has a hardness of at least 650 HV, the anti-corrosive coating being thinner than the surface roughness which the hardened component had before the application of the protective coating. Advantageously, the component is a rolling bearing component with a surface roughness R.sub.z of 0.3 to 9.0 .mu.m and a coating thickness of 0.1 to 3.0 .mu.m. Preferably, the anti-corrosive coating comprises a zinc-cobalt alloy, a zinc-iron alloy or a zinc-nickel alloy coating. It is possible to add iron, tin, copper or chromium to the coating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Karl Ludwig Grell, Reiner Woltmann
  • Patent number: 5643684
    Abstract: An unwoven metal fabric suitable for use as a battery electrode, a catalyst or a filter, and a method of manufacturing such fabric. An unwoven carbon fabric made up of carbon fibers bound together by a resin is heated to carbonize the binder resin and thus to impart electrical conductivity to the resin, and at the same time finely roughen the surfaces of the carbon fibers and the resin. A plating layer is directly formed on the unwoven carbon fabric thus formed by electroplating. Then, the unwoven carbon fabric is removed by roasting to provide an aggregate of metal fibers joined together and having their voids communicating with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Tsubouchi, Satoru Okamoto, Tomohiko Ihara
  • Patent number: 5629099
    Abstract: An alloying-treated iron-zinc alloy dip-plated steel sheet excellent in press-formability, having, on the surface thereof, numerous fine concavities which satisfy the following conditions: (1) that the number of fine concavities having a depth of at least 2 .mu.m is within a range of from 200 to 8,200 per mm.sup.2 of the plating layer, and (2) that the total opening area per unit area of the fine concavities in the plating layer is within a range of from 10 to 70% of the unit area. The above-mentioned plated steel sheet is manufactured by subjecting a cold-rolled steel sheet to a zinc dip-plating treatment in a zinc dip-plating bath having an aluminum content of from 0.05 to 0.30 wt. %, in which the temperature region causing an initial reaction for forming an iron-aluminum layer is limited within a range of from 500.degree. to 600.degree. C., an alloying treatment in which an alloying treatment temperature is limited within a range of from 480.degree. to 600.degree. C., and a temper-rolling treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Michitaka Sakurai, Kenji Tahara, Junichi Inagaki, Toyofumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5597657
    Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Ni crystals having a face-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes {220} oriented Ni crystals with their {220} planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface and having a content S in a range represented by S<25%. If the content of the {220 } oriented Ni crystals is set in such a range, a large number of quadrangular Ni crystals are precipitated in the slide surface, so that the oil retention and the initial conformability are improved by the Ni crystals. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Gunji, Yoshikazu Fujisawa, Masamune Tabata, Kazuhisa Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5591534
    Abstract: A galvanized steel sheet has a coating layer of protective material applied to its surface where the steel sheet has been roughened prior to application of the protective material. The improvement is characterized by the roughened steel surface having a pattern which ensures desired consistent quantity of coating during application of the protective material. The pattern provided on the sheet surface has a multitude of depressions defined by a plurality of ridges. The upper surfaces of the ridges defining a plane for each side of the steel sheet, where the ridges have a surface area less than 1/4 the nominal surface area of the sheet side. Each depression has a depth defined by a continuous side wall extending into the plane of the sheet side. The side wall slopes downwardly of the plane at an angle greater than 45.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sorevco, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre F. Vigeant, Alain Bernard
  • Patent number: 5589280
    Abstract: The adhesion to plastic substrates of thick layers of functional metals having an oxide heat of formation that is greater than -40,000 calories/gram atom of metal, such as silver, copper, gold, and the like, is improved if a thin layer of a metal having an oxide heat of formation of less than -50,000 calories/gram atom of metal is present as an adhesion-promoting primer layer. When the primer layer metal has a melting point greater than 1100.degree. C., it should be present as the metal or as a substoichiometric oxide. When the primer layer metal has a melting point less than 1100.degree. C., it may be present as the metal, as a substoichiometric oxide, or as a full stoichiometric oxide. Processes for preparing these materials using sputter-depositing and reflectors incorporating these materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Southwall Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Gibbons, Louis C. Lau, Floyd E. Woodard
  • Patent number: 5585198
    Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes a non-magnetic substrate, a ferromagnetic dispersion layer or a ferromagnetic layer, and a non-magnetic metal film. The ferromagnetic dispersion layer is a layer of a ferromagnetic metal or alloy that is independently and dispersedly formed on the substrate. The alternative ferromagnetic layer is a layer of a ferromagnetic metal or alloy that is formed on the substrate with a textured surface. The non-magnetic metal film is made of at least one atomic element having a non-soluble relation with the ferromagnetic metal or alloy, and is formed on the non-magnetic substrate and the ferromagnetic dispersion layer or the ferromagnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Maeda, Satoru Oikawa, Minoru Kume
  • Patent number: 5580668
    Abstract: Thin layers of aluminum (13) and palladium (12) are deposited and annealed to produce aluminum-palladium alloy (14). The surface of the alloy (14) is exposed and treated with an aluminum etchant to produce a catalytic surface (15). The catalytic surface is used for electroless plating of nickel, providing excellent plating uniformity and adhesion, as well as a reduced plating induction time. Several variants of the basic method are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Astarix Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Kellam
  • Patent number: 5564066
    Abstract: To manufacture a reflector formed by a reflective metallic layer on a metallic matrix composite support, a metallic layer having a reflective surface whose shape is at least approximately identical to the required geometrical shape is disposed on a mold surface having a geometrical shape complementary to the required geometrical shape of the reflector. Fibers to constitute the composite support are draped on the metallic layer. They are metallized by the metallic or intermetallic material to form the metallic matrix. This layer and the metallized fibers are subjected to temperature and pressure conditions adapted to press the reflective surface strongly against the mold surface and to cause diffusion welding of the layer with the metallized fibers and of the metallized fibers with themselves so as to integrate the layer to the composite support during consolidation of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventor: Henri Abiven
  • Patent number: 5558922
    Abstract: A thermal barrier coating is provided which is adapted to be formed on an article subjected to a hostile thermal environment while subjected to thermally, mechanically and/or dynamically-induced stresses, such as a component of a gas turbine engine. The thermal barrier coating is composed of a bond layer that tenaciously adheres an insulative ceramic layer to the article. The bond layer is formed of a metallic oxidation-resistant material, and has an average surface roughness R.sub.a of at least about 7.5 micrometers, while the ceramic layer is characterized by being segmented by at least two sets of grooves. The grooves have substantially uniform widths of about 100 to about 500 micrometers, with adjacent grooves of each set being spaced about 10 to about 250 millimeters apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bhupendra K. Gupta, Gilbert Farmer, Alan Walker
  • Patent number: 5552235
    Abstract: An embossed cold rolled metal (e.g. steel) sheet for use in manufacturing appliances and method of making same wherein the surface attributes of the embossed sheet are optimized to improve corrosion resistance of the painted product, promote uniform paint coverage of the sheet surface, reduce paint consumption, enable repainting without loss of pattern crispness, and provide consistent and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the painted sheet. The embossed sheet has a plurality of plateaus and impressions defined therein in a manner such that the arithmetic average surface roughness (Ra) of the plateaus is from about 50 to 100 microinches, the maximum impression depths over a given area are from about 0.0025 to 0.0032 inches, the impression walls define maximum slopes of from about 8-17 degrees, and there are no sharp corners or ridges at the transition points between plateaus and impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Adel F. Bastawros, John G. Speer, Leo J. Deistler, Eugene H. Schuchert
  • Patent number: 5547771
    Abstract: A high-hardness metal skin film is formed of an aggregate of metal crystals. The area rate A of pyramid-shaped metal crystals in a surface of the skin film is in a range of A.gtoreq.40%. The aggregate contains at least one element selected from boron (B), carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) as an added element, wherein the B content is in a range of B.gtoreq.0.01% by weight, the C content is in a range of C.gtoreq.0.03% by weight, and the H content is in a range of H.gtoreq.0.01% by weight. The skin surface takes on an intricate aspect due to the presence of a large number pyramid-shaped metal crystals and hence, has a good oil retention. In addition, the wear of each pyramid-shaped metal crystal is inhibited by an increase in hardness produced with the containment of boron and/or carbon and/or hydrogen and therefore, the oil retention is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Gunji, Masamune Tabata, Kenji Dosaka, Kenji Hirose
  • Patent number: 5543961
    Abstract: A diffuse reflector is provided which isotropically reflects the infrared and far-infrared regions of the spectrum. The reflector includes a metal plate having one surface that is roughened by an electric discharge machine so as to have an r.m.s. roughness large enough to diffusely reflect far-infrared radiation. The roughening process creates facets having cavities which trap and diffusely reflect normally incident far-infrared radiation. An example of a reflector so produced has an isotropic bidirectional reflectance distribution function approximately equal to 1/.pi. sr.sup.-1 between the wavelengths of 5 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Sheldon M. Smith