US4144057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Shape memory alloys
Assignee: Memry Corp
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Filing: 1977-08-25
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Granted: 1979-03-13
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Expires: 1997-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A shape memory alloy is provided, having a base of nickel and titanium, and additionally comprising up to 30 wt.% copper, and from 0.01 to 5 wt.% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, cobalt, chromium and iron. A method of making the above alloys is provided, and articles made therefrom are exemplified.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Melton
- 👤 Olivier Mercier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:08
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C30/00; C22C30/02; C22C19/00; C22C19/03; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A shape memory alloy whose base elements are nickel and titanium, which consists essentially of: a mixture of 23 to 55 wt.% nickel, from 40 to 46.5 wt.% titanium and 0.5 to 30 wt.% copper with the balance being from 0.01 to 5 wt.% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, cobalt, chromium and iron.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A shape memory alloy whose base elements are nickel and titanium, which consists essentially of: a mixture of 23 to 55 wt.% nickel, from 40 to 46.5 wt.% titanium and 0.5 to 30 wt.% copper with the balance being from 0.01 to 5 wt.% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, cobalt, chromium and iron.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 1, which consists essentially of from 43.5 to 54.5 weight percent nickel, from 44.5 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, and from 0.5 to 10.5 weight percent copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 2, which consists essentially of from 53.5 to 54.5 weight percent nickel, from 44.5 to 45.5 weight percent titanium, and from 0.5 to 1.5 weight percent copper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 2, which consists essentially of from 49.5 to 50.5 weight percent nickel, from 44.5 to 45.5 weight percent titanium, and from 4.5 to 5.5 weight percent copper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 2, which consists essentially of from 44.5 to 45.5 weight percent nickel, from 44.5 to 45.5 weight percent titanium, and from 9.5 to 10.5 weight percent copper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 2, which consists essentially of from 48.5 to 49.5 weight percent nickel, from 45.5 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, and from 4.5 to 5.5 weight percent copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 2, which consists essentially of from 44.5 to 45.5 weight percent nickel, from 45.5 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, and from 8.5 to 9.5 weight percent copper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 2, which consists essentially of from 43.5 to 44.5 weight percent nickel, from 45.5 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, and from 9.5 to 10.5 weight percent copper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 1, which consists essentially of from 45 to 55 weight percent nickel, from 40 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, from 0.5 to 10 weight percent copper and from 0.01 to 5 weight percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, cobalt, chromium and iron.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 9, which consists essentially of from 45 to 55 weight percent nickel, from 43 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, from 0.5 to 10 percent copper, and from 0.5 to 5 weight percent aluminum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 9, which consists essentially of from 45 to 55 weight percent nickel, from 44 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, from 0.5 to 10 weight percent copper, and from 0.5 to 5 weight percent cobalt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 9, which consists essentially of from 45 to 55 weight percent nickel, from 44 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, from 0.5 to 10 weight percent copper, and from 0.5 to 5 weight percent chromium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 9, which consists essentially of from 45 to 55 weight percent nickel, from 44 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, from 0.5 to 10 weight percent copper, and from 0.01 to 5 weight percent iron.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The shape memory alloy of claim 9, which consists essentially of from 45 to 55 weight percent nickel, from 40 to 46.5 weight percent titanium, from 0.5 to 10 weight percent copper, and from 0.5 to 5 weight percent zirconium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a shaped article which is a part of an apparatus for the conversion of heat into mechanical energy, the improvement which consists of constructing said shaped article from the shape memory alloy of claim 1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The shaped article of claim 15, wherein said shaped article is a non-self-acting element of the thermal overcurrent interrupter of an electrical switch, the element returning into its original position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The shaped article of claim 15, wherein said shaped article is a self-acting element of the thermal overcurrent interrupter of an electrical switch, the element returning into its original position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The shaped article of claim 15, wherein said shaped article is an element for short-circuit interruption in an electrical switch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shaped article of claim 15, wherein said shaped article is a control element of a thermal regulator or a thermal relay.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method for producing the shape memory alloy of claim 1, which comprises: forming the starting materials, in the desired proportions, into an alloy composition while excluding oxygen; remelting said alloy composition under an inert atmosphere and casting the resulting melt to form a desired article; and subjecting said article to a heat treatment and a further working step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said starting materials are put into a water-cooled copper mold; melted in an arc furnace under an argon atmosphere of from 1.0 to 1.2 bar, using a tungsten electrode; and the melt is allowed to solidify to form said alloy composition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said heat treatment comprises a homogenizing anneal for from 1 to 1.5 hr. at a temperature from 900° C. to 1,000° C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said further working step is a hot working which comprises deforming said heat treated shaped article at a temperature of from 600° C. to 950° C.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said further working step is a cold working which comprises sequential deformations with intermediate anneals at a temperature of from 600° C. to 950° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3450372A
Cited
US3660082A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-03-12 | 1982-09-11 | 1983-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-12 | 1986-09-11 | 1987-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-12 | 1990-09-11 | 1991-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |