Patents by Inventor Omar Knio
Omar Knio 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: 8336457Abstract: Applicants have discovered that electrostatic discharge (ESD) may, in some circumstances, result in current densities sufficient to ignite unprotected reactive composite materials. They have further discovered that a reactive composite material (RCM) can be protected from ESD ignition without adversely affecting the desirable properties of the RCM by the application of conducting and/or insulating materials at appropriate locations on the RCM. Thus ESD-protected RCM structures can be designed for such sensitive applications as ignition of propellants, generation of light bursts, and structural materials for equipment that may require controlled self-destruction.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Nanofoil CorporationInventors: Timothy P. Weihs, Etienne Besnoin, Ramzi Vincent, Somasundaram Valliappan, Ellen Heian, David Van Heerden, Timothy Ryan Rude, Omar Knio, Ronald Spraker, Yuping Lin
-
Publication number: 20110070460Abstract: Applicants have discovered that electrostatic discharge (ESD) may, in some circumstances, result in current densities sufficient to ignite unprotected reactive composite materials. They have further discovered that a reactive composite material (RCM) can be protected from ESD ignition without adversely affecting the desirable properties of the RCM by the application of conducting and/or insulating materials at appropriate locations on the RCM. Thus ESD-protected RCM structures can be designed for such sensitive applications as ignition of propellants, generation of light bursts, and structural materials for equipment that may require controlled self-destruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2006Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Timothy P. Weihs, Etienne Besnoin, Ramzi Vincent, Somasundaram Valliappan, Ellen Heian, David Van Heerden, Timothy Ryan Rude, Omar Knio, Ronald Spraker, Yuping Lin
-
Publication number: 20110027547Abstract: Applicants have discovered new composite materials and have developed a variety of new ways of making reactive composite materials (RCMs) and methods of controlling the properties and characteristics of the materials that are pertinent to numerous new or improved applications. This patent application is directed to new and improved ways of making reactive composite materials using mechanical deformation and making such materials with controlled, predictable characteristics. This application is also directed toward useful applications of the resulting materials. In accordance with the invention, RCMs are fabricated by a series of mechanical deformation steps. In the first deformation step, an assembly of reactive layers and/or particles is plastically deformed to reduce its cross sectional area by one-half or more. This severe initial deformation substantially eliminates the tendency of deformed layers to delaminate and eliminates the necessity of using specially cleaned metal layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2006Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Yuwei Xun, David Lunking, Etienne Besnoin, David Van Heerden, Timothy P. Weihs, Omar Knio
-
Publication number: 20090035542Abstract: Reactive foils and their uses are provided as localized heat sources useful, for example, in ignition, joining and propulsion. An improved reactive foil is preferably a freestanding multilayered foil structure made up of alternating layers selected from materials that will react with one another in an exothermic and self-propagating reaction. Upon reacting, this foil supplies highly localized heat energy that may be applied, for example, to joining lawyers, or directly to bulk materials that are to be joined. This foil heat-source allows rapid bonding to occur at room temperature in virtually any environment (e.g. air, vacuum, water, etc.). If a joining material is used, the foil reaction will supply enough heat to melt the joining materials, which upon cooling will form a strong bond, joining two or more bulk materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Timothy P. Weihs, Omar Knio, Michael Reiss, David van Heerden, Todd Hufnagel, Howard Feldmesser
-
Publication number: 20080272181Abstract: Self-propagating formation reactions in nanostructured multilayer foils provide rapid bursts of heat at room temperature and therefore can act as local heat sources to melt solder or braze layers and join materials. This reactive joining method provides very localized heating to the components and rapid cooling across the joint. The rapid cooling results in a very fine microstructure of the solder or braze material. The scale of the fine microstructure of the solder or braze material is dependant on cooling rate of the reactive joints which varies with geometries and properties of the foils and components. The microstructure of the solder or braze layer of the joints formed by melting solder in a furnace is much coarser due to the slow cooling rate. Reactive joints with finer solder or braze microstructure show higher shear strength compared with those made by conventional furnace joining with much coarser solder or braze microstructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Jiaping Wang, Etienne Besnoin, Omar Knio, Timothy Weihs
-
Publication number: 20080131700Abstract: A method for joining component bodies of material over bonding regions of large dimensions by disposing a plurality of substantially contiguous sheets of reactive composite materials between the bodies and adjacent sheets of fusible material. The contiguous sheets of the reactive composite material are operatively connected by an ignitable bridging material so that an igniting reaction in one sheet will cause an igniting reaction in the other. An application of uniform pressure and an ignition of one or more of the contiguous sheets of reactive composite material causes an exothermic thermal reaction to propagate through the bonding region, fusing any adjacent sheets of fusible material and forming a bond between the component bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2008Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: Reactive NanoTechnologies, IncInventors: Alan Duckham, Jesse E. Newson, Michael V. Brown, Timothy Ryan Rude, Omar Knio, Ellen M. Heian, Jai S. Subramanian
-
Publication number: 20080093418Abstract: A reactive composite structure having selected energetic and mechanical properties, and methods of making reactive composite structures enabling the construction of complex parts and components by machining and forming of reactive composite materials without compromising the energetic or mechanical properties of the resulting reactive composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Timothy P. Weihs, David M. Lunking, Ellen M. Heian, Yuwei Xun, Richard Bowman, Gary Catig, David van Heerden, Somasundaram Valliappan, Omar Knio, Joseph Grzyb
-
Patent number: 7361412Abstract: Self-propagating formation reactions in nanostructured multilayer foils provide rapid bursts of heat at room temperature and therefore can act as local heat sources to melt solder or braze layers and join materials. This reactive joining method provides very localized heating to the components and rapid cooling across the joint. The rapid cooling results in a very fine microstructure of the solder or braze material. The scale of the fine microstructure of the solder or braze material is dependant on cooling rate of the reactive joints which varies with geometries and properties of the foils and components. The microstructure of the solder or braze layer of the joints formed by melting solder in a furnace is much coarser due to the slow cooling rate. Reactive joints with finer solder or braze microstructure show higher shear strength compared with those made by conventional furnace joining with much coarser solder or braze microstructure.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Jiaping Wang, Etienne Besnoin, Omar Knio, Timothy P. Weihs
-
Patent number: 7354659Abstract: A method for joining component bodies of material over bonding regions of large dimensions by disposing a plurality of substantially contiguous sheets of reactive composite materials between the bodies and adjacent sheets of fusible material. The contiguous sheets of the reactive composite material are operatively connected by an ignitable bridging material so that an igniting reaction in one sheet will cause an igniting reaction in the other. An application of uniform pressure and an ignition of one or more of the contiguous sheets of reactive composite material causes an exothermic thermal reaction to propagate through the bonding region, fusing any adjacent sheets of fusible material and forming a bond between the component bodies.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Reactive Nanotechnologies, Inc.Inventors: Alan Duckham, Jesse E. Newson, Michael V. Brown, Timothy Ryan Rude, Omar Knio, Ellen M. Heian, Jai S. Subramanian
-
Publication number: 20080000949Abstract: In accordance with the invention, bodies of materials are joined by disposing between them a reactive multilayer foil and one or more layers of meltable joining material such as braze or solder. The bodies are pressed together against the foil and joining material, and the foil is ignited to melt the joining material. The pressing is near the critical pressure and typically produces a joint having a strength of at least 70-85% the maximum strength producible at practical maximum pressures. Thus for example, reactively formed stainless steel soldered joints that were heretofore made at an applied pressure of about 100 MPa can be made with substantially the same strength at a critical applied pressure of about 10 kPa. Advantages of the process include minimization of braze or solder extrusion and reduced equipment and processing costs, especially in the joining of large bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Jiaping Wang, Omar Knio, Timothy Weihs, Etienne Besnoin
-
Publication number: 20060219759Abstract: A method for joining component bodies of material over bonding regions of large dimensions by disposing a plurality of substantially contiguous sheets of reactive composite materials between the bodies and adjacent sheets of fusible material. The contiguous sheets of the reactive composite material are operatively connected by an ignitable bridging material so that an igniting reaction in one sheet will cause an igniting reaction in the other. An application of uniform pressure and an ignition of one or more of the contiguous sheets of reactive composite material causes an exothermic thermal reaction to propagate through the bonding region, fusing any adjacent sheets of fusible material and forming a bond between the component bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Inventors: Alan Duckham, Jesse Newson, Michael Brown, Timothy Rude, Omar Knio, Ellen Heian, Jai Subramanian
-
Publication number: 20060108365Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for sealing a container. The method includes, providing at least two components of the container, positioning a crushable material between the at least two components, positioning a reactive multilayer material between the at least two components, deforming the crushable material so as to form a seal between the at least two components, chemically transforming the reactive multilayer material so as to join the at least two components.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2005Publication date: May 25, 2006Inventors: David Van Heerden, Dale Deger, Timothy Weihs, Omar Knio
-
Publication number: 20060032193Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for sealing a container. The method includes, providing at least two components of the container, positioning a crushable material between the at least two components, positioning a reactive multilayer material between the at least two components, deforming the crushable material so as to form a seal between the at least two components, chemically transforming the reactive multilayer material so as to join the at least two components.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2005Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: David Peter Heerden, Dale Deger, Timothy Weihs, Omar Knio
-
Patent number: 6991855Abstract: Reactive foils and their uses are provided as localized heat sources useful, for example, in ignition, joining and propulsion. An improved reactive foil is preferably a freestanding multilayered foil structure made up of alternating layers selected from materials that will react with one another in an exothermic and self-propagating reaction. Upon reacting, this foil supplies highly localized heat energy that may be applied, for example, to joining layers, or directly to bulk materials that are to be joined. This foil heat-source allows rapid bonding to occur at room temperature in virtually any environment (e.g., air, vacuum, water, etc.). If a joining material is used, the foil reaction will supply enough heat to melt the joining materials, which upon cooling will form a strong bond, joining two or more bulk materials.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Timothy P. Weihs, Omar Knio, Michael Reiss, David van Heerden
-
Patent number: 6991856Abstract: Reactive foils and their uses are provided as localized heat sources useful, for example, in ignition, joining and propulsion. An improved reactive foil is preferably a freestanding multilayered foil structure made up of alternating layers selected from materials that will react with one another in an exothermic and self-propagating reaction. Upon reacting, this foil supplies highly localized heat energy that may be applied, for example, to joining layers, or directly to bulk materials that are to be joined. This foil heat-source allows rapid bonding to occur at room temperature in virtually any environment (e.g., air, vacuum, water, etc.). If a joining material is used, the foil reaction will supply enough heat to melt or soften the joining material, which upon cooling will form a strong bond, joining two or more bulk materials.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Timothy P. Weihs, Michael Reiss, Omar Knio, Albert Joseph Swiston, Jr., David van Heerden, Todd Hufnagel
-
Publication number: 20050142495Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of simulating an ignition of a reactive multilayer foil. Other embodiments include various methods of igniting a reactive multilayer foil by transferring energy from an energy source to a reactive multilayer foil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2004Publication date: June 30, 2005Inventors: David Peter Van Heerden, Etienne Besnoin, Stephen Spey, Timothy Rude, Michael Brown, Dale Deger, Ellen Heian, Somasundaram Valliappan, Omar Knio, Timothy Weihs
-
Publication number: 20050136270Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a method of simulating a behavior of an energy distribution within a soldered or brazed assembly to predict various physical parameters of the assembly. The assembly typically includes a reactive multilayer material. The method comprises the steps of providing an energy evolution equation having an energy source term associated with a self-propagating reaction that originates within the reactive multilayer material. The method also includes the steps of discretizing the energy evolution equation, and determining the behavior of the energy distribution in the assembly by integrating the discretized energy evolution equation using other parameters associated with the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2004Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Etienne Besnoin, Jiaping Wang, Alan Duckham, Stephen Spey, David Heerden, Timothy Weihs, Omar Knio
-
Publication number: 20050121499Abstract: The invention includes a method of joining two components. The method includes providing at least two components to be joined, a reactive multilayer foil, and a compliant element, placing the reactive multilayer foil between the at least two components, applying pressure on the two components in contact with the reactive multilayer foil via a compliant element, and initiating a chemical transformation of the reactive multilayer foil so as to physically join the at least two components. The invention also includes two components joined using the aforementioned method.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventors: David Heerden, Jesse Newson, Timothy Rude, Omar Knio, Timothy Weihs
-
Publication number: 20050082343Abstract: In accordance with the invention, bodies of materials are joined by disposing between them a reactive multilayer foil and one or more layers of meltable joining material such as braze or solder. The bodies are pressed together against the foil and joining material, and the foil is ignited to melt the joining material. The pressing is near the critical pressure and typically produces a joint having a strength of at least 70-85% the maximum strength producible at practical maximum pressures. Thus for example, reactively formed stainless steel soldered joints that were heretofore made at an applied pressure of about 100 MPa can be made with substantially the same strength at a critical applied pressure of about 10 kPa. Advantages of the process include minimization of braze or solder extrusion and reduced equipment and processing costs, especially in the joining of large bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2004Publication date: April 21, 2005Inventors: Jiaping Wang, Omar Knio, Timothy Weihs
-
Publication number: 20050051607Abstract: Self-propagating formation reactions in nanostructured multilayer foils provide rapid bursts of heat at room temperature and therefore can act as local heat sources to melt solder or braze layers and join materials. This reactive joining method provides very localized heating to the components and rapid cooling across the joint. The rapid cooling results in a very fine microstructure of the solder or braze material. The scale of the fine microstructure of the solder or braze material is dependant on cooling rate of the reactive joints which varies with geometries and properties of the foils and components. The microstructure of the solder or braze layer of the joints formed by melting solder in a furnace is much coarser due to the slow cooling rate. Reactive joints with finer solder or braze microstructure show higher shear strength compared with those made by conventional furnace joining with much coarser solder or braze microstructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Jiaping Wang, Etienne Besnoin, Omar Knio, Timothy Weihs