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Patent US4940633A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4940633A
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US
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Method of bonding metals with a radio-opaque adhesive/sealant for void detection and product made
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1989-05-26
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2009-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and structure for providing radio-opaque polymer compounds for use in metal bonding and sealing. A powder filler comprising a high atomic number metal or compound thereof is incorporated into a polymer compound to render it more radio-opaque than the surrounding metal structures. Voids or other discontinuities in the radio-opaque polymer compound can then be detected by x-ray inspection or other non-destructive radiographic procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph D. Hermansen
- 👤 Thomas H. Sutherland
- 👤 Roamer Predmore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:53
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09J; C09J5/00; C08; C08K; C08K3/00; C08K3/01; C08K3/013; C09J163/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/251; Y10T428/256; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31511; Y10T428/31529; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31688; Y10T428/31692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a method for bonding together and/or sealing metal structures with an adhesive layer comprising a polymer compound where the possibility exists that voids in the polymer compound may occur, wherein the improvement comprises incorporating a powder filler comprising a high atomic number metal having an atomic number of between 72 and 82 or compound thereof into said polymer compound, wherein the amount of said powder filler in said polymer compound is between about 5 volume percent to 50 volume percent, to provide a radio-opaque polymer compound which is more radio-opaque than the bonded and/or sealed metal structures to thereby allow inspection for voids in the radio=opaque polymer compound by non-destructive high energy radiation inspection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a method for bonding together and/or sealing metal structures with an adhesive layer comprising a polymer compound where the possibility exists that voids in the polymer compound may occur, wherein the improvement comprises incorporating a powder filler comprising a high atomic number metal having an atomic number of between 72 and 82 or compound thereof into said polymer compound, wherein the amount of said powder filler in said polymer compound is between about 5 volume percent to 50 volume percent, to provide a radio-opaque polymer compound which is more radio-opaque than the bonded and/or sealed metal structures to thereby allow inspection for voids in the radio=opaque polymer compound by non-destructive high energy radiation inspection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 1 wherein the particle size of said powder filler is in the range of between about 2 microns to 200 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 1 wherein said powder filler consists essentially of mica and tungsten.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 3 wherein the amount of mica is between about 75 to 25 volume percent of said filler and the amount of tungsten is between about 25 to 75 volume percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 1 wherein said metal structures are made from metals or their alloys selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel and titanium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 1 wherein said polymer compound is selected from the group consisting of epoxy, urethane, acrylic, phenolic, and silicone polymers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 1 wherein said high atomic number metal powder filler is tungsten.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 7 wherein said metal structures are made from aluminum or aluminum alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved method of metal bonding or sealing according to claim 1 wherein the thickness of said adhesive layer is between about 0.001 inch (0.002 cm) to 0.25 inch (0.63 cm).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
In an assembly where two metal structures are bonded together or sealed by a polymer compound where the possibility exists that voids in the polymer compound may occur, wherein the improvement comprises incorporating a powder filler comprising a high atomic number metal having an atomic number of between 72 and 82 or compound thereof into said polymer compound, wherein the amount of said powder filler in said polymer compound is between about 5 volume percent to 50 volume percent, to provide a radio-opaque polymer compound which is more radio-opaque than said metal structures to thereby allow inspection for voids in the radio-opaque polymer compound by non-destructive high energy radiation inspection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
In an assembly where two metal structures are bonded together or sealed by a polymer compound where the possibility exists that voids in the polymer compound may occur, wherein the improvement comprises incorporating a powder filler comprising a high atomic number metal having an atomic number of between 72 and 82 or compound thereof into said polymer compound, wherein the amount of said powder filler in said polymer compound is between about 5 volume percent to 50 volume percent, to provide a radio-opaque polymer compound which is more radio-opaque than said metal structures to thereby allow inspection for voids in the radio-opaque polymer compound by non-destructive high energy radiation inspection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An improved assembly according to claim 10 wherein the particle size of said powder filler is in the range of between about 2 to 200 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An improved assembly according to claim 10 wherein said metal structures are made from metals or their alloys selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel and titanium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved assembly according to claim 10 wherein said powder filler consists essentially of mica and tungsten.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An improved assembly according to claim 13 wherein the amount of mica is between about 75 to 25 volume percent of said filler and the amount of tungsten is between about 25 to 75 volume percent.
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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) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |