Patents by Inventor Paul N. Dunlap

Paul N. Dunlap 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: 9327482
    Abstract: A method of forming a bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer between two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Yuding Feng, Lin Zhu, Yahya Hodjat, Paul N. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20150290918
    Abstract: A method of forming a bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer between two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Yuding Feng, Lin Zhu, Yahya Hodjat, Paul N. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20100330352
    Abstract: A bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer sandwiched between and bonded to two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Yuding Feng, Lin Zhu, Yahya Hodjat, Paul N. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7291241
    Abstract: A bonded part such as a rubber to metal bonded part and process for producing a bonded part including a rubber and metal part, and particularly for producing an automotive torsional vibration damper, comprising the steps of placing uncured elastomer composition comprising an elastomer, at least one curative, and preferably, at least one rubber-to-metal adhesive adjuvant into a shape-forming mold, and curing the elastomer in two stages, wherein in the first curing stage the elastomer composition is less than fully cured and in the second curing stage, preferably performed with the elastomer composition in contact with a metal surface of the rubber and metal part, the elastomer composition is at least substantially fully cured. According to one embodiment, the present invention allows for the elimination of the step of applying an adhesive to the metal surface prior to application of the elastomer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Paul N. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7235028
    Abstract: A belt having a body, a tensile member and an outer surface. The body comprises an elastomer. An outer surface of the belt having a profile, foe example teeth. A layer of Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene thermoplastic (UHMWPE) is bonded to the profile surface. The layer bonded to the profile surface having a low softening point allowing it to conform to a mold shape prior to cure of the rubber body material. The layer having a molecular weight in the range of 3-7 million grams per mole. The layer causes the belt to exhibit superior abrasion resistance and flexibility while reducing the cost per belt as compared to fabric jacket belts. The UHMWPE jacket belt has significantly reduced dust and debris production during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Dieter Martin, Harry D. Visser, Paul N. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7166678
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper or other vibration damping device with a rubber vibration absorbing element. The rubber element is a peroxide-cured composition comprising 100 parts of ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer, and 20 to 100 parts of substantially isobutylene or butene polymer having a viscosity average molecular weight greater than about 5000. The polymer may also be a copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene. The addition of the isobutylene polymer to the ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer composition increases the vibration damping character of the rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Paul N. Dunlap, Bobbie E. South
  • Patent number: 7078104
    Abstract: A bonded part such as a rubber to metal bonded part and process for producing a bonded part including a rubber and metal part, and particularly for producing an automotive torsional vibration damper, comprising the steps of placing uncured elastomer composition comprising an elastomer, at least one curative, and preferably, at least one rubber-to-metal adhesive adjuvant into a shape-forming mold, and curing the elastomer in two stages, wherein in the first curing stage the elastomer composition is less than fully cured and in the second curing stage, preferably performed with the elastomer composition in contact with a metal surface of the rubber and metal part, the elastomer composition is at least substantially fully cured. According to one embodiment, the present invention allows for the elimination of the step of applying an adhesive to the metal surface prior to application of the elastomer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Paul N. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20020187869
    Abstract: A belt having a body, a tensile member and an outer surface. The body comprises an elastomer. An outer surface of the belt having a profile, foe example teeth. A layer of Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene thermoplastic (UHMWPE) is bonded to the profile surface. The layer bonded to the profile surface having a low softening point allowing it to conform to a mold shape prior to cure of the rubber body material. The layer having a molecular weight in the range of 3-7 million grams per mole. The layer causes the belt to exhibit superior abrasion resistance and flexibility while reducing the cost per belt as compared to fabric jacket belts. The UHMWPE jacket belt has significantly reduced dust and debris production during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Dieter Martin, Harry D. Visser, Paul N. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20020162627
    Abstract: A bonded part such as a rubber to metal bonded part and process for producing a bonded part including a rubber and metal part, and particularly for producing an automotive torsional vibration damper, comprising the steps of placing uncured elastomer composition comprising an elastomer, at least one curative, and preferably, at least one rubber-to-metal adhesive adjuvant into a shape-forming mold, and curing the elastomer in two stages, wherein in the first curing stage the elastomer composition is less than fully cured and in the second curing stage, preferably performed with the elastomer composition in contact with a metal surface of the rubber and metal part, the elastomer composition is at least substantially fully cured. According to one embodiment, the present invention allows for the elimination of the step of applying an adhesive to the metal surface prior to application of the elastomer composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Paul N. Dunlap