Patent US4655217A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5347887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composite cutting edge
Assignee: CUTTING EDGE JOINT VENTURE
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Filing: 1993-03-11
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Granted: 1994-09-20
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Expires: 2013-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A process for shaping a blade edge and coating the: blade edge to improve the properties thereof is provided. The process includes an ion etching step using a collimated beam to reduce microcracks and an ion assisted processing step wherein ions are used to enhance the properties of a coating. The blade can then be sharpened again. The blade can be made from materials such as metal, ceramic of glass-ceramic.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Rosenthal
- 👤 Gerald L. DePoorter
- 👤 Ronald I. Christy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:40
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/02; C23C14/021; C23C14/022; B; B23; B23P; B23P15/00; B23P15/28; B23P15/40; B26; B26B; B26B21/00; B26B21/54; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S76/00; Y10S76/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A process for making a blade, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a blade blank having a sharpened edge; (b) ion etching said edge with a collimated ion beam to sharpen said edge and to remove material therefrom, wherein the crack lengths of a majority of microcracks on said edge are reduced and the crack tip radii of a majority of microcracks on said edge are increased thereby toughening and strengthening said edge; and (c) depositing a coating on said edge using an ion assisted process.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A process for making a blade, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a blade blank having a sharpened edge; (b) ion etching said edge with a collimated ion beam to sharpen said edge and to remove material therefrom, wherein the crack lengths of a majority of microcracks on said edge are reduced and the crack tip radii of a majority of microcracks on said edge are increased thereby toughening and strengthening said edge; and (c) depositing a coating on said edge using an ion assisted process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said depositing step comprises the step of depositing a metallic material on said edge by ion assisted physical vapor deposition to form a first coated layer on said edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process as recited in claim 2, wherein said depositing step further comprises the step of forming a metal compound on said first coated layer using an ion assisted chemical reaction process to form a second coated layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said depositing step includes implanting ions into said edge to increase the fracture toughness of said edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade blank comprises a ceramic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade blank comprises a metallic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade blank comprises a glass-ceramic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade blank comprises a metal core surrounded by a ceramic layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as recited in claim 2, wherein said metallic material comprises titanium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as recited in claim 3, wherein said metal compound comprises titanium nitride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said providing step comprises the step of mechanically abrading a substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as recited in claim 11, wherein said abrading step comprises the steps of grinding and polishing said substrate with diamond grit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as recited in claim 12, wherein said grinding and polishing step comprises the step of polishing said substrate with submicron diamond powder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said ion etching step comprises the step of directing a collimated ion beam at said edge having a beam energy of from about 1 keV to about 3.5 keV.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as recited in claim 14, wherein the etching rate is adjusted by tilting said edge at an angle relative to the direction of said ion beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as recited in claim 15, wherein the incident angle of the ion beam on the blade edge is from about 10° to about 20°.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as recited in claim 14, wherein said ion beam is an argon beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as recited in claim 2, wherein said first coated layer has a thickness of from about 50 Angstroms to about 5000 Angstroms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as recited in claim 3, wherein said second coated layer has a thickness of from about 0.5 micrometers to about 3 micrometers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of: (d) ion etching said second coated layer to sharpen said edge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of: (d) coating said second coated layer with a third coated layer comprising a metallic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as recited in claim 21, further comprising the step of depositing a diamond-like carbon layer on said third coated layer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as recited in claim 21, further comprising the step of depositing a fluoropolymer filled silica coating on said third coated layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade is used in a cutting tool.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade is used in a surgical scalpel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade is used in an orthopedic saw.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade is used in a laparoscopic instrument.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade is used in a neurological instrument.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade is used in an opthamalic instrument.
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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) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |