Huong T Le

US Patent:

52962857, Mar 22, 1994

Filed:

May 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/887851

Inventors:

Henry W. Babel - Huntington Beach CA
Huong G. Le - Fountain Valley CA

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation - Long Beach CA

International Classification:

B32B 702

US Classification:

428213

Abstract:

An aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate having a low absorptance high emittance two-layer coating produced by first anodizing the substrate to form an anodic coating, followed by applying a topcoat of an inorganic white paint on the anodic coating, such dual layer coated substrate having spacecraft application, particularly for radiators.

US Patent:

52176002, Jun 8, 1993

Filed:

May 1, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/876768

Inventors:

Huong G. Le - Fountain Valley CA
Dudley L. O'Brien - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation - Long Beach CA

International Classification:

C25D 1106

US Classification:

205328

Abstract:

Process for anodizing aluminum or its alloys to obtain a surface particularly having high infrared emittance by anodizing an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate surface in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution at elevated temperature and by a step-wise current density procedure, followed by sealing the resulting anodized surface. In a preferred embodiment the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate is first alkaline cleaned and then chemically brightened in an acid bath The resulting cleaned substrate is anodized in a 15% by weight sulfuric acid bath maintained at a temperature of 30. degree. C. Anodizing is carried out by a step-wise current density procedure at 19 amperes per square ft. (ASF) for 20 minutes, 15 ASF for 20 minutes and 10 ASF for 20 minutes. After anodizing the sample is sealed by immersion in water at 200. degree. F.

US Patent:

58207406, Oct 13, 1998

Filed:

Jul 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/890171

Inventors:

Huong Giang Le - Fountain Valley CA
John L. Chesterfield - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Aluminum Finishing Corporation - Indianapolis IN
McDonnell Douglas Corporation - Huntington Beach CA

International Classification:

C25D 500
C25D 1112
C25D 534
C25D 1106

US Classification:

205171

Abstract:

A colored anodic coating for use on surfaces of substrates, e. g. aluminum substrates in which it is desirable to maintain a high solar absorptance (a) and a high infrared emittance (e), particularly in low earth orbit space environments. This anodic coating is preferably a dark colored coating, and even more preferably a black coating. This coating allows a touch temperature within an acceptable design range to preclude burning of an astronaut in case of contact, but also allows a solar radiation absorption in an amount such that an a/e ratio of unity is achieved. The coating of the invention comprises a first layer in the form of an acid anodized colored anodic layer for achieving a high solar absorptance and a second or high emittance layer in the form of a clear acid anodized layer for achieving a high emittance. The entire coating is quite thin, e. g. 1-2 mils and is quite stable in a hostile space environment of the type encountered in a low earth orbit.

US Patent:

59485426, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Mar 18, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/615994

Inventors:

Huong Giang Le - Fountain Valley CA
John L. Chesterfield - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation - Huntington Beach CA
Aluminum Finishing Corp. - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

B32B 1520

US Classification:

4284722

Abstract:

A colored anodic coating for use on surfaces of substrates, e. g. aluminum substrates in which it is desirable to maintain a high solar absorptance (. alpha. ) and a high infrared emittance (. epsilon. ), particularly in low earth orbit space environments. This anodic coating is preferably a dark colored coating, and even more preferably a black coating. This coating allows a touch temperature within an acceptable design range to preclude burning of an astronaut in case of contact, but also allows a solar radiation absorption in an amount such that an. alpha. /. epsilon. ratio of unity is achieved. The coating of the invention comprises a first layer in the form of an acid anodized colored anodic layer for achieving a high solar absorptance and a second or high emittance layer in the form of a clear acid anodized layer for achieving a high emittance. The entire coating is quite thin, e. g. 1-2 mils and is quite stable in a hostile space environment of the type encountered in a low earth orbit.