Patent US4768577A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4768577A
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Dissolution of inert gas in a metal alloy
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1986-10-07
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Granted: 1988-09-06
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Expires: 2006-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A metal powder is produced by inert gas atomization processes. The atomizon process is regulated to provide a preselected level of inert gas alloyed in the metal.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Flinn
- 👤 Gary E. Korth
- 👤 Richard N. Wright
- 👤 Denis E. Clark
- 👤 Richard B. Loop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:57
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of making a metal power comprising the steps of: providing a metal melt; atomizing said metal produce metal powder with inert gas entrained therein; and regulating the step of atomizing with respect concentration of said inert gas to introduce a beneficial level comprising a prepselected level of atomic parts per million thereof entrained in said metal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of making a metal power comprising the steps of: providing a metal melt; atomizing said metal produce metal powder with inert gas entrained therein; and regulating the step of atomizing with respect concentration of said inert gas to introduce a beneficial level comprising a prepselected level of atomic parts per million thereof entrained in said metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a metal belt comprises providing Type 304 stainless steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of atomizing said metal in inert gas comprises providing helium quench gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of providing helium quench gas comprises providing a flow of helium for cooling said powder at the rate of approximately 1000 degrees C per second.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of regulating comprises introducing a level of 5-20 atomic parts per million inert gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of regulating comprises introducing a level of 8-10 atomic parts per million of inert gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of atomizing comprises providing an argon quench gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of regulating comprises introducing a level of 5-20 atomic parts per million inert gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of regulating comprises introducing a level of 8-10 atomic parts per million of inert gas.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of making a metal powder comprising the steps of: providing a metal melt; providing an inert gas atmosphere; performing the steps of producing a powder from said melt in said atmosphere to provide a level of inert gas entrained in said metal powder; and setting parameters of said powder forming steps with respect to concentration of said inert gas produced thereby to introduce a beneficial level of inert gas in said metal power within a desired range of concentration in atomic parts per million.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of making a metal powder comprising the steps of: providing a metal melt; providing an inert gas atmosphere; performing the steps of producing a powder from said melt in said atmosphere to provide a level of inert gas entrained in said metal powder; and setting parameters of said powder forming steps with respect to concentration of said inert gas produced thereby to introduce a beneficial level of inert gas in said metal power within a desired range of concentration in atomic parts per million.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing said inert gas comprises providing an atmosphere comprising helium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a metal melt comprises providing type 304 stainless steel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of setting parameters comprises introducing a level of 5-20 atomic parts per million inert gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of setting parameters comprises introducing a level of 8-10 atomic parts per million of inert gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing a metal melt comprises providing time 304 stainless steel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing said inert gas comprises providing an atmosphere comprising argon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of setting parameters comprises introducing a level of 5-20 atomic parts per million inert gas.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of setting parameters comprises introducing a level of 8-10 atomic parts per million of inert gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |