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US 5,503,122 AGranted
Engine components including ceramic-metal composites
AssigneeGolden Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMarcus A. Ritland, Dennis W. Readey, Jack D. Sibold, Dean A. Rulis, Richard N. Kleiner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Ceramic-metal composites are used in the fabrication of components for engines, particularly internal combustion engines. The composites are formed by infiltrating a molten metal into a porous ceramic matrix and cooling the metal to form a composite. Numerous engine components can be fabricated using this technique including valves, valve seats, exhaust port liners, pistons and rocker arms.
Claims8
A valve for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- (a) a valve stem comprising an elongated metallic member;
- and
- (b) a valve head integrally connected to an end of said valve stem, said valve head generally having a frustoconical shape and a valve face on the outer circumferential surface of said valve head, wherein said valve head comprises an upper portion including a valve face and consisting essentially of dense ceramic and a lower portion having a base diameter that is smaller than said upper portion and comprising a metal-infiltrated ceramic.
A method for making a valve for an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a sintered ceramic body, said sintered ceramic body generally having frustoconical shape with an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the open porosity of said sintered ceramic in said lower portion is greater than the open porosity in said upper portion;
- (b) contacting said sintered ceramic body with a molten metal under conditions such that said molten metal infiltrates the open porosity of said sintered ceramic to form a valve head;
- and
- (c) connecting said valve head to an end of a metal valve stem to form a valve.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.