Charles Stickels

US Patent:

49707833, Nov 20, 1990

Filed:

Dec 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/450764

Inventors:

Moses A. Olaniran - Melvindale MI
Charles A. Stickels - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B23P 1500

US Classification:

2988809

Abstract:

A method of cracking bearing assembles including the steps of (a) forming a ductile metal (steel, aluminum or titanium) connecting rod in one piece (e. g. , by hot forging) having an annular wall defining a crankshaft opening with preformed surface crevices for guiding the initiation of a cracking plane that extends across the crank opening; (b) charging (i. e. , for about 40 seconds) the region of such wall along at least one portion of the cracking plane with hydrogen by means of an electrolytic cell or by means of reacting the metal rod with a strong acid (e. g. , concentrated sulfuric) to cause hydrogen to dissolve in the metal to facilitate hydrogen stress cracking thereat, with or without the imposition of static mechanical tensile loading at such crevices (i. e. , for about 40 seconds) of a magnitude insufficient to cause yielding of the metal; and (c) prolonging, increasing, or imposing the static mechanical loading (i. e. , for another 40 seconds) at the crevices to effect fracture across the entire cracking plane and thereby separate the connecting rod into a cap and body with rough, fractured mating surfaces.

US Patent:

51355876, Aug 4, 1992

Filed:

Apr 1, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/678516

Inventors:

Moses A. Olaniran - Dearborn MI
Charles A. Stickels - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

C22C 3804

US Classification:

148320

Abstract:

A crackable forging steel with excellent machinability and low ductility consisting of (by weight percent): 0. 6-0. 75 carbon, 0. 25-0. 5 manganese, 0. 04-0. 12 sulfur, and the remainder essentially iron except for up to about 1. 2% residual impurities selected from the group consisting of phosphorous, silicon, nickel, vanadium, copper, chromium, and molybdenum, the manganese/sulfur ratio being greater than 3. 0 and the microstructure of said alloy being substantially 100% pearlite with a grain size grade between 3-8 according to ASTM Specification E112-88. A method of making a connecting rod with such steel comprising: (a) forging a rod of such steel; (b) cooling the forging to ensure essentially a 100% pearlitic microstructure and a grain size of 3-8 ASTM per Specification E112-88; (c) fracturing the rod into cap and body portions; (d) reassembling by use of bolts which have a clearance no greater than 0. 04 inch to guide the fractured surfaces to within 0. 002 inch of their original integration and thereafter, while the cap and body portions are free to laterally adjust, applying a clamping load through the bolts to force the fractured ridges into exact rematch.

US Patent:

44759568, Oct 9, 1984

Filed:

Jan 24, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/475679

Inventors:

Bela V. Kovacs - Bloomfield Hills MI
Roman M. Nowicki - Bloomfield Hills MI
Charles A. Stickels - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

C21D 514
C22C 3704
C22C 3710

US Classification:

148 3

Abstract:

A method of strengthening ferritic ductile iron castings while maintaining ductility at a high level is disclosed. An iron alloy melt is cast consisting essentially of by weight 3. 9-6. 0% Si, 3. 0-3. 5% C, 0. 1-0. 3% Mn, 0-0. 35% Mo, at least 1. 25% Ni, no greater than 0. 015% S and 0. 6% P, the remainder Fe, the melt having been subjected to a nodularizing agent to form graphite nodules upon solidification. The cast alloy is heat treated to provide a fully ferritic microstructure with 9-14% by volume graphite, a yield strength of at least 75,000 psi, a tensile strength of at least 95,000 psi, and an elongation of at least 17%.

US Patent:

44849532, Nov 27, 1984

Filed:

Jan 24, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/474655

Inventors:

Bela V. Kovacs - Bloomfield Hills MI
Roman M. Nowicki - Bloomfield Hills MI
Charles A. Stickels - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

C21D 500
C22C 3710

US Classification:

148 3

Abstract:

A method of making ductile cast iron with a matrix of acicular ferrite and bainite is disclosed. A melt by weight of 3. 0-3. 6% carbon, 3. 5-5. 0% silicon, 0. 7-5. 0% nickel, 0-0. 3% Mo, >0. 015% S, >0. 06% P (remainder Fe) is subjected to a nodularizing agent and solidified. The iron is then heat treated by heating to 1575. degree. -1650. degree. F. for 1-3 hours, quenched to 400. degree. -775. degree. F. at a rate of at least 275. degree. F. /min. , held for 0. 5-4 hours, and cooled to room temperature. The resulting ductile iron exhibits a yield strength of at least 80 ksi, a tensile strength of at least 140 ksi, elongation of at least 6%, and a hardness of at least 270 BHN.