Orienting Or Aligning Solid Particles In Fluent Matrix Material Patents (Class 264/108)
  • Publication number: 20130189478
    Abstract: Methods provide for creating a three-dimensional random fiber orientation in a composite component. According to embodiments described herein, narrow flakes are created from a unidirectional composite fiber tape and poured into a reservoir of a mold, creating a three-dimensional random fiber orientation of the narrow flakes within the reservoir. At least a majority of the narrow flakes have an aspect ratio of length to width of at least 6:1. The narrow flakes are heated and compressed to fill the mold and create the composite component. The three-dimensional random fiber orientation of the narrow flakes within the reservoir is maintained as the narrow flakes are pushed through the mold, creating consistent, uniform strength characteristics throughout the resulting composite component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Edward McMurray Fisher, JR., Dennis Lynn Coad, Brian Allen Carter, Glenn David Hardin, Jon Paul Thurber, Douglas Eugene Bailey
  • Publication number: 20130137330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing a molded pulp part (10), comprising a pneumatic fiber feeding apparatus (2) having an associated heating apparatus (4) having at least one heat exchanger (6) for heating up heating air and a mold (12), which has through-flow holes (14) for the transport air on at least one side, wherein the mold (12) has an outlet controller (20) arranged on the side of the through-flow holes (14), said outlet controller having a plurality of outlet openings (22), which can be closed and which are arranged one behind the other in the feeding direction of the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Heinrich Grimm
  • Patent number: 8440128
    Abstract: Flexible magnetic sheets made with high-energy strontium ferrite and oriented magnetic particles of strontium ferrite and barium ferrite, such as to decrease thickness while maintaining a strong magnetic energy as well as flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas G. Love
  • Publication number: 20130108857
    Abstract: An oriented bamboo strand board and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes: (a) cutting a bamboo stalk (4) into sections (6), and splitting each section (6) into 3-12 arc bamboo blanks (8) in the radial direction; (b) removing a outer surface part (10) and inner surface part (11) of the arc bamboo blank (8) by a thicknesser; (c) flaking the bamboo blank after removal of the outer surface part (10) and inner surface part (11) into bamboo flakes (14) with a thickness of 0.1-0.3 mm in the chordwise or substantially chordwise direction; (d) applying glue to the bamboo flakes (14) after drying, and orientedly spreading. The bamboo flakes have large width, break-resistance, good flatten characteristic and easy glue application, and the mechanical strength of produced oriented bamboo strand board is 1.5-1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: BEI JING NEW BUILDING MATERIAL(GROUP) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shiyuan Zhang, Fangwen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130071447
    Abstract: A method for forming an extracellular matrix material (ECM) material includes providing at least an ECM composition containing ECM particles varying in their capacity for migration through a fluid medium, including at least one population of expanded ECM particles. The ECM composition is combined in a fluid medium to form a flowable ECM composition. The flowable ECM composition is subjected to a centrifugal force in a mold for a period of time sufficient to distribute the ECM particles according to differences in their physical characteristics. The ECM composition is dried to form a dried ECM material having a density gradient extending from a less dense region to a more dense region. The dried ECM material may formed as a porous, substantially acellular ECM material expandable in an aqueous fluid environment by at least 100% in volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicants: Cook Biotech Incorporated, Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Cook Medical Technologies LLC, Cook Biotech Incorporated
  • Publication number: 20130012695
    Abstract: A method for the spinning of a fibre comprising cellulose nano-fibrils aligned along the main axis of the fibre from a lyotropic suspension of cellulose nano-fibrils, the nano-fibril alignment being achieved through extension of the extrude fibre from a die, spinneret or needle, wherein the fibre is dried under extension and the aligned nano-fibrils aggregate to form a continuous structure and wherein the suspension of nano-fibrils, which has a concentration of solids of at least 7% wt, is homogenised using at least a mechanical, distributive mixing process prior to its extrusion. The fibrils used in this method can be extracted from a cellulose-rich material such as wood. The invention also related to a cellulose-based fibre obtained according to this method and to a cellulose fibre which contains at least 90% wt of crystallised cellulose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SAPPI NETHERLANDS SERVICES B.V.
    Inventors: Philip Turner, Zurine Hernandez, Callum Hill
  • Patent number: 8318295
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube composite structure includes a matrix and a carbon nanotube structure. The matrix has a surface. The carbon nanotube structure is incorporated in the matrix. A distance between the carbon nanotube structure and the surface is less than 10 micrometers. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined with each other by van der Waals attractive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Ping Wang, Rui Xie, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20120237557
    Abstract: Nanocomposite fibers containing one or more carbon nanotubes encapsulated in an polysaccharide gel matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
    Inventors: Dan Lewitus, Joachim B. Kohn, Alexander Neimark, John Landers
  • Patent number: 8246878
    Abstract: A method comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a layered compound to produce a composite, and orienting the composite to produce an oriented composite wherein the layered compound comprises natural clay, synthetic clay, natural colloid, synthetic colloid, natural sol, synthetic sol, natural gel, synthetic gel, natural fumes, synthetic fumes, or combinations thereof. A method of preparing an oriented film comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a clay to produce a nanocomposite, casting the nanocomposite into a film, and orienting the film in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luyi Sun, Jose Sosa
  • Patent number: 8246886
    Abstract: A method and system for aligning nanotubes within an extensible structure such as a yarn or non-woven sheet. The method includes providing an extensible structure having non-aligned nanotubes, adding a chemical mixture to the extensible structure so as to wet the extensible structure, and stretching the extensible structure so as to substantially align the nanotubes within the extensible structure. The system can include opposing rollers around which an extensible structure may be wrapped, mechanisms to rotate the rollers independently or away from one another as they rotate to stretch the extensible structure, and a reservoir from which a chemical mixture may be dispensed to wet the extensible structure to help in the stretching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nanocomp Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Lashmore, Robert Braden, Anastasios John Hart, John Welch
  • Patent number: 8206773
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for assembling polymer-forming molecular components such that highly-structured arrays of polymer strands, such as collagen fibrils, are formed without the need for cells. A polymer nanoloom is designed to control the self-assembly of monomers into fibrils and related tissue constructs including ligament, tendon, cartilage, and bone. A nanoloom system comprises a polymer printhead, a temperature controller, and a movable substrate for polymer printing. A polymer printhead contains one or more nanoreactors that can control the assembly of collagen fibrils or other polymers on a nanoscale. Methods are provided for temperature-driven, enzyme-driven, and cholesteric assembly of collagen or other polymers into two- or three-dimensional tissue constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Ruberti, Gregory J. Kowalski, Daniel Burkey
  • Patent number: 8197730
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a feedstock material for use in net shape molded component that includes an integral metallized coating or layer on the exterior surface thereof. The feedstock includes a carefully matched mixture of polymer resin and a metallic alloy that is suitable for use in a molding method that includes melting and injecting the material into a mold cavity under pressure. Due to the differential in material viscosities, the metal tends to migrate to the outer surface of the molded part when placed under pressure, ultimately creating a net shape molded part having a polymer core with a metallic layer at the exterior surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Cool Options, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. McCullough
  • Publication number: 20120139148
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a diffuser includes a first process in which a cylindrical solid material with a fiber flow extending in an axial direction is forged to form a first shaped component which has disk-shaped top and bottom surfaces; a second process in which the first shaped component is rotated degrees and forged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction to form a second shaped component which has a flange and a cylindrical portion; and a third process in which the second shaped component is press-formed in a direction perpendicular to the fiber flow to form a third shaped component which has a flange including a central hole portion and an outer edge engaging portion with a fiber flow extending in a radial direction, and a bottomed cylindrical portion including a communicating hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: IIDZKA SEISAKUSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi IIZUKA, Soichiro SHIBATA
  • Publication number: 20120076984
    Abstract: A biaxially oriented poly(arylene sulfide) resin film formed from a resin composition including a syndiotactic polystyrene resin by a ratio of from 0.1 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a poly(arylene sulfide) resin, which has a center line average roughness Ra in the range of from 0.01 to 0.09 ?m and a maximum height Rmax of 1.0 ?m or less, a static friction coefficient of 1.00 or less and a kinetic friction coefficient of 0.70 or less, and a process for the production of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Aoi Miyazaki, Masayuki Hino, Tomonori Hosoda, Hiroyuki Oba, Satoshi Usui
  • Patent number: 8142698
    Abstract: A method of reducing a surface glossiness of an organopolysiloxane-cured article is provided. The method comprises preparing the liquid organopolysiloxane composition for matting comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of a thermosetting liquid organopolysiloxane composition having a specific gravity larger than the component (B), and (B) 0.1 to 100 parts by weight of a hollow filler having a melting point of at least 150° C., and a particle size of up to 200 ?m, casting the liquid organopolysiloxane composition as a potting material or coating material; and curing the liquid organopolysiloxane composition at a temperature of 10 to 160 C for 30 to 180 minutes, whereby the hollow filler floats to the surface of the organopolysiloxane and forms surface irregularities on the surface of the cured article during curing to provide a surface glossiness of up to 40 in a cured article having a matted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ozai, Mitsuhiro Iwata
  • Patent number: 8118963
    Abstract: A method of forming a security device is disclosed wherein a magnetically aligned pigment coating coated on a first substrate upon a release layer is hot stamped onto another substrate or object. Multiple patches with aligned magnetic flakes can be oriented differently in the form of a patch work or mosaic. For example, a region of stamped aligned flakes having the flakes oriented in a North-South orientation can be stamped onto one region of an object or substrate and another region of stamped same flakes removed from a same substrate can be stamped onto a same object oriented in an E-W orientation. By first aligning and curing flakes onto a releasable substrate, these flakes can be stamped in various shapes and sizes of patches to be adhesively fixed to another substrate or object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Alberto Argoitia
  • Publication number: 20120032537
    Abstract: To improve tranquility and controllability of an iron core-equipped permanent magnet motor with an improved maximum energy product (BH)max by improving shape compatibility of a radial anisotropic magnet, there is provided a radial anisotropic magnet manufacturing method of fixing magnet powder in a net shape so as to maintain a magnetic anisotropic (C-axis) angle of a magnet with respect to a tangential line and for performing a deformation with a flow so as to have a predetermined circular arc shape or a predetermined annular shape. Particularly, by performing a deformation with a viscous flow or an extension flow, a deformability of the magnet is improved, and thus shape compatibility with respect to a thickness is. improved. A C-axis angle ? with respect to a tangential direction is controlled at an arbitrary position and an arbitrary angle so as to reduce cogging torque without separating a magnetic pole into segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Fumitoshi YAMASHITA, Hiroshi Murakami, Kiyomi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8110056
    Abstract: A rubber composition used for a tire, in which friction on ice is improved, which includes 0.5 to 30 parts by weight of a filler having at least two protuberances and a non-metal fiber based on 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kishimoto, Kiyoshige Muraoka, Akira Minakoshi, Isamu Tsumori
  • Patent number: 8092777
    Abstract: A process for producing an anisotropic magnetic material includes: preparing a feebly magnetic material capable of transforming into a magnetic material by a prescribed reaction, orienting the feebly magnetic material by imparting an external field to the feebly magnetic material, and transforming the oriented feebly magnetic material to a magnetic substance by the prescribed reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Naoki Nakamura, Tetsuo Uchikoshi, Yoshio Sakka
  • Publication number: 20110309088
    Abstract: A method for making a utensil includes a first step of placing and stirring a mixture containing a thermoplastic material of 20-60%, a bamboo fiber powder of 20-60% and an adjuvant of 10-20% to form an evenly distributed first blank, a second step of graining the first blank to form multiple grains with uniform sizes, a third step of baking the multiple grains to form a semi-product, and a fourth step of injection molding the semi-product to form a final product of the utensil. Thus, the utensil is made of the bamboo fiber powder so that the utensil will not consume the foodstuff of the natural resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Chien-Hsin Chao
  • Publication number: 20110311798
    Abstract: A method of forming a reconstituted wood block can include providing a recovered wood having a high aspect ratio along wood grains of the recovered wood. The recovered wood can be radially crushed or obtained as strips of recovered veneer. The recovered wood can be pretreated to increase resin absorption to form a degreased wood. The degreased wood can then be dried sufficient to reduce a moisture content to produce a dried wood. The dried wood can be soaked in a resin solution to form a resin impregnated wood. The resin impregnated wood can be dried to reduce the moisture content without substantially curing the resin to form a dried resin impregnated wood. The dried resin impregnated wood can then be molded having wood fibers oriented in a non-random predetermined pattern substantially common direction and compacted to form an uncured molded wood. The pattern can be oriented along a substantially common direction or portions may be oriented transverse to others to obtain a knotted appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Jianping Song, Pete Nichols
  • Patent number: 8075821
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a composite having nanofibers uniformly dispersed in a metal, polymer or ceramic matrix. The method comprises mixing the nanofibers with a metallic, polymeric or ceramic material, followed by uniformly dispersing the nanofibers in the material via deformation of the metal, polymer or ceramic matrix by application of mechanical energy to the material; and imparting a directionality to the nanofibers via application of a mechanical mass flowing process to a composite material with the nanofibers uniformly dispersed in the metal, polymer or ceramic matrix. With the method, since the nanofibers can be uniformly dispersed in the metal, polymer or ceramic matrix via a simple mechanical process, the composite can be manufactured through a simple process, thereby enhancing manufacturing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Carbon Nano Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Dong-Hyun Bae, Sung-Woon Lee, Dae-Yeol Lee, Seok-Min Moon, Sang-Jun Bae
  • Publication number: 20110291315
    Abstract: A method for arranging nanotube elements within nanotube fabric layers and films is disclosed. A directional force is applied over a nanotube fabric layer to render the fabric layer into an ordered network of nanotube elements. That is, a network of nanotube elements drawn together along their sidewalls and substantially oriented in a uniform direction. In some embodiments this directional force is applied by rolling a cylindrical element over the fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by passing a rubbing material over the surface of a nanotube fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by running a polishing material over the nanotube fabric layer for a predetermined time. Exemplary rolling, rubbing, and polishing apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. ROBERTS, Hao-Yu LIN, Thomas R. BENGTSON, Thomas RUECKES, Karl ROBINSON, H. Montgomery MANNING, Rahul SEN, Michel MONTEIRO
  • Publication number: 20110275547
    Abstract: A plurality of hard particles 102 is arranged in a mold 302 which suppresses movement of the hard particles 102 so as to be close to each other, and the hard particles 102 arranged in the mold 302 are fixed with resin 103, thereby forming a friction surface 101. Therefore, a pad 100a in which the plurality of hard particles 102 is arranged on the friction surface 101 can be more easily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Abe, Hiroshi Isono, Yoshitomo Denou
  • Patent number: 8033079
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing terrazzo tiles and tiles manufactured in accordance with the method is described. A resin, curing agent, filler, and pigment are poured into a mold. Stone chips are then poured into the mold to settle with the majority at the bottom of the mold. Thereafter, curing occurs to result in rough tiles which are ground and then polished with the upper surface being the resulting tile surface at which the majority of the stones settle. The tiles are assembled onto a floor with grout lines resulting from spacing of the tiles, one from another. Grout is then poured in and skived, and the floor polished to result in a sealed monolithic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: FloorazzoTile, LLC
    Inventor: John H Sich
  • Patent number: 8025497
    Abstract: A method includes steps of extruding rubber or synthetic resin mixed with short fibers from a sectionally annular mold opening, and molding a cylindrical body of rubber or synthetic resin with short fibers oriented in a predetermined direction. The mold opening has an expansion portion 9 whose diameter expands in an extrusion direction, and a flow passage width Wi of an inlet portion 6i of the mold opening, a flow passage width Wo of an outlet portion 6o, and radiuses Ri and Ro of the inlet portion 6i and the outlet portion 6o respectively that are coaxial with the mold opening satisfy a relation of Wo/Wi<Ro/Ri. The value of Ro/Ri is adjusted within a scope of 2?Ro/Ri?8 by changing the radius Ri of the inlet portion according to mechanical properties in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body to be molded, so that orientation of the short fibers is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Bando Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Arao Umeda
  • Patent number: 8021508
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a panel containing wood fibers. The wood material is cut into strands having a thickness and a width perpendicular to the grain direction and a length parallel with the grain direction, the length being significantly greater with respect to the other dimensions. An adhesive is applied to the strands, the glued strands are formed into an assembly, wherein the strands are substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction, and the strands remaining substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction are extruded by applying a thrusting force substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction of the strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Raute Oyj
    Inventor: Andrzei Klemarewski
  • Patent number: 8003028
    Abstract: A method of forming a thermally insulating body that may involve co-depositing onto a substrate, particles containing aerogel material, particles containing phase change material, and a solution containing a binder and a carrier. The phase change material may have encapsulated phase change material particles in which a phase change substance encapsulated within durable capsules transitions from a solid to a liquid at a temperature greater than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The carrier may be removed after the co-deposition to form a solid thermally insulating body on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Stanley A. Lawton
  • Publication number: 20110182821
    Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic tracer material for use in magnetic particle imaging and a manufacturing method thereof. The magnetic tracer material comprises clusters of a plurality of magnetic particles that are clustered in a controlled way to form individual entities, for example, stabilized oil droplets, solid emulsion particles, liposomes, polymersomes or vesicles, or naturally occurring biological entities such as cells or viruses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Holger Gruell, Hans Marc Bert Boeve, Denis Markov
  • Publication number: 20110174519
    Abstract: A wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes. An electromagnetic shield for a wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers, in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers are arranged circumferentially about the wire with the fiber axes parallel to the wire. A self-shielded wire includes 1) a wire that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes; and 2) an electromagnetic shield that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The axes of the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the wire and the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the electromagnetic shield share are parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Applied Nanostructured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tushar K. Shah, Daniel J. Adcock, Harry C. Malecki
  • Publication number: 20110175250
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a flexible display substrate having low moisture permeability and low oxygen permeability, the flexible display substrate being mounted with an organic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: CHOON SUP YOON
  • Patent number: 7976720
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite magnetic sheet having a high magnetic permeability, to be produced easily at a low cost. The composite magnetic sheet includes magnetic substance powders and polytetrafluoroethylene powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sumida Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20110150602
    Abstract: A molded part and a method for producing the molded part. The molded part is rotationally symmetrical or at least partially annular in cross section and formed by a plasticized polymeric mass containing fibers being injected through an injection opening into a cavity of a molding tool. Once the polymeric mass has solidified, the molded part is removed from the tool. Injection into the cavity takes place through at least two injection openings in such a way that the fibers are aligned predominantly in the main stress directions of axial tension and torsion in the molded part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Günter Sieper, Peik-Christian Witte
  • Publication number: 20110114394
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a matrix tool body comprising placing a first matrix material within a first region of a mold cavity proximate a surface of the mold. A second matrix material may be placed within a second region of the mold cavity positioned inwardly of the first matrix material. The first matrix material and the second matrix material comprise a plurality of hard particles. The plurality of hard particles of the second matrix material have a median particle size that is less than the median particle size of the first matrix material. The plurality of hard particles of the first matrix material and the second matrix material are infiltrated with an infiltration binder to form the tool body. Also included are tool bodies having one or more regions proximate a surface of the tool body comprising an erosion resistant matrix material and/or a wear resistant matrix material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lockwood, Youhe Zhang, Yuri Burhan
  • Patent number: 7938996
    Abstract: Process, apparatus, compositions and application modes are provided that relate to nanofiber spinning without the use of superacids in the spinning solution. The methods employ either acids or bases for a flocculation solution. The advances disclosed therein enable the use of nanofibers, including carbon nanotubes, for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, electromechanical actuators, supercapacitors, electronic textiles, and in devices for electrical energy harvesting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Mikhail Kozlov, Von Howard Ebron, Ryan Capps, John P. Ferraris
  • Patent number: 7935297
    Abstract: A method of forming an array of pointed structures comprises depositing a ferrofluid on a substrate, applying a magnetic field to the ferrofluid to generate an array of surface protrusions, and solidifying the surface protrusions to form the array of pointed structures. The pointed structures may have a tip radius ranging from approximately 10 nm to approximately 25 ?m. Solidifying the surface protrusions may be carried out at a temperature ranging from approximately 10 degrees C. to approximately 30 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Diane E. Pugel
  • Patent number: 7931838
    Abstract: Nano-composite membranes and methods for making them are described. The nano-composite membranes a made from a layer of oriented carbon nanotubes fixed in a polymeric matrix. Methods for efficient, facile, and inexpensive fabrication of the nano-composite membranes using a filtration method are also described. The carbon nanotubes may also be modified with chemical functional groups to promote their orientation in the carbon nanotube layer or to confer to them other properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Eva Marand, Sangil Kim
  • Patent number: 7879272
    Abstract: An oriented thermoplastic elastomer film having reduced permeability and improved fatigue resistance comprising a dynamically vulcanized polymer blend of (A) a halogenated isobutylene elastomer and (B) polyamide, the film is produced by casting or blowing the above polymer blend under the condition such that a shear rate at a die lip for casting or blowing is regulated to control the molecular arrangement in the film, whereby the planar birefringence (PBR) of the resultant film becomes greater or equal to 0.002 and a production process of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Chemicals Patents, Inc., The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Soeda, Andy Haishung Tsou, Foshee Joyce Caraway
  • Patent number: 7879270
    Abstract: A process for producing a dilatation balloon by extruding a multiblock copolymer composition to form an extrudate comprising phase-separated glassy, rubber, and semicrystalline microdomains that are macroscopically ordered in a perpendicular alignment. The balloon formed by the process demonstrates, during inflation, a true stress vs. nominal strain response curve comprising a first zone representative of a low modulus balloon, a second zone representative of a high strength balloon, and a sharp transition from the first zone to the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Medtronic, Inc, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Ashish Varma, Kimberly A. Chaffin, Frank Bates, Marc Hillmyer, Lisa Lim
  • Publication number: 20100320634
    Abstract: A process for producing a dilatation balloon by extruding a multiblock copolymer composition to form an extrudate comprising phase-separated glassy, rubber, and semicrystalline microdomains that are macroscopically ordered in a perpendicular alignment. The balloon formed by the process demonstrates, during inflation, a true stress vs. nominal strain response curve comprising a first zone representative of a low modulus balloon, a second zone representative of a high strength balloon, and a sharp transition from the first zone to the second zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Ashish Varma, Kimberly A. Chaffin, Frank Bates, Marc Hillmyer, Lisa Lim
  • Patent number: 7854878
    Abstract: A method including providing Au-doped Co nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include a combination of non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles each have an exterior surface. The surfaces of the nanoparticles are functionalized with 7-(5-uracil-ylcarbamoyl)heptanoic acid. A polymer is provided having a general formula including a uracil group. A dispersion is formed by agitating a solution of the nanoparticles. The solution is spin cast into a film. The film is heated under vacuum at a first temperature, TFM, resulting in inducing ferromagnetism in the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and converting the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles to ferromagnetic nanoparticles, and resulting in enhancing ferromagnetism in the weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are aligned such that magnetic easy axes of the nanoparticles are oriented by applying a magnetic field to the dispersion while at a second temperature less than TFM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Lupton Hedrick, Delia Jane Milliron, Alshakim Nelson, Russell Clayton Pratt
  • Publication number: 20100297372
    Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced building product from garbage, comprising the steps of sorting garbage, shredding plastics within the garbage, shredding fibers within the garbage, heating the shredded plastics, forming a slurry from the plastics and fibers, disposing the slurry within an extrusion cavity, extruding the fluid through a venturi, and allowing the extruded materials to cool. Garbage is separated into plastics, fibers, and other materials. Plastics are shredded to facilitate melting. Fibers are shredded to macroscopic lengths no greater than a maximum internal diameter of a venturi. The plastics are melted. The melted plastics are mixed with fibers and other material to form a slurry that is extruded from a cavity through a venturi, thereby causing significant alignment of the shredded fibers within the slurry in an outer region of the extruded slurry. Cooled, there is reinforced building material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Al Braun, JR., Daryl D. Reavis, Michael W. Starkweather
  • Publication number: 20100272577
    Abstract: A jet vane for use in streams of hot gas, comprising a wing having a core area and a cover skin area surrounding the core area, is proposed. The cover skin area is made of a fiber-reinforced material, and the fibers in the cover skin area are oriented substantially parallel to the wing surface, and/or the cover skin area is made of a fiber-reinforced material that is reinforced with short fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Heidenreich, Christian Zuber
  • Publication number: 20100271253
    Abstract: A radar absorbing composite includes a (CNT)-infused fiber material disposed in at least a portion of a matrix material. The composite absorbs radar in a frequency range from about 0.10 Megahertz to about 60 Gigahertz. The CNT-infused fiber material forms a first layer that reduces radar reflectance and a second layer that dissipates the energy of the radar. A method of manufacturing this composite includes disposing a CNT-infused fiber material in a portion of a matrix material with a controlled orientation of the CNT-infused fiber material within the matrix material, and curing the matrix material. The composite can be formed into a panel which is adaptable as a structural component of a transport vessel or missile for use in stealth applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Tushar K. SHAH, Harry C. MALECKI
  • Patent number: 7776243
    Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced building product from garbage, comprising the steps of sorting garbage, shredding plastics within the garbage, shredding fibers within the garbage, heating the shredded plastics, forming a slurry from the plastics and fibers, disposing the slurry within an extrusion cavity, extruding the fluid through a venturi, and allowing the extruded materials to cool. Garbage is separated into plastics, fibers, and other materials. Plastics are shredded to facilitate melting. Fibers are shredded to macroscopic lengths no greater than a maximum internal diameter of a venturi. The plastics are melted. The melted plastics are mixed with fibers and other material to form a slurry that is extruded from a cavity through a venturi, thereby causing significant alignment of the shredded fibers within the slurry in an outer region of the extruded slurry. Cooled, there is reinforced building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventors: Al Braun, Jr., Daryl D. Reavis, Michael W. Starkweather
  • Patent number: 7744802
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to provide a dielectric film material with a controllable coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A first compound containing a first liquid crystalline component is formed. The first compound is cast into a first film. The first film is oriented in an magnetic or electromagnetic field in a first direction. The first film is cured at a first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Matayabas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7703697
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus for aligning needle-like structures. The apparatus includes a tapered nozzle having an entrance and a discharge opening. The nozzle is tapered in such a manner that its diameter decreases towards the discharge opening. The diameter of the nozzle at the entrance is larger than the length of the needle-like structures, and the diameter of the discharge opening is larger than the diameter of the needle-like structures and smaller than the length of the needle-like structures. By passing through the nozzle, the needle-like structures are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Tsuruoka, Kazuo Iwata, Takashi Mori, Hidehito Takayama, Eiichi Motai
  • Publication number: 20100092723
    Abstract: Disclosed are a nano-composite composition and a method of making such a composite that is composed of a matrix material and dispersed reinforcement nano-scaled graphene plates (NGPs) that are substantially aligned along at least one specified direction or axis. The method comprises: (a) providing a mixture of nano-scaled graphene plates (NGPs) and a matrix material in a fluent state; (b) extruding the mixture to form a filament wherein NGPs are aligned along a filament axis; (c) aligning a plurality of segments of the filament in a first direction, or moving the filament back and forth along a first direction and its opposite direction, to form a NGP-matrix filament preform; and (d) consolidating the preform to form the nanocomposite material. Also disclosed is a method of making a nano-composite fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Jiusheng Guo, Lulu Song, Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Publication number: 20100084791
    Abstract: A method of fabricating micro- and nano-scale fiber comprises: spreading micro- and nano-scale particles into a liquid or fluid-like material prior to forcing portions of the liquid or fluid-like material that surround the particles to depart from the original liquid or fluid-like environment by using a force field; stretching to elongate the portions of the liquid or fluid-like material until the free ends of the stretched portions stop motion to complete fiber or fiber-like structures in micro- and nano-scales.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Xingtao Wu, Yong Shi
  • Publication number: 20100059900
    Abstract: A translucent composite material that can be used in various airplane interior applications that allows sufficient light transmissivity while preferably meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flammability requirements for overhead materials in the cabin of a commercial aircraft. The material also meets FAA standards regarding vertical burn, smoke emissions tests, and toxic fume emissions tests. The composite material is formed by laminating long glass fibers and (PPSU) into a composite sheet under controlled heat and pressure. The composite sheet is then cut, bent or thermoformed to form the desired part. The parts formed are available for a wide variety of uses within the passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft. The long glass fibers may be unidirectional or weaved into a glass cloth like material. While preferably formed for airplane interior applications, these components may also be used in other aerospace or non-aerospace applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel W. Cushing, Eugene A. Jackson, Keith H. Novak, David N. Dunn, Gregory R. Bell