The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 06, 1995
Filed:
Aug. 27, 1993
Thomas J Whalen, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Walter Trela, Trenton, MI (US);
Samuel S Shinozaki, Livonia, MI (US);
John R Baer, Carleton, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention discloses a composition for a valve of an advanced heat engine. The valve comprises grains of aluminum-doped silicon carbide. The grains are of two main types: (1) a matrix of equi-axed grains of alpha and beta SiC for optimum distribution of mechanical properties; and (2) elongated grains of alpha SiC which are distributed within the matrix for reinforcement. The invention also comprises a process for making such valves. The process begins with a powder of aluminum-doped beta-silicon carbide. A binder and a solvent are then added to the powder, and the mixture is agitated while being heated. The mixture is then transferred to an injection mold which is used to form a molded component. The molded component is then sintered and machined into desired dimensions. An annealing step is then performed so that the component exhibits the characteristics of improved strength and toughness.