Richard S Kennedy

US Patent:

6496529, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Nov 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/726720

Inventors:

Robin M. Forbes Jones - Charlotte NC
Richard L. Kennedy - Monroe NC
Ramesh S. Minisandram - Matthews NC

Assignee:

ATI Properties, Inc. - Albany OR

International Classification:

H05B 360

US Classification:

373 42, 373 21, 75 1024

Abstract:

A method for refining and casting metals and metal alloys includes melting and refining a metallic material and then casting the refined molten material by a nucleated casting technique. The refined molten material is provided to the atomizing nozzle of the nucleated casting apparatus through a transfer apparatus adapted to maintain the purity of the molten refined material. An apparatus including a melting and refining apparatus, a transfer apparatus, and a nucleated casting apparatus, in serial fluid communication, also is disclosed.

US Patent:

6539607, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Sep 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/661525

Inventors:

Thomas K. Fehring - Charlotte NC
Richard Lee Kennedy - Monroe NC

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Charlotte NC
ATI Properties, Inc. - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B23P 1304

US Classification:

29557, 623 1111

Abstract:

The invention provides improved biocompatible implant alloys and methods of constructing artificial implants having improved long term wear properties. Cobalt-base biocompatible implant alloys provided according to the invention are essentially free of carbide, nitride and sigma second phase particles, and can have hardness and strength properties equivalent to or greater than the standard CoCrMo alloy with significantly improved fatigue life and superior frictional contact properties with UHMWPE. Artificial implant constructions and methods provided according to another aspect of the invention are capable of eliminating latent defects that can promote long term failure of joint implants.

US Patent:

6605164, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Apr 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/844696

Inventors:

Richard L. Kennedy - Monroe NC
Wei-Di Cao - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

ATI Properties, Inc. - Albany OR

International Classification:

C22C 1905

US Classification:

148410, 420448

Abstract:

A nickel-based fine grained alloy consisting essentially of 40-55 wt % Ni, 14. 5-21 wt % Cr, 2. 5-5. 5 wt % Nb+Ta, up to 3. 3 wt % Mo, 0. 65-2. 00 wt % Ti, 0. 10-0. 8 wt % Al, up to 0. 35 wt % Mn, up to 0. 07 wt % C, up to 0. 015 wt % S, up to 0. 35 wt % Si, at least 0. 016 wt % P, from 0. 003 % to 0. 030 wt % B, and the balance Fe and incidental impurities, has a high stress rupture life.

US Patent:

6772961, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Jun 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/882248

Inventors:

Robin M. Forbes Jones - Charlotte NC
Richard L. Kennedy - Monroe NC
Helmut Gerhard Conrad - Oshawa, CA
Ted Szylowiec - Hampton, CA
Wayne Conrad - Hampton, CA
Richard Stanley Phillips - Courtice, CA
Andrew Richard Henry Phillips - Courtice, CA

Assignee:

ATI Properties, Inc. - Albany OR

International Classification:

A01G 2310

US Classification:

239 79, 239 3, 239690, 239132, 2391321

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus that use electrostatic and/or electromagnetic fields to enhance the process of spray forming preforms or powders. The present invention also describes methods and apparatus for atomization and heat transfer with non-equilibrium plasmas. The present invention is also directed to articles, particularly for use in gas turbine engines, produced by the methods of the invention.

US Patent:

6773520, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Sep 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/660948

Inventors:

Thomas K. Fehring - Charlotte NC
Richard Lee Kennedy - Monroe NC

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Charlotte NC
ATI Properties, Inc. - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

C22C 1907

US Classification:

148425, 420436, 420437, 420440

Abstract:

The invention provides improved biocompatible implant alloys and methods of constructing artificial implants having improved long term wear properties. Cobalt-base biocompatible implant alloys provided according to the invention are essentially free of carbide, nitride and sigma second phase particles, and can have hardness and strength properties equivalent to or greater than the standard CoCrMo alloy with significantly improved fatigue life and superior frictional contact properties with UHMWPE. Artificial implant constructions and methods provided according to another aspect of the invention are capable of eliminating latent defects that can promote long term failure of joint implants.

US Patent:

7154932, Dec 26, 2006

Filed:

May 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/158382

Inventors:

Robin M. Forbes Jones - Charlotte NC, US
Richard L. Kennedy - Monroe NC, US
Ramesh S. Minisandram - Matthews NC, US

Assignee:

ATI Properties, Inc. - Albany OR

International Classification:

H05B 3/60

US Classification:

373 42, 373 72

Abstract:

A method for refining and casting metals and metal alloys includes melting and refining a metallic material and then casting the refined molten material by a nucleated casting technique. The refined molten material is provided to the atomizing nozzle of the nucleated casting apparatus through a transfer apparatus adapted to maintain the purity of the molten refined material. An apparatus including a melting and refining apparatus, a transfer apparatus, and a nucleated casting apparatus, in serial fluid communication, also is disclosed.

US Patent:

7156932, Jan 2, 2007

Filed:

Oct 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/679899

Inventors:

Wei-Di Cao - Charlotte NC, US
Richard L. Kennedy - Monroe NC, US

Assignee:

ATI Properties, Inc. - Albany OR

International Classification:

C22F 1/10

US Classification:

148675, 148677

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention relate to nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, having a desired microstructure that is predominantly strengthened by γ′-phase precipitates and comprises an amount of at least one grain boundary precipitate. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, to develop a desired microstructure that can impart thermally stable mechanical properties. Articles of manufacture using the nickel-base alloys and methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys according to embodiments of the present invention are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7374598, May 20, 2008

Filed:

Aug 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/913361

Inventors:

Robin M. Forbes Jones - Charlotte NC, US
Richard L. Kennedy - Monroe NC, US
Helmut Gerhard Conrad - Oshawa, CA
Ted Szylowiec - Hampton, CA
Wayne Conrad - Hampton, CA
Richard Stanley Phillips - Courtice, CA
Andrew Richard Henry Phillips - Courtice, CA

Assignee:

ATI Properties, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B22F 9/14

US Classification:

75336, 75346, 239 3

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus that use electrostatic and/or electromagnetic fields to enhance the process of spray forming preforms or powders. The present invention also describes methods and apparatus for atomization and heat transfer with non-equilibrium plasmas. The present invention is also directed to articles, particularly for use in gas turbine engines, produced by the methods of the invention.