Patents Assigned to Chemfab Corporation
  • Patent number: 6425821
    Abstract: A fluid diffuser and a method for diffusing fluid are provided. In one preferred embodiment, the diffuser comprises a frame adapted to be connected to the end of fluid supply duct. Mounted within the frame is a pore-containing web. The web redirects fluid passing through the pores by changing the direction of the fluid upon exiting the web. Prescribed portions of the web can be blocked to expel fluid preferentially in one direction and expel fluid less in other directions. Other means for controlling the direction and flow of fluid upon exiting the web are provided, including changing the angle of fluid supply to the web, and placing a vane at the entrance to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: ChemFab Corporation
    Inventors: Keith G. Koerber, John Effenberger, Christopher Comeaux
  • Patent number: 6417280
    Abstract: A blended solid composition is provided containing a fibrillatable microparticulate PTFE polymer in an unfibrillated state and at least one elastomeric and/or fluoroplastic component. The composition is useful in making microfiber-reinforced solid compositions and articles produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Effenberger, Christopher M. Comeaux, Lawrence D. David, Timothy P. Pollock, Katherine M. Sahlin, Laura A. Socha, Richard L. Stone, John W. Verbicky
  • Patent number: 6239223
    Abstract: A blended solid composition is provided containing a fibrillatable microparticulate PTFE polymer in an unfibrillated state and at least one elastomeric and/or fluoroplastic component. The composition is useful in making microfiber-reinforced solid compositions and articles produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Effenberger, Christopher M. Comeaux, Lawrence D. David, Timothy P. Pollock, Katherine M. Sahlin, Laura A. Socha, Richard L. Stone, John W. Verbicky
  • Patent number: 6194050
    Abstract: A composite of thermally non-adherent fluoropolymeric and non-fluoropolymeric components is created through the agency of a non-woven, fibrous binder interposed between and portionally embedded into both components. The fibers of the non-woven binder have a substantial portion of their length extending into both components and cross the interface at an angle that is substantially normal to the plane of embedment. The composite possesses good peel-adhesion behavior between the otherwise thermally non-adherent components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Gordon Koerber, James Michael McMartin, John Walter Verbicky, Jr., John Effenberger, J. George Drobny
  • Patent number: 6139426
    Abstract: A molded plastic air diffusing screen in an air supply system provided for effectively diffusing or deflecting air supplied through a coreless or vane-free duct such that undesirable air turbulence and draft/currents are substantially diminished; more particularly, the novel plastic screen diffuser minimizes noise emanating from the penetrating air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventor: Keith G. Koerber
  • Patent number: 6059655
    Abstract: A fabric air diffuser and a method for diffusing air are provided. The diffuser comprises a frame adapted to be connected to the end of an air supply duct. Mounted within the frame is a flat, open-weave, fabric sheet. The fabric sheet redirects and scatters air passing through the openings in the weave by changing the direction of the air upon exiting the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventor: Keith Koerber
  • Patent number: 5916659
    Abstract: A composite of thermally non-adherent fluoropolymeric and non-fluoropolymeric components is created through the agency of a non-woven, fibrous binder interposed between and portionally embedded into both components. The fibers of the non-woven binder have a substantial portion of their length extending into both components and cross the interface at an angle that is substantially normal to the plane of embedment. The composite possesses good peel strengths of greater than 5 pounds/linear inch between the otherwise thermally non-adherent components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Gordon Koerber, James Michael McMartin, John Walter Verbicky, Jr., John Effenberger, J. George Drobny
  • Patent number: 5759924
    Abstract: An improved translucent architectural fabric reinforced fluoroplastic composite is described exhibiting a transmission of normally incident visible light of at least about 23%, and when subjected to 1:1 biaxial loads up to 25% of the uniaxial tensile breaking strength of the fabric, exhibits a biaxial elongation value in the warp direction that is greater than 0 but less than 1.0%, and a biaxial elongation value in the fill direction that is greater than biaxial elongation value in the warp direction but less than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventor: Katherine Mary Sahlin
  • Patent number: 5725427
    Abstract: A fabric air diffuser and a method for diffusing air comprises a frame adapted to be connected to the end of an air supply duct. Mounted within the frame is a flat, open-weave, fabric sheet. The fabric sheet redirects and scatters air passing through the openings in the weave by changing the direction and velocity of the air upon exiting the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventor: Keith G. Koerber
  • Patent number: 5357726
    Abstract: A flexible, reinforced textile composite material for constructing tensioned fabric structures, e.g. for sheltering from the outdoor environment, is disclosed. The material has a hydrophobic protective film element laminated to the textile composite material to provide enhanced hydrophobicity. In a preferred embodiment, of the invention, one or a mixture of colorants, dyestuffs or biological agents are incorporated into the hydrophobic protective film layer. The textile composite material has particular application as a tensioned architectural element for forming a dome, roof or the like, or as an electromagnetic window or a radome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Effenberger, Keith G. Koerber, Francis M. Enzien, Michael P. Cushman, Milton B. Punnett
  • Patent number: 5238748
    Abstract: A multi-layer film of improved adhesive strength and other properties is made by combining a layer of polyimide and one or more layers of fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of PTFE, thermally compatible TFE copolymers, blends thereof, PVF.sub.2, thermally compatible VF.sub.2 copolymers, blends thereof, PCTFE, thermally compatible CTFE copolymers, and blends thereof. It has been found that the peel adhesion between the polyimide layer and any fluoropolymer layer is greatly improved over known products. Laminated composites of improved adhesion and cohesion are made using such a multi-layer film and at least one fluoropolymer film. The fluoropolymer film is thermally weldable to the polyimide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Effenberger, Keith G. Koerber, E. C. Lupton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5230937
    Abstract: A novel composite comprises a substrate having a coating matrix including an initial layer of a perfluoropolymer and an overcoat comprising a fluoroelastomer, a fluoroplastic, a fluoroelastomer/fluoroplastic blend, or a combination thereof. The perfluoropolymer in the initial layer may be a perfluoroplastic, a perfluoroelastomer, or blends thereof. In a separate embodiment, the novel composite includes a substrate coated solely with one or more layers of perfluoroelastomer alone or as a blend with a perfluoroplastic. Where the substrate is not susceptible to hydrogen fluoride corrosion, the composite may include solely one or more layers of a blend of a fluoroelastomer and a hydrogen-containing perfluoroplastic. Cross-linking accelerators may be used to cross-link one or more of the resins contained in the coating layers. Each composite may be top-coated with a layer or layers of a fluoroplastic, fluoroelastomer, and/or a blend thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Chemfab Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Effenberger, Frank M. Keese