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:
Sep. 09, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2009
John Van DE Sanden, Nieuwegein, NL;
Hendrik Johannes Krock, Sleeuwijk, NL;
Hendrik Anne Mol, Sleeuwijk, NL;
John Van De Sanden, Nieuwegein, NL;
Hendrik Johannes Krock, Sleeuwijk, NL;
Hendrik Anne Mol, Sleeuwijk, NL;
Aktiebolaget SKF, Gothenburg, SE;
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visible identification mark is created on a surface of the component using a laser beam. The laser marking creates an oxidized layer on the component surface and, in an underlying region, alters the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. According to the invention, the mark is then rendered visually undetectable with the naked eye, by removing at least the oxidized surface layer of the mark. This exposes the altered microstructure, which is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark.