IP Library Granted Patent US 12,365,030
Granted Patent B2
US 12,365,030 · App. 17/035,969 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Multi-property monolithic stainless steel component

Inventor: David Ansyl Eckols (Edmonds, WA)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
B22F10/00B22F3/24B33Y10/00B33Y30/00B33Y70/00B33Y80/00H01F1/344H02K1/02B22F10/10B22F2301/35C22C38/40
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,365,030
App. No.
17/035,969
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel component, a method of fabricating a multi-property monolithic stainless steel component, and a system for fabricating a multi-property monolithic stainless steel component. The integrally-formed monolithic stainless steel component includes, along a longitudinal direction thereof, one or more non-magnetic regions having an austenitic crystalline grain structure and one or more magnetic regions having a ferritic martensitic crystalline grain structure. The integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel component is fabricated by a selective laser sintering (SLS) assembly having integrated therein a plurality of sub-assembly components, including a selective powder deposition component, a selective laser sintering (SLS) component, and a localized cooling component.

Claims (66)

1. A multi-property monolithic alloy component, comprising:

two or more non-magnetic regions having an austenitic crystalline grain structure, wherein each of the two or more non-magnetic regions comprises a plurality of first build layers each of which has a first build layer thickness of 20 to 90 microns, and

one or more magnetic regions fused between at least two of the two or more non-magnetic regions, the one or more magnetic regions having a ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure, wherein each of the one or more magnetic regions comprises a plurality of second build layers each of which has a second build layer thickness of 20 to 90 microns,

wherein the two or more non-magnetic regions are fused to the one or more magnetic regions to form an integrally-formed monolithic body that has a monolithic structure integrally-formed of a single fused piece,

wherein the one or more magnetic regions and the two or more non-magnetic regions are alternately located along a longitudinal direction,

wherein an iron content of the two or more non-magnetic regions is in a range of 14.5 to 16.5% by weight,

wherein the one or more magnetic regions have a chromium content in a range of 19.0 to 21.5% by weight.

2. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 1 , wherein:

the two or more non-magnetic regions have a lower iron content to obtain the austenitic crystalline grain structure, and

the one or more magnetic regions have a higher iron content to obtain the ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure.

3. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 1 , wherein:

the integrally-formed monolithic body comprises a motor rotor,

the two or more non-magnetic regions having the austenitic crystalline grain structure comprises a shaft of the motor rotor, and

the one or more magnetic regions having the ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure comprises a rotor portion depending from and integrally formed with the shaft as a monolithic part of the motor rotor, and which exhibits properties of a permanent magnet,

wherein an iron content of the two or more non-magnetic regions is less than or equal to the iron content of the one or more magnetic regions,

wherein a nickel content of the one or more magnetic regions is higher than the iron content of the one or more magnetic regions and a chromium content of the one or more magnetic regions that is equal to or higher than the iron content of the one or more magnetic regions.

4. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 3 , wherein:

the rotor portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart teeth that extend in a radial direction from the shaft.

5. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 1 , wherein:

the two or more non-magnetic regions have a nickel content in a range of 49.5 to 52.5% by weight.

6. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 1 , wherein:

the two or more non-magnetic regions have a chromium content in a range of 16.5 to 19.0% by weight.

7. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 3 , wherein:

the two or more non-magnetic regions have a lower iron content compared to the one or more magnetic regions to obtain the austenitic crystalline grain structure, and

the one or more magnetic regions have a higher iron content compared to the two or more non-magnetic regions to obtain the ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure.

8. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 1 , wherein the multi-property monolithic alloy component is a component in a micro-electric motor.

9. A multi-property monolithic alloy component, comprising:

a motor rotor comprising an integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body defining a longitudinal direction, the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body comprising:

a shaft comprising two or more non-magnetic regions along a longitudinal direction of the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body, the two or more non-magnetic regions having an austenitic crystalline grain structure, wherein each of the two or more non-magnetic regions comprises a plurality of first build layers each of which has a first build layer thickness of 20 to 90 microns, and

one or more magnetic regions fused between at least two of the two or more non-magnetic regions along the longitudinal direction of the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body, the one or more magnetic regions having a ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure, wherein each of the one or more magnetic regions comprises a plurality of second build layer thicknesses each of which has a second build layer thickness of 20 to 90 microns,

wherein the two or more non-magnetic regions are fused to the one or more magnetic regions to form the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body that has a monolithic structure integrally-formed of a single fused piece,

wherein the one or more magnetic regions and the two or more non-magnetic regions are alternately located along the longitudinal direction,

wherein an iron content of the two or more non-magnetic regions is in a range of 14.5 to 16.5% by weight,

wherein the one or more magnetic regions have a chromium content in a range of 19.0 to 21.5% by weight.

10. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 9 , wherein:

the two or more non-magnetic regions have a lower iron content compared to the one or more magnetic regions to obtain the austenitic crystalline grain structure, and

the one or more magnetic regions have a higher iron content compared to the two or more non-magnetic regions to obtain the ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure.

11. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 9 , wherein:

the one or more magnetic regions exhibit properties of a permanent magnet,

an iron content of the two or more non-magnetic regions is less than or equal to the iron content of the one or more magnetic regions,

wherein a nickel content of the one or more magnetic regions is equal to or higher than the nickel content of the two or more non-magnetic regions and a chromium content of the one or more magnetic regions that is equal to or higher than the chromium content of the two or more non-magnetic regions.

12. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 11 wherein the one or more magnetic regions comprise a plurality of spaced apart teeth that extend in a radial direction from the longitudinal direction of the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body.

13. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 11 wherein:

the two or more non-magnetic regions have a lower iron content to obtain the austenitic crystalline grain structure, and

the one or more magnetic regions have a higher iron content to obtain the ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure.

14. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 9 , wherein the two or more non-magnetic regions have a nickel content in a range of 49.5 to 52.5% by weight.

15. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 9 , wherein the one or more non-magnetic regions have a chromium content in a range of 16.5 to 19.0% by weight.

16. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 9 , wherein the motor rotor is located in a micro-electric motor.

17. A multi-property monolithic alloy component, comprising

a motor rotor comprising an integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body defining a longitudinal direction, the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body comprising:

a shaft comprising two or more non-magnetic regions along a longitudinal direction of the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body, the two or more non-magnetic regions having an austenitic crystalline grain structure, wherein each of the two or more non-magnetic regions comprises a plurality of first build layers each of which has a first build layer thickness of 20 to 90 microns, and

one or more magnetic regions fused between at least two of the two or more non-magnetic regions along the longitudinal direction of the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body, the one or more magnetic regions having a ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure, wherein each of the one or more magnetic regions comprises a plurality of second build layers each of which has a second build layer thickness of 20 to 90 microns,

wherein the two or more non-magnetic regions are fused to the one or more magnetic regions to form the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body that has a monolithic structure integrally-formed of a single fused piece,

wherein the one or more magnetic regions and the two or more non-magnetic regions are alternately located along the longitudinal direction,

wherein an iron content of the two or more non-magnetic regions is in a range of 14.5 to 16.5% by weight,

wherein the one or more magnetic regions have a chromium content in a range of 19.0 to 21.5% by weight,

wherein the two or more non-magnetic regions have a lower iron content compared to the one or more magnetic regions to obtain the austenitic crystalline grain structure,

the one or more magnetic regions have a higher iron content compared to the two or more non-magnetic regions to obtain the ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure,

the one or more magnetic regions exhibit properties of a permanent magnet,

wherein a nickel content of the one or more magnetic regions is equal to or higher than the nickel content of the two or more non-magnetic regions and a chromium content of the one or more magnetic regions that is equal to or higher than the chromium content of the two or more non-magnetic regions.

18. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 17 wherein the one or more magnetic regions comprise a plurality of spaced apart teeth that extend in a radial direction from the longitudinal direction of the integrally-formed multi-property monolithic stainless steel body.

19. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 17 wherein:

the two or more non-magnetic regions have a lower iron content to obtain the austenitic crystalline grain structure, and

the one or more magnetic regions have a higher iron content to obtain the ferritic-martensitic crystalline grain structure.

20. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 17 , wherein the two or more non-magnetic regions have a nickel content in a range of 49.5 to 52.5% by weight.

21. The multi-property monolithic alloy component of claim 17 , wherein the one or more non-magnetic regions have a chromium content in a range of 16.5 to 19.0% by weight.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2020
From: ECKOLS, DAVID ANSYL
To: THE BOEING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 053916/0454 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220097135A1 · Mar 31, 2022
References Cited (19)
US 9101979B2 · Hofmann · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 9731445B2 · Williams · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10673288B2 · Kool · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20120112571A1 · Stephens · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20120244341A1 · Tenold et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20140049132A1 · Yamada · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20170169945A1 · Lambourne · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20180245192A1 · Kweon · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20200071782A1 · Tian et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210099123A1 · Yoo · 2021 [cited by examiner]
GB 2262659A · 1993 [cited by examiner]
Arabi-Hashemi et al., “3D magnetic patterning in additive manufacturing via site-specific in-situ alloy modification,” Applied Materials Today Mar. 18, 2020, pp. 1-9 (Year: 2020). [cited by examiner]
Balmforth et al., “A New Ferritic-Martensitic Stainless Steel Constitution Diagram,” Supplement to Welding Journal, Dec. 2000, pp. 339-345 (Year: 2000). [cited by examiner]
Knorovsky et al., “Inconel 718: A Solidification Diagram,” Metallurgical Transactions A, vol. 20A, Oct. 1989, pp. 2149-2158 (Year: 1989). [cited by examiner]
Special Metals, “Inconel 718” data sheet, https://www.specialmetals.com/documents/technical-bulletins/inconel/inconel-alloy-718.pdf, accessed Dec. 8, 2023. (Year: 2023). [cited by examiner]
Wallace, John, “Laser control in additive manufacturing leads to magnetic patterns in steel,” www.laserfocusworld.com/laseres-sources/article/14177812/laser-control-in-additive-manufactuing-leads-to-magnetic-patterns-in… [cited by applicant]
Boissonneault, Tess, “Researchers developing sustainable 3D printed super magnets,” https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/researchers-developing-sustainable-3d-printed-super-magnets/, Jan. 31, 2020, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Sertoglu, Kubi, “Aerosint and Acconity3D Develop Multi-Material Metal 3D Printer,” https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/aerosint-and-aconity3d-develop-multi-material-metal-3d-printer-168919/, 3D Printing Industry, Mar. 1… [cited by applicant]
Bhadeshia, H.K.D.H, Interpretation of Microstructure of Steels, https://www.phase-trans.msm.cam.ac.uk/2008/Steel_Microstructure/SM.html, University of Cambridge, 2008, 36 pages. [cited by applicant]