Michael S Dougherty

US Patent:

6454877, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Jun 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/582607

Inventors:

Devendra Kumar - Rochester Hills MI
Satyendra Kumar - Troy MI
Michael L. Dougherty - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

B23K 2614

US Classification:

148222, 148224, 148239, 148565, 21912166, 21912185

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for treating the surface of a metal body through phase transformation, ion implantation, and/or diffusion and to form new phases of metallic materials. The method and apparatus have been shown to be particularly useful to improve the hardness and corrosion resistance of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Generally, the method comprises irradiating a portion of the metal body ( ) with a laser ( ), and directing a stream of gas ( ) onto the same portion of the metal body simultaneously with and preferably for a duration after the laser is turned off. Preferably, the laser ( ) is a carbon dioxide laser operated in a pulsed mode to control heating of the metal ( ). The gas ( ) is preferably carbon dioxide to quickly cool the metal when the laser is off, and to provide carbon atoms for deposition onto the body. The entire process may be carried out in an environment at atmospheric pressure, obviating the need for a vacuum chamber or pressure controlled furnace or similar apparatus.

US Patent:

20060062930, Mar 23, 2006

Filed:

May 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/513394

Inventors:

Devendra Kumar - Rochester Hills MI, US
Satyendra Kumar - Troy MI, US
Michael Dougherty - Rochester Hills MI, US

International Classification:

H05H 1/24
C23C 16/00

US Classification:

427569000, 11872300R

Abstract:

A system and method of carburizing a surface region of an object includes subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation, generated from a radiation source (), in the presence of a plasma catalyst () to initiate a plasma containing carbon. The method also includes exposing the surface region of the object to the plasma for a period of time sufficient to transfer at least some of the carbon from the plasma to the object through the first surface region.

US Patent:

20060081567, Apr 20, 2006

Filed:

May 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/513605

Inventors:

Michael Dougherty - Rochester Hills MI, US
Devendra Kumar - Rochester Hills MI, US
Satyendra Kumar - Troy MI, US

International Classification:

B23K 9/00

US Classification:

219121590

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted processing multiple work pieces in a manufacturing line. In one embodiment, the method can include placing the work pieces in movable carriers, moving the carriers on a conveyor into an irradiation zone, flowing a gas into the irradiation zone, igniting the gas in the irradiation zone to form a plasma (e.g., by subjecting the gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst), sustaining the plasma for a period of time sufficient to at least partially plasma process at least one of the work pieces in the irradiation zone, and advancing the conveyor to move the at least one plasma-processed work piece out of the irradiation zone. Various types of plasma catalysts are also provided.