US4065299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnesium reclamation process and apparatus
Assignee: TDY Industries LLC
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Filing: 1975-10-23
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Granted: 1977-12-27
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Expires: 1995-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A magnesium reclamation process whereby magnesium and magnesium alloy fines, chips and scraps may be recovered and remelted for reuse. The method is comprised of the steps of pelletizing the magnesium by first compacting the magnesium with a low pressure press so as to initially expel the majority of the air, followed by a high pressure press under a controlled environment to form a compact pellet. The pellets are then melted either by stacking on the cold heel of a pot and heating under a controlled environment or pre-heating in a basket over a melt, and then subsequently immersing the load. Melting can also be accomplished by controlled melting, utilizing an induction melting furnace whereas temperature can be slowly increased. Pelletizing pressures range from approximately the yield pressure to the cold welding pressure of the material being reclaimed. A typical pelletizing environment is 20% SF 6 and 80% CO 2 and a suitable melting environment is 98% CO 2 and 2% SF 6 .
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Todhunter Roberts
- 👤 David Vincent Owens
- 👤 Raymond Frank Goodspeed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/327; C; C22; C22B; C22B1/00; C22B1/14; C22B1/24; C22B1/248; C22B26/00; C22B26/20; C22B26/22; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of compacting magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the confined chamber of a press, b. pressing the magnesium at a low pressure to collect the magnesium at one end of the confined chamber and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the chamber, c. withdrawing the pressing element while providing an inert atmosphere in the increasing chamber volume, and d. pressing the magnesium at a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of compacting magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the confined chamber of a press, b. pressing the magnesium at a low pressure to collect the magnesium at one end of the confined chamber and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the chamber, c. withdrawing the pressing element while providing an inert atmosphere in the increasing chamber volume, and d. pressing the magnesium at a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 comprised of the further step of releasing the pressure on the pressing element, opening the end of the chamber opposite the pressing element, and advancing the pressing element to eject the pellet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said low pressure is less than 15,000 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said high pressure is higher than the yield strength of the magnesium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said high pressure is approximately 40,000 psi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the inert atmosphere is a mixture of CO 2 and SF 6 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mixture is approximately 80% CO 2 and 20% SF 6 by volume.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of compacting magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases, b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder, c. withdrawing the piston while injecting an inert atmosphere into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume of the cylinder, d. extending the piston with a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of compacting magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases, b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder, c. withdrawing the piston while injecting an inert atmosphere into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume of the cylinder, d. extending the piston with a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 8 comprised of the further step of releasing the pressure on the magnesium, opening the closure member at the first end of the cylinder, and extending the piston to eject the magnesium pellets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said low pressure does not exceed 15,000 psi.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said high pressure is higher than the yield strength of the magnesium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said high pressure is approximately 40,000 psi.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the inert atmosphere is a mixture of CO 2 and SF 6 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the mixture is approximately 80% CO 2 and 20% SF 6 by volume.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of recovering magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. initially compacting the magnesium fines, chips and scraps at a low pressure to expel a substantial portion of the air surrounding the magnesium; b. subjecting the initially compacted magnesium to a first inert atmosphere and pressing the magnesium into pellets with a pressure exceeding the yield pressure of the magnesium; and c. heating the magnesium pellets in a second inert atmosphere to melt the pellets.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of recovering magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. initially compacting the magnesium fines, chips and scraps at a low pressure to expel a substantial portion of the air surrounding the magnesium; b. subjecting the initially compacted magnesium to a first inert atmosphere and pressing the magnesium into pellets with a pressure exceeding the yield pressure of the magnesium; and c. heating the magnesium pellets in a second inert atmosphere to melt the pellets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the first and second inert atmospheres comprise a mixture of CO 2 and SF 6 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the first inert atmosphere is approximately 80% CO 2 and 20% SF 6 by volume.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said second inert atmosphere contains, by volume, SF 6 in the range of 2% to 4%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein steps (a) comprises the following individual steps:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
132 words
a. and (b) placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases, b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder, c. withdrawing the piston while injecting an inert atmosphere into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume in the cylinder, `d. extending the piston with a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
132 words
a. and (b) placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases, b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder, c. withdrawing the piston while injecting an inert atmosphere into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume in the cylinder, `d. extending the piston with a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 15 wherein step (c) comprises the following individual steps: a. stacking the pellets on the heel of a cold magnesium melting pot, b. providing the inert atmosphere in the pot, and, c. heating the pot to melt the heel and magnesium pellets.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of recovering magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases, b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder, c. withdrawing the piston while injecting a mixture of CO 2 and SF 6 into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume in the cylinder, d. extending the piston with a high pressure to permeate the magnesium with the CO 2 -SF 6 mixture and to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet. e. ejecting the pellet from the cylinder and placing the pellet on the heel of a cold magnesium melting pot, f. injecting an atmosphere of a mixture of CO 2 and SF 6 into the pot and, g. heating the pot to melt the heel and pellet.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of recovering magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases, b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder, c. withdrawing the piston while injecting a mixture of CO 2 and SF 6 into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume in the cylinder, d. extending the piston with a high pressure to permeate the magnesium with the CO 2 -SF 6 mixture and to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet. e. ejecting the pellet from the cylinder and placing the pellet on the heel of a cold magnesium melting pot, f. injecting an atmosphere of a mixture of CO 2 and SF 6 into the pot and, g. heating the pot to melt the heel and pellet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the mixture used in step (f) contains 1% to 2% SF 6 by volume.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the mixture of step (c) contains at least 5% SF 6 by volume.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of recovering magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases; b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder; c. withdrawing the piston while injecting an inert atmosphere into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume in the cylinder; d. extending the piston with a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet; and e. heating the magnesium pellets in a secondinert atmosphere to melt the pellets.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of recovering magnesium fines, chips and scraps comprising the steps of: a. placing the magnesium in the cylinder of a press having a closure member at a first end thereof and a piston extendable into the cylinder from the second end of the cylinder, the closure of the cylinder at the first end being pervious to gases; b. extending the piston with a low pressure to collect the magnesium at the first end of the cylinder and to expel a substantial portion of the air in the cylinder; c. withdrawing the piston while injecting an inert atmosphere into the cylinder adjacent to the first end of the cylinder at a rate at least equal to the rate of increase of volume in the cylinder; d. extending the piston with a high pressure to concentrate the magnesium into a self supporting pellet; and e. heating the magnesium pellets in a secondinert atmosphere to melt the pellets.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-26 | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-26 | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-26 | 1989-06-27 | 1989-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |