US3913657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for fabricating a composite structure consisting of a filamentary material in a metal matrix
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1974-07-17
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided for preparing a composite structure consisting of filamentary material within a metal matrix. The method is practiced by the steps of confining the metal for forming the matrix in a first chamber, heating the confined metal to a temperature adequate to effect melting thereof, introducing a stream of inert gas into the chamber for pressurizing the atmosphere in the chamber to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, confining the filamentary material in a second chamber, heating the confined filamentary material to a temperature less than the melting temperature of the metal, evacuating the second chamber to provide an atmosphere therein at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, placing the second chamber in registry with the first chamber to provide for the forced flow of the molten metal into the second chamber to effect infiltration of the filamentary material with the molten metal, and thereafter cooling the metal infiltrated-filamentary material to form said composite structure.
Inventors
- 👤 John G Banker
- 👤 Robert C Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:12
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D19/00; B22D19/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for preparing a composite structure consisting of filamentary material within a metal matrix, comprising the steps of confining the metal for forming the matrix in a first chamber, heating the confined metal to a temperature adequate to effect melting thereof, introducing a stream of inert gas into said chamber for pressurizing the atmosphere in said chamber to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, confining the filamentary material in a second chamber, heating the confined filamentary material to a temperature less than the temperature of said metal, evacuating said second chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric, placing said second chamber in registry with said first chamber to provide for the forced flow of the molten metal into said second chamber by the differential pressure in the chambeRs to effect infiltration of the filamentary material with the molten metal, and thereafter cooling the metal infiltrated-filamentary material to form said composite structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for preparing a composite structure consisting of filamentary material within a metal matrix, comprising the steps of confining the metal for forming the matrix in a first chamber, heating the confined metal to a temperature adequate to effect melting thereof, introducing a stream of inert gas into said chamber for pressurizing the atmosphere in said chamber to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, confining the filamentary material in a second chamber, heating the confined filamentary material to a temperature less than the temperature of said metal, evacuating said second chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric, placing said second chamber in registry with said first chamber to provide for the forced flow of the molten metal into said second chamber by the differential pressure in the chambeRs to effect infiltration of the filamentary material with the molten metal, and thereafter cooling the metal infiltrated-filamentary material to form said composite structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method claimed in claim 1, wherein said first chamber is pressurized to a pressure in the range of about 30 to 150 psig, and wherein the pressure in said second chamber is in the range of about 10 to 200 microns mercury.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of placing said second chamber in registry with said first chamber is provided by rupturing a membrane providing a physical separation between the first and second chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the temperature to which the filamentary material is heated in said second chamber is at least about 100*C. less than the temperature of the molten metal in said first chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the filamentary material is selected from the group consisting of boron, silicon carbide, silicon carbide coated boron, boron nitride coated boron, tungsten, carbon, graphite, and metal coated graphite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the metal for forming the matrix is selected from the group of metals and alloys consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, and lead.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for fabricating a composite structure consisting of a body of filamentary material within a metal matrix, comprising a first chamber for housing a charge of metal used to provide said matrix, heating means encompassing said chamber for melting said metal, conduit means in registry with said chamber for conveying a stream of pressurized inert gas into said chamber, a second chamber disposed adjacent to said first chamber for housing said body of filamentary material, further heating means encompassing said second chamber for heating said body of filamentary material, further conduit means in registry with said second chamber for evacuating said chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, a membrane disposed between and physically separating the interior of said first chamber and said second chamber, and membrane rupturing means disposed in one of the chambers for rupturing said membrane to place the interior of said chambers in registry with one another.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for fabricating a composite structure consisting of a body of filamentary material within a metal matrix, comprising a first chamber for housing a charge of metal used to provide said matrix, heating means encompassing said chamber for melting said metal, conduit means in registry with said chamber for conveying a stream of pressurized inert gas into said chamber, a second chamber disposed adjacent to said first chamber for housing said body of filamentary material, further heating means encompassing said second chamber for heating said body of filamentary material, further conduit means in registry with said second chamber for evacuating said chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, a membrane disposed between and physically separating the interior of said first chamber and said second chamber, and membrane rupturing means disposed in one of the chambers for rupturing said membrane to place the interior of said chambers in registry with one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein both of said chambers are disposed in a single housing, said second chamber is defined by a container movable within and over essentially the full length of said housing, said membrane closes one end of said container, and wherein said membrane-rupturing means comprises a projection extending into said first chamber at the lowermost end thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 8, wherein a cooling zone is within said housing at the upper end thereof, and wherein coolant-conveying means are disposed about said zone for cooling the contents of said container when the latter is moved into said zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 7, wherein said chambers are vertically oriented with said second chamber underlying said first chamber, and wherein said membrane-rupturing means comprises a movable member disposed in said second chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3267517A
Cited
US3690367A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |