EP1557241B1 - Process of treating cast aluminium parts - Google Patents

Process of treating cast aluminium parts Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1557241B1
EP1557241B1 EP20040024901 EP04024901A EP1557241B1 EP 1557241 B1 EP1557241 B1 EP 1557241B1 EP 20040024901 EP20040024901 EP 20040024901 EP 04024901 A EP04024901 A EP 04024901A EP 1557241 B1 EP1557241 B1 EP 1557241B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
aluminium castings
castings
blasting
treated
aluminium
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
EP20040024901
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1557241A1 (en
Inventor
Marc Lösken
Olaf Heine
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.)
Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Original Assignee
Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
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 Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG filed Critical Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Publication of EP1557241A1 publication Critical patent/EP1557241A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1557241B1 publication Critical patent/EP1557241B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C11/00—Selection of abrasive materials or additives for abrasive blasts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C1/00—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C7/00—Equipment for feeding abrasive material; Controlling the flowability, constitution, or other physical characteristics of abrasive blasts
    • B24C7/0046—Equipment for feeding abrasive material; Controlling the flowability, constitution, or other physical characteristics of abrasive blasts the abrasive material being fed in a gaseous carrier
    • B24C7/0053—Equipment for feeding abrasive material; Controlling the flowability, constitution, or other physical characteristics of abrasive blasts the abrasive material being fed in a gaseous carrier with control of feed parameters, e.g. feed rate of abrasive material or carrier
    • B24C7/0061—Equipment for feeding abrasive material; Controlling the flowability, constitution, or other physical characteristics of abrasive blasts the abrasive material being fed in a gaseous carrier with control of feed parameters, e.g. feed rate of abrasive material or carrier of feed pressure

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the treatment of aluminum castings according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
  • Aluminum castings such as those used as a cylinder crankcase, cylinder head or the like.
  • a method for compressed air jetting is treated, wherein a granular blasting agent is conveyed by a carrying air flow, and accelerated - main stream - and for wetting the blasting agent by means of an additional air flow in this main stream, a liquid, in particular water is introduced in a distributed form.
  • the US-A-5 081 799 describes a device for irradiating a workpiece with a mixture of fine particles and compressed air. It is proposed for the removal of coatings of aluminum surfaces, the compressed air to add inorganic salts.
  • the advantages achieved by the invention are to be seen in the fact that the treatment of aluminum castings by dry blasting in the low pressure range -7 bar leads to good quality surfaces on said aluminum castings.
  • the compressed air is a mixture of salt crystals - potassium sulfate and soda - added, whereby a liberation of these surfaces of particles in a thorough, but gentle manner, with an abrasive effect.
  • the aluminum castings are then treated excellently when steps 1 through 7 are applied.
  • An internal combustion engine 1 includes aluminum castings 2 and 3 each having an outside As and an inside Is formed by a cylinder crankcase and a cylinder head. Other aluminum castings of the internal combustion engine 1 are a valve cover 4, a crankshaft bearing bridge 5 and an oil pan 6. On the internal combustion engine 1, a crankshaft 7 and camshafts 8 and 9 are also provided.
  • a method is used in which first the outside As is freed with a dry blasting and then the inside Is of said aluminum castings 2 and 3 with the same dry blasting of particles become.
  • compressed air is applied at high speed to the outside As or the inside Is of the aluminum die-cast parts 2 and 3, by means of a jet device 10, which operates at a pressure of 7 bar. Impact, deposits, corrosion and color are removed from aluminum castings 2 and 3 by the impact energy of dry blasting.
  • a beam angle ⁇ between the blasting device 10 and the surfaces for firmly adhering particles are 80 ° to 90 °; for loose lacquer layers or other easily adhered layers flatter angles, so that the blasting medium can penetrate under the particulate material and it breaks loose.
  • the dry blast air is mixed with a mixture of salt crystals containing potassium sulphate - K2SO4 - and soda - Na2C03 -, the potassium having abrasive action.
  • an alkaline immersion bath can be used in the 5th step, with turbulence being generated in the immersion bath to remove particles from the aluminum castings 2 and 3.
  • turbulence being generated in the immersion bath to remove particles from the aluminum castings 2 and 3.
  • desalted water to the rinsing bath, to which liquid preservation can also be added.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cylinder Crankcases Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Cleaning And De-Greasing Of Metallic Materials By Chemical Methods (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Behandlung von Aluminiumgussteilen nach dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1.The invention relates to a method for the treatment of aluminum castings according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Aluminiumgussteile wie sie bspw. als Zylinderkurbelgehäuse, Zylinderkopf oder dgl. bei Brennkraftmaschinen eingesetzt werden erfahren über ihren Lebenszyklus durch Oberflächenbelastungen, Temperatureinwirkungen usw. vor allem an ihren Außenseiten optische Qualitätsbeeinträchtigungen. Letztere können durch gezielte Oberflächenbehandlungen zumindest reduziert werden.Aluminum castings such as those used as a cylinder crankcase, cylinder head or the like. In internal combustion engines learn about their life cycle by surface stresses, temperature effects, etc., especially on their outer sides optical quality impairments. The latter can at least be reduced by targeted surface treatments.

Es ist ein Strahlkopf für Hochdruck-Sandstrahlanlagen bekannt, DE 41 27 886 A1 , bei dessen Betrieb ein Wasser-Sandstrahl-Gemisch mit relativ geringem Druck (weniger 1 bar) durch Strahlmittel-Zuführung in einen Raum befördert wird. Gleichzeitig wird über die Hochdruck-Wasserzuführung unter hohem Druck (Größenordnung 100 bar) Wasser in besagten Raum eingebracht.It is known a blasting head for high-pressure sandblasting equipment DE 41 27 886 A1 , in its operation, a water-sand blast mixture with relatively low pressure (less 1 bar) is conveyed by blasting agent feed into a room. At the same time, water is introduced into said space via the high-pressure water supply under high pressure (magnitude 100 bar).

In der DE 34 15 174 C2 wird ein Verfahren zum Druckluftstrahlen behandelt, wobei ein körniges Strahlmittel durch einen Tragluftstrom gefördert, und beschleunigt wird - Hauptstrom - und zum Befeuchten des Strahlmittels mittels eines Zusatzluftstroms in diesem Hauptstrom eine Flüssigkeit, insbesondere Wasser in verteilter Form eingebracht wird.In the DE 34 15 174 C2 a method for compressed air jetting is treated, wherein a granular blasting agent is conveyed by a carrying air flow, and accelerated - main stream - and for wetting the blasting agent by means of an additional air flow in this main stream, a liquid, in particular water is introduced in a distributed form.

Die US-A-5 081 799 beschreibt eine Vorrichtung zum Bestrahlen eines Werkstücks mit einer Mischung aus feinen Teilchen und Druckluft. Dabei wird zum Entfernen von Beschichtungen von Aluminiumüberflächen vorgeschlagen, der Druckluft anorganische Salze beizumengen.The US-A-5 081 799 describes a device for irradiating a workpiece with a mixture of fine particles and compressed air. It is proposed for the removal of coatings of aluminum surfaces, the compressed air to add inorganic salts.

Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, ein Verfahren zur Behandlung von Aluminiumgussteilen, vorzugsweise für Brennkraftmaschinen zu schaffen, durch das die Oberflächen dieser Aluminiumgussteile einen hochwertigen Qualitätsstand erhalten. Dabei sollte aber auch sichergestellt werden, dass das Verfahren auf wirtschaftliche Weise durchführbar ist.It is an object of the invention to provide a method for the treatment of aluminum castings, preferably for internal combustion engines, through which the surfaces of these Aluminum castings receive a high quality level. However, it should also be ensured that the process is economically feasible.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe durch die Merkmale des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst. Weitere, die Erfindung ausgestaltende Merkmale sind in den Unteransprüchen enthalten.According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of patent claim 1. Further, the invention ausgestaltende features are included in the subclaims.

Die mit der Erfindung hauptsächlich erzielten Vorteile sind darin zu sehen, dass die Behandlung der Aluminiumgussteile durch Trockenstrahlen im Niederdruckbereich -7 barzu qualitativ guten Oberflächen an besagten Aluminiumgussteilen führt. Dabei wird der Druckluft ein Gemisch aus Salzkristallen - Kaliumsulfat und Soda - beigemengt, wodurch eine Befreiung dieser Oberflächen von Partikeln auf gründliche, jedoch schonende Weise, und zwar mit abrasiver Wirkung erfolgt. Schließlich werden die Aluminiumgussteile dann vorzüglich behandelt, wenn die Schritte 1 bis 7 angewandt werden.The advantages achieved by the invention are to be seen in the fact that the treatment of aluminum castings by dry blasting in the low pressure range -7 bar leads to good quality surfaces on said aluminum castings. In this case, the compressed air is a mixture of salt crystals - potassium sulfate and soda - added, whereby a liberation of these surfaces of particles in a thorough, but gentle manner, with an abrasive effect. Finally, the aluminum castings are then treated excellently when steps 1 through 7 are applied.

In der Zeichnung wird ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung gezeigt, das nachstehend näher beschrieben wird.In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown, which will be described in more detail below.

Es zeigen

Fig. 1
eine schematische Brennkraftmaschine mit Aluminiumgussteilen, die mit dem Verfahren nach der Erfindung behandelt werden;
Fig. 2
ein schematische Einrichtung zur Anwendung des Verfahrens nach der Erfindung;
Fig. 3
ein Diagramm bezüglich Ablauf des Verfahrens nach der Erfindung.
Show it
Fig. 1
a schematic internal combustion engine with aluminum castings, which are treated by the method according to the invention;
Fig. 2
a schematic device for applying the method according to the invention;
Fig. 3
a diagram relating to the procedure of the method according to the invention.

Eine Brennkraftmaschine 1 umfasst Aluminiumgussteile 2 und 3 mit jeweils einer Außenseite As und einer Innenseite Is, die durch ein Zylinderkurbelgehäuse und einen Zylinderkopf gebildet werden. Weitere Aluminiumgussteile der Brennkraftmaschine 1 sind eine Ventilhaube 4, eine Kurbelwellenlagerbrücke 5 und eine Ölwanne 6. An der Brennkraftmaschine 1 sind ferner eine Kurbelwelle 7 und Nockenwellen 8 und 9 vorgesehen.An internal combustion engine 1 includes aluminum castings 2 and 3 each having an outside As and an inside Is formed by a cylinder crankcase and a cylinder head. Other aluminum castings of the internal combustion engine 1 are a valve cover 4, a crankshaft bearing bridge 5 and an oil pan 6. On the internal combustion engine 1, a crankshaft 7 and camshafts 8 and 9 are also provided.

Zur Behandlung der Oberflächen der Außenseite As und der Innenseite Is der Aluminiumgussteile 2 und 3 wird ein Verfahren angewandt, bei dem zunächst die Außenseite As mit einem Trockenstrahlen und danach die Innenseite Is der besagten Aluminiumgussteile 2 und 3 mit dem gleichen Trockenstrahlen von Partikeln befreit werden. Dabei wird Druckluft mit hoher Geschwindigkeit auf die Außenseite As bzw. die Innenseite Is der Aluminiumdruckgussteile 2 und 3 aufgebracht, und zwar mittels einer Strahleinrichtung 10, die mit einem Druck um 7 bar arbeitet. Durch die Aufprallenergie des Trockenstrahlens werden Verunreinigungen, Ablagerungen, Korrosion und Farbe von den Aluminiumgussteilen 2 und 3 befreit. Als Strahlwinkel α zwischen Strahleinrichtung 10 und den Oberflächen für fest anhaftende Partikel eignen sich 80° bis 90°; für lockere Lackschichten oder andere leicht anhaftende Schichten flachere Winkel, damit das Strahlmedium unter das Partikelmaterial dringen kann und es losbricht.For treating the surfaces of the outside As and the inside Is of the aluminum castings 2 and 3, a method is used in which first the outside As is freed with a dry blasting and then the inside Is of said aluminum castings 2 and 3 with the same dry blasting of particles become. In this case, compressed air is applied at high speed to the outside As or the inside Is of the aluminum die-cast parts 2 and 3, by means of a jet device 10, which operates at a pressure of 7 bar. Impact, deposits, corrosion and color are removed from aluminum castings 2 and 3 by the impact energy of dry blasting. As a beam angle α between the blasting device 10 and the surfaces for firmly adhering particles are 80 ° to 90 °; for loose lacquer layers or other easily adhered layers flatter angles, so that the blasting medium can penetrate under the particulate material and it breaks loose.

Der Druckluft des Trockenstrahlens wird ein Gemisch aus Salzkristallen beigemengt, die Kaliumsulfat - K2SO4 - und Soda - Na2C03 - umfassen, wobei das Kalium abrasive Wirkung besitzt.The dry blast air is mixed with a mixture of salt crystals containing potassium sulphate - K2SO4 - and soda - Na2C03 -, the potassium having abrasive action.

Für die Durchführung des Verfahrens werden folgende Verfahrensschritte eingesetzt:

  1. 1. Schritt: Die Aluminiumgussteile werden an ihren Außenseiten mittels Trockenstrahlen behandelt, wobei dem Trockenstrahlen ein Gemisch aus Kaliumsulfat und Soda beigemengt wird,
  2. 2. Schritt: Die Aluminiumgussteile werden durch Blasen unter Verwendung von Druckluft beaufschlagt,
  3. 3. Schritt: Die Aluminiumgussteile werden an ihren Innenseiten mittels Trockenstrahlen behandelt, wobei dem Trockenstrahlen feinkörniges Soda beigemengt wird,
  4. 4. Schritt: Die Aluminiumgussteile werden durch Spülen bspw. mit Zitronensäure von Strahlmittel befreit,
  5. 5. Schritt: Die Aluminiumgussteile werden in einem Tauchbad von Partikeln befreit,
  6. 6. Schritt: Die Aluminiumgussteile werden in ein Spülbad eingetaucht,
  7. 7. Schritt: Die Aluminiumgussteile werden mittels eines Trocknungsprozesses behandelt.
The following method steps are used to carry out the method:
  1. 1st step: The aluminum castings are treated on their outer sides by means of dry blasting, wherein the dry blasting a mixture of potassium sulfate and soda is added,
  2. 2nd step: The aluminum castings are pressurized by blowing using compressed air,
  3. 3rd step: The aluminum castings are treated on their insides by means of dry blasting, wherein the dry blasting fine-grained soda is added,
  4. 4th step: The aluminum castings are freed of blasting agent, for example by rinsing with citric acid,
  5. Step 5: The aluminum castings are freed of particles in a dipping bath,
  6. Step 6: The aluminum castings are immersed in a rinse bath,
  7. Step 7: The aluminum castings are treated by means of a drying process.

Zur Optimierung dieses aus 7 Schritten bestehenden Verfahrens kann beim 5. Schritt ein alkalisches Tauchbad eingesetzt werden, wobei im Tauchbad Turbulenzen zur Entfernung von Partikeln von den Aluminiumgussteilen 2 und 3 erzeugt werden. Schließlich besteht die Möglichkeit im 6. Schritt dem Spülbad entsalztes Wasser beizugeben, dem auch noch eine flüssige Konservierung beigemengt werden kann.In order to optimize this process, which consists of 7 steps, an alkaline immersion bath can be used in the 5th step, with turbulence being generated in the immersion bath to remove particles from the aluminum castings 2 and 3. Finally, there is the possibility in the sixth step to add desalted water to the rinsing bath, to which liquid preservation can also be added.

Claims (4)

  1. A method of treating aluminium castings, preferably for internal-combustion engines, in which the aluminium castings are processed by means of blasting, wherein the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are treated by dry blasting in the low-pressure range and wherein a mixture of salt crystals is added to the compressed air so that an oxide layer and underlying impurities and corrosion are eliminated without removal of material, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps in the following order:
    1st step: the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are treated on their outer surfaces (As) by means of dry blasting, wherein a mixture of potassium sulphate (K2SO4) and soda (Na2CO3) is added to the dry blasting process;
    2nd step: the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are subjected to a blowing action using compressed air;
    3rd step: the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are treated on their inner surfaces (Is) by means of dry blasting, wherein fine-grained soda is added to the dry blasting process;
    4th step: the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are liberated of blasting medium by being rinsed, e.g. with citric acid;
    5th step: the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are liberated of particles in a dipping bath;
    6th step: the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are dipped into a rinsing bath;
    7th step: the aluminium castings (2 and 3) are treated by means of a drying process.
  2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the dry blasting process is carried out at a pressure up to 7 bar.
  3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the dipping bath in the 5th step is of an alkaline type, wherein turbulence is generated in the dipping bath for the removal of particles from the aluminium castings (2 and 3).
  4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the rinsing bath in the 6th step comprises demineralised water, to which a liquid preservative is added.
EP20040024901 2004-01-23 2004-10-20 Process of treating cast aluminium parts Expired - Lifetime EP1557241B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE200410003420 DE102004003420B4 (en) 2004-01-23 2004-01-23 Process for the treatment of aluminum castings
DE102004003420 2004-01-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1557241A1 EP1557241A1 (en) 2005-07-27
EP1557241B1 true EP1557241B1 (en) 2007-07-25

Family

ID=34625765

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20040024901 Expired - Lifetime EP1557241B1 (en) 2004-01-23 2004-10-20 Process of treating cast aluminium parts

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1557241B1 (en)
DE (2) DE102004003420B4 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201306986D0 (en) * 2013-04-17 2013-05-29 Crown Packaging Technology Inc Can production process

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5081799A (en) * 1990-04-06 1992-01-21 Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Blasting apparatus
DE4127886C2 (en) * 1991-08-22 1994-11-03 Pro Aqua Geraete Gmbh Blasting head
US5232514A (en) * 1991-10-10 1993-08-03 Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Corrosion-inhibiting cleaning systems for aluminum surfaces, particularly aluminum aircraft surfaces
DE4303339C2 (en) * 1993-02-05 1995-03-30 Ritter Aluminium Giesserei Gmb Process for the treatment of aluminum die castings
US5681205A (en) * 1993-08-12 1997-10-28 Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Method of using abrasive blast media containing corrosion inhibitor
JP2000343435A (en) * 1999-03-29 2000-12-12 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Blasting media and blasting method
DE10237402A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2004-02-26 Elferink, geb. Zimmermann, Frank Thomas Christoph Fine granular particle stream in a gas, is produced by dosing an axially flowing gas with the particles via a number of concentrically arranged supply points.
US20040173767A1 (en) * 2003-03-03 2004-09-09 Rod Caskey Non-destructive media flow control valve

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102004003420B4 (en) 2006-10-26
DE502004004425D1 (en) 2007-09-06
DE102004003420A1 (en) 2005-08-18
EP1557241A1 (en) 2005-07-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE69930486T2 (en) Process for removing hot corrosion products from an aluminide diffusion layer
DE60031257T2 (en) SURFACE FINISHING AND CLEANING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR METAL PARTS OR THE SAME
DE69933427T2 (en) Method of removing a thermal barrier coating
DE102009034869A1 (en) Method for applying at least one anticorrosive, liquid, metal particle-containing coating agent to a workpiece and a device therefor
DE102011106564A1 (en) Method for producing a cylinder surface and cylinder liner
DE102008014726A1 (en) Method of shot blasting of integrally bladed rotors
EP1557241B1 (en) Process of treating cast aluminium parts
DE69008695T2 (en) Method of removing a layer on pieces by projecting a high pressure water jet.
DE102010034336B4 (en) Method and apparatus for removing a layer from a surface of a body
EP1557223B1 (en) Process for treating of cast aluminium parts
DE102004038173B4 (en) Process for thermal spraying of cylinder liners in multi-row engines
DE102011078591A1 (en) Method for producing partially coated substrate in cylindrical wall of crankcase of internal combustion engine, involves applying a coating to two portions of substrate by thermal spray process and removing the coating from one portion
DE102017112736A9 (en) Method for surface modification of at least one component and reactor device for carrying out the method
DE3613274C2 (en)
DE4039479C2 (en)
DE102015204395A1 (en) Method for a defined surface treatment of a first carbon coating applied to a surface of a component
DE2504990A1 (en) PROCESS FOR PREPARING METAL SURFACES FOR THE APPLICATION OF PROTECTIVE COATINGS
EP1547721A2 (en) Process for pretreating aluminium or aluminium alloy surfaces to be welded and accordingly pretreated parts
DE102005046628A1 (en) Process for coating metal component surface of valve device for controlling fluid volume stream to provide corrosion protection useful for protecting injector components against oxidation and rusting
DE3917380A1 (en) Method for cold working the surface zone of a workpiece and for introducing residual compressive forces
EP1775354B1 (en) Process for cleaning metal surfaces
EP0947605B1 (en) Process for increasing the corrosion resistance of a metallic workpiece and workpiece
DE967065C (en) Process for the production of paint and varnish coatings
DE102007011908A1 (en) Liquid jet cleaning device for workpieces, has compressed gas storage for flushing gas, which is connected with pipeline with another controllable valve and valve is closed if other valve is opened
DE19911381A1 (en) Steel workpiece edges and surfaces, e.g. of distributor cross-bore interiors, are deburred and/or smoothed by immersion in an aqueous chemical medium

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

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 PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL HR LT LV MK

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060127

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20060718

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): DE FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 502004004425

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20070906

Kind code of ref document: P

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20071023

ET Fr: translation filed
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

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20080428

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CD

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20101104

Year of fee payment: 7

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20101021

Year of fee payment: 7

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20101022

Year of fee payment: 7

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20110310 AND 20110316

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20110331 AND 20110406

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

Effective date: 20111020

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20120629

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20111020

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20111102

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20111020

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20181016

Year of fee payment: 15

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502004004425

Country of ref document: DE

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: 20200501