US4659548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fabrication of metal matrix composite mirror
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1986-02-13
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Granted: 1987-04-21
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Expires: 2006-02-13
Abstract
Abstract Fabrication of a high precision mirror using a discontinuous metal matrix composite is described. A metal matrix composite (MMC) is obtained by using one of the three methods described herein or any other method. The MMC material so obtained is machined to form a mirror substrate which is then coated and the coating so obtained is converted into the mirror surface. The mirror so obtained has better characteristics over the conventional high precision beryllium mirrors used for this purpose and is fabricated out of a nontoxic material which is cheaper and more easily available than the beryllium metal.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacob D. Gubbay
- 👤 Edward J. Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:04
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F3/00; B22F3/12; B22F3/14; B22F3/15; B22F1/00; B22F1/12; C; C23; C23C; C23C28/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
The method for fabricating a high precision mirror from a near-net-shape mirror substrate of a discontinuous-reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) material which includes the steps of: heat treating the near-net-shape mirror substrate for hardening thereof; machining the hardened near-net-shape mirror substrate into a semi-finished mirror substrate thereof; heat treating the semi-finished mirror substrate to relieve stress thereof; machining the heat treated semi-finished mirror subtrate to form a finished mirror substrate thereof; applying a coating upon a surface of said finished mirror substrate to form a coated surface thereof; converting said coated surface of the finished mirror substrate into a mirror surface; and applying a protective coating on the mirror surface of said finished mirror substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
The method for fabricating a high precision mirror from a near-net-shape mirror substrate of a discontinuous-reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) material which includes the steps of: heat treating the near-net-shape mirror substrate for hardening thereof; machining the hardened near-net-shape mirror substrate into a semi-finished mirror substrate thereof; heat treating the semi-finished mirror substrate to relieve stress thereof; machining the heat treated semi-finished mirror subtrate to form a finished mirror substrate thereof; applying a coating upon a surface of said finished mirror substrate to form a coated surface thereof; converting said coated surface of the finished mirror substrate into a mirror surface; and applying a protective coating on the mirror surface of said finished mirror substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said machining the hardened near-net-shape mirror substrate into a semi-finished mirror substrate includes milling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said machining the heat-treated semi-finished substrate to form a finished mirror substrate includes diamond turning.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said machining step further includes electrodischarge machining (EDM).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying a coating upon a surface of said finished mirror substrate to form a coated surface includes nickel plating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of nickel plating includes using nickel phosphide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of applying protective coating on the mirror surface includes using silicon monoxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of heat treating the near-net-shape mirror substrate for hardening includes heating thereof to an aging temperature of at least 350° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of heat treating the semi-finished mirror substrate to relieve stress includes applying temperatures 50° F. above and below the aging temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the near-net-shape mirror substrate of discontinuous-reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) is obtained by: mixing a metal powder with a ceramic powder to form a blend; and consolidating said blend by hot isostatic processing (HIP).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the near-net-shape mirror substrate of a discontinuous-reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) is obtained by: mixing a metal powder with a ceramic powder to form a blend; consolidating said blend by vacuum hot pressing (VHP) to form a block thereof; and metalworking of said block.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the near-net-shape mirror substrate of a discontinuous-reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) is obtained by: mixing a molten metal with a ceramic powder to form an homogenized melt; and casting said melt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-10-20 | 1991-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-20 | 1994-10-20 | 1995-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-20 | 1998-10-20 | 1999-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |