Patent US6409845B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6409845B1
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Elastic component for a precision instrument and process for its manufacture
Assignee: Mettler Toledo GmbH Germany
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Filing: 1999-03-26
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Granted: 2002-06-25
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Expires: 2019-03-26
Abstract
Abstract An elastic component for a precision measuring instrument is made from an austenitic metal alloy containing less than two percent ferrite, less than two percent martensite, and more than eleven percent chromium. The crystalline texture has a nano-structure with blocked dislocations. The manufacturing process includes cold hardening followed by thermal aging between 200° C. and 700° C. The benefits are low an elasticity, freedom from creep and hysteresis, resistance to corrosion, and a low magnetic permeability. Examples are load cells used in analytical, motionguiding mechanisms, coupling elements and pivoting elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Maurice Tellenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G21/00; G01G21/24; G01G21/244; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An elastic component for a measuring device in which deformation of the component is in linear proportion to an applied mechanical load, comprising an austenitic metal alloy that includes: interstitial atoms; contains in proportion to its total weight less than two percent ferrite; contains in proportion to its total weight less than two percent martensite; and contains in proportion to its total weight more than eleven percent chromium, and has a crystalline texture with a nano-structure with blocked dislocations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An elastic component for a measuring device in which deformation of the component is in linear proportion to an applied mechanical load, comprising an austenitic metal alloy that includes: interstitial atoms; contains in proportion to its total weight less than two percent ferrite; contains in proportion to its total weight less than two percent martensite; and contains in proportion to its total weight more than eleven percent chromium, and has a crystalline texture with a nano-structure with blocked dislocations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The component according to claim 1 , additionally comprising: in proportion to its total weight a content of more than 0.2% interstitial atoms with an atomic number ranging from 3 to 7 in the periodic system of elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The component according to claim 2 , additionally comprising: in proportion to its total weight a combined content of more than 0.4% nitrogen and carbon, with nitrogen making up a greater share than carbon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The component according to claim 2 , additionally comprising: in proportion to its total weight a combined content of more than 0.05% of at least one additional element from the group of elements that will form carbide, carbonitride and nitride compounds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The component according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one additional element is from the group that consists of niobium and vanadium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The component according to claim 2 , wherein the crystalline texture comprises: Suzuki clouds in the nanometer range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The component according to claim 2 , wherein the crystalline texture comprises: compounds from the group that consists of nitrides, carbides, and carbonitrides in the nanometer range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The component according to claim 1 , additionally comprising: in proportion to its total weight a content of more than 0.2% copper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The component according to claim 1 , wherein the content of ferrite and martensite is such that relative permeability is less than 1.004 at a magnetic field strength 80 A/cm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The component according to claim 1 , in addition comprising: at least local portions which, as a result of cold working, have a permanent strain deformation of at least 10% in the first 50 micrometers below the surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The component according to claim 1 , wherein the component is included in a measuring transducer of a precision instrument.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The component according to claim 1 , wherein the component is included in a mechanical motion-guiding device of a precision measuring instrument.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The component according to claim 1 , wherein the component has a portion of reduced thickness to effect a defined force introduction, and is included in a coupling element of a precision measuring instrument.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The component according to claim 1 , wherein the component has a portion of reduced thickness to effect a defined rotational mobility, and is included in a pivot element of a precision measuring instrument.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The component according to claim 1 , wherein the component is included in a precision measuring balance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The component of claim 1 , wherein a hysteresis is less than approximately 95 ppm at a maximum stress of approximately 125 MPa.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
An elastic component for a measuring device in which deformation of the component is in linear proportion to an applied mechanical load, comprising an austenitic metal alloy that includes: interstitial atoms; less than 2 wt.-% ferrite; less than 2 wt.-% martensite; more than 11 wt.-% chromium, wherein the alloy has a crystalline texture with a nano-structure with blocked dislocations and an an elasticity is less than 130 ppm at a maximum stress of approximately 125 MPa.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
An elastic component for a measuring device in which deformation of the component is in linear proportion to an applied mechanical load, comprising an austenitic metal alloy that includes: interstitial atoms; less than 2 wt.-% ferrite; less than 2 wt.-% martensite; more than 11 wt.-% chromium, wherein the alloy has a crystalline texture with a nano-structure with blocked dislocations and an an elasticity is less than 130 ppm at a maximum stress of approximately 125 MPa.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The component of claim 17 , wherein a hysteresis is less than approximately 95 ppm at a maximum stress of approximately 125 MPa.
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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) | 2005-06-24 | 2005-12-24 | 2006-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | 2010-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-24 | 2013-12-24 | 2014-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |