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:
Aug. 22, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 11, 1998
Michael D Skibo, Leucadia, CA (US);
David M Schuster, La Jolla, CA (US);
MC21 Incorporated, San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for mixing nonmetallic reinforcing particles into a molten metal or metal alloy for the production of stir-cast metal matrix composite (MMC) materials under atmospheric or near-atmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the particles are introduced into the matrix under the surface of the matrix by feeding the particles through the inner passage of a rotatable hollow impeller tube positioned in the matrix. The impeller tube is terminated at its lower end by an impeller head. The impeller head includes one or more teeth and is positioned proximate to an impeller base. The particles enter the matrix through a shear region which exists in and around the volume between the impeller base and the impeller head. The rotating impeller and the high shear force thereby created wet the particles in the composite matrix and effect homogenization of the composite matrix. The particles are preferably fed into the matrix from a particle supply that is back-filled with an active gas like oxygen or a substantially inert gas. The process of the present invention may be practiced as a batch process or as a continuous process.