Patents by Inventor Robert A. DiChiara

Robert A. DiChiara 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).

  • Publication number: 20110171442
    Abstract: Thermal insulation assemblies, methods for fabricating thermal insulation assemblies, and thermally insulated structures are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermally insulated structure is disclosed that includes a thermal insulation assembly comprises a ceramic tile having a surface coated with an alumina-mullite slurry. A ceramic matrix composite is disposed on the coated surface. The ceramic matrix composite comprises a first ply of a ceramic fiber impregnated with a ceramic matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Vann HENG, Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Elizabeth CHU, Dave ZORGER
  • Patent number: 7887937
    Abstract: Thermal insulation assemblies and methods for fabricating thermal insulation assemblies are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermal insulation assembly comprises a ceramic tile having a surface coated with an alumina-mullite slurry. A ceramic matrix composite is disposed on the coated surface. The ceramic matrix composite comprises a first ply of a ceramic fiber impregnated with a ceramic matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vann Heng, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr., Elizabeth Chu, Dave Zorger
  • Patent number: 7785544
    Abstract: A porous honeycomb substrate including a non-woven fibrous ceramic body is provided herein. The fibrous ceramic body is substantially composed of bonded ceramic fibers forming a rigid non-woven matrix. Washcoat and catalyst materials can be applied to at least partially coat the honeycomb channels. The porous honeycomb substrate provides an improved substrate for use in filtration applications such as exhaust particulate filtration of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GE02 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr., Bilal Zuberi
  • Publication number: 20100081556
    Abstract: An oxide-based ceramic matrix composite and a method of making oxide-based ceramic composite are provided. The oxide-based ceramic matrix composite comprises a ceramic fiber and a mullite-alumina impregnating the ceramic fiber, wherein the mullite-alumina ceramic matrix comprises of 10-70 wt % mullite-alumina mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Vann Heng, Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Susan Saragosa, Elizabeth Chu, Carlos G. Levi, Frank W. Zok
  • Publication number: 20090274602
    Abstract: The present invention in certain embodiments is directed to a catalytic substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a catalytic converter or a particulate filter. Another aspect of the present invention is a filtering substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a particulate filter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), or diesel particulate trap (DPT). The invention also provides an improved substrate for removing and/or eliminating pollutants from the exhaust of combustion engines. The catalytic substrate and filtering substrate provide, in certain embodiments, improvements in removing pollutants from an exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Bilal Zuberi
  • Patent number: 7578979
    Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7574796
    Abstract: A filtering catalytic substrate including a non-woven fibrous refractory body, a plurality of channels formed in the body, a washcoat layer at least partially coating the channels, and a catalyst material at least partially coating the washcoat. The body is substantially composed of interlocking fibers fabricated using methods of forming a rigid matrix of ceramic fibers to provide a porous substrate for filtration applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. Dichiara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7572416
    Abstract: A method of forming a porous honeycomb substrate including a non-woven fibrous ceramic body is provided herein. The fibrous ceramic body is substantially composed of intertangled ceramic fiber forming a rigid three-dimensional matrix. Washcoat and catalyst materials can be applied to at least partially coat the honeycomb channels. The porous honeycomb substrate provides an improved substrate for use in filtration applications such as exhaust particulate filtration of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7550117
    Abstract: The present invention in certain embodiments is directed to a catalytic substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a catalytic converter or a particulate filter. Another aspect of the present invention is a filtering substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a particulate filter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), or diesel particulate trap (DPT). The invention also provides an improved substrate for removing and/or eliminating pollutants from the exhaust of combustion engines. The catalytic substrate and filtering substrate provide, in certain embodiments, improvements in removing pollutants from an exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7510754
    Abstract: A flexible insulation blanket having a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) outer layer, and a method of producing a flexible insulation blanket having a smooth, aerodynamically suitable, outer surface by infiltrating ceramic material within the outer ceramic fabric layer of the flexible insulation blanket and curing the ceramic material to form a CMC layer. The CMC layer is cured while the blanket is under compression such that the resulting CMC layer has a smooth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080292838
    Abstract: A flexible insulation blanket having a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) outer layer, and a method of producing a flexible insulation blanket having a smooth, aerodynamically suitable, outer surface by infiltrating ceramic material within the outer ceramic fabric layer of the flexible insulation blanket and curing the ceramic material to form a CMC layer. The CMC layer is cured while the blanket is under compression such that the resulting CMC layer has a smooth surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080176020
    Abstract: Thermal insulation assemblies and methods for fabricating thermal insulation assemblies are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermal insulation assembly comprises a ceramic tile having a surface coated with an alumina-mullite slurry. A ceramic matrix composite is disposed on the coated surface. The ceramic matrix composite comprises a first ply of a ceramic fiber impregnated with a ceramic matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Vann Heng, Robert A. DiChiara, Elizabeth Chu, Dave Zorger
  • Publication number: 20080171650
    Abstract: The present invention in certain embodiments is directed to a catalytic substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a catalytic converter or a particulate filter. Another aspect of the present invention is a filtering substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a particulate filter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), or diesel particulate trap (DPT). The invention also provides an improved substrate for removing and/or eliminating pollutants from the exhaust of combustion engines. The catalytic substrate and filtering substrate provide, in certain embodiments, improvements in removing pollutants from an exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara
  • Publication number: 20080112865
    Abstract: The present invention in certain embodiments is directed to a catalytic substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a catalytic converter or a particulate filter. Another aspect of the present invention is a filtering substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a particulate filter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), or diesel particulate trap (DPT). The invention also provides an improved substrate for removing and/or eliminating pollutants from the exhaust of combustion engines. The catalytic substrate and filtering substrate provide, in certain embodiments, improvements in removing pollutants from an exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: GEO2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara
  • Publication number: 20060188416
    Abstract: A filtering catalytic substrate including a non-woven fibrous refractory body, a plurality of channels formed in the body, a washcoat layer at least partially coating the channels, and a catalyst material at least partially coating the washcoat. The body is substantially composed of interlocking fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Gordon Alward, Robert Dichiara
  • Publication number: 20060178905
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for managing product sales data includes receiving product sales data from one or more external systems and deriving predetermined information from the product sales data. Where the product sales data is replaced or modified, the original product sales data may be maintained. In other embodiments, the system derives average manufacturing prices, non-federal average manufacturing prices and best prices regarding pharmaceutical sales.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Mona Ayers, Robert DiChiara
  • Patent number: 6969546
    Abstract: A ceramic tile includes a ceramic core material and an oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC), where the ceramic core material has at least one surface covered by the oxide CMC. The oxide CMC includes a ceramic fiber, with a cured metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber. An exemplary embodiment of the ceramic tile provided as part of the invention further includes a tough low temperature cure coating (TLTC) which infiltrates the ceramic core surface before it is covered by the oxide CMC. The TLTC includes a cured ceramic powder together with a binder. The metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber, and the TLTC are co-cured, meaning that neither is cured when the CMC is wrapped around a surface of the TLTC-infiltrated ceramic core, and a curing step is performed on both uncured ceramic materials at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050218565
    Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composites (CMC) having superior properties at high temperatures. The CMC can include a sol gel mixture mixed or blended metal oxide particles. The sol-gel mixture can be an aqueous colloidal suspension of a metal oxide, preferably from about 10 wt % to about 25 wt % of the metal oxide, containing a metal oxide such as alumina (Al2O3), silica (SiO2) or alumina-coated silica. The mixture can be infiltrated into a ceramic fiber, gelled, dried and sintered to form the CMC of the present teachings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Robert DiChiara
  • Patent number: 6946013
    Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050191218
    Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Alward, Robert DiChiara