Patents by Inventor Timothy R. Knowles

Timothy R. Knowles 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: 7144624
    Abstract: A thermal interface includes nanofibrils. The nanofibrils may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of larger diameter fibers. The nanofibrils have a diameter of less than about 1 micron, and may advantageously be formed from single walled and/or multi-walled nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Energy Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Knowles, Christopher L. Seaman
  • Patent number: 7132161
    Abstract: A fiber velvet comprising nano-size fibers or nanofibrils attached to micro-size fibers is disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the velvet as well as various uses of the velvet are also described. For example, the fiber velvet can be used as a thermal interface or as an adhesive material. The nanofibrils may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of the micro-size or larger diameter fibers. Various attributes of the micro-size fibers and of the nano-size fibers, for example, geometry (e.g. size, length, packing density) material type (e.g. carbon, metal, polymer, or ceramic) and properties (e.g. conductivity, modulus, surface energy, dielectric constant, surface roughness) can be selected depending on the desired attributes of the fiber velvet. The nanofibrils have a diameter of less than about 1 micron, and may advantageously be formed from single walled and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Energy Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Knowles, Christopher L. Seaman
  • Patent number: 6913075
    Abstract: A thermal interface includes nanofibrils. The nanofibrils may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of larger diameter fibers. The nanofibrils have a diameter of less than about 1 micron, and may advantageously be formed from single walled and/or multi-walled nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Knowles, Christopher L. Seaman
  • Publication number: 20040071870
    Abstract: A fiber velvet comprising nano-size fibers or nanofibrils attached to micro-size fibers is disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the velvet as well as various uses of the velvet are also described. For example, the fiber velvet can be used as a thermal interface or as an adhesive material. The nanofibrils may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of the micro-size or larger diameter fibers. Various attributes of the micro-size fibers and of the nano-size fibers, for example, geometry (e.g. size, length, packing density) material type (e.g. carbon, metal, polymer, or ceramic) and properties (e.g. conductivity, modulus, surface energy, dielectric constant, surface roughness) can be selected depending on the desired attributes of the fiber velvet. The nanofibrils have a diameter of less than about 1 micron, and may advantageously be formed from single walled and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy R. Knowles, Christopher L. Seaman
  • Patent number: 6713151
    Abstract: Described is a fibrous thermal interface. The interface comprises flocked thermally conductive fibers embedded in an adhesive in substantially vertical orientation with portions of the fibers extending out of the adhesive. An encapsulant fills spaces between the portions of the fibers that extend out of the adhesive and beneath the free tips of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy F. Dean, Roger A. Emigh, Michael R. Pinter, Charles Smith, Timothy R. Knowles, Mani Ahmadi, Brett M. Ellman, Christopher L. Seaman
  • Publication number: 20040009353
    Abstract: A thermal interface includes phase change material (PCM). The PCM may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of fibers. The PCM may comprise wax, thermally conductive solid particles, and/or nanofibrils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy R. Knowles, Christopher L. Seaman, Sanjay Misra, Richard M. Olson
  • Publication number: 20020100581
    Abstract: A thermal interface includes nanofibrils. The nanofibrils may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of larger diameter fibers. The nanofibrils have a diameter of less than about 1 micron, and may advantageously be formed from single walled and/or multi-walled nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy R. Knowles, Christopher L. Seaman
  • Patent number: 6119573
    Abstract: Carbon fiber material and carbon fiber material that is saturated with hydrocarbon solid-liquid phase change material may be used as thermal management materials for providing a thermally conductive interface between a heat source and its housing. Such carbon fiber material may also be used for mechanical isolation of the heat source from its housing. Carbon fibers used in the carbon fiber material may be unidirectionally oriented to provide for low friction, thus optimizing critically controlled friction tolerances. Additionally the carbon fiber material saturated with hydrocarbon solid-liquid phase change material may be used to transfer heat into the an inherently nonconductive medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berens, David W. Campbell, Peter J. Drake, Timothy R. Knowles, Timothy B. Mellor