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US5330587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Shaft of laser nitride-hardened surface on titanium
Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Co
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Filing: 1993-04-01
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Granted: 1994-07-19
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Expires: 2013-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing a crack-free, laser nitride-hardened layer on a titanium substrate, the process including preheating the substrate, melting a small area of substrate with a laser, and shrouding the melted area with a gas mixture having a maximum critical amount of nitrogen not greater than 85%. A crack-free pump shaft so hardened to Rockwell 52 C is produced.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Gavigan
- 👤 Craig L. Snyder
- 👤 Frank J. Tufano
- 👤 Ronald S. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:45
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C8/00; C23C8/06; C23C8/08; C23C8/24; B; B23; B23K; B23K35/00; B23K35/22; B23K35/24; B23K35/32; B23K35/325; B23K35/38; B23K35/383; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/16; C22F1/18; C22F1/183; C22F3/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12535; Y10T428/12576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A shaft for rotation in a fluid handling device comprising: (a) a substrate consisting essentially of commercially pure titanium; and (b) a laser nitride-hardened surface layer thereon, said surface layer comprising a matrix of titanium, with TiN particles dispersed therein, said surface layer having a hardness of at least 52 Rockwell C, and being free from cooling cracks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A shaft for rotation in a fluid handling device comprising: (a) a substrate consisting essentially of commercially pure titanium; and (b) a laser nitride-hardened surface layer thereon, said surface layer comprising a matrix of titanium, with TiN particles dispersed therein, said surface layer having a hardness of at least 52 Rockwell C, and being free from cooling cracks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said hardened layer surface is around the periphery of the shaft, to form a bearing wear area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shaft of claim 2 in which said hardened surface layer has a thickness in the range of 0.005 to 0.025 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The shaft of claim 3 in which said titanium substrate is hardened by preheating; followed by localized laser melting and simultaneous shrouding in a gaseous atmosphere consisting essentially of, by volume, at least 70% but not more than 85% nitrogen and the balance one or more gases that do not react with molten titanium; and followed by solidifying and slow cooling of said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A shaft for rotation in a fluid handling device comprising: (a) a substrate consisting essentially of commercially pure titanium; (b) a laser nitride-hardened surface layer thereon, said surface layer forming a bearing wear area; (c) said hardened surface layer having a hardness of at least 52 Rockwell C, and being free from cracks; and (d) said hardened surface layer comprising a multiphase layer consisting essentially of a dendritic structure of dispersed TiN particles in a titanium matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A shaft for rotation in a fluid handling device comprising: (a) a substrate consisting essentially of commercially pure titanium; (b) a laser nitride-hardened surface layer thereon, said surface layer forming a bearing wear area; (c) said hardened surface layer having a hardness of at least 52 Rockwell C, and being free from cracks; and (d) said hardened surface layer comprising a multiphase layer consisting essentially of a dendritic structure of dispersed TiN particles in a titanium matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The shaft of claim 5 wherein said substrate includes nitride formers selected from the group consisting essentially of vanadium, columbium, carbon and aluminum.
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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) | 1997-07-18 | 1998-01-17 | 1998-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-18 | 2002-01-17 | 2002-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-18 | 2006-01-17 | 2006-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |