US3850698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Altering material properties
Assignee: Industrial Materials Technology Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-23
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1992-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A method of altering properties in a solid target by attaching securely to its surface a layer of solid or liquid overlay material, and directing a radiation pulse of high power density (as from a laser) to the layer. The thickness of the target plus any overlay that is absorbent to the radiation is at least about two micrometers greater than the mean free path of the radiation therein. The target typically comprises a metal or metal compound having a thermal diffusivity of at least about 0.1 square centimeter per second. The overlay material may be either inert or exothermic, and either transparent or opaque to the radiation. Where it is opaque, it may be covered with a layer of another overlay material.
Inventors
- 👤 P Mallozzi
- 👤 B Fairand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:37
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21D; C21D10/00; C21D10/005; C22; C22F; C22F3/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A METHOD OF ALTERING PROPERTIES BY PROVIDING SHOCK WAVES IN A METALLIC TARGET COMPRISING ATTACHING TO A SURFACE OF THE TARGET LAYER OF SOLID OR LIQUID OVERLAY MATERIAL, AND DIRECTING A LASER PULSE OF HIGH POWER DENSITY TO THE LAYER OF OVERLAY MATERIAL SUCH AS TO PROVIDE ABOUT 10 TO 10,000 JOULES PER SQUARE CENTIMETER OF ENERGY DENSITY IN ABOUT 10 TO 10,000 NANOSECONDS, WHEREIN THE THICKNESS OF THE TARGET PLUS ANY OVERLAY THAT IS ABSORBENT TO THE LASER RADIATION IS AT LEAST ABOUT 2 MICOROMETERS GREATER THAN THE MEANS FREE PATH OF THE RADIATION THEREIN.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A METHOD OF ALTERING PROPERTIES BY PROVIDING SHOCK WAVES IN A METALLIC TARGET COMPRISING ATTACHING TO A SURFACE OF THE TARGET LAYER OF SOLID OR LIQUID OVERLAY MATERIAL, AND DIRECTING A LASER PULSE OF HIGH POWER DENSITY TO THE LAYER OF OVERLAY MATERIAL SUCH AS TO PROVIDE ABOUT 10 TO 10,000 JOULES PER SQUARE CENTIMETER OF ENERGY DENSITY IN ABOUT 10 TO 10,000 NANOSECONDS, WHEREIN THE THICKNESS OF THE TARGET PLUS ANY OVERLAY THAT IS ABSORBENT TO THE LASER RADIATION IS AT LEAST ABOUT 2 MICOROMETERS GREATER THAN THE MEANS FREE PATH OF THE RADIATION THEREIN.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the target comprises a material having a thermal diffusivity of at least about 0.1 square centimeter per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the layer of overlay material is attached securely over the surface of the target.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the overlay material is substantially transparent to the radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the overlay material is substantially opaque to the radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein a layer of another overlay material is attached to the layer of substantially opaque material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the overlay material is substantially inert.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein the overlay material has an acoustic impedance of at least about that of the target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein the overlay material has a specific sublimation energy of less than about 5 X 1010 ergs per gram.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the overlay material is exothermic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 10, wherein the overlay material has the property of rapidly releasing chemical energy, either by detonation or by deflagration, in response to the radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the target has high thermal diffusivity and is substantially opaque to the radiation, and the overlay material has low thermal diffusivity and is substantially transparent to the radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 12, wherein the overlay material is substantially inert.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 12, wherein the overlay material is exothermic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein the overlay material is exothermic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein the overlay material has low sublimation energy and is substantially inert.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 16, wherein a layer of another overlay material, having low thermal diffusivity and substantially transparent to the radiation, is attached to the layer of overlay material on the target.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 17, wherein the outer layer is substantially inert.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 17, wherein the outer layer is exothermic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the overlay material comprises glass, quartz, sodium silicate, fused silica, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, polyethylene, a fluoroplastic; nitrocellulose or a mixture thereof; pentaerythritol tetranitrate; bismuth, lead, cadmium, tin, or zinc.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the overlay is about 50 to 20,000 micrometers thick.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |