US4665970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of producing a metallic member having a unidirectionally solidified structure
Assignee: O C C CO Ltd
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Filing: 1985-11-20
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2005-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A metallic material is passed through a heating mold having a melting zone to produce a metallic member having a unidirectionally solidified structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Atsumi Ohno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:02
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D27/00; B22D27/04; B22D27/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of producing a metallic member having a unidirectionally solidified structure, which comprises passing a solid elongated metallic member progressively through a heating mold having a length less than the length of said member and its mold surfaces in contact with the corresponding section of the internal surfaces of said member, heating said mold to a sufficient temperature above the melting point of said member as to convert a lengthwise segment of said member entirely into molten condition which molten segment progressively moves along the member length as the member moves through the mold, and applying cooling to said member at a locus spaced from said mold in the direction of movement of said member at a rate sufficient to solidify the thus-liquified section as the same passes beyond said heated mold section so that the member undergoes solidification upon exiting from said heating mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of producing a metallic member having a unidirectionally solidified structure, which comprises passing a solid elongated metallic member progressively through a heating mold having a length less than the length of said member and its mold surfaces in contact with the corresponding section of the internal surfaces of said member, heating said mold to a sufficient temperature above the melting point of said member as to convert a lengthwise segment of said member entirely into molten condition which molten segment progressively moves along the member length as the member moves through the mold, and applying cooling to said member at a locus spaced from said mold in the direction of movement of said member at a rate sufficient to solidify the thus-liquified section as the same passes beyond said heated mold section so that the member undergoes solidification upon exiting from said heating mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said heating mold has an exit opening through which the member leaves the same and including the step of controlling the rate of cooling relative to the rate at which the heated section of said mold is heated so that the exterior surfaces of said member become solid substantially simultaneously with their egress through such exit opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the rates of heating and cooling are so coordinated that the interface generated between the molten and solidified sections of said member is concavo-convexly curved, defining a convexly curved solidified end projecting into the interior of said mold through said exit opening and a concavely curved liquified end having molten surface regions extending to said exit opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set forth in claim 3, wherein at the exit end of said mold, said material is brought into contact with a dummy carrying a single seed crystal at one end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said metallic member is composed of a single crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mold is disposed horizontally or at an angle to the horizontal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mold is disposed vertically.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 6, wherein said member is passed downwardly through said mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said member is passed upwardly through said mold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mold is disposed in an inert or reducing gas atmosphere.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said material is easily oxidizable and cooled until it is passed into said mold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said material has its surface reduced or ground before it is passed into said mold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mold is heated by a resistance heater or a high-frequency induction coil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mold is formed from a heat resistant metal or refractories which are unreactive with said material when said material is melted.
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) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |