US5384203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foam metallic glass
Assignee: Yale University
•
Filing: 1993-02-05
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2013-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a solid foam material including the steps of heating in a chamber a starting material that is normally solid at room temperature to a temperature that is above its melting point, injecting a blowing liquid into the melted material to produce a mixture; and rapidly decompressing the mixture to produce the solid foam material.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Apfel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:43
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C45/00; C22C45/003; C22C1/00; C22C1/08; C22C1/11; C22C1/083; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12479
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of making a solid foam material comprising: in a chamber heating a starting material that is normally solid at room temperature to a temperature that is above its melting point; injecting a blowing liquid into the melted material to produce a mixture; and rapidly decompressing the mixture to vaporize the blowing liquid so that its latent heat of vaporization cools the starting material sufficiently to produce the solid foam material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of making a solid foam material comprising: in a chamber heating a starting material that is normally solid at room temperature to a temperature that is above its melting point; injecting a blowing liquid into the melted material to produce a mixture; and rapidly decompressing the mixture to vaporize the blowing liquid so that its latent heat of vaporization cools the starting material sufficiently to produce the solid foam material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the starting material is an organic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the starting material is a metallic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the starting material is an organo-metallic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the starting material is a metallic alloy material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing the pressure of a gas in said chamber prior to injecting the blowing liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the pressure increasing step increases the pressure to a level that is high enough to prevent boiling of the blowing liquid when said blowing liquid is injected into the melted material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing an inert gas into said chamber prior to heating the starting material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said decompression step involves dropping the pressure surrounding the melted mixture to no greater than about one atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said decompression step involves creating a partial vacuum around the melted mixture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing a filler material into voids formed by the foam structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solid foam material exhibits an amorphous and/or microcrystalline structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of injecting comprises mixing the injected blowing liquid in the melted material to disperse the blowing liquid throughout said melted material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A material comprising: a bulk metallic material having an uninterrupted foam glass and/or microcrystallite structure over dimensions greater than 1 mm in each of three orthogonal directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A material comprising: a bulk metallic material having an uninterrupted foam glass and/or microcrystallite structure over dimensions greater than 1 mm in each of three orthogonal directions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The material of claim 14 wherein the bulk metallic material has an uninterrupted foam glass and/or microcrystallite structure over dimensions greater than 1 cm in each of three orthogonal directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 14 wherein the metallic material is an organo-metallic material.
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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) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |