US4374668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gold based electrical materials
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1981-04-29
•
Granted: 1983-02-22
•
Expires: 2001-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A gold based electrical contact material comprising an oxide of an oxidize element in the gold matrix formed by subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere for internally oxidizing the oxidizable element is presented. Such internal oxidation forms hard second phase oxide particles dispersed throughout the solution having high wear resistance, high hardness, high strength and high conductivity with homogeneous and uncontaminated structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Jaydev D. Desai
- 👤 William G. Moffatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H1/023; H01H1/0237
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A gold based electrical contact material comprising: a solid solution consisting essentially of gold, and residual unoxidized cerium and a dispersion of cerium oxide, the cerium oxide having been formed by internal oxidation by subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen at a temperature below the melting temperature of the solid solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A gold based electrical contact material comprising: a solid solution consisting essentially of gold, and residual unoxidized cerium and a dispersion of cerium oxide, the cerium oxide having been formed by internal oxidation by subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen at a temperature below the melting temperature of the solid solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A gold based electrical contact material produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solid solution consisting essentially of gold and cerium, and subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen for a predetermined period of time so that at least a portion of the cerium is oxidized by internal oxidation to form hard, second phase oxide particles dispersed in the solid solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A gold based electrical contact material produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solid solution consisting essentially of gold and cerium, and subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen for a predetermined period of time so that at least a portion of the cerium is oxidized by internal oxidation to form hard, second phase oxide particles dispersed in the solid solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A gold based electrical contact material comprising: a solid solution consisting essentially of gold, and residual unoxidized hafnium and a dispersion of hafnium oxide, the hafnium oxide having been formed by internal oxidation by subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen at a temperature below the melting temperature of the solid solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A gold based electrical contact material comprising: a solid solution consisting essentially of gold, and residual unoxidized hafnium and a dispersion of hafnium oxide, the hafnium oxide having been formed by internal oxidation by subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen at a temperature below the melting temperature of the solid solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A gold based electrical contact material produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solid solution consisting essentially of gold and hafnium, and subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen for a predetermined period of time so that at least a portion of the hafnium is oxidized by internal oxidation to form hard, second phase oxide particles dispersed in the solid solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A gold based electrical contact material produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solid solution consisting essentially of gold and hafnium, and subjecting the solid solution to an oxidizing atmosphere of oxygen for a predetermined period of time so that at least a portion of the hafnium is oxidized by internal oxidation to form hard, second phase oxide particles dispersed in the solid solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA645348A
Cited
US3622310A
Cited
US3709667A
Cited
US4066819A
Cited
US3779714A
Cited
US4018599A
Cited
US4279649A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-21 | 1986-08-23 | 1987-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-21 | 1990-08-23 | 1991-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-21 | 1994-08-23 | 1995-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |