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US4740253A
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Method for preassembling a composite coupling
Assignee: Advanced Metal Components Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-07
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2005-10-07
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a method of preassembling a composite coupling. The coupling has at least one heat-recoverable driver member and at least one metallic insert. The driver member is made from a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s and A f temperatures. The method includes the steps of overdeforming the driver member by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the driver member so that the A s and A f temperatures are temporarily raised to A s' and A f' , respectively; removing the stress; engaging the driver member and insert; and then warming the driver and insert to a temperature less than A s' . There is also disclosed a composite coupling processed by this method.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Simpson
- 👤 Keith Melton
- 👤 Tom Duerig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:43
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of preassembling a composite coupling having at lest one heat-recoverable driver member and at least one metallic insert, the driver member made from a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s and A f temperatures, the method comprising: overdeforming the driver member by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the driver member so that the A s and A f temperatures are temporarily raised to A s ' and A f ', respectively; removing the stress; engaging the driver member and insert; and warming the driver member and insert to a temperature less than A s ', wherein said warming is insufficient to raise the temperature of the driver above the temporarily raised austenitic transformation temperature range so that only a small amount of recovery of the shape memory alloy driver member occurs.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of preassembling a composite coupling having at lest one heat-recoverable driver member and at least one metallic insert, the driver member made from a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s and A f temperatures, the method comprising: overdeforming the driver member by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the driver member so that the A s and A f temperatures are temporarily raised to A s ' and A f ', respectively; removing the stress; engaging the driver member and insert; and warming the driver member and insert to a temperature less than A s ', wherein said warming is insufficient to raise the temperature of the driver above the temporarily raised austenitic transformation temperature range so that only a small amount of recovery of the shape memory alloy driver member occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein in the step of overdeforming the driver member, a stress is applied sufficient to cause at least one percent of nonrecoverable strain in the driver member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of overdeforming takes place at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the overdeforming temperature is between M s and A s .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy has an M s less than about 0° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is stable, does not contain an R phase, and has an M s less than about 0° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is a binary.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is at least a ternary.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy comprises nickel, titanium and at least one other element selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, vanadium, aluminum and niobium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy comprises nickel, titanium and niobium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
A composite coupling having at least one heat-recoverable driver member and at least one metallic insert, the driver member made from a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s and A f temperatures, the coupling processed by the method comprising: overdeforming the driver member by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the driver member so that the A s and A f temperatures are temporarily raised to A s ' and A f ', respectively; removing the stress; engaging the driver member and insert; and warming the driver member and insert to a temperature less than A s ', wherein said warming is insufficient to raise the temperature of the driver above the temporarily raised austenitic transformation temperature range so that only a small amount of recovery of the shape memory alloy driver member occurs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
A composite coupling having at least one heat-recoverable driver member and at least one metallic insert, the driver member made from a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s and A f temperatures, the coupling processed by the method comprising: overdeforming the driver member by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the driver member so that the A s and A f temperatures are temporarily raised to A s ' and A f ', respectively; removing the stress; engaging the driver member and insert; and warming the driver member and insert to a temperature less than A s ', wherein said warming is insufficient to raise the temperature of the driver above the temporarily raised austenitic transformation temperature range so that only a small amount of recovery of the shape memory alloy driver member occurs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 11 wherein in the step of overdeforming the driver member, a stress is applied sufficient to cause at least one percent of nonrecoverable strain in the driver member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 11 wherein the step of overdeforming takes place at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 13 wherein the overdeforming temperature is between M s and A s .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 11 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy has an M s less than about 0° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 11 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is stable, does not contain an R phase, and has an M s less than about 0° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 11 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is a binary.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 11 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is at least a ternary.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 18 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy comprises nickel, titanium and at least one other element selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, vanadium, aluminum and niobium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling processed by the method according to claim 19 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy comprises nickel, titanium and niobium.
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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) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |