US4664758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroforming process
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1985-10-24
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2005-10-24
Abstract
Abstract An electroforming process is described comprising providing an elongated electroforming mandrel core, applying a substantially uniform coating of a molten, inert, inorganic, homogeneous, electrically conductive metal or metal alloy to the mandrel core, the metal or metal alloy having a melting point and a surface tension less than the melting point and surface tension of the mandrel core, immersing the mandrel core bearing the coating in an electroforming bath having a surface tension less than the surface tension of the metal or metal alloy, depositing an electroformed metal layer on the coating, the electroformed metal layer having a melting point greater than the metal or metal alloy, melting the metal or metal alloy, and removing the electroformed metal layer from the mandrel core.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry G. Grey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:04
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An electroforming process comprising providing an elongated electroforming mandrel core, applying a continuous, substantially uniform layer having a thickness of less than about 51 micrometers of a molten, inert, inorganic, homogeneous, electrically conductive metal or metal alloy to said mandrel core, said metal or metal alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of said mandrel core and a surface tension of at least 1 dyne/cm less than the surface tension of said mandrel core, and a resistivity of less than about 10 10 ohm centimeters, solidifying said layer to form a coating, immersing said mandrel core bearing said coating in an electroforming bath having a surface tension of at least about 5 dyne/cm less than said surface tension of said metal or metal alloy, said metal or metal alloy being substantially insoluble in said electroforming bath and having a meltng point higher than the operating temperature of said bath, depositing an electroformed metal layer on said coating, said electroformed metal layer having a melting point greater than said metal or metal alloy, melting said metal or metal alloy, and removing said electroformed metal layer from said mandrel core.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An electroforming process comprising providing an elongated electroforming mandrel core, applying a continuous, substantially uniform layer having a thickness of less than about 51 micrometers of a molten, inert, inorganic, homogeneous, electrically conductive metal or metal alloy to said mandrel core, said metal or metal alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of said mandrel core and a surface tension of at least 1 dyne/cm less than the surface tension of said mandrel core, and a resistivity of less than about 10 10 ohm centimeters, solidifying said layer to form a coating, immersing said mandrel core bearing said coating in an electroforming bath having a surface tension of at least about 5 dyne/cm less than said surface tension of said metal or metal alloy, said metal or metal alloy being substantially insoluble in said electroforming bath and having a meltng point higher than the operating temperature of said bath, depositing an electroformed metal layer on said coating, said electroformed metal layer having a melting point greater than said metal or metal alloy, melting said metal or metal alloy, and removing said electroformed metal layer from said mandrel core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 including recovering said metal or metal alloy and reapplying the recovered metal or metal alloy to said electroforming mandrel core to form a fresh, continuous, substantially uniform coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electroforming process according to claim 2 including immersing said mandrel core bearing said fresh, continuous, substantially uniform coating in an electroforming bath having a surface tension less than said surface tension of said metal or metal alloy, depositing an electroformed metal layer on said fresh, continuous, substantially uniform coating, said electroformed metal layer having a melting point greater than said metal or metal alloy, melting said metal or metal alloy, and removing said electroformed metal layer from said mandrel core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said mandrel core is hollow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said mandrel core is is solid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said mandrel core is electrically insulating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said mandrel core comprises a thermally conductive outer shell and heat insulating interior.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said mandrel core has a specific heat of from about 1/3 to about 1/4 of the specific heat of said electroformed article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said electroforming bath has a surface tension of between about 40 dynes/cm and about 500 dynes/cm less than said surface tension of said metal or metal alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said metal or metal alloy has a surface tension of at least 20 dyne/cm less than the surface tension of said mandrel core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electroforming process according to claim 1 wherein said metal or metal alloy has a melting temperature of at least about 50° C. lower than the melting temperature of both said electroformed metal layer and said mandrel core.
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) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |