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:
Jul. 31, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 10, 1998
Nagendra Palle, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ravi Vijayaraghavan, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Jacob Wesley Zindel, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
William Thomas Donlon, Dearborn, MI (US);
John Edmond Allison, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method for quantitatively predicting and consequently minimizing the amount of critical phases such as eutectic Al,Cu formed during solidification of Al—Si—Cu alloys used in a vehicle engine component comprises developing a micromodel to simulate microstructure evolution in cast Al—Si or Al—Cu alloys. The micromodel is calibrated using experimental thermal analysis cooling curves and an optimization process. Microstructure evolution and cooling curves are simulated for a casting using the calibrated micromodel. Precipitation of critical phases such as Al,Cu in the casting is predicted as a function of solidification conditions. The model allows casting process variables to be varied with predictable results so that the casting process can be controlled via the micromodel.