(19)

(11)

EP 1 276 914 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/04 (21) Application number: 00923521.9 (22) Date of filing: 19.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C22B 9/18, B22D 23/10, H05B 7/109 (86) International application number: PCT/US0010/529 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/1639 (01.11.2001 Gazette 2001/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)	(72) Inventors: KNUDSEN, Bruce, Alan Amsterdam, NY 12010 (US) ZABALA, Robert, John Schenectady, NY 12303 (US) BENZ, Mark, Gilbert Burnt Hills, NY 12027 (US) CARTER, William, Thomas, Jr. Galway, NY 12074 (US) (74) Representative: Goode, Ian Roy  GE LONDON PATENT OPERATION,Essex House,12/13 Essex Street London WC2R 3AA London WC2R 3AA (GB)