Patents by Inventor Michael L. Millard

Michael L. Millard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7028462
    Abstract: An inseparable assembly includes a body having a plurality of plies stacked in face to face relation and bonded together, wherein each of the plurality of plies includes a ceramic matrix composite material having a first predetermined ductility. The assembly further includes a reinforcement including a metallic wire mesh bonded to said body so that at least a portion of the metallic wire mesh is positioned between two adjacent plies in the body. The metallic wire mesh has a second predetermined ductility greater than the first ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas M. Carper, Michael L. Millard
  • Patent number: 5601674
    Abstract: A method for making an environmentally stable, fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite member includes use as a bonding agent of a ceramic precursor which transforms upon heating to a ceramic phase. The ceramic phase bonds together discontinuous material comprising ceramic particles, and reinforcing fibers at a relatively low processing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Szweda, Michael L. Millard, Michael G. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5488017
    Abstract: A method for making an environmentally stable, fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite member includes use as a bonding agent of a ceramic precursor which transforms upon heating to a ceramic phase. The ceramic phase bonds together discontinuous material comprising ceramic particles, and reinforcing fibers at a relatively low processing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Szweda, Michael L. Millard, Michael G. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5306554
    Abstract: A method of making a consolidated, reinforced composite member from a matrix mixture including a consolidation shrinkable discontinuous ceramic material, for example ceramic particles, and a selected amount of a particulate inorganic filler which will exhibit net expansion relative to the discontinuous material, the mixture being interspersed about reinforcing fibers. Subsequent consolidation of a preform of such materials can be conducted substantially at ambient pressure, without application of additional pressure, to provide an improved reinforced composite article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Harrison, Michael L. Millard, Andrew Szweda
  • Patent number: 5190820
    Abstract: An oxide barrier coating for a reinforcing fiber is provided with a preselected microstructure and thickness through control of the concentration of metal salt in heat decomposable form as a precursor of metal oxide. In one form, the salt is a metal oxyhalide salt such as zirconium oxyhalide or hafnium oxyhalide. Fibers, such as ones of alumina, aluminasilicate or silicon carbide, having the coating of the invention are especially useful as reinforcing fibers for reinforced ceramic matrix composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Millard, Michael G. Harrison, Andrew Szweda
  • Patent number: 5024859
    Abstract: An oxide barrier coating for reinforcing fiber is provided with a preselected microstructure and thickness through control of the concentration of metal salt in heat decomposable form as a precursor of metal oxide. In one form, the salt is a metal oxyhalide salt such as zirconium oxyhalide or halfnium oxyhalide. Fibers, such as ones of alumina, aluminasilicate or silicon carbide, having the coating of the invention are especially useful as reinforcing fibers for reinforced ceramic matrix composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Millard, Michael G. Harrison, Andrew Szweda