Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080305362 | Corrosion inhibitors in adhesive bonding of vehicle body structures - In an illustrative embodiment, two panels of different materials may be bonded with a structural adhesive composition comprising microcapsules containing corrosion inhibiting materials for protecting the panels from corrosion. For example, a steel vehicle door outer panel may be bonded to an aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy inner panel using an epoxy adhesive. Dispersed within the uncured adhesive are an abundance of microcapsules filled with a fluid or mobile material for reacting with the iron and/or aluminum or magnesium to inhibit corrosion arising from the facing surfaces of the mixed metal panels. The protective material is released from the microcapsules for diffusion through the cured or uncured interfacial adhesive to react with one or both panel surfaces and form a protective coating on the surfaces. | 12-11-2008 |
20090000756 | Reducing residual stresses during sand casting - Residual stress is reduced in light metal alloy articles, e.g. aluminum alloy articles, formed as castings against a sand casting mold body by incorporating a wax composition of suitable softening or melting temperature with the sand particles of the mold or core body. The hot cast metal heats adjoining surfaces of the mold body. As the cooling metal forms a solid shell, the surrounding sand particle and wax mixture are heated sufficiently to melt or soften the wax incorporated on or between sand particles. This softens portions of the rigid mold body that could otherwise restrain shrinking surfaces of the casting and produce unwanted stressed regions that are retained in the casting and must be removed by subsequent processing. | 01-01-2009 |
20090028743 | FORMING MAGNESIUM ALLOYS WITH IMPROVED DUCTILITY - A magnesium alloy comprising up to about one weight percent of cerium may be hot worked to produce an intermediate or final alloy workpiece that exhibits enhanced ductility at room temperature. The addition of a small amount of cerium may affect the magnesium alloy by reducing yield strength, refining grain size, and improving the work hardening behavior. Recrystallization during hot deformation of the rare earth containing magnesium material alters the texture of the alloy and orients the grains in a manner that favors basal slip activity. The alloy thus deforms at room temperature by a combination of twinning and slip mechanisms. | 01-29-2009 |
20090032569 | FRICTION WELDING METHOD AND PRODUCTS MADE USING THE SAME - A method including providing a first portion including one of an annular portion or a hub portion; rotating a second portion including the other of the hub portion or the annular portion; and pressing the second portion against the first portion such that friction between the hub portion and the annular portion causes a weld joint to be created; and wherein the annular portion may or may not include a frictional damping means, which may include an insert. | 02-05-2009 |
20090078520 | INSERT WITH TABS AND DAMPED PRODUCTS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - One embodiment includes an insert including a body portion; a plurality of tabs extending from the body portion, wherein the tabs are tapered; and wherein the insert is constructed and arranged to provide damping. | 03-26-2009 |
20090096245 | Spray Cast Mixed-Material Vehicle Closure Panels - Unitary closure panels for automotive vehicles may be formed to have regions of different materials by a spray casting process. Separate sprays of different materials, for example two different metal alloys, are applied to touching regions of a spray application surface. The separate sprays may be applied sequentially or simultaneously to the forming surface to coat the respective regions so that the regions are contiguous or overlapping and a unitary body is formed. The spray formed body may be compressed and trimmed between facing surfaces to form a vehicle closure panel of specified outline, curvature, thickness, and porosity. | 04-16-2009 |
20090102588 | BRAZE METAL JOINT DESIGN - A copper tube with copper end pieces for a water-cooled secondary winding of a welding transformer is an example of a brazed assembly having a potentially corrodible side, the water-cooled side, and a low-exposure side, the air side or dry side, of the joined pieces. By shaping contacting surfaces of the parts at the brazed joint it is useful to form a barrier, for example, between a special braze material required for the corrosive side and a conventional, easy to apply, braze material for use on the air side of the joint. | 04-23-2009 |
20090116913 | Polycrystalline Diamond Cutting Tool with Coated Body - A cutting tool for machining metal workpieces using polycrystalline diamond cutting surfaces with interspersed guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces. When machining holes in cast aluminum alloy workpieces it is found that aluminum machining chips adhere to guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces and mar the machined surface. It is found that when the guide and chip evacuation surfaces are coated with a diamond-like carbon material, aluminum chips do not mar the machined surfaces. | 05-07-2009 |
20090116994 | High ductility/strength magnesium alloys - A magnesium alloy comprising up to about six weight percent zinc and up to about one weight percent cerium may be hot worked to produce an intermediate or final alloy workpiece that exhibits enhanced ductility and strength at room temperature. The addition of zinc and a small amount of cerium may affect the magnesium alloy by increasing strength and ductility, and improving the work hardening behavior. | 05-07-2009 |
20090260517 | ENGINE PISTON WITH ROLLING ELEMENT SKIRT - The present invention utilizes rolling elements, such as balls or rollers acting as bearings carried in openings in the skirt or equivalent portion of a piston, to engage the cylinder walls and replace the sliding bearings of the skirt with the roller elements in the skirt. The rolling elements then absorb all or some of the thrust loads conventionally absorbed by the skirt walls sliding along surfaces of an associated cylinder and thereby reduce the friction forces developed by the reciprocating action of the piston skirt. | 10-22-2009 |
20090260774 | SACRIFICIAL SLEEVES FOR DIE CASTING ALUMINUM ALLOYS - Some die cast aluminum alloy articles have internal cylindrical surfaces such as the round internal cylinder surfaces of a cylinder block for an internal combustion engine. During casting solidification molten aluminum alloys shrink against the metallic permanent mold tools used to mold and define such internal surfaces, and tend to stick to the tool surfaces making it difficult to remove the casting. The tendency of some aluminum casting alloys to solder to the tool can further intensify sticking. In this invention, an aluminum alloy sleeve is placed on and over the tool surface before casting and the sleeve isolates the tool from the molten aluminum. The sleeve becomes bonded to the casting and facilitates removal of the casting from the tool. The sleeve may be (and preferably is) fully machined from the internal casting surface. The sleeve may be of the same composition as the casting, in which case handling and recycling of machining chips would be facilitated. The practice of the invention is also applicable to die casting of magnesium alloys using magnesium sacrificial sleeves. | 10-22-2009 |
20090278396 | CORROSION ISOLATION OF MAGNESIUM COMPONENTS - A vehicle component, such as a wheel, is formed of a magnesium alloy for weight reduction in an automotive vehicle. It is expected that the wheel will be attached to other vehicle wheel-related componenets that are formed of metal compositions (for example, steel or cast iron components) that may lead to the corrosion of the magnesium wheel. Such attachment surfaces of the magnesium wheel are oxidized to form an integral and durable oxide layer on the magnesium wheel. When the magnesium wheel is attached to vehicle wheel supporting components of other alloys, the oxide layer-coated surfaces of the magnesium wheel are electrochemically isolated from the non-magnesium materials to prevent oxidation of the wheel or attached components. | 11-12-2009 |
20090283059 | ENHANCED OXYGEN PRESSURE ENGINE - Systems and methods of operation for internal combustion engines which employ molecular sieve technology to provide enhanced oxygen content in the air-fuel mixture during operation. | 11-19-2009 |
20090297079 | Sealed Split Ring Crankshaft Bearing - A crankshaft has spaced-apart cheeks and a cylindrical surface between the cheeks. A split ring bearing assembly has first and second bearing parts that join to encircle the cylindrical surface. First and second split ring seal assemblies each have first and second seal parts that join to encircle and sealingly contact with the cylindrical surface on each side of the split ring bearing assembly. A journal includes a first and second journal halves having cylindrical recesses receiving the crankshaft so that the split ring bearing assembly bears upon the journal and the first and second split ring seal assemblies sealingly contact with the journal halves. A lube fill fitting is provided in the journal for the introduction of lubricant which is permanently sequestered between the first and second split ring seal assemblies to provide sealed lubrication of the split ring bearing assemblies. | 12-03-2009 |
20090304500 | TURBOCHARGER HOUSING WITH A CONVERSION COATING AND METHODS OF MAKING THE CONVERSION COATING - A turbocharger includes a center housing having a bearing surface configured to contact an inner surface of a unison ring. A conversion coating is impregnated onto at least the bearing surface of the center housing. | 12-10-2009 |
20090325071 | Intercalation Electrode Based on Ordered Graphene Planes - An intercalation electrode includes an electron current collector and graphene planes deposited normal to the surface of the current collector substrate. The graphene planes are deposited on the current collector substrate from a carbon-precursor gas using, for example, chemical vapor deposition. In an embodiment of an anode for a lithium-ion battery, the graphene planes are intercalated with lithium atoms. A lithium-ion battery may include this anode, a cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. In repeated charging and discharging of the anode, lithium atoms and ions are readily transported between the graphene planes of the anode and the electrolyte. | 12-31-2009 |
20100018805 | PRE-LUBRICATION OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BASED UPON LIKELY VEHICLE USAGE - A method is disclosed for initiating oil injection into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine prior to engine start-up, the oil injection protecting the engine from damage caused by insufficient lubrication during the start-up. The method includes processing data to modulate a lubrication initiation modifier and initiating the oil injection on the basis of the lubrication initiation modifier. | 01-28-2010 |
20100083481 | Method for attaching magnesium panels using self-piercing rivet - A method for attaching an aluminum panel to a magnesium panel via a self-piercing rivet. The method includes positioning the aluminum panel and the magnesium panel together with the magnesium panel supported on an anvil having a cavity therein. The magnesium panel is spot heated at the locale of the anvil, and then the self-piercing steel rivet is punched through the steel panel and only partway into the magnesium panel, to displace the magnesium panel into the cavity. The heating of the magnesium improves the ductility so that the self-piercing rivet is accepted without undue strain on the magnesium material. The interface between the steel rivet and the magnesium panel is concealed between the aluminum panel and the magnesium panel to thereby protect the interface between the steel material of the rivet and the magnesium panel from exposure to the environment. | 04-08-2010 |
20100117443 | LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM WHEEL WITH MAGNESIUM RIM - One embodiment includes a wheel including a first portion including magnesium, the first portion including at least a rim; a second portion including aluminum; and an interface where the first portion and the second portion contact each other. | 05-13-2010 |
20100122791 | BINDER DEGRADATION OF SAND CORES - A sand core is prepared for use in defining a surface of a cast metal article. The core is formed of sand particles bonded with a polyurethane resin, preferably a polyol moiety-containing polyurethane resin. An alkali metal hydroxide, and optionally a glycol, is mixed with precursors of the polyurethane before they are mixed with sand particles for molding and curing the core. The hydroxide and glycol may be encapsulated to prevent interference with core molding. The hydroxide and glycol is distributed in the polyurethane binder resin and used to reduce the decomposition temperature of the core binder during casting. This practice is particularly useful in removing core sand from castings of light metal, lower casting temperature metal alloys. | 05-20-2010 |
20100212854 | HOLLOW SAND CORES TO REDUCE GAS DEFECTS IN CASTINGS - An exemplary method for forming a sand core includes forming a core insert; forming a sand core precursor around the core insert; and creating at least one passage within the sand core precursor by removing or otherwise transforming a portion of the core insert, wherein the at least one passage includes at least one exit point. The sand core may then be utilized in a casting mold assembly to form a cast part. | 08-26-2010 |
20100243113 | THERMOMECHANICAL PROCESSING OF ALUMINUM ALLOYS - A cast aluminum alloy containing up to about 0.35% by weight chromium is heated to a first elevated temperature to homogenize the casting and dissolve the chromium content in an aluminum-based matrix phase. The alloy is then heated at a lower elevated temperature to cause the precipitation of a portion of the chromium as an aluminum-containing and chromium-containing intermetallic compound. A suitable amount of chromium is retained in solid solution in aluminum. Thus, the concentration of dissolved chromium in an aluminum alloy may be controlled to fall within specified ranges which result in improvements in both the strength and ductility of the alloy. Impurity amounts of iron may also be precipitated as intermetallic particles from the aluminum matrix to enhance the ductility of the aluminum-based alloy. | 09-30-2010 |
20100290942 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PRODUCE FORGED POWDER METAL PARTS WITH TRANSVERSE FEATURES - Systems and methods produce forged powder metal parts respectively comprising a transverse feature. A system may comprise a powder metal die, a sintering oven, a forging apparatus, a core material, and a powder metal. The powder metal die may receive and compact the core material and the powder metal to form a compacted powder metal part with at least a portion of the core material embedded therein to define a transverse feature in the compacted powder metal part. The sintering oven may receive and sinter the compacted powder metal part with the core material remaining embedded therein to maintain the definition of the transverse feature during sintering. The forging apparatus may receive and forge the sintered powder metal part with the core material remaining embedded therein to maintain the definition of the transverse feature during forging with the embedded core material being removable from the forged powder metal thereafter. | 11-18-2010 |
20100300394 | METAL ALLOY CASTINGS WITH CAST-IN-PLACE TUBES FOR FLUID FLOW - A major engine casting, such as an engine block or a cylinder head, fabricated of either magnesium or aluminum alloy, has a cast-in-place metal tube or form embedded within it. The tube or form enables circulation of liquid while substantially physically isolating the casting alloy from the circulating liquid and thereby restricting or eliminating corrosive interaction between them. | 12-02-2010 |
20110000596 | LOW NOISE RUN-FLAT TIRES - A tire includes a pair of sidewalls in spaced apart relation and extending substantially radially from a respective inner circumferential portion to a respective outer circumferential portion, a tread extending between and connecting outer circumferential portions of the sidewalls, at least a portion of a tire cavity defined by the tread and sidewalls, and a bead portion on the inner circumferential portion of each radially extending sidewall, the bead portion providing an engagement surface for engaging a wheel on which the tire is to be mounted, and a noise reducing foam disposed in at least a portion of the tire cavity. | 01-06-2011 |
20110036675 | INSERT WITH TABS AND DAMPED PRODUCTS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - One embodiment includes an insert including a body portion; a plurality of tabs extending from the body portion, wherein the tabs are tapered; and wherein the insert is constructed and arranged to provide damping. | 02-17-2011 |
20110041796 | OIL MAKE-UP AND REPLENISHMENT OIL FILTER AND METHOD OF USE - An oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device comprising an oil filter and oil additive replenishment system further comprising: a full-flow oil filter; a by-pass oil filter; an oil additive dispensing system; and an on-vehicle controller to dispense additive as required, track additive consumption and signal the need for a replacement system is described. Also a method of using such oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device to extend the useful life of lubricating oil in a vehicle engine is described. | 02-24-2011 |
20110046026 | NANOGRAPHENE LAYERS AND PARTICLES AND LUBRICANTS INCORPORATING THE SAME - A method of making at least one nanographene layer is disclosed herein. The method includes selecting X hydrocarbon precursor and Y hydrogen gas (H | 02-24-2011 |
20110062036 | FRANGIBLE CAPSULE-IN-CAPSULE CHEMICAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - A capsule-in-capsule system comprising at least two segregated chemical reactants is described. An inner capsule contains one reactant and is itself contained, with a second chemical reactant, in an outer capsule. The inner capsule and its contents is fabricated first; then it is incorporated into the second reactant; and the combination of the second reactant and inner capsule is encapsulated in the outer capsule. The reactants may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic and present as fluids, solids or combinations of solid(s) and fluids(s). When subjected to suitably high pressure, the capsule wall materials will fracture or rupture, releasing and preferably mixing all encapsulates to enable their prompt reaction. The utility of the invention is illustrated by its application to development of a corrosion inhibiting passive film on magnesium auto body material and to the adhesive bonding of members where precise positioning is desired. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064941 | CORROSION INHIBITORS IN BREAKABLE MICROCAPSULES TO PASSIVATE SCRATCHED METALS - Microencapsulated chemical(s), as water-soluble solid particles, are embedded in at least one the paint layers on the surface of a magnesium article used in an automobile. If the protective paint film is scratched or otherwise mechanically disturbed to expose the surface of the magnesium article the capsules will be ruptured. This will expose the encapsulated chemical(s) to ambient water enabling them to dissolve and form an aqueous solution capable of reacting with the exposed magnesium to form a protective passivating layer on the exposed magnesium to resist corrosion. In a second embodiment the encapsulated chemicals include a deliquescing compound for extraction of moisture from the atmosphere sufficient to induce dissolution of the passivating layer-forming chemical(s) and trigger the formation of the passivating layer in the absence of ambient water. | 03-17-2011 |
20110084824 | IDENTIFICATION ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WHILE IN AN AUTOMOBILE - A method is disclosed for estimating the exposure of vehicle occupants to environmental conditions capable of inducing a least discomfort. The occupants are alerted to their proximity to a zone where environmentally-challenging conditions exist and, in a first embodiment, the details of the environmental condition and the estimated duration of any exposure is communicated to the occupants; in a second embodiment a suggested course of action by which the occupants may mitigate the effect of the environmental occurrence is communicated; and in a third embodiment the proposed course of action is automatically executed subject to override by the occupants. | 04-14-2011 |
20110094701 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CASTING - A casting chamber configured to form a casting from molten material includes an outer mold, a plurality of inner core elements, and a surface portion of a thermal chill device. The thermal chill device includes first and second interchangeable elements with the surface portion of the thermal chill device including one of a first surface portion of the first interchangeable element and a second surface portion of the second interchangeable element. The first surface portion of the first interchangeable element includes an insulating material and the second surface portion of the second interchangeable element comprising a metallic material. | 04-28-2011 |
20110113697 | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE DOOR CONSTRUCTION - One embodiment includes a lightweight automotive vehicle door construction including an inner panel partially formed from a lightweight metal casting. The casting provides a toe pan, hinge pillar and beltline. A lightweight stamping connected with the casting provides a remainder of the inner skin. The stamping provides an opposite pillar and latch mount. A header connected to the casting along a first end and with the beltline at a second end provides a window frame. A side intrusion beam extends between the hinge pillar and the opposite pillar. An outer panel is connected with the inner panel. | 05-19-2011 |
20110147043 | SELF-HEALING INSULATION FOR MAGNET WIRE - A process for remediating the insulating properties of magnet wire insulation is described. Magnet wire, used in electric motors and other electrical devices, comprises an electrically-conductive core covered by a thin insulating layer. The insulating layer may be damaged or compromised during manufacture or service. A process for incorporating polymerizable materials, sequestered in microcapsules, within the insulating layer is described. When the insulating layer is subjected to conditions sufficient to compromise its insulating character, the microcapsules fracture and release their contents which then polymerize and re-establish the insulating properties of the layer. | 06-23-2011 |
20110171379 | GROWING METAL NANOWIRES - A method is disclosed for growing metal (including semiconductor metal) nanowires from a film deposited on a substrate. In an illustrative embodiment tin and silicon are co-deposited, such as by sputtering, on a silicon substrate at, for example, ambient temperature. The deposited tin and silicon do not mix and the film has a tin phase dispersed in a higher melting, lower coefficient of thermal expansion, silicon phase. Upon heating, the tin expands against the silicon and expels small tin wires from the upper surface of the film. Other metal or metal alloy wires may be formed in a like manner using a matrix material and substrate in film deposition that don't mix with the metal composition and, when heated, force the expanding metal to extrude from the film surface as small diameter wires. | 07-14-2011 |
20110233961 | MULTI-THICKNESS TUBE FOR HYDROFORMED MEMBERS - One embodiment includes providing a contiguous tubular member including at least one of a first material or a second material, so that the tubular member has a wall thickness that varies along the length of the tubular member; bending the tubular member; and hydroforming the tubular member into a part. | 09-29-2011 |
20110284138 | METHOD, MOLD, AND MOLD SYSTEM FOR FORMING ROTORS - A mold for forming a plurality of rotors includes a plurality of lamination stacks, wherein each lamination stack defines at least one void therethrough; a tube having a central longitudinal axis, wherein each lamination stack is concentrically spaced apart from the tube to define a channel therebetween; a plurality of washers each having a shape defined by a first diameter and a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, wherein each washer is configured to concentrically abut the tube and define a feed conduit interconnecting with the channel; and a shell disposed in contact with each lamination stack and concentrically spaced apart from each washer to define a plurality of ducts, wherein each duct is interconnected with the at least one void of at least one lamination stack. A mold system and a method of forming a plurality of rotors are also described. | 11-24-2011 |
20110286880 | HIGH STRENGTH Mg-Al-Sn-Ce AND HIGH STRENGTH/DUCTILITY Mg-Al-Sn-Y CAST ALLOYS - One exemplary embodiment includes a cast alloy including Al present in an amount of about 6.5 wt % to about 9.0 wt %; Sn present in an amount of about 1.0 wt % to about 3.0 wt %; Ce present in an amount of about 0 wt % to about 1.0 wt %; and, Mg comprising a balance of the alloy minus an amount of minor and trace elements wherein Mg is present at an amount of greater than about 85 wt %. | 11-24-2011 |
20120199093 | Lubeless Valve Assembly For Engine - A valve assembly includes a tubular valve stem guide and a valve having a valve stem slidable in the bore of the valve stem guide. A lower valve stem seal has an annular body surrounding the valve stem and a skirt sealing with the valve stem guide. An upper valve stem seal has an annular body sealingly mounted on the valve stem and a skirt portion overlapping with the annular body of the lower valve stem seal during the reciprocating movement of the valve stem so that the upper and lower valve stem seals cooperate to prevent flow of oil to the bore of the valve stem guide. The valve stem is coated with a diamond-like carbon coating or a hard nitride coating, and the valve stem guide is of powered metal construction with approximately 1% by weight solid lubricant such as molybdenum disulfide or tungsten disulfide. | 08-09-2012 |
20120214015 | Hemmed Metal Panels, Hemming Apparatuses, and Hemming Methods - A hemming station is configured for hemming a panel assembly including an outer panel having a hem flange defined by a hem edge. The hemming station includes a roller configured to fold the hem flange, a heating device configured to heat the hem edge, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the roller and the heating device such that the roller folds the hem flange when the temperature of the hem edge is in a predetermined temperature range. | 08-23-2012 |
20120227699 | LINERLESS ENGINE - A linerless engine includes a casting defining a bore having an inner surface and a central longitudinal axis. The casting is formed from a castable aluminum-silicon alloy including silicon particles present a range of from about 11 to about 12.5 parts by weight. The inner surface has a surface variation defined by at least some of the silicon particles protruding toward the axis for from about 0.6 to about 1.5 microns. The linerless engine includes a piston slideably disposed within the bore and configured for translating along the axis, wherein the piston is formed from an aluminum alloy and includes a body having a skirt portion coated with a first coating, and at least one ring encircling and in contact with the body. The ring is coated with a diamond-like coating that is free from degradation when in contact with the at least some of the silicon particles. | 09-13-2012 |
20120227867 | TURBOCHARGER HOUSING WITH A CONVERSION COATING AND METHODS OF MAKING THE CONVERSION COATING - A method for increasing wear resistance of a turbocharger includes exposing at least a bearing surface of a center housing of the turbocharger to a gas nitrocarburizing process or a plasma nitrocarburizing process, thereby forming a conversion coating impregnated onto the at least the bearing surface. | 09-13-2012 |
20120242107 | VEHICLE DOOR ASSEMBLY - A door assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel configured for defining an exterior surface of the vehicle, and an inner panel matable to the outer panel to define a cavity therebetween. The inner panel includes a lower portion having a first longitudinal axis and a B-pillar assembly extending from the lower portion. The B-pillar assembly includes a casting having an external surface configured for defining the exterior surface of the vehicle, an internal surface spaced apart from the external surface, a length, and a second longitudinal axis. The casting extends from the portion along the second longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. | 09-27-2012 |
20120280535 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING MAGNESIUM BODY PANELS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE - A magnesium alloy panel for a vehicle includes a first region and a second region extending from the first region to an edge. The first region has a first microstructure having a first corrosion resistance. The second region has a second microstructure different than the first microstructure and has a second corrosion resistance greater than the first corrosion resistance. A system for mass producing magnesium alloy panels includes a forming apparatus and a laser cutting apparatus. The forming apparatus forms a panel having a first microstructure having a first corrosion resistance. The laser cutting apparatus cuts the panel to form the edge using a laser, and forms the second microstructure while forming the edge. The second microstructure is different than the first microstructure and has a second corrosion resistance greater than the first corrosion resistance. A method for mass producing magnesium alloy panels is also provided. | 11-08-2012 |
20120301734 | METHOD OF BONDING A METAL TO A SUBSTRATE - A method of bonding a metal to a substrate involves forming an oxide layer on a surface of the substrate, and in a molten state, over-casting the metal on the substrate surface. The over-casting drives a reaction at an interface between the over-cast metal and the oxide layer to form another oxide. The other oxide binds the metal to the substrate surface upon solidification of the over-cast metal. | 11-29-2012 |
20130071681 | METHOD OF PRODUCING COMPOSITE ARTICLES AND ARTICLES MADE THEREBY - One embodiment of the invention may include a method of producing a composite article comprising a container, filling the container with a powdered metal, and compacting the powdered metal in the container such that an interfacial bond is created between the compacted powdered metal and the container. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071736 | PHASE SEPARATED SILICON-TIN COMPOSITE AS NEGATIVE ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES - A composite of silicon and tin is prepared as a negative electrode composition with increased lithium insertion capacity and durability for use with a metal current collector in cells of a lithium-ion battery. This electrode material is formed such that the silicon is present as a distinct amorphous phase in a matrix phase of crystalline tin. While the tin phase provides electron conductivity, both phases accommodate the insertion and extraction of lithium in the operation of the cell and both phases interact in minimizing mechanical damage to the material as the cell experiences repeated charge and discharge cycles. In general, roughly equal atomic proportions of the tin and silicon are used in forming the phase separated composite electrode material. | 03-21-2013 |
20130078480 | CORROSION RESISTANT MAGNESIUM ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING - The corrosion resistance of formed and shaped sheet magnesium alloy articles may be improved by applying to the article a substantially crack-and pore-free ductile metal layer on at least selected surfaces and cut or sheared edges. An exemplary ductile metal may be aluminum or its alloys. Two methods of applying such a ductile metal layer are described. One method is suitable for extended areas of the magnesium alloy sheet surface, and is applied prior to stamping the article, while a second method, suitable for cut or sheared edges, is intended for application after the article is fully formed. The incorporation of both methods into conventional sheet metal stamping processes to form the corrosion resistant formed magnesium article is described. | 03-28-2013 |
20130118090 | VEHICLE DOOR ASSEMBLY - A vehicle door may include a door outer panel defining an exterior surface of the vehicle door; a common door inner panel located inboard of the door outer panel and configured to mount door hardware, with the common door inner panel having a periphery; and a panel extension extending around essentially all of the periphery of the common door inner panel, the panel extension being attached to the periphery of the common door inner panel and attached to the door outer panel to secure the common door inner panel to the door outer panel. | 05-16-2013 |
20130121869 | MULTICOMPONENT TITANIUM ALUMINIDE ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING - A process for fabricating sintered, substantially pore-free titanium aluminide articles with minor alloying element additions is disclosed. Such articles may find application as automobile engine valves and connecting rods and may be fabricated by rapidly sintering intimately mixed powders of substantially pure titanium and rapidly-cooled particles of aluminum alloyed with the minor alloying element(s). | 05-16-2013 |
20130122374 | LITHIUM-ION BATTERY ELECTRODES WITH SHAPE-MEMORY-ALLOY CURRENT COLLECTING SUBSTRATES - Lithium-ion battery electrode constructions use an array of nanowires (or of other long thin shapes) of active electrode material anchored at one end to a surface of a metal current collector sheet in an electrode assembly or construction. This form of active electrode material permits good contact with a liquid lithium-ion containing electrolyte that infiltrates the closely-spaced thin shapes. Stresses arising from volume changes in the long shapes with lithiation and de-lithiation of the active material is mitigated by strategic placement of shape memory apply forms between attachment surfaces of the active electrode material and other members of the electrode assembly. | 05-16-2013 |
20130143076 | MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR RETARDING OR PREVENTING THERMAL RUNAWAY IN BATTERIES - One embodiment includes a rechargeable charge storage device including a microcapsule disposed within said rechargeable charge storage device; and a thermal retardant chemical species contained within said microcapsule, wherein said microcapsule is adapted to release said chemical species upon being exposed to a triggering event either prior to or during an unstable rise in temperature of said charge storage device. | 06-06-2013 |
20130145899 | MAGNETIC SEPARATION OF IRON FROM ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM ALLOY MELTS - Iron impurities may be removed from volumes of molten aluminum or magnesium metals or alloys by applying a static magnetic field gradient to each of the molten metal volumes, or melts. The magnetic field gradient is applied to each of the melts so that separate-phase iron impurities suspended therein will move in the direction of the applied magnetic field and become concentrated in a predetermined region of the of the melts, thereby forming an iron-rich region. The remaining iron-depleted region of each of the melts can be physically separated from the as-formed iron-rich region and cast into shaped articles of manufacture or into semi-finished articles for further processing. Such articles will have a lower iron-content than the original molten metal volumes. | 06-13-2013 |
20130146009 | MICROENCAPSULATED ENGINE LUBRICANT ADDITIVES - An engine lubricating system for an internal combustion engine. The system comprises a vehicle engine; a circulation system for providing a continuing flow of lubricant to the vehicle engine and engine components; and a lubricant disposed within the circulation system. The lubricant comprises a base oil and at least one microencapsulated oil additive. The microencapsulated oil additive is selectively released into the lubricant based one or more localized event. The localized event may include a predetermined temperature change, a predetermined pH change, a localized high friction contact, and combinations thereof. | 06-13-2013 |
20130157125 | REINFORCED BATTERY ELECTRODES - The gravimetric and volumetric efficiency of lithium ion batteries may be increased if high capacity materials like tin and silicon may be employed as the lithium-accepting host in the negative electrode of the battery. But both tin and silicon, when fully charged with lithium, undergo expansions of up to 300% and generate appreciable internal stresses which have potential to spall off material from the electrode on each discharge-charge cycle, resulting in a progressive reduction in battery capacity, also known as battery fade. A method of reinforcing such electrode materials by incorporating within them fiber reinforcements or shaped, elongated reinforcements fabricated of shape memory alloy is described. Electrode materials incorporating such reinforcements are less prone to damage under applied stress and so less prone to battery fade. | 06-20-2013 |
20130235351 | VIRTUAL CONVERTIBLE TOPS, SUNROOFS, AND BACK WINDOWS, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SAME - A virtual-sunroof system for providing a virtual sunroof at an interior of a vehicle for viewing by a passenger of the vehicle. The system includes a virtual-sunroof imaging device configured and arranged at the vehicle to collect image information from an environment above the vehicle and create digital image data using the image information. The system also includes a virtual-sunroof projection device configured and arranged in the vehicle to be in communication with the virtual-sunroof imaging device for providing a virtual sunroof display. The virtual sunroof display provided (a) is viewable above a head of the passenger, (b) is formed using the image data, (c) represents accurately at the interior of the vehicle a rendition of the environment above the vehicle, and (d) has a size, shape, and location corresponding generally to a size, shape, and location that an actual conventional-type sunroof would have in the vehicle. | 09-12-2013 |
20130301963 | AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN COMPONENT AND BEARING WITH MICROPORES, AND METHOD THEREOF - One embodiment includes an automotive powertrain component and a bearing. The automotive powertrain component has a first surface and moves during use thereof. The bearing assists movement of the automotive powertrain component and has a second surface that opposes the first surface of the automotive powertrain component. Multiple micropores are located on a portion or more of the first surface, of the second surface, or of both the first and second surfaces. The micropores retain lubricant therein. In use, the lubricant can be lifted above respective openings of the micropores and into a space located between the first and second surfaces. | 11-14-2013 |
20140106220 | PHASE SEPARATED SILICON-TIN COMPOSITE AS NEGATIVE ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM-ION AND LITHIUM SULFUR BATTERIES - A composite of silicon and tin is prepared as a negative electrode composition with increased lithium insertion capacity and durability for use with a metal current collector in cells of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-sulfur battery. This negative electrode material is formed such that the silicon is present as a distinct amorphous phase in a matrix phase of crystalline tin. While the tin phase provides electron conductivity, both phases accommodate the insertion and extraction of lithium in the operation of the cell and both phases interact in minimizing mechanical damage to the material as the cell experiences repeated charge and discharge cycles. In general, roughly equal atomic proportions of the tin and silicon are used in forming the phase separated composite electrode material. | 04-17-2014 |
20140272578 | POROUS, AMORPHOUS LITHIUM STORAGE MATERIALS AND A METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - Porous, amorphous lithium storage materials and a method for making these materials are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, composite particles of a lithium storage material in an amorphous phase and a material that is immiscible with the lithium storage material are prepared. Phase separation is induced within the composite particles to precipitate out the amorphous phase lithium storage material and form phase separated composite particles. The immiscible material is chemically etched from the phase separated composite particles to form porous, amorphous lithium storage material particles. | 09-18-2014 |
20140290894 | SURFACE TREATMENT FOR IMPROVED BONDING IN BI-METALLIC CASTING - Methods of forming bi-metallic castings are provided. In one method, a metal preform of a desired base shape is provided defining a substrate surface. A natural oxide layer is removed from the substrate surface, yielding a cleaned metal preform. The method includes forming a thin metallic film on at least a portion of the substrate surface of the cleaned metal preform, and metallurgically bonding the portion of the metal preform having the metallic film with an overcast metal to form a bi-metallic casting. The metallic film promotes a metallurgical bond between the metal preform and the overcast metal. In one aspect, the metal preform may comprise aluminum (Al) and the metallic film may comprise zinc (Zn). | 10-02-2014 |