EP1522083B1 - Elektrischer kontaktwerkstoff und sein herstellungsverfahren - Google Patents

Elektrischer kontaktwerkstoff und sein herstellungsverfahren Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1522083B1
EP1522083B1 EP03724760A EP03724760A EP1522083B1 EP 1522083 B1 EP1522083 B1 EP 1522083B1 EP 03724760 A EP03724760 A EP 03724760A EP 03724760 A EP03724760 A EP 03724760A EP 1522083 B1 EP1522083 B1 EP 1522083B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fraction
unstable
matrix
electrical contact
unstable fraction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03724760A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1522083A1 (de
Inventor
Franz Hauner
Pierre Ramoni
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Metalor Technologies International SA
Original Assignee
Metalor Technologies International SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Metalor Technologies International SA filed Critical Metalor Technologies International SA
Priority to EP03724760A priority Critical patent/EP1522083B1/de
Publication of EP1522083A1 publication Critical patent/EP1522083A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1522083B1 publication Critical patent/EP1522083B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/70—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/76—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid wherein arc-extinguishing gas is evolved from stationary parts; Selection of material therefor
    • H01H33/765—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid wherein arc-extinguishing gas is evolved from stationary parts; Selection of material therefor the gas-evolving material being incorporated in the contact material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of electrical contacts as described in the documents " US-A-4,644,118 “and” US-A-3,641,298 It relates, more particularly, to a contact material and its use for the extinction of an electric arc.
  • Such a type of material finds its application mainly for the realization of so-called "low voltage" contacts, that is to say whose operating range is approximately between 10 and 1000 volts and between 1 and 10 000 amperes.
  • These contacts are generally used in the domestic, industrial and automotive fields, both in direct current and alternating current, for switches, relays, contactors and circuit breakers.
  • the energy released by the electric arc is sufficient to melt the material constituting the pads, which entails not only the degradation of the metal parts but also, sometimes, their welding, with the consequence of blocking the device.
  • one solution consists in using pseudo-alloys comprising a silver or copper matrix and, inserted into this matrix, a fraction consisting of approximately 20% by volume of refractory particles (for example, Ni , C, W, WC, CdO, SnO 2 ) of a size generally between 1 and 5 microns.
  • refractory particles for example, Ni , C, W, WC, CdO, SnO 2
  • This method does not allow to limit the mergers and, because of their repetition, problems of erosion and welding of the studs can occur in the short or medium term.
  • the present invention therefore aims to provide an electrical contact material with which one can achieve pads whose operation is not impaired in the short term or in the long term by the energy of an electric arc.
  • the contact material with arc extinguishing effect according to the invention comprises a silver matrix and an unstable fraction incorporated in this matrix.
  • the unstable fraction comprises at least one hydride having as a base at least one of the elements selected from the group Ti, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La, Y.
  • an unstable fraction having the property of decomposing between the temperature of use of the electrical contact and the melting temperature of said metal by releasing a gas capable of destabilizing an electric arc, and a fraction refractory.
  • the residue is a metal, having partially or totally reacted with the oxygen and the nitrogen of the air, which can be substituted, totally or partially, for the refractory fraction. This is therefore not an indispensable component of the contact material.
  • the unstable fraction alone constitutes between 5 and 50% of the volume of the contact material.
  • the two fractions constitute between 5 and 50% of the volume of the material, but then the proportion of unstable fraction is at least 2% by volume.
  • the material according to the invention may advantageously comprise, in addition, small amounts of dopants intended to optimize the properties thereof.
  • these dopants are Bi 2 O 3 , CuO, Re.
  • Pairs of contact pads may be made using materials of the same or different compositions. In this case, it is possible that only one of the two contacts contains an unstable fraction.
  • an electrical contact material which, under the effect of the heat produced by an electric arc, emits a gas essentially formed of hydrogen in the case where, advantageously and as mentioned above, the decomposed unstable fraction is a hydride. This gas cools and destabilizes the arc, which then goes out quickly.
  • the basic constituents of the material are in the form of powders which are then mixed dry, wet or by the technique called "mechanical alloying" which causes a welding of the particles together, then breaking them into smaller particles.
  • the mixture obtained is then compacted in pellet form, either by uniaxial cold pressing, or by hot pressing but at a moderate temperature and possibly under hydrogen pressure, that is to say under conditions of temperature and of hydrogen pressure where the unstable fraction does not decompose, or else by shocks (adiabatic compaction process).
  • the resulting part is then sintered at moderate temperature and optionally under hydrogen pressure. It should be noted that this operation is optional in cases where compacting has been carried out at moderate temperature or by shocks.
  • the piece is shaped by a cold recompacting.
  • the method uses the same first steps as the embodiment described above, the mixture being this time compacted by pressing in the form of a strip.
  • the pressing is carried out according to the uniaxial cold or temperature mode moderated, the resulting part being then sintered at moderate temperature, optionally under hydrogen pressure.
  • sintering is not necessary if the pressing has already been done at moderate temperature.
  • the piece is finally shaped by rolling.
  • the same initial mixture is compacted in the form of a billet, by pressing either cold, in an isostatic mode, or at a moderate temperature.
  • the resulting part is then sintered also at moderate temperature and optionally under hydrogen pressure. Sintering is optional if the pressing has already been done at a moderate temperature.
  • the part is finally shaped by extrusion at moderate temperature in the form of strips or son. These products are then transformed into a contact piece by all the techniques known to those skilled in the art.
  • the method uses the same first steps as above. But then, the mixture is compacted cold, without sintering. The resulting piece is finally shaped according to one of the techniques already mentioned.
  • the various constituents are still supplied in powder form.
  • the unstable fraction is not in its definitive form, but in the form of a precursor, that is to say that the metal atoms of the unstable fraction have a zero degree of oxidation.
  • the powder is in the form of Ti instead of TiH 2 , Zr instead of ZrH 2 or Mg instead of MgH 2 .
  • the precursor can be free or alloyed with the matrix.
  • the different powders are then mixed dry, wet or mechanical alloying. Then, the mixture is compacted in a tablet form by cold pressing uniaxially, by hot pressing or by shocks.
  • the part is then sintered at high temperature, without hydrogen, optionally if the pressing was done hot or by shock, before being subjected, in a hydrogen atmosphere, to a heat treatment of hydriding the precursor of the unstable fraction. .
  • the piece is shaped by a cold recompacting.
  • the sintering can be carried out directly in a hydrogen atmosphere, which then avoids the specific hydriding treatment.
  • the same mixture as that described in the previous embodiment is compacted by cold isostatic pressing, or by hot uniaxial pressing.
  • the part obtained is then either sintered at high temperature, optionally if the pressing was done hot, or sintered under a hydrogen atmosphere, so as to hydride the precursor of the unstable fraction.
  • it is necessary that the compacted billet is sufficiently porous to allow access of hydrogen to the center of the room.
  • the sintering was done at high temperature without hydrogen, the part is shaped by a high temperature extrusion before undergoing a hydriding treatment. In the case where the sintering was done under a hydrogen atmosphere, the part is shaped by an extrusion at moderate temperature.
  • the same mixture as that described in the previous embodiment is compacted band-shaped by cold pressing uniaxially or hot.
  • the part obtained is then either sintered at high temperature, optionally if the pressing was done hot, or sintered under a hydrogen atmosphere, so as to hydride the precursor of the unstable fraction.
  • the part is shaped by rolling before undergoing, if necessary, a hydriding treatment.
  • the various constituents of the material are provided in the form of a massive alloy containing the precursor of the unstable fraction.
  • the alloy is then melted and cast in the form of a billet or ingot and, in the case of a billet, extruded at high temperature, typically at 900 ° C., or, if it is an ingot, transformed into a strip or wire by successive plastic deformation operations (rolling, drawing, hammering, etc.) interspersed with heat treatments, before undergoing the final hydriding.
  • the parts undergo conventional final treatments, for example cutting, forming, polishing, thermal relaxation treatment.
  • a thin underlayer generally of the same composition as the conductive metal used (generally silver or copper), intended to facilitate, subsequently, the operations of welding and soldering that may suffer the part during its use.
  • the unstable fraction may consist of a mixture, or of several of the elements proposed above to form said fraction, or of one of these elements but in different granulometries. In this way, it is possible to obtain varied decomposition kinetics so that the obtained material can operate in a wide range of conditions.
  • the invention provides an electrical contact material and its use for destabilizing an electric arc occurring between two contact pads, so as not to be altered in the long term by the effects of the heat released.

Landscapes

  • Contacts (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Alloys Or Alloy Compounds (AREA)

Claims (18)

  1. Elektrisches Kontaktmaterial, umfassend eine Matrix aus Silber und eine instabile Fraktion, eingeschlossen in diese Matrix, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die instabile Fraktion mindestens ein Hydrid umfasst, das mindestens auf einem der Elemente, gewählt aus der Gruppe Ti, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La, Y, basiert.
  2. Material nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die instabile Fraktion zwischen 5 und 50 % seines Volumens ausmacht.
  3. Elektrisches Kontaktmaterial, umfassend eine Matrix aus leitendem Metall, wobei eine instabile Fraktion in diese Matrix eingeschlossen ist, wobei die instabile Fraktion die Eigenschaft hat, sich zwischen der Verwendungstemperatur des elektrischen Kontakts und der Fusionstemperatur des Metalls zu zersetzen, in dem es ein Gas freisetzt, das dazu geeignet ist, einen Lichtbogen zu destabilisieren, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Material außerdem eine feuerfeste Fraktion umfasst.
  4. Material nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Metall Silber oder Kupfer ist.
  5. Material nach einem der Ansprüche 3 und 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die instabile Fraktion mindestens ein Hydrid umfasst.
  6. Material nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hydrid mindestens auf einem der Elmente, gewählt aus der Gruppe Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La, Y, basiert.
  7. Material nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die instabile Fraktion zwischen 5 und 50 % seines Volumens ausmacht.
  8. Material nach Anspruch 3 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die feuerfeste Fraktion mindestens eine Komponente umfasst, gewählt aus der Gruppe CdO, SnO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, Ni, Fe, W, Mo, C, WC und MgO.
  9. Material nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die feuerfeste Fraktion und die instabile Fraktion zwischen 5 und 50 % seines Volumens ausmachen, wobei die instabile Fraktion mindestens 2 % des Volumens ausmacht.
  10. Verwendung eines elektrischen Kontaktmaterials, um einen Lichtbogen zu destabilisieren, der zwischen zwei Kontaktstücken auftritt, von denen mindestens eines aus dem Material gebildet ist, wobei das Material eine Matrix aus Silber und eine instabile Fraktion umfasst, die in diese Matrix eingeschlossen ist, wobei die instabile Fraktion mindestens ein Hydrid umfasst, das auf mindestens einem der Elemente, gewählt aus der Gruppe Ti, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La, Y, basiert.
  11. Verwendung eines elektrischen Kontaktmaterials, um einen Lichtbogen zu destabilisieren, der zwischen zwei Kontaktstücken auftritt, von denen mindestens eines aus dem Material gebildet ist, wobei das Material eine Matrix aus leitendem Metall und eine instabile Fraktion umfasst, die in diese Matrix eingeschlossen ist, wobei die instabile Fraktion die Eigenschaft hat, sich zwischen der Verwendungstemperatur des elektrischen Kontakts und der Fusionstemperatur des Metalls zu zersetzen, in dem es ein Gas freisetzt, das dazu geeignet ist, einen Lichtbogen zu destabilisieren, wobei das Material außerdem eine feuerfeste Fraktion umfasst.
  12. Verwendung nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Metall Silber oder Kupfer ist.
  13. Verwendung nach einem der Ansprüche 11 und 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die instabile Fraktion mindestens ein Hydrid umfasst.
  14. Verwendung nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hydrid mindestens auf einem der Elmente, gewählt aus der Gruppe Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La, Y, basiert.
  15. Verwendung nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die instabile Fraktion zwischen 5 und 50 % ihres Volumens ausmacht.
  16. Verwendung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Material außerdem eine feuerfeste Fraktion aufweist.
  17. Verwendung nach Anspruch 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die feuerfeste Fraktion mindestens eine Komponente umfasst, gewählt aus der Gruppe CdO, SnO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, Ni, Fe, W, Mo, C, WC und MgO.
  18. Verwendung nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die feuerfeste Fraktion und die instabile Fraktion zwischen 5 und 50 % ihres Volumens ausmachen, wobei die instabile Fraktion mindestens 2 % des Volumens ausmacht.
EP03724760A 2002-07-12 2003-05-30 Elektrischer kontaktwerkstoff und sein herstellungsverfahren Expired - Lifetime EP1522083B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03724760A EP1522083B1 (de) 2002-07-12 2003-05-30 Elektrischer kontaktwerkstoff und sein herstellungsverfahren

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02405598 2002-07-12
EP02405598A EP1381065A1 (de) 2002-07-12 2002-07-12 Elektrischer Kontaktwerkstoff und sein Herstellungsverfahren
EP03724760A EP1522083B1 (de) 2002-07-12 2003-05-30 Elektrischer kontaktwerkstoff und sein herstellungsverfahren
PCT/CH2003/000334 WO2004008468A1 (de) 2002-07-12 2003-05-30 Materiau de contact electrique et son procede de fabrication

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1522083A1 EP1522083A1 (de) 2005-04-13
EP1522083B1 true EP1522083B1 (de) 2010-09-08

Family

ID=29724605

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02405598A Withdrawn EP1381065A1 (de) 2002-07-12 2002-07-12 Elektrischer Kontaktwerkstoff und sein Herstellungsverfahren
EP03724760A Expired - Lifetime EP1522083B1 (de) 2002-07-12 2003-05-30 Elektrischer kontaktwerkstoff und sein herstellungsverfahren

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02405598A Withdrawn EP1381065A1 (de) 2002-07-12 2002-07-12 Elektrischer Kontaktwerkstoff und sein Herstellungsverfahren

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20060169370A1 (de)
EP (2) EP1381065A1 (de)
JP (1) JP2005533175A (de)
AT (1) ATE480862T1 (de)
AU (1) AU2003229227A1 (de)
DE (1) DE60334099D1 (de)
ES (1) ES2350827T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2004008468A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2124236A1 (de) * 2008-05-22 2009-11-25 Metalor Technologies International S.A. Verwendung eines elektrischen Kontaktmaterials zur Herstellung eines Lichtbogens durch Blasen
CN104201018B (zh) * 2014-08-19 2016-05-11 周朝贵 银氧化镉氧化锆电触头的制造工艺及其产品
CN104201019B (zh) * 2014-08-19 2016-05-11 张树堂 银氧化锌氧化铜电触头的制造工艺及其产品
CN104201020B (zh) * 2014-08-19 2016-05-11 周朝贵 银氧化锡氧化钙电触头的制造工艺及其产品
KR101809844B1 (ko) 2016-07-19 2017-12-18 한국생산기술연구원 전기 접점 부재 및 이의 제조방법
KR102004298B1 (ko) * 2017-12-07 2019-07-26 한국생산기술연구원 전기 접점 부재용 Ta-Cu계 합금의 제조 방법 및 이에 의하여 제조된 전기 접점 부재용 Ta-Cu계 합금

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4644118A (en) * 1984-04-05 1987-02-17 Doduco Kg Dr. Eugen Durrwachter Electric power circuit breaker

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2571864A (en) * 1947-08-21 1951-10-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Arc extinguishing circuit interrupter
US3515542A (en) * 1967-01-27 1970-06-02 Mallory & Co Inc P R Method of making dispersion-strengthened ductile materials
US3641298A (en) * 1967-07-19 1972-02-08 Mallory & Co Inc P R Electrically conductive material and electrical contact
US4247327A (en) * 1979-08-01 1981-01-27 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Alloy strengthening by hydridation
US4443673A (en) * 1981-12-14 1984-04-17 General Electric Company Variable aspect arc chute
DE4117311A1 (de) * 1991-05-27 1992-12-03 Siemens Ag Kontaktwerkstoff auf silberbasis zur verwendung in schaltgeraeten der energietechnik
US5233143A (en) * 1991-11-06 1993-08-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy High-power gas switch with hydride electrodes
TW293130B (de) * 1994-03-10 1996-12-11 Mitsubishi Electric Corp
WO2004087972A1 (fr) * 2003-04-04 2004-10-14 Metalor Technologies International S.A. Procede de realisation d’une piece en alliage d’argent et alliage utilise pour ce procede
KR20060035194A (ko) * 2004-10-21 2006-04-26 엘에스산전 주식회사 배선용 차단기의 소호장치
US7091438B2 (en) * 2005-01-13 2006-08-15 Eaton Corporation Circuit breaker with improved arc extinction system

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4644118A (en) * 1984-04-05 1987-02-17 Doduco Kg Dr. Eugen Durrwachter Electric power circuit breaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004008468A1 (de) 2004-01-22
DE60334099D1 (de) 2010-10-21
AU2003229227A1 (en) 2004-02-02
ATE480862T1 (de) 2010-09-15
EP1381065A1 (de) 2004-01-14
ES2350827T3 (es) 2011-01-27
US20060169370A1 (en) 2006-08-03
JP2005533175A (ja) 2005-11-04
EP1522083A1 (de) 2005-04-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
Michal et al. Metallurgical aspects of silver-based contact materials for air-break switching devices for power engineering
US3385677A (en) Sintered composition material
JP2908073B2 (ja) 真空バルブ用接点合金の製造方法
EP1522083B1 (de) Elektrischer kontaktwerkstoff und sein herstellungsverfahren
JPH0254819A (ja) 真空バルブ用接点材料
EP0290311B1 (de) Sinterverbundmaterial für elektrische Kontakte und Kontaktpastille mit Anwendung des genannten Materials
JPS59163726A (ja) 真空しや断器
KR100332513B1 (ko) 진공 밸브용 접점 재료 및 그 제조 방법
Swingler Performance and arcing characteristics of Ag/Ni contact materials under DC resistive load conditions
CN103325583B (zh) 电接点材料及其制造方法和电接点
EP2297757B1 (de) Verwendung eines elektrischen kontaktmaterials zum blasen eines elektrischen bogens
JP5116538B2 (ja) 接点材料
JP5506873B2 (ja) 接点材料およびその製造方法
JP4515696B2 (ja) 真空遮断器用接点材料
CN1773647B (zh) 接触衬垫、具有该衬垫的可移动触头包括该触头的断路器
JP2911594B2 (ja) 真空バルブ
KR0171607B1 (ko) 진공회로 차단기용 전극 및 진공회로 차단기
JP2937620B2 (ja) 真空バルブ用接点合金の製造方法
JP2557143B2 (ja) 銀−錫酸化物複合材料の製造方法
JP3833519B2 (ja) 真空遮断器
Slade et al. The use of Ag-W-CdO and AgSi 3 N 4 as contact materials
JP2653467B2 (ja) 真空バルブ用接点合金の製造方法
JP3068880B2 (ja) 真空バルブ用接点
JPH0313691B2 (de)
JP2011171023A (ja) 電気接点およびそれを用いた電力開閉器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20050127

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20080430

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60334099

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20101021

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: GLN S.A.

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20100908

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Effective date: 20110117

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: HU

Ref legal event code: AG4A

Ref document number: E009662

Country of ref document: HU

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20101209

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110110

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Payment date: 20110524

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20110525

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20110527

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20110607

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20110526

Year of fee payment: 9

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20110609

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20110519

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: HU

Payment date: 20110527

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20110527

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20110524

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 60334099

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110609

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: METALOR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL S.A.

Effective date: 20110531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110531

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20110530

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110530

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: EUG

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 480862

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20120530

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120531

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120531

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120531

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120530

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120530

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120531

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120530

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20130131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60334099

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20121201

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110530

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20121201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20130820

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20101208

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120531