Patents by Inventor Ward C. Stevens

Ward C. Stevens 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: 6365535
    Abstract: A ceramic composition having a high adsorptive capacity for oxygen at elevated temperature, including at least one of: Bi2−yEryO3−d; Bi2−yYyO3−d; La1−yBayCo1−xNixO3−d; La1−ySryCo1−xNixO3−d; La1−yCayCo1−xNixO3−d; La1−yBayCo1−xFexO3−d; La1−ySryCo1−xFexO3−d; and La1−yCayCo1−xFexO3−d; wherein x is from 0.2 to 0.8, y is from 0 to 1.0 and d=0.1 to 0.9. Such ceramic composition may be made using a modified Pechini synthetic procedure. The resulting ceramic composition is usefully employed as an adsorbent for separation of oxygen from an oxygen-containing feed gas mixture, e.g., in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Delwyn Cummings, Philip Chen
  • Patent number: 6361584
    Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system for processing an oxygen-containing feed gas mixture to extract oxygen therefrom, comprising an adsorbent bed arranged for elevated temperature sorption/desorption operation, wherein the adsorbent bed comprises a ceramic adsorbent having affinity for oxygen when the ceramic adsorbent is at elevated temperature. Suitable ceramic adsorbents include lanthanum calcium cobalt ferrites and other oxygen ionic transport ceramic metal oxide compositions. As applied to the separation of air or other oxygen/nitrogen mixtures, the PSA system is effective to produce oxygen-rich as well as nitrogen-rich product gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Delwyn Cummings, Philip Chen
  • Patent number: 6017628
    Abstract: An article (130) comprising a non-conductive substrate (136), preferably of an environmentally degradeable character, having a thickness of an oxidizable metal coating (138) thereon, and optionally an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt (140), e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidization of the oxidizable metal coating so that the conductivity and radar absorbance/reflectance characteristics of the chaff transiently decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Alliant Defense Electronics Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C Stevens, Edward A. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5880692
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate, preferably of an environmentally degradeable character, having a thickness of an oxidizable metal coating thereon, and optionally an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt, e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidization of the oxidizable metal coating so that the conductivity and radar absorbance/reflectance characteristics of the chaff transiently decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Alliant Defense Electronic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5686178
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate, preferably of an environmentally degradeable character, having a thickness of an oxidizable metal coating thereon, and optionally an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt, e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidization of the oxidizable metal coating so that the conductivity and radar absorbance/reflectance characteristics of the chaff transiently decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5571621
    Abstract: An infrared radiation-interactive article comprising a supported or unsupported oxidizable metal film of an infrared radiation-interactive size and shape, with an oxidation-promoting salt in contact with the metal film, arranged so that in exposure to ambient moisture, the metal film is oxidizable to an infrared radiation non-interactive form. The article of the invention may be employed to carry out a method of generating a transient infrared radiation response, e.g., an infrared radiation reflectance signature, or infrared radiation absorption, at a selected locus receiving infrared radiation incident thereon, by disposing at the locus an infrared radiation interactively-effective amount of such infrared radiation-interactive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5352519
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate having a sub-micron thickness of a sulfur-doped oxidizable metal coating thereon. Optionally, the sulfur-doped oxidizable metal-coated substrate may be further coated with (i) a promoter metal which is galvanically effective to promote the corrosion of the oxidizable metal, discontinuously coated on the oxidizable metal coating, and/or (ii) a salt, to accelerate the galvanic corrosion reaction by which the oxidizable metal coating is oxidized. When utilized in a form comprising fine diameter substrate elements such as glass or ceramic filaments, the resulting product may usefully be employed as an evanescent chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidation of the oxidizable metal coating so that the radar signature of the chaff transiently decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm, Bruce C. Roman
  • Patent number: 5328717
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate having a sub-micron thickness of an oxidizable metal coating thereon, and an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt, e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate, applying the salt by contacting of the oxidizable metal-coated substrate with a salt solution, and drying of the salt solution on the oxidizable metal film to yield the product salt-doped, oxidizable metal-coated substrate article. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as glass or ceramic filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm, Bruce C. Roman
  • Patent number: 5234715
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate having a sub-micron thickness of an oxidizable conductive first metal coating thereon, and a second (promoter) metal which is galvanically effective to promote the corrosion of the first metal, discontinuously coated on the first metal coating. Optionally, the second metal-doped, first metal-coated substrate may be further coated with a salt, to accelerate the galvanic corrosion reaction by which the conductive first metal coating is oxidized. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such articles, comprising chemical vapor depositing the first metal on the substrate and chemical vapor depositing the second metal on the applied first metal coating, and of optionally applying a salt by salt solution contacting of the second metal-doped, first metal-coated substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as glass or ceramic filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an evanescent chaff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm, Delwyn F. Cummings
  • Patent number: 5132278
    Abstract: A superconducting composite material comprising a superconducting element, coated on its exterior surface with noble or inert metal, in a conductive metal matrix which includes nonsuperconducting fibers. The superconducting element may suitably comprise a filament of 123 metal oxide high temperature superconductor (MOHTSC) material, or other metal oxide superconductive material. The composite structure of the invention overcomes the inherent brittleness of metal oxide-type superconductive materials and the sensitivity to flaws to which MOHTSC materials are suceptible. The noble or inert metal and conductive matrix metal may suitably be applied by MOCVD techniques. A preferred form of the superconducting article of the present invention is a tape comprising a generally planar array of superconductive filaments, for applications such as energy storage devices, power transmission and propulsion systems that require large magnetic fields, transformers, motors, and generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, David S. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5087515
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate which is coated with a sub-micron thickness of an oxidizable metal and overcoated with a microporous layer of an inorganic electrically insulative material. Optionally, the oxidizable metal-coated substrate may be sulfurized and/or further coated with (i) a promoter metal which is galvanically effective to promote the corrosion of the oxidizable metal, discontinuously coated on the oxidizable metal coating, and/or (ii) a salt, to accelerate the galvanic corrosion reaction by which the oxidizable metal coating is oxidized, prior to overcoating with the microporous insulative layer. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such articles, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate and contacting the metallized substrate with a sol gel dispersion of the inorganic electrically insulative material which then is dried under suitable conditions to form the microporous layer on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm, Bruce C. Roman
  • Patent number: 5039990
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate having a sub-micron thickness of an oxidizable conductive first metal coating thereon, and a second (promoter) metal which is galvanically effective to promote the corrosion of the first metal, discontinuously coated on the first metal coating. Optionally, the second metal-doped, first metal-coated substrate may be further coated with a salt, to accelerate the galvanic corrosion reaction by which the conductive first metal coating is oxidized. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such articles, comprising chemical vapor depositing the first metal on the substrate and chemical vapor depositing the second metal on the applied first metal coating, and of optionally applying a salt by salt solution contacting of the second metal-doped, first metal-coated substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as glass or ceramic filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an evanescent chaff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm, Delwyn F. Cummings
  • Patent number: 5034274
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate having a sub-micron thickness of an oxidizable metal coating thereon, and an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt, e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate, applying the salt by contacting of the oxidizable metal-coated substrate with a salt solution, and drying of the salt solution on the oxidizable metal film to yield the product salt-doped, oxidizable metal-coated substrate article. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as glass or ceramic filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm, Bruce C. Roman
  • Patent number: 4935296
    Abstract: A metal-coated substrate, e.g., of glass, ceramic, or a hydroxy-functionalized material, wherein the improvement comprises a polysilicate, titania, or alumina interlayer between the substrate and the metal coating. The interlayer may have a porous microstructure, e.g., a polysilicate interlayer with an average pore size on the order of 50-150 Angstroms.Such articles, e.g., in the form of metal-coated fibers, may suitably be employed as reinforcing media in material composites having utility in structural applications, such as EMI shielding elements.Also disclosed is a corresponding method for forming a metal coating on a substrate by the provision of an interlayer of the above type. The interlayer may suitably be formed by applying to the substrate a sol gel dispersion of the polysilicate, titania, or alumina material, followed by drying of the applied dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ward C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4839402
    Abstract: A metal-coated substrate, e.g., of glass, ceramic, or a hydroxy-functionalized material, wherein the improvement comprises a polysilicate, titania, or alumina interlayer between the substrate and the metal coating. The interlayer may have a porous microstructure, e.g., a polysilicate interlayer with an average pore size on the order of 50-150 Angstroms.Such articles, e.g., in the form of metal-coated fibers, may suitably be employed as reinforcing media in material composites having utility in structural applications, such as EMI shielding elements.Also disclosed is a corresponding method for forming a metal coating on a substrate by the provision of an interlayer of the above type. The interlayer may suitably be formed by applying to the substrate a sol gel dispersion of the polysilicate, titania, or alumina material, followed by drying of the applied dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ward C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4789563
    Abstract: A metal-coated substrate, e.g., of glass, ceramic, or a hydroxy-functionalized material, wherein the improvement comprises a polysilicate, titania, or alumina interlayer between the substrate and the metal coating. The interlayer may have a porous microstructure, e.g., a polysilicate interlayer with an average pore size on the order of 50-150 Angstroms.Such articles, e.g., in the form of metal-coated fibers, may suitably be employed as reinforcing media in material composites having utility in structural applications, such as EMI shielding elements.Also disclosed is a corresponding method for forming a metal coating on a substrate by the provision of an interlayer of the above type. The interlayer may suitably be formed by applying to the substrate a sol gel dispersion of the polysilicate, titania, or alumina material, followed by drying of the applied dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ward C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4759950
    Abstract: A method for metallizing a filament, wherein the filament is initially coated with a sol gel dispersion of polysilicate, titania, or alumina, and after drying at elevated temperature to form a porous interlayer coating on the filament, a nickel coating is deposited thereon from gaseous nickel carbonyl in a metallizing zone. The gaseous nickel carbonyl is produced in a fluidized bed of particulate nickel through which carbon monoxide make-up and at least a portion of the effluent gases discharged from the metallizing zone are flowed. The resulting nickel coated filament may be cut into fibers for use as a reinforcement in composite materials such as those utilized in electromagnetic inteference (EMI) shielding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Advance Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ward C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4738896
    Abstract: A metal-coated substrate, e.g., of glass, ceramic, or a hydroxy-functionalized material, wherein the improvement comprises a polysilicate, titania, or alumina interlayer between the substrate and the metal coating. The interlayer may have a porous microstructure, e.g., a polysilicate interlayer with an average pore size on the order of 50-150 Angstroms.Such articles, e.g., in the form of metal-coated fibers, may suitably be employed as reinforcing media in material composites having utility in structural applications, such as EMI shielding elements.Also disclosed is a corresponding method for forming a metal coating on a substrate by the provision of an interlayer of the above type. The interlayer may suitably be formed by applying to the substrate a sol gel dispersion of the polysilicate, titania, or alumina material, followed by drying of the applied dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ward C. Stevens