Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

University of Missouri

Hong-Hsiang Kuo

Yar-Ming Wang

Sheila Farrokhalaee Kia

Guangling Song

Hua-tzu Fan

Hsai-Yin Lee

Mark William Verbrugge

Chen-Shih Wang

Richard P Atkins

Thomas J O'Keefe

Surender Maddela

Joseph Clifford Simmer

Matthew J O'Keefe

Kevin M Cunningham

Jane G O'Keefe, Legal Representative

A method for curing a paint coating applied to a workpiece includes applying radiant light energy to cure the paint coating on surfaces of the workpiece within a line of sight of a radiant light energy source, and applying ambient air to the workpiece to cure the paint coating on surfaces of the workpiece not within the line of sight of the radiant light energy source.

Method and apparatus for paint curing

A system for electro-coating a metallic substrate includes a DC power supply, a primary electrode, and a wireless auxiliary electrode. The primary electrode transmits electrical current through electrolyte fluid when energized by the power supply. The auxiliary electrode is within the drain hole, and receives the current from the fluid at one end. The auxiliary electrode boosts the calibrated voltage at the opposite end near the drain hole. In a method for depositing thin film material onto the internal surfaces, the wireless auxiliary electrode is positioned in the drain hole, and the calibrated voltage is applied from the DC power supply to the primary electrode. Electrical current transmitted through the fluid is received at the first end of the auxiliary electrode. The calibrated voltage is boosted in proximity to the drain hole at the second end of the same auxiliary electrode. A wireless auxiliary electrode assembly is also provided.

Electrocoating internal surfaces of a metallic substrate using a wireless electrode

Some articles such as automobile components that have been constructed from steel and/or aluminum alloy parts are now being fitted with magnesium parts whose surfaces may need to be protected against corrosion. To do this an e-coating pre-film may be formed on the part's magnesium surfaces by exposing it to a conventional e-coating emulsion. And there is no need to supply a current or potential to the part or component. Magnesium's high reactivity with acidic or neutral aqueous mediums is itself a sufficient driving force to facilitate the deposition of an e-coating pre-film. At the same time any steel or aluminum alloy parts will remain unaffected. The article with a protective e-coating pre-film formed solely on its magnesium surfaces may now be advanced through a paint-line that includes conventional processes aimed at treating the component's steel and aluminum alloy parts. The process may be practiced where the magnesium surface comprises a magnesium-containing conversion or anodized coating.

Self-deposited coatings on magnesium alloys

Mixed-metal automotive vehicle bodies-in-white comprising ferrous metal surfaces, zinc surfaces, aluminum alloy surfaces, and magnesium alloy surfaces are cleaned and immersed in an aqueous bath comprising an adhesion promoter and an aqueous electrocoat bath (the adhesion promoter may be in the electrocoat bath. The adhesion promoter, which may be a cerium salt, is selected to react with each metal in the body surfaces to form an oxide layer that provides corrosion resistance for the surface and adherence for the deposited polymeric paint coating. The body is cathodic in the electrocoat deposition.

Electrocoating process for mixed-metal automotive bodies-in-white

An electrode assembly for use with an electrodeposition process. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrode assembly includes an electrode for exchanging electrical current with a solution, a passageway for removing gas that becomes trapped between a workpiece and the solution, and a sleeve for electrically isolating the electrode from the workpiece.

Electrode assembly for use in an electrodeposition process

The present invention uses a two-step anodizing process to produce a colored anodized coating on the surface of an aluminum part. In accordance with this invention, a thin hard anodized coating layer is first formed on the surface of the aluminum part and then growing a softer a clear anodized coating layer on the surface of the aluminum part underneath the hard coat layer. The soft coat is essentially colorless and suitable for color finishing. This invention drastically improves the wear resistance of the aluminum part while maintaining a desired amount of clarity for effective electrolytic coloring.

Method for producing hard surface, colored, anodized aluminum parts

A process is disclosed for stabilizing certain colored anodized coating on aluminum articles against degradation by ultraviolet radiation. Anodized articles colored by an electrolytic or interference process can thereafter be stabilized by heat treating them at temperatures of the order of 350&#xb0; F. for a period of an hour or so. The process is particularly useful for use on electrolytically colored, anodized vehicular external body panels made from suitably formable sheet metal aluminum alloys.

Color stabilization of anodized aluminum alloys

Pistons reciprocating in cylinders of a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine tend to trap air and unburned fuel between the top of the piston head and its enclosing cylinder wall. The circumferential side surface (or land) of the piston head above its upper piston ring groove is provided with a thin coating of porous aluminum oxide. Particles of an oxidation catalyst for the engine's fuel are electrolytically deposited in the pores of the oxide coating. During engine operation the oxide-supported catalyst particles promote combustion of the entrained fuel.

Piston with oxidation catalyst

A method is disclosed for forming a clear anodized coating on an aluminum base alloy containing more than three percent by weight magnesium. The alloy surface to be anodized is treated with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid (10 to 20%), nitric acid (10 to 30%) or phosphoric acid (40 to 80%) under the influence of a relatively low voltage direct current. This treatment suitably reduces the magnesium content of the surface layer and, subsequently, a relatively low current density anodization in sulfuric acid produces the clear coating. The clear coating may then be colored by known processes.

Method of producing bright anodized finishes for high magnesium, aluminum alloys

A method for the color finishing of aluminum frames and other components for motor vehicles comprises anodizing an aluminum surface and coloring the aluminum surface. The coloring of the aluminum surface may be effected by an adsorptive coloring process, an electrolytic coloring process, an interference coloring process, or any combination of the foregoing processes.

Color finishing method

An anodized aluminum alloy comprises an aluminum alloy comprising magnesium in an amount greater than 3 weight percent based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy; and a clear porous oxide layer having a thickness greater than about 5 micrometers disposed on and into a surface of the aluminum alloy, wherein the anodized aluminum alloy has a surface gloss value greater than about 40 gloss units as measured on a gloss meter at dual illumination angles of 60&#xb0; and 85&#xb0;.

Magnesium containing aluminum alloys and anodizing process

A metallized epoxy die formed by depositing boron nitride and iron oxide particle layers on the pattern used to form the die and spraying molten metal onto the particle layers followed by casting the epoxy against the exposed surface of the sprayed metal.

Method of making metallized epoxy tools

This invention incorporates a point ignition source in a fluidized bed reactor for burning polymeric waste materials. The source is operated at a temperature above the combustion temperature of the waste to continuously ignite the polymer burning reaction. Its use provides for improved safety and uniform operation of such fluidized bed reactors.

Continuous ignition source for controlled disposal of combustible

A fluidized bed reactor suitable for burning polymeric waste material, particularly thermoplastics, has been developed as well as a method of using it. The reactor comprises a chamber for retaining a fluidized bed of refractory particles and burning the polymer therein. A specially adapted diffuser plate located at the bottom of the reactor controls the flow path of particles in the fluidized bed to enhance mixing and maintain uniform reactor temperatures. Means are additionally provided to introduce polymer particles into the reaction chamber in a controlled manner as well as ignition means to continuously ignite gases in the reactor, promoting the burning reaction. In accordance with the subject method, the bulk of the polymer waste is substantially reduced and useful heat energy is recovered.

Method and apparatus for disposal of thermoplastic waste in a fluidized

In accordance with the invention, a means and method are provided for continuously delivering thermoplastic particles to an operating fluidized bed reactor in which they are thermally degraded. Conveyor systems of the type used to feed non-meltable feedstocks to fluidized bed reactors were found to be unsuitable for the application. Accordingly, a novel device was developed in which polymer particles are conveyed to a reactor in a specialized feed tube. The tube features a brush-screw auger-type feeder and a source of pressurized gas to agitate the particles therein and prevent backflow of hot reactor fluids.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Hong-Hsiang Kuo