Patents by Inventor Roberto A. Lopez-Anido
Roberto A. Lopez-Anido 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).
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Patent number: 7811495Abstract: A method of forming a hollow composite construction member of the type suitable for use as building material includes providing an elongated inflatable mold assembly having a longitudinal axis, a flexible tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity, a reinforcing fabric positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall, and a flexible air-impervious outer layer positioned concentrically around the fabric. The bladder wall and the outer layer define an elongated annular space with the fabric positioned therein. Tension is applied longitudinally to the fabric and fluid is introduced into the cavity to at least partially inflate the mold and shape the fabric. The mold is shaped to a desired shape while maintaining the fabric under tension. The elongated annular space and the fabric are infused with a rigidification material. The rigidification material is hardened while maintaining the fabric in tension to form a rigid hollow composite construction member.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Habib J. Dagher, Joshua J. Tomblin, Richard F. Nye, Imad W. El Chiti, Matthew W. Bodwell, Alexander L. Baker, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido
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Patent number: 7416368Abstract: An elongated sheet piling panel has a length and width, and opposed side edges, and has elongated voids positioned within the interior of the panel. The voids are oriented in the direction of the length of the panel, and the edges of the panel are configured to be connected to the edges of additional similar panels.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Habib J. Dagher, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Douglas J. Gardner, Matthew J. Dura, Katherine L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7300894Abstract: The present invention provides resin infused composite articles. Also provided is a method for preparing the composite articles of the invention. The method includes infusing the assembled components of the composite with resin under pressure. There are also provided numerous devices of varying configuration that are of use in the methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: University of MaineInventors: Barry S. Goodell, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Benjamin Herzog
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Publication number: 20070175577Abstract: A method of forming a hollow composite construction member of the type suitable for use as building material includes providing an elongated inflatable mold assembly having a longitudinal axis, a flexible tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity, a reinforcing fabric positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall, and a flexible air-impervious outer layer positioned concentrically around the fabric. The bladder wall and the outer layer define an elongated annular space with the fabric positioned therein. Tension is applied longitudinally to the fabric and fluid is introduced into the cavity to at least partially inflate the mold and shape the fabric. The mold is shaped to a desired shape while maintaining the fabric under tension. The elongated annular space and the fabric are infused with a rigidification material. The rigidification material is hardened while maintaining the fabric in tension to form a rigid hollow composite construction member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Habib Dagher, Joshua Tomblin, Richard Nye, Imad Chiti, Matthew Bodwell, Alexander Baker, Roberto Lopez-Anido
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Publication number: 20050163575Abstract: An elongated sheet piling panel has a length and width, and opposed side edges, and has elongated voids positioned within the interior of the panel. The voids are oriented in the direction of the length of the panel, and the edges of the panel are configured to be connected to the edges of additional similar panels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Habib Dagher, Roberto Lopez-Anido, Douglas Gardner, Matthew Dura, Katherine Stephens
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Publication number: 20040157519Abstract: The present invention provides resin infused composite articles. Also provided is a method for preparing the composite articles of the invention. The method includes infusing the assembled components of the composite with resin under pressure. There are also provided numerous devices of varying configuration that are of use in the methods of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Applicant: University of MaineInventors: Barry S. Goodell, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Benjamin Herzog
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Patent number: 6544624Abstract: A modular fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite deck module having one or more hexagonal components and one or more double trapezoidal components. A hexagonal component is a hexagonal cell with all sides being of equal length and forming a hexagonal space. A double trapezoidal component has a top side, a bottom side, a first trapezoid having a first top and a first bottom, and a second trapezoid having a second top and a second bottom. The first and second trapezoidal components are of equal dimensions and configured such that the first trapezoid is inverted resulting in the first top of the first trapezoid is adjacent to the second top of the second trapezoid, thereby creating a center seam and an extensive bonding surface. The double trapezoidal and hexagonal components are made of multiple layers of multi-axial fiber reinforcement and a resin matrix, the layers being continuous throughout the entire shape of the components.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: West Virginia University Research Corp.Inventors: Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, GangaRao V. S. Hota, Ever J. Barbero
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Patent number: 6455131Abstract: A modular fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite deck module having one or more hexagonal components and one or more double trapezoidal components. A hexagonal component is a hexagonal cell with all sides being of equal length and forming a hexagonal space. A double trapezoidal component has a top side, a bottom side, a first trapezoid having a first top and a first bottom, and a second trapezoid having a second top and a second bottom. The first and second trapezoidal components are of equal dimensions and configured such that the first trapezoid is inverted resulting in the first top of the first trapezoid is adjacent to the second top of the second trapezoid, thereby creating a center seam and an extensive bonding surface. The double trapezoidal and hexagonal components are made of multiple layers of multi-axial fiber reinforcement and a resin matrix, the layers being continuous throughout the entire shape of the components.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1998Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: West Virginia UniversityInventors: Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, GangaRao V. S. Hota, Ever J. Barbero
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Publication number: 20010036535Abstract: A modular fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite deck module having one or more hexagonal components and one or more double trapezoidal components. A hexagonal component is a hexagonal cell with all sides being of equal length and forming a hexagonal space. A double trapezoidal component has a top side, a bottom side, a first trapezoid having a first top and a first bottom, and a second trapezoid having a second top and a second bottom. The first and second trapezoidal components are of equal dimensions and configured such that the first trapezoid is inverted resulting in the first top of the first trapezoid is adjacent to the second top of the second trapezoid, thereby creating a center seam and an extensive bonding surface. The double trapezoidal and hexagonal components are made of multiple layers of multi-axial fiber reinforcement and a resin matrix, the layers being continuous throughout the entire shape of the components.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 1998Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: ROBERTO A. LOPEZ-ANIDO, GANGARAO V.S. HOTA, EVER J. BARBERO
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Patent number: 6309732Abstract: A modular fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite structural panel component for structural support systems having a plurality of cells adjacently connected forming a top side, a bottom side, a first edge side and a second edge side. Each cell is defined by at least four sides, wherein at least two adjacent sides intersect at an obtuse angle resulting in the first edge side and the second edge side providing a means for joining two panel components and having an extensive bonding surface. A structural panel component is comprised of a plurality of layers of multi-axial fiber reinforcement, e.g., multi-axial fabrics, mats, woven cloth and unidirectional rovings, and a resin matrix, and the layers are continuous throughout the shape of the cells and a structural panel component. The structural panel component is manufactured using the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding or pultrusion process.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1998Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Inventors: Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, GangaRao V. S. Hota