Foam Patents (Class 75/415)
  • Patent number: 10894523
    Abstract: A crash box capable of easily deforming into a bellows shape and absorbing impact energy more reliably, and its manufacturing method are provided. The present disclosure is applied to a crash box which is partly deformed in an axial direction to absorb impact energy when the crash box receives an impact in the axial direction. A first layer made of metal and a second layer made of metal containing a larger volume of bubbles than that of the first layer are alternately formed in the axial direction in the crash box according to the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ikuta, Yu Takanezawa, Rikuto Takagi, Mitsutaka Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10780492
    Abstract: A method for continuously producing a strip-shaped metallic workpiece may involve introducing a molten mass into a casting region, solidifying the molten mass introduced into the casting region at least partially, and conveying the at least partially solidified molten mass out of the casting region. Hollow bodies may be added to the molten mass and encapsulated into the workpiece. Further, an apparatus for continuously producing a strip-shaped metallic workpiece may include a casting region into which a molten mass can be introduced and in which the molten mass introduced can solidify at least partially. The apparatus may also include a conveying device for conveying the molten mass out of the casting region, as well as a metering apparatus for adding hollow bodies to the molten mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Vanessa Wieschalla, Christian Höckling
  • Patent number: 9343209
    Abstract: An open-cell porous shaped body for heat exchangers, and process for making same, comprising a thermomagnetic material selected from, for example, a compound of the general formula (I): (AyB1?y)2+?CwDxEz??(I) where A is Mn or Co; B is Fe, Cr or Ni; at least two of C, D and E are different, have a non-vanishing concentration and are selected from P, B, Se, Ge, Ga, Si, Sn, N, As and Sb, where at least one of C, D and E is Ge or Si; ? is a number from ?0.1 to 0.1; and w, x, y, z are each a number from 0 to 1, where w+x+z=1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Bernard Hendrik Reesink
  • Patent number: 9084383
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) chassis includes a chassis base. A center portion of the chassis base comprises at least ninety-five weight percent of a first metal element that is one of Aluminum or Magnesium. An edge section of the chassis base extends around the circumference of the chassis base adjacent the center portion. The edge section is comprised of an alloyed material that includes the first metal element and at least five weight percent of at least one second metal element that is selected from the group including Lithium, Titanium, Tungsten, Chromium, Hafnium, Lanthanum, and Ytterbium. The center portion and the edge section may comprise a first layer of the chassis base, and a second layer may be bonded to the first layer. In one example including the second layer, the first metal element is Magnesium and the second layer is at least ninety-five weight percent of Aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Deeder M. Aurongzeb
  • Publication number: 20150114180
    Abstract: Apparatus for production of metal sponge or pig iron from metal oxide containing material in piece form using a reduction gas. A reduction reactor shaft (1); reduction gas inlet lines into the interior of the reduction reactor shaft (1); a reduction gas channel body (11) passes through the interior of the reduction reactor shaft (1) for distributing reduction gas; a reduction gas supply line for reduction gas and located below the reduction gas channel body (11) at at least one inner-wall end of the reduction gas channel body (11). The reduction gas channel body (11) has a carrier tube through which a cooling medium can flow. A first portion of the reduction gas is introduced into the bed by reduction gas inlet lines which end in the interior of the reduction reactor shaft. A second portion of the reduction gas is distributed into the bed by the reduction gas channel body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Georg Aichinger, Karl-Heinz Beham, Reinhard Pum, Wolfgang Sterrer, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20150111022
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal cellular structure includes providing a sol-gel that is a colloid dispersed in a solvent, the colloid including metal-containing regions bound together by polymeric ligands, removing the solvent from the gel using supercritical drying to produce a dry gel of the metal-containing regions bound together by the polymeric ligands, and thermally converting the dry gel to a cellular structure with a coating in at least one step using phase separation of at least two insoluble elements. Also disclosed is a metal cellular structure including interconnected metal ligaments having a cellular structure and a carbon-containing coating around the metal ligaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Michael J. Birnkrant
  • Patent number: 8758478
    Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing titanium sponge and coproducing sodium cryolite using sodium fluotitanate as an intermediate material, which includes the following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to titaniferous iron concentrate to enable a reaction to form fluotitanic acid; B) adding sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide to the fluotitanic acid to enable a reaction to form the sodium fluotitanate; C) putting the sodium fluotitanate into a reactor, adding aluminum to react with the sodium fluotitanate to form the titanium sponge and sodium cryolite; D) extracting the sodium cryolite and sending it to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and sodium sulphate, aluminum sodium sulphate; collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain a hydrofluoric acid solution; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid to Step A to leach the titaniferous iron concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen Sunxing Light Alloys Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Yueming Yu, Qingdong Ye, Jun Yang, Zhi Zhou, Xinyi Chen
  • Patent number: 8753421
    Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing titanium sponge and coproducing potassium cryolite using potassium fluotitanate as an intermediate material, which includes the following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to titaniferous iron concentrate to enable a reaction to form fluotitanic acid; B) adding potassium sulphate to the fluotitanic acid to enable a reaction to form the potassium fluotitanate; C) putting the potassium fluotitanate into a reactor, adding aluminum to react with the potassium fluotitanate to form the titanium sponge and potassium cryolite; D) extracting the potassium cryolite and sending it to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and potassium sulphate, aluminum potassium sulphate; collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain a hydrofluoric acid aqueous solution; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid aqueous solution to Step A to leach the titaniferous iron concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen Sunxing Light Alloys Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Yueming Yu, Qingdong Ye, Jun Yang, Zhi Zhou, Xinyi Chen
  • Patent number: 8636823
    Abstract: A silver salt solution and a reducing agent solution are added to an aqueous dispersing polymer solution to precipitate silver ribbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Ames Advanced Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Jason H. Rouse
  • Publication number: 20130305883
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for producing DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) utilizing a high-oxidation reducing gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, derived directly or indirectly from the gasification of hydrocarbons or coal, with a high content of oxidants (H2O and CO2). The invention provides a more efficient method and plant comprising a reactor in which particulate material of iron ore comes into contact with a high temperature reducing gas to produce DRI, with lower investment and operating costs, avoiding the need for a fired heater for the reducing gas fed into the reduction reactor. The reducing gas is heated to a temperature above 700° C. in two steps, a first step at a temperature below about 400° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: HYL TECHNOLOGIES S.A. DE C.V., DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE SPA
    Inventors: Alessandro Martinis, Michele Condosta, Eugenio Zendejas Martinez, Pablo Enrique Duarte Escareno
  • Patent number: 8574340
    Abstract: Methods involve producing carbon, metal and/or metal oxide porous materials that have precisely controlled structures on the nanometer and micrometer scales. The methods involve the single or repeated infiltration of porous templates with metal salts at controlled temperatures, the controlled drying and decomposition of the metal salts under reducing conditions, and optionally the removal of the template. The carbon porous materials can be prepared by methods that involve the infiltration of a carbon precursor into a porous template, followed by polymerization and pyrolysis. These porous materials have utility in separations and catalysis, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
    Inventors: Martin Bakker, Franchessa Maddox Sayler, Amy Grano, Jan-Henrik Smått
  • Patent number: 8444745
    Abstract: Amorphous metal foams and methods of making the same are provided. The amorphous metal foams have properties matching those of natural bone, enabling their use as bone replacement scaffolds. In one embodiment, for example, an amorphous metal foam has a density-dependent stiffness (or Young's modulus, denoted E) ranging from about 640?3.75 ?o ??ou? 2900?0.78, and a density dependent strength (?y) greater than about 8.1?2.57, wherein ? (the density) is less than about 1.7 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marios D. Demetriou, John S. Harmon, William L. Johnson, Chris Veazey
  • Publication number: 20130098207
    Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing titanium sponge and coproducing potassium cryolite using potassium fluotitanate as an intermediate material, which includes the following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to titaniferous iron concentrate to enable a reaction to form fluotitanic acid; B) adding potassium sulphate to the fluotitanic acid to enable a reaction to form the potassium fluotitanate; C) putting the potassium fluotitanate into a reactor, adding aluminium to react with the potassium fluotitanate to form the titanium sponge and potassium cryolite; D) extracting the potassium cryolite and sending it to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and potassium sulphate, aluminium potassium sulphate; collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain a hydrofluoric acid aqueous solution; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid aqueous solution to Step A to leach the titaniferous iron concentrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: SHENZHEN SUNXING LIGHT ALLOYS MATERIALS CO.,LTD
    Inventor: SHENZHEN SUNXING LIGHT ALLOYS MATERIALS CO.,LTD
  • Publication number: 20130098206
    Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing titanium sponge and coproducing sodium cryolite using sodium fluotitanate as an intermediate material, which includes the following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to titaniferous iron concentrate to enable a reaction to form fluotitanic acid; B) adding sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide to the fluotitanic acid to enable a reaction to form the sodium fluotitanate; C) putting the sodium fluotitanate into a reactor, adding aluminium to react with the sodium fluotitanate to form the titanium sponge and sodium cryolite; D) extracting the sodium cryolite and sending it to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and sodium sulphate, aluminium sodium sulphate; collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain a hydrofluoric acid solution; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid to Step A to leach the titaniferous iron concentrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: SHENZHEN SUNXING LIGHT ALLOYS MATERIALS CO.,LTD
    Inventor: Shenzhen Sunxing Light Alloys Materials Co.,Lltd
  • Publication number: 20130032005
    Abstract: A method for producing compacts containing iron oxide from undersized oxidic iron carriers may include producing a mixture which comprises undersized oxidic iron carriers, bentonite as a binder and water, pressing the mixture and hardening the green compacts obtained by the pressing, as well as to the compacts produced by the method and to the use of the compacts as lump iron carriers. The mixture may be subjected to a kneading process lasting at least 3 minutes and up to 30 minutes, prior to the pressing. The compacts may thus be produced without a maturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Boehm, Hado Heckmann
  • Publication number: 20120304823
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing sponge titanium from potassium fluotitanate by aluminothermic reduction, comprising the following steps: a reaction step: aluminum and zinc are mixed under a vacuum state, and the mixture is then reacted with potassium fluotitanate; a distillation step: KF, AlF3 and Zn generated by reaction are distilled out under a vacuum state; and a cooling step: sponge titanium is obtained subsequent to banking cooling. The invention further provides another method for preparing sponge titanium from potassium fluotitanate by aluminothermic reduction, comprising the following steps: a reaction step: aluminum and magnesium are mixed under a vacuum argon introduction condition, and the mixture is then reacted with potassium fluotitanate; a distillation step: KF, AlF3, MgF2 and Mg generated by reaction are distilled out under a vacuum state; and a cooling step: sponge titanium is obtained subsequent to banking cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SHENZHEN SUNXING LIGHT ALLOYS MATERIALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuemin CHEN, Jun YANG, Zhi ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20120304824
    Abstract: The invention provides a technological method for preparing sponge titanium from sodium fluotitanate raw material, comprising the following steps: step A: placing aluminum in an airtight resistance furnace, evacuating, introducing inert gas into the resistance furnace, and heating the aluminum to obtain molten aluminum; step B: opening a reactor cover, adding a proper amount of sodium fluotitanate into the reactor, closing the reactor cover, detecting leakage, slowly heating the reactor to 150° C., evacuating and continuously heating the reactor to 250° C.; step C: introducing inert gas into the reactor, continuously heating the reactor to 900° C., and stirring uniformly; step D: opening a valve, adjusting the stirring speed, dripping the molten aluminum, and controlling the temperature of reaction in a range from 900 to 1000° C.; and step E: opening the reactor cover, removing a stirring device out of the reactor, and eliminating NaAlF4 at upper layer to obtain sponge titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Shenzhen Sunxing Light Alloys Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuemin CHEN, Jun YANG, Zhi ZHOU
  • Patent number: 8277535
    Abstract: A porous metal body containing continuous pores and having a low oxygen content is provided by decomposing a porous resin body that contains continuous pores and has a layer of a metal thereon by heating the porous resin body at a temperature equal to or less than the melting point of the metal while the porous resin body is immersed in a first molten salt and a negative potential is applied to the metal layer; and a method for producing the porous metal body is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koutarou Kimura, Koji Nitta, Akihisa Hosoe, Shinji Inazawa, Kazuki Okuno, Masatoshi Majima, Hajime Ota, Shoichiro Sakai, Kengo Goto, Tomoyuki Awazu
  • Publication number: 20120100034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing sponge iron with in-situ carbon removal. The process for producing the sponge iron includes the steps of preparing a sandwich of at least two layers wherein the at least two layers includes a first layer (10) of iron oxide source which content is carbon free or comprises of only self-contaminant carbon or carbonaceous and second layer (12) is a mixture of iron oxide source and carbon source and subjecting the sandwich of at least two layers to a pyrolysis process in a non-oxidative environment at temperature between 950° C. to 1900° C. for a period between 10 minutes to 36 hours. The carbon source in the second layer (12) is equal to or more than stoichiometric weight of carbon according to a predominant reaction. The non-oxidative pyrolysis occurs in a reactor. The sandwich of two layers is placed in a moving carrier (16) such as tray to accommodate the sandwich of two layers in the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: IOP SPECIALISTS SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Kin Onn Low
  • Publication number: 20110274942
    Abstract: An aluminum foam product that exhibits superior resistance to corrosion and oxidation in aqueous environments. The invention comprises the incorporation of chemical buffering agents, such as anhydrous borax (Na2B4O7), into the formulation of aluminum foam in amounts that effectively reduce the corrosion and oxidation in aqueous environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: J. Daniel Bryant, David F. Iwig
  • Patent number: 7740795
    Abstract: The invention relates to implantable medical devices, particularly, to porous structures for such devices. In one aspect, the invention provides a porous metal scaffold comprising a porous metal network having pores defined by metal webs, the metal webs covered with at least one layer of metal particles bonded to the metal webs. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of forming porous scaffolds. In one such aspect, the method includes providing a polymer foam; forming a skin of biocompatible metal on the polymer foam by low temperature arc vapor deposition; and heating the polymer foam and the metal skin above the decomposition temperature of the polymer foam in an inert gas atmosphere; thereby the polymer foam decomposes producing a green metal foam. In yet other aspects, the invention provides methods of improving stability of porous scaffolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Kathy K. Wang, Nicholas Nai Guang Dong, Michael Meehan
  • Patent number: 7594530
    Abstract: This invention is a process for producing foamed material in space comprising the steps of: rotating the material to simulate the force of gravity; heating the rotating material until it is molten; extruding the rotating, molten material; injecting gas into the extruded, rotating, molten material to produce molten foamed material; allowing the molten foamed material to cool to below melting temperature to produce the foamed material. The surface of the extruded foam may be heated to above melting temperature and allowed to cool to below melting temperature. The extruded foam may also be cut to predetermined length. The starting material may be metal or glass. Heating may be accomplished by electrical heating elements or by solar heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Dennis S. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20090042012
    Abstract: A method for producing an aluminum foam product wherein reactive gas producing particles are introduced into an aluminum alloy melt under controlled conditions and subjected to agitation to induce the production of foam-stabilizing by-products, and, under certain conditions, the production of gases used to produce the molten metal foam itself. Foam products produced through this method have intrinsically formed metal oxides and other solid particles dispersed therein and are devoid of the large extrinsically added stabilizing ceramic additions traditionally used in the production of aluminum foams. The invention claims a rapid, single step method for producing an inoculated, foamable melt using low cost precursor materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: J. Daniel Bryant, Jacob A. Kallivayalil, Mark D. Crowley, Joseph R. Genito, Larry F. Wieserman, Deborah Murphy Wilhelmy, William E. Boren, JR.
  • Patent number: 7396380
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metal foam body, according to which a molten material containing gas is prepared and said molten material is left to solidify, thus forming a metal foam body. The aim of the invention is to produce high-quality metal foam bodies with a desired shape, without requiring complex equipment and whilst reducing the safety risk for the operating personnel. To achieve this, the material used is fused under atmospheric pressure and gas is simultaneously and/or subsequently introduced into the molten metal. The latter is then poured into a mold and is left to solidify, whereby the ambient pressure is reduced at least temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Alulight International GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Kretz, Karin Renger, Gottfried Rettenbacher, Anton Hinterberger
  • Patent number: 7195662
    Abstract: A device for feeding gas in a melt of foamable metal by means of at least one pipe for producing metal foam. The gas insertion pipe projects inwardly into the melt and at the projecting end has a gas outlet having a cross section of 0.006 to 0.2 mm2 and a pipe face area of less than 4.0 mm2. A flowable metal foam has gas bubbles defined by walls of a liquid metal matrix with solid reinforcing particles, and the diameter of the largest gas bubbles divided by that of the smallest gas bubbles is less than 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Huette Klein-Reichenbach Gesellschaft MBH
    Inventors: Franz Dobesberger, Herbert Flankl, Dietmar Leitlmeier, Alois Birgmann
  • Patent number: 7175689
    Abstract: A process for producing a lightweight molded part, comprising introducing a gas into a particle-containing, molten metal to produce a metal foam having voids with a monomodal distribution of their dimensions, introducing the metal foam into a casting die and compressing it therein essentially under all-round pressure; and the molded part made by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Huette Klein-Reichenbach Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Franz Dobesberger, Herbert Flankl, Dietmar Leitlmeier, Alois Birgmann, Peter Schulz
  • Patent number: 6998535
    Abstract: A method for casting articles from metal foam includes a molten metal bath and a foam forming means. The foam is drawn into a ladle, within a heated chamber, which transports a foam sample to a mold. The ladle deposits the foam sample into the mold and the mold is closed. Once cooled and hardened the formed article is removed. The system of the invention comprises a molten metal bath, a heated foam collecting chamber, a ladle for drawing a sample of the foam and for transporting the sample to a mold. The present invention provides an apparatus for carrying out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Cymat Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Nichol
  • Patent number: 6942716
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing metal foams of controlled structure and to the metal bodies in foam form obtained in this way, wherein metals from group IB to VIIIB of the periodic system of the elements are added before and/or during the formation of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Goldschmidt GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Knott, Andreas Weier, Dagmar Windbiel
  • Patent number: 6896029
    Abstract: Device and process for manufacturing a metal foam. The device includes at least two feed pipes for introducing gas. The at least two feed pipes are arranged next to one another. Each of the at least two feed pipes project into a foamable melt. The process includes introducing gas into a foamable molten metal from at least two neighboring similarly dimensioned feed pipes projecting into a metallurgical vessel and forming bubbles in an area of ends of the projecting pipe, whereby abutting areas of adjacent bubbles form particle-containing interstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Huette Klein-Reichenbach Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Franz Dobesberger, Herbert Flankl, Dietmar Leitlmeier
  • Patent number: 6889744
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for foaming a hollow profile with metal foam are provided. The device comprises induction means, into which the hollow profile can be introduced, in which a foamable raw material is disposed, the hollow profile having an electrical interruption, which extends in its longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, and being in contact with the induction means at least at one place, so that, during the inductive foaming of the raw material, the hollow profile forms part of the induction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Keetman, Karl-Heinz Suess
  • Patent number: 6881241
    Abstract: Cellular metal foam having closed cell walls is produced by introducing gas bubbles of suitable size and at a suitable rate below the surface of an otherwise non-stirred or non-agitated molten metal bath. For example, aluminum-silicon alloy, including silicon carbide foam stabilization particles has been thus processed into cellular metal of, as low as, one to two percent relative density and with good cell walls and quite regular cell size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Carlton Dwight Fuerst, Sheila Farrokhalaee Kia, Thomas C. Pederson
  • Patent number: 6858178
    Abstract: A composition of a porous body for use as biomaterial according to the present invention is produced by adding Al (aluminum) in the amount of 0.1 to 3.0 atomic % to a porous composition consisting of titanium, nickel, iron and molybdenum, and it promotes the growth of living tissue and cells into pores. By the addition of Al to Ni, Ti, Fe and Mo, the temperature of formation of the liquid phase is lowered, and thus the diffusion of the constitutional elements of the composition is promoted, and the uniform distribution of the constitutional elements increases. As a result, the proportion of micropores in the porous body becomes increased to the extent that the distribution of micropores having the size in the range of 10?2 ?m˜10 ?m is more than 5% in the metal bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Bio-Smart, Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor E. Gunther
  • Publication number: 20040163492
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to porous metal products including ceramic particles, where the initial surface layer (12) of the particles (10) is modified with agents that interact with surface oxygen, oxides and/or hydroxides to improve the wettability of particles within a molten metal alloy, and where the ceramic particles (10) are modified (14) by contacting the particles with a surface-modifying agent and heating the ceramic particles and surface-modifying agent to an elevated temperature at which the ceramic particle remains substantially stable and the surface-modifying agent becomes at least partially thermally unstable, to cause a reacted layer (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Mark D. Crowley, J. Daniel Bryant, David D. Leon, Jacob A. Kallivayalil, Joseph R. Genito, Patricia A. Stewart, Dorothy M. Schrall, Larry F. Wieserman, Larry B. Davis
  • Publication number: 20040093987
    Abstract: Cellular metal foam having closed cell walls is produced by introducing gas bubbles of suitable size and at a suitable rate below the surface of an otherwise non-stirred or non-agitated molten metal bath. For example, aluminum-silicon alloy, including silicon carbide foam stabilization particles has been thus processed into cellular metal of, as low as, one to two percent relative density and with good cell walls and quite regular cell size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Carlton Dwight Fuerst, Sheila Farrokhalaee Kia, Thomas C. Pederson
  • Publication number: 20040079198
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making porous aluminum product and products therefrom and, in particular, a method of rapidly solidifying a liquid metal foam produced by the incorporation of gas forming agents into an aluminum melt. The aluminum melt may be stabilized to support the creation of liquid metal foam by the addition of metal and/or ceramic additives. The decomposition of the gas forming agents and subsequent expansion of the gaseous products is controlled through the use of a reactor, wherein temperature, pressure and transit time can be adjusted to match the decomposition kinetics of the gas forming agent. The invention allows for the economical production of liquid metal foam of uniform cell size that can be continuously cast into sheet, plate and profile sections. Such metal foam products may be used in structural, thermal and acoustic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: J. Daniel Bryant, Larry F. Wieserman, Mark D. Crowley, David D. Leon, Jacob A. Kallivayalil
  • Publication number: 20040076849
    Abstract: Device and process for manufacturing a metal foam. The device includes at least two feed pipes for introducing gas. The at least two feed pipes are arranged next to one another. Each of the at least two feed pipes project into a foamable melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: HUTTE KLEIN-REICHENBACH GESELLSCHAFT m.b.H.
    Inventors: Franz Dobesberger, Herbert Flankl, Dietmar Leitlmeier
  • Publication number: 20040074338
    Abstract: A method for producing a metal structure comprising the following steps: providing a metal-coated polymer substrate; heating the metal-coated polymer substrate in a hot zone, in which a temperature of at least 600° C. prevails and in which an atmosphere essentially composed of water vapor or of a mixture of water vapor and neutral gas is maintained, so as to remove the polymer substrate and form a metal structure; and cooling the metal structure in a cooling zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Marc Kuhn, Damien Duncan
  • Publication number: 20030200837
    Abstract: A porous metal body having a foam structure of 500 &mgr;m or less in average pore diameter, wherein the skeleton is composed of an alloy primarily including Fe and Cr, and Cr carbide or FeCr carbide is uniformly dispersed in the texture. The metal porous body is produced by preparing a slurry primarily containing an Fe oxide powder having an average particle diameter of 5 &mgr;m or less, at least one powder selected from metallic Cr, Cr alloys, and Cr oxides, a thermosetting resin, and a diluent, applying a coating of this slurry to a resin core body having a foam structure, performing drying, and thereafter, performing firing in a non-oxidizing atmosphere so as to produce a metal porous body having the aforementioned skeleton structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Takahiro Matsuura, Keizo Harada
  • Publication number: 20030154820
    Abstract: A foamed/porous metal having fine bubbles in a matrix of aluminum or magnesium has shells of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide formed between the matrix and the bubbles of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Ryoichi Ishikawa, Katsuhiro Shibata
  • Publication number: 20030126949
    Abstract: A method for continuously producing foamed metals is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (i) adding a previously dissolved molten metal to a viscosity-enhancing furnace and agitating the molten metal so as to uniformly maintain the viscosity of the molten metal; (ii) conveying the molten metal to an electronic agitating type foaming furnace; (iii) injecting gas into the conveyed molten metal while agitating to obtain a foamed molten metal; and (iv) drawing the obtained foamed molten metal using a roller and cooling the drawn foamed metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Bo Young HUR
    Inventors: Bo Young Hur, Soon Hyung Cho, Ki Bae Kim, Seok Choun Bae
  • Publication number: 20030047036
    Abstract: A device for feeding gas in a melt of foamable metal by means of at least one pipe for producing metal foam. The gas insertion pipe projects inwardly into the melt and at the projecting end has a gas outlet having a cross section of 0.006 to 0.2 mm2 and a pipe face area of less than 4.0 mm2. A flowable metal foam has gas bubbles defined by walls of a liquid metal matrix with solid reinforcing particles, and the diameter of the largest gas bubbles divided by that of the smallest gas bubbles is less than 2.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: HUTTE KLEIN-REICHENBACH GESELLSCHAFT mbH
    Inventors: Franz Dobesberger, Herbert Flankl, Dietmar Leitlmeier, Alois Birgmann
  • Publication number: 20030005793
    Abstract: A process for producing a lightweight molded part, comprising introducing a gas into a particle-containing, molten metal to produce a metal foam having voids with a monomodal distribution of their dimensions, introducing the metal foam into a casting die and compressing it therein essentially under all-round pressure; and the molded part made by this process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: HUTTE KLEIN-REICHENBACH GESELLSCHAFT mbH
    Inventors: Franz Dobesberger, Herbert Flankl, Dietmar Leitlmeier, Alois Birgmann, Peter Schulz
  • Publication number: 20020170391
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing metal foams of controlled structure and to the metal bodies in foam form obtained in this way, wherein metals from group IB to VIIIB of the periodic system of the elements are added before and/or during the formation of the foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Wilfried Knott, Andreas Weier, Dagmar Windbiel
  • Patent number: 6310355
    Abstract: A covering or shield attenuating the flux of electromagnetic radiation from an article. The shield includes a matrix, a radiation attenuating material provided in the matrix, and at least one space provided in the matrix. The space reduces the overall weight of the shield. The space can be a variety of shapes, including round, honeycombed, triangular, rectangular, or other configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Worldwide Innovations and Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Cadwalader
  • Patent number: 5865237
    Abstract: A method of making castings of metal foam in which compacts of the metal, e.g. aluminum, and a gas-producing foaming agent are heated in a chamber from which the foaming mass is driven completely into the mold cavity so that some residual foaming can complete the distribution of the foam in the mold cavity. The volume of the compacts is selected such that upon complete foaming, it will fill the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Leichtmetallguss-Kokillenbau-Werk Illichmann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Schorghuber, Frantisek Simancik, Erich Hartl
  • Patent number: 5738907
    Abstract: A porous product, typically a metal foam sheet, is produced as a tailored, engineered product. The porous product can have enhanced strength, as well as more desirable electrical and mechanical properties. The product which first exists typically as a flexible, generally polymeric foam sheet in strip form, which strip is produced in the longitudinal direction, is stretched in a direction other than its direction of production. The porous product can have pores which would be anisotropic in form in usual production, which are stretched to at least substantially isotropic form. The product can even be tailored to have pores which are anisotropic in the direction of the stretch. Thus, an engineered product can be produced which, for example, as an open-cell metal foam prepared from a polymeric foam can have conductivity, both thermal and electrical, as well as strength and ductility, tailored for greater uniformity and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Vaccaro, Kenneth J. Gregg, Daniel W. Gibbons, Janet S. Gregg, John R. Griesser
  • Patent number: 5735977
    Abstract: The method of the invention produces nickel structures from nickel-coated polymer substrates. The nickel-coated polymer substrate has a nickel outer layer and initially has a temperature where the outer nickel layer lacks burst openings. Rapidly exposing the nickel-coated polymer substrate to a temperature of at least about 600.degree. C. thermally decomposes the polymer substrate and bursts holes through the outer nickel layer. The gases resulting from the thermally decomposed polymer substrate escape through the holes through the outer nickel layer to leave a nickel structure. Finally, annealing the nickel structure increases strength of the nickel structure to produce a ductile foam product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Kirt Kenneth Cushnie, Scott Thomas Campbell
  • Patent number: 5632319
    Abstract: A process for making high-quality foamed aluminum articles is disclosed. This process comprises the step of: (a) placing a raw aluminum feedstock into a mold, the raw aluminum feed stock contains at least 50 wt % spent (i.e., recycled) aluminum and does not contain any extraneous viscosity enhancing agent such as metallic calcuim or magnesium; (b) heating the mold so as to melt the raw aluminum feedstock to form a liquid aluminum mass; (c) stirring the liquid aluminum mass in open air to increase its viscosity by a factor of at least about 1.3 to 1.8; (d) adding a foaming agent into the liquid aluminum mass; (e) continuing stirring the liquid aluminum mass containing the foaming agent so as to generate and uniformly distribute gas bubbles inside said liquid aluminum mass; and (f) cooling and solidifying the liquid aluminum mass to room temperature so as to form the foamed aluminum article. In a preferred embodiment, recycled foamed aluminum materials are used as the raw aluminum feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Chen Yang, Shan-Chang Chueh, Kou-Chang Su, Ting-Huey Chiou
  • Patent number: RE45658
    Abstract: Metallic foams comprising high viscosity materials and apparatuses and methods of manufacturing such foams, and more particularly methods for controllably manufacturing metallic foams from bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC, California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jan Schroers, William L. Johnson, Christopher Thomas Veazey, Marios D. Demetriou
  • Patent number: RE47748
    Abstract: The formation of amorphous porous bodies and in particular to a method of manufacturing such bodies from amorphous particulate materials. The method allows for the control of the volume fraction as well as the spatial and size distribution of gas-formed pores by control of the size distribution of the powder particulates. The method allows for the production of precursors of unlimited size, and because the softened state of the amorphous metals used in the method possesses visco-plastic properties, higher plastic deformations can be attained during consolidation as well as during expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marios Demetriou, William L. Johnson, Christopher Thomas Veazey, Jan Schroers