Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
A process for fabricating worked superconducting ceramics material composed essentially of a yttrium-including rare earth element, an alkaline earth metal, copper and balance oxygen and unavoidable impurities, and optionally containing a metal originating from an oxygen supply agent, comprising: (a) providing starting powder composed of: (i) a member selected from the group consisting of: (1) a mixt powder composed of powders of component oxides: (1-1) a yttrium-including rare earth element oxide, (1-2) an alkaline earth metal oxide, and (1-3) copper oxide, and having a composition substantially the same as that of a contemplated superconducting ceramics, (2) a mixt powder composed of powders of: (2-1) a partial compound between any two of the component oxides constituting a contemplated superconductive ceramics secelected from (1-1), (1-2) and (1-3), and (2-2) the rest of the component oxides selected from (1-1), (1-2) and (1-3), and having a composition substantially the same as that of a contemplated superconducting ceramics, (3) powder of a superconducting ceramics composed essentially of a yttrium-including rare earth element, an alkaline earth metal, copper and balance oxygen and unavoidable impurities, (4) a mixt powder composed of at least two members selected from the mixt powders (1), (2) and (3); and (ii) optionally an oxygen-supply agent; (b) placing the starting powder in a metal casing, and sealing the metal casing; (c) optionally heat-treating the starting powder in the metal casing when the starting powder is the mixt powder (i)-(1), (ii)-(2) or (iii)-(4) at a temperature sufficient for calcining the starting powder; (d) working the metal casing containing the starting powder optionally heat-treated according to the step (c) above into an article having a predetermined form; and (e) optionally heat-treating the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
278 words
A process for fabricating worked superconducting ceramics material composed essentially of a yttrium-including rare earth element, an alkaline earth metal, copper and balance oxygen and unavoidable impurities, and optionally containing a metal originating from an oxygen supply agent, comprising: (a) providing starting powder composed of: (i) a member selected from the group consisting of: (1) a mixt powder composed of powders of component oxides: (1-1) a yttrium-including rare earth element oxide, (1-2) an alkaline earth metal oxide, and (1-3) copper oxide, and having a composition substantially the same as that of a contemplated superconducting ceramics, (2) a mixt powder composed of powders of: (2-1) a partial compound between any two of the component oxides constituting a contemplated superconductive ceramics secelected from (1-1), (1-2) and (1-3), and (2-2) the rest of the component oxides selected from (1-1), (1-2) and (1-3), and having a composition substantially the same as that of a contemplated superconducting ceramics, (3) powder of a superconducting ceramics composed essentially of a yttrium-including rare earth element, an alkaline earth metal, copper and balance oxygen and unavoidable impurities, (4) a mixt powder composed of at least two members selected from the mixt powders (1), (2) and (3); and (ii) optionally an oxygen-supply agent; (b) placing the starting powder in a metal casing, and sealing the metal casing; (c) optionally heat-treating the starting powder in the metal casing when the starting powder is the mixt powder (i)-(1), (ii)-(2) or (iii)-(4) at a temperature sufficient for calcining the starting powder; (d) working the metal casing containing the starting powder optionally heat-treated according to the step (c) above into an article having a predetermined form; and (e) optionally heat-treating the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said starting powder is composed of the mixt powder (1).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said yttrium-including rare earth element oxide (1-1) is yttrium oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said alkaline earth metal oxide (1-2) is barium oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said starting powder is composed of the powder (3).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said yttrium-including rare earth element is yttrium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein said alkaline earth metal is barium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein said starting powder further comprises the oxygen-supply agent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said oxygen-supply agent is Ag₂O, MnO₂, MoO₃, WO₃, V₂O₅ or Ti₃O₅.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said oxygen-supply agent is Ag₂O.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, further comprising providing an oxide layer on the inner surface of said metal casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as claimed in any one of Claim 1 to 11, wherein said heat-treatment (c) is performed at a temperature of from 850 °C to 950 °C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as claimed in any one of Claim 1 to 12, wherein said heat treatment (e) is performed at a temperature of from 300 to 950 °C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process as claimed in any one of Claim 1 to 13, wherein said metal casing is made of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, and aluminum, and alloys thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said metal casing is made of silver and its alloy.