ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 17 -- United States Patent no. 12,553,118, issued on Feb. 17, was assigned to GKN Sinter Metals LLC (Auburn Hills, Mich.).
"Variable diffusion carburizing method" was invented by David E. Lenhart Jr. (Pomeroy, Ohio).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A method of carburizing a powder metal part involving more than one carburizing step. In a pre-forging carburizing step, a powder metal part that is less than fully dense is carburized to establish a pre-forging carburization profile. After the pre-forging carburizing step, the powder metal part is forged so that the powder metal part is increased in density and the pre-forging carburization profile is transformed into an as-forg...