With Carbonizing, Then Adding Carbonizable Material And Recarbonizing Patents (Class 264/29.5)
  • Patent number: 11655152
    Abstract: A carbon foam comprising linear portions and node portions joining the linear portions, wherein the linear portions have a diameter of 0.1 ?m or more and 10.0 ?m or less, and the carbon foam has a surface with an area of 100 cm2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Suzuki, Junya Yamashita, Shozo Takada
  • Patent number: 11584651
    Abstract: A porous carbon that has an extremely high specific surface area while being crystalline, and a method of manufacturing the porous carbon are provided. A porous carbon has mesopores 4 and a carbonaceous wall 3 constituting an outer wall of the mesopores 4, wherein the carbonaceous wall 3 has a portion forming a layered structure. The porous carbon is fabricated by mixing a polyamic acid resin 1 as a carbon precursor with magnesium oxide 2 as template particles; heat-treating the mixture in a nitrogen atmosphere at 1000° C. for 1 hour to cause the polyamic acid resin to undergo heat decomposition; washing the resultant sample with a sulfuric acid solution at a concentration of 1 mol/L to dissolve MgO away; and heat-treating the noncrystalline porous carbon in a nitrogen atmosphere at 2500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TOYO TANSO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Morishita, Hironori Orikasa, Makoto Tatsumi, Naoto Ohta, Masaki Okada
  • Patent number: 11384809
    Abstract: A sintered friction material includes a copper component in an amount of 0.5% by mass or less, a titanate as a matrix, a ceramic material, and a lubricant. A method for manufacturing a sintered friction material includes a step of mixing raw materials including a titanate for forming a matrix, a step of molding the raw materials, and a step of sintering a molded body molded in the molding step. In the method, a sintering temperature in the sintering step is 900° C. to 1300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: AKEBONO BRAKE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Takahashi, Katsuhiro Onodera, Atsushi Ueno
  • Patent number: 10401028
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a structural component and a sacrificial layer, and method for producing the same. The structural component may comprise silicon carbide fibers within a silicon carbide matrix. The sacrificial layer may be joined to the structural component and may comprising unarranged ceramic fibers, wherein the sacrificial layer may comprise a volume fiber fraction lower than a volume fiber fraction of the structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce American Technologies, Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Thomas D. Nixon, Sean E. Landwehr, Aaron D. Sippel, Donald W. Reinhart
  • Patent number: 10371222
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fibrous preform, comprising an annulus having at least one of an outer diameter portion or an inner diameter portion, the outer diameter portion extending radially inward from an outer diameter of the fibrous preform and the inner diameter portion extending radially outward from an inner diameter of the fibrous preform. In various embodiments, the fibrous preform further comprises a medial diameter portion disposed between the outer diameter and the inner diameter, wherein the medial diameter portion comprises a first needling profile, and the at least one of the outer diameter portion or the inner diameter portion comprises a second needling profile. In various embodiments, the first needling profile is less than the second needling profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 10309012
    Abstract: A wafer carrier for carrying solar cell wafers during a deposition process is described. The carrier is coated with pyrolytic carbon, silicon carbide, or a ceramic material, and is adapted to receive and support the wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongkee Chae, Jiunn Benjamin Heng, Jianming Fu, Zheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10113095
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to the manufacture of a reinforced graphitic material. One example provides a method for making a reinforced graphitic material including sorbing an organic compound into void space of a graphitic host material, and heating the graphitic host material to pyrolyze the sorbed organic compound. Elemental carbon is thereby deposited in the void space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Erin Hurbi
  • Patent number: 10099407
    Abstract: It is sometimes advantageous to coat or seal the mandrel before laying on, coating, or wrapping the mandrel with composite plastic material. This invention provides improved coating with improved function that is easily removable from the cured product. The effective coating materials are applied directly to the mandrel as a coat or as a film or tape. Thermally expandable coat or film also reduces manufacturing costs for composite plastic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Matt Wallen
  • Patent number: 9938618
    Abstract: A novel new method for rapidly and efficiently depositing carbon on and within or densifying carbon fiber preforms, porous substrates and close packed particulates by pyrolitic carbon in the structures of isotropic, anisotropic, graphitic, amorphous, lonsdaleite, and diamond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tod J. Policandriotes, Jarlen Don
  • Patent number: 9713905
    Abstract: The presently disclosed technology relates to carbon-on-carbon (C/C) manufacturing techniques and the resulting C/C products. One aspect of the manufacturing techniques disclosed herein utilizes two distinct curing operations that occur at different times and/or using different temperatures. The resulting C/C products are substantially non-porous, even though the curing operation(s) substantially gasify a liquid carbon-entrained filler material that saturates a carbon fabric that makes up the C/C products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory S. Mungas, Larry Buchanan, Jose T. Banzon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9657139
    Abstract: A liquid resol-type phenolic resin obtained by reacting a phenol (A), and a secondary and/or tertiary alkylamine compound (B) in the presence of a basic catalyst. The nitrogen content relative to the total weight of the liquid resol-type phenolic resin is preferably from 3 to 30% by weight. Further, the secondary and/or tertiary alkylamine compound (B) is preferably hexamethylenetetramine. Moreover, the molar ratio between the phenol (A) and the secondary and/or tertiary alkylamine compound (B) preferably satisfies (B)/(A)=0.13 to 0.35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO BAKELITE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9543110
    Abstract: An ion source chamber for ion implantation system includes a housing that at least partially bounds an ionization region through which high energy electrons move from a cathode to ionize gas molecules injected into an interior of the housing; a liner section defining one or more interior walls of the housing interior, wherein each liner section includes a interiorly facing surface exposed to the ionization region during operation the ion implantation system; a cathode shield disposed about the cathode; a repeller spaced apart from the cathode; a plate including a source aperture for discharging ions from the ion source chamber; wherein at least one of the repeller, the liner section, the cathode shield; the plate, or an insert in the plate defining the source aperture comprise silicon carbide, wherein the silicon carbide is a non-stoichiometric sintered material having excess carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Neil Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9458703
    Abstract: A carbonaceous particulate material is provided that is characterized by having a reversible volumetric expansion/contraction in fluid media (“VR”) of greater than or equal to (?)3% between 4,000 psi and 10,000 psi. The porous carbonaceous particulate material of the present disclosure is also characterized by having a true density, (“PT”), of 1.2 g/cc?PT?2.0 g/cc, when milled to ?200 mesh and has a d50 particle size distribution of about 15 ?m. This is the consequence of the instant material exhibiting a high level of closed porosity with very small pores, in contrast with prior art materials that would have a wider range pore sizes for the closed pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Superior Graphite Co.
    Inventors: Changjun Zhou, Richard D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9376348
    Abstract: A process for obtaining granules for manufacturing a silicon carbide based sintered product, includes a) mixing a powder of silicon carbide SiC particles, whose average diameter d50 is at least about 2 micrometers with a powder of a boron compound particles, whose average diameter d50 is at least about 2 micrometers, the SiC particles content being more than 90% by weight of the powder mixture; b) co-milling the powder mixture until the overall average diameter d50 of the resulting particles is between 0.3 and 1 micrometers; c) chemically treating the powder mixture by base solution and acid wash; d) mixing the powder mixture of c) with 1 to 10% by weight, based upon the silicon carbide content, of a carbon containing resin having a water miscibility of more than 10:50, as measured according to the ISO8989 standard, and e) spray-drying the resulting mixture of d), to generate the granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMIC MATERIALS AS
    Inventors: Vidar Johannessen, Jostein Mosby
  • Patent number: 9272950
    Abstract: In some examples, a technique for forming a partially densified preform including ceramic particles may include mixing a densifying agent with metal oxide particles or metal oxide precursor to form a blended densifying agent, infiltrating the blended densifying agent in to a porous preform, pyrolyzing the infiltrated preform to convert the densifying agent to carbon and form a partially densified preform, and heat treating the partially densified preform to react at least some of the carbon with the metal oxide particles to form ceramic particles. Composite materials formed from porous preforms in which a blended densifying agent is disposed in pores of the preform are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Akshay Waghray, Richard Donaldson, Mark L. La Forest
  • Publication number: 20150069646
    Abstract: A technique of forming a carbon-carbon composite material may include infusing pyrolysis oil into a porous preform, polymerizing at least some components of the pyrolysis oil infused in the preform to form a phenolic resin, and pyrolyzing the phenolic resin to form a partially densified preform. Carbon-carbon composites formed from porous preforms in which pyrolysis oil comprising a phenolic compound and at least one of an aldehyde or ketone compound is disposed in pores of the preform are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Michalakos, Francis Stephen Lupton
  • Patent number: 8721954
    Abstract: In some examples, a method for densifying a material via pitch comprises inserting the material to be densified into a mold, wherein the mold is part of an apparatus. The apparatus may include a ram configured to apply a ram pressure sufficient to force a pitch into the mold to densify the material, a gas source configured to apply a gas pressure sufficient to force the pitch into the mold to densify the material, and a vacuum source operable to create a vacuum pressure in the mold at least prior to application of either the ram pressure or the gas pressure. The method may further comprise densifying the material in the mold via pitch using a selectable one of the ram, the gas source, the ram and the vacuum source, or the gas source and the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Roger L. Klinedinst, David M. Wright
  • Patent number: 8703027
    Abstract: Methods and compositions relate to manufacturing a carbonaceous article from particles that have pitch coatings. Heating the particles that are formed into a shape of the article carbonizes the pitch coatings. The particles interconnect with one another due to being formed into the shape of the article and are fixed together where the pitch coatings along adjoined ones of the particles contact one another and are carbonized to create the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Zhenhua Mao
  • Patent number: 8673450
    Abstract: The problem of the present invention is to provide, in high current-low energy type ion implantation apparatuses, a graphite member for a beam line inner member of an ion implantation apparatus, which graphite member can markedly reduce particles incorporated in a wafer surface. This problem can be solved by the graphite member of the present invention, which is a graphite member for a beam line inner member of an ion implantation apparatus, which member having a bulk density of not less than 1.80 Mg/m3 and an electric resistivity of not more than 9.5 ??·m. Preferably, the R value obtained by dividing D band intensity at 1370 cm?1 by G band intensity at 1570 cm?1 in the Raman spectrum of a spontaneous fracture surface of the graphite member is not more than 0.20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Saito, Fumiaki Yokoyama, Hitoshi Suzuki, Atsuko Ando, Tetsuro Tojo, Seiji Shinohara
  • Patent number: 8673188
    Abstract: A carbon/carbon part and a process for making carbon/carbon parts is provided. The process involves forming steps, carbonization steps and densification steps. The forming steps may include needling fibrous layers to form fibers that extend in three directions. The carbonization steps may include applying pressure to increase the fiber volume ratio of the fibrous preform. The densification steps may include filling the voids of the fibrous preform with a carbon matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Linck, Chris T. Kirkpatrick
  • Publication number: 20140045072
    Abstract: Inexpensive product consisting of porous carbon, with a pore structure which is suitable for retaining electrode parts which can be used in particular for a use as an electrode material for a lithium-sulphur secondary battery, and a method comprising the following method steps: (a) providing a template consisting of inorganic material which contains spherical nanoparticles and pores, (b) infiltrating the pores of the template with a precursor for carbon of a first variety, (c) carbonizing so as to form an inner layer on the nanoparticles with a first microporosity, (d) infiltrating the remaining pores of the template with a precursor substance for carbon of a second variety, (e) carbonizing the precursor substance, wherein an outer layer with a second microporosity which is lower than the first microporosity is produced on the inner layer, and (f) removing the template so as to form the carbon product with layer composite structure, comprising an inner layer consisting carbon with a first, relatively high mic
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HERAEUS QUARZGLAS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Neumann, Jörg Becker
  • Publication number: 20140037878
    Abstract: A method of forming a three dimensional fibre structure is disclosed which comprises the steps of a) providing a starting material which comprises liquid carrier, fibres and binder; b) passing the starting material over a substrate so as to deposit fibres onto the substrate; c) forming a three dimensional fibre matrix; and d) curing the binder. The flow of material onto the substrate may be controlled such that the flow of a starting material over the substrate is chaotic and fibres are laid down in a three dimensional structure containing a high proportion of voids. The preform may be pressurised while moist and is cured under pressure. The fibres may comprise carbon fibres; recycled carbon fibre has been found to be particularly useful. The resulting preform may be stochastic and is suitable for use in ablative and braking applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CARBON FIBRE PREFORMS LTD
    Inventors: David BELL, Roy George PRICE
  • Patent number: 8603374
    Abstract: A polymer-bonded fiber agglomerate includes short fibers selected from carbon, ceramic materials, glasses, metals and organic polymers, and a polymeric bonding resin selected from synthetic resins and thermoplastics. The fiber agglomerates have an average length, measured in the fiber direction, of from 3 mm to 50 mm and an average thickness, measured perpendicularly to the fiber direction, of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm. At least 75% of all of the contained fibers have a length which is at least 90% and not more than 110% of the fiber agglomerate average length. A fiber-reinforced composite material having the fiber agglomerate and processes for the production thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SGL Carbon SE
    Inventors: Peter Domagalski, Alfred Haeusler, Ingrid Kraetschmer, Andreas Kienzle, Dieter Wuestner
  • Patent number: 8574470
    Abstract: Method of joining a carbon-carbon composite piece 30 together with a metal insert 20, e.g. in the manufacture of aircraft brake discs 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Honeywell International Inc., The University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: Allen H. Simpson, Mark L. La Forest, Alexander Mukasyan
  • Patent number: 8454867
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of carbon-carbon composite brake discs comprises (a) heat treating a carbon-carbon composite preform in the shape of a brake disc at 1600-2540° C., (b) directly following heat treating, subjecting the heat-treated preform to Chemical Vapor Deposition/Chemical Vapor Infiltration processing, (c) infiltrating the preform with an isotropic low to medium char-yield pitch derived from coal tar, employing Vacuum Pitch Infiltration processing or Resin Transfer Molding Processing, (d) stabilizing and carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated preform (e) machining the surfaces of the resulting carbonized preform, and (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) at least two additional times to raise the density of the carbon-carbon composite preform to at least approximately 1.75 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8268208
    Abstract: Method for producing carbon-carbon composite brake discs by: (a) providing annular nonwoven carbon fiber brake disc preforms; (b) carbonizing the brake disc preforms; (c) densifying the carbonized preforms by CVD/CVI (chemical vapor deposition/chemical vapor infiltration); (d) densifying the products of step (c) with isotropic or mesophase pitch by VPI (vacuum pitch infiltration) or RTM (resin transfer molding) processing; (e) carbonizing the preforms to remove non-carbon volatiles from the pitch and to open porosity in the pitch-infused preforms; (f) densifying the products of step (e) with isotropic or mesophase pitch by VPI or RTM processing; (g) carbonizing the preforms to remove non-carbon volatiles from pitch and to open porosity in the pitch-infused preforms; and (h) heat-treating the resulting pitch-densified carbon-carbon composite brake disc preforms. This manufacturing approach reduces lot-to-lot variability in friction performance of the resulting carbon-carbon composite brake discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8268207
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pitch-based carbon-carbon composite useful as a brake disc, includes (a) providing annular carbon fiber brake disc preform; (b) heat-treating the carbon fiber preform; (c) infiltrating the carbon fiber preform with pitch feedstock by VPI or RTM processing; (d) carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated carbon fiber preform; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to achieve a density in the carbon fiber preform of approximately 1.5 g/cc to below 1.7 g/cc; and (f) densifying the preform by CVI/CVD processing to a density higher than 1.7 g/cc. Employing lower cost VPI and/or RTM processing in early pitch densification cycles and using more expensive CVI/CVD processing only in the last densification cycle provides C-C composites in which the pitch-based components resist pullout, resulting in a longer wearing composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20120104641
    Abstract: A pitch densification apparatus may be used to form a carbon-carbon composite material. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to pitch densify a material using one or more of a plurality of different pitch densification techniques. For example, the apparatus may densify a material with a selectable one of the resin transfer molding cycle, the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding cycle, and/or the vacuum pressure infiltration cycle. The apparatus may respond to initial or changing properties of a material to be densified. In some additional examples, the apparatus includes a mold configured to receive a preform and a portion of solid pitch separate from the preform. The apparatus may include a heating source thermally coupled to the mold that is configured to heat the solid pitch above a melting temperature of the solid pitch. The apparatus may melt the pitch without external pitch melting equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Roger L. Klinedinst, David M. Wright
  • Patent number: 8133306
    Abstract: A gas diffusion substrate includes a non-woven network of carbon fibres, the carbon fibres are graphitised but the non-woven network has not been subjected to a graphitisation process. A mixture of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer is disposed within the network. The longest dimension of at least 90% of the graphitic particles is less than 100 ?m. A process for manufacturing gas diffusion substrates includes depositing a slurry of graphitised carbon fibres onto a porous bed forming a wet fibre network, preparing a suspension of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer, applying onto, and pulling the suspension into, the network, and drying and firing the network. Another process includes mixing a first slurry of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer with a second slurry of graphitised carbon fibres and liquid forming a third slurry, depositing the third slurry onto a porous bed forming a fibre-containing layer, and drying and firing the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company, Technical Fibre Products Limited
    Inventors: George Thomas Quayle, Julia Margaret Rowe, Jonathan David Brereton Sharman, Julian Andrew Siodlak, Nigel Julian Walker, Andrew James Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8105512
    Abstract: An infiltrated carbon foam composite and method for making the composite is described. The infiltrated carbon foam composite may include a carbonized carbon aerogel in cells of a carbon foam body and a resin is infiltrated into the carbon foam body filling the cells of the carbon foam body and spaces around the carbonized carbon aerogel. The infiltrated carbon foam composites may be useful for mid-density ablative thermal protection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick D. Lucas, Harry E. Danford, Janusz W. Plucinski, Douglas J. Merriman, Jesse M. Blacker
  • Patent number: 8058197
    Abstract: This invention provides carbon composite materials, which comprise metal carbide particles, at least the particle surfaces or the entirety of which are metal carbides, synthesized in situ from a metal source, i.e., at least one member selected from the group comprising metal particles, metal oxide particles, and composite metal oxide particles, and a carbon source, i.e., a thermosetting resin, dispersed in a carbon, carbon fiber, or carbon/carbon fiber matrix, and contain no free metal particles. This invention also provides a method for producing such composite carbon materials, which enables the production of carbon composite materials having a high coefficient of friction, high thermostability, and abrasion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Ichikawa, Sumio Kamiya, Koji Yamada, Hironori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8048515
    Abstract: A graphite material includes a plurality of graphite particles and a plurality of pores which form a microstructure. When a cross-section of the microstructure is observed with a scanning electron microscope, the number of the pores appearing on the cross-section is more than 250 or more per 6000 ?m2, an average area of the pores appearing on the cross-section is 5 ?m2 or less, and an average aspect ratio of the pores appearing on the cross-section is 0.55 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nishiwaki, Masahiro Yasuda, Toshiki Ito
  • Publication number: 20110254182
    Abstract: Method for producing carbon-carbon composite brake discs by: (a) providing annular nonwoven carbon fiber brake disc preforms; (b) carbonizing the brake disc preforms; (c) densifying the carbonized preforms by CVD/CVI (chemical vapor deposition/chemical vapor infiltration); (d) densifying the products of step (c) with isotropic or mesophase pitch by VPI (vacuum pitch infiltration) or RTM (resin transfer molding) processing; (e) carbonizing the preforms to remove non-carbon volatiles from the pitch and to open porosity in the pitch-infused preforms; (f) densifying the products of step (e) with isotropic or mesophase pitch by VPI or RTM processing; (g) carbonizing the preforms to remove non-carbon volatiles from pitch and to open porosity in the pitch-infused preforms; and (h) heat-treating the resulting pitch-densified carbon-carbon composite brake disc preforms. This manufacturing approach reduces lot-to-lot variability in friction performance of the resulting carbon-carbon composite brake discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20110221084
    Abstract: Honeycomb silicon carbide composite mirrors and a method of making the mirrors. In a preferred embodiment the mirror is made from a carbon fiber preform molded into a honeycomb shape using a rigid mold. The carbon fiber honeycomb is densified using polymer infiltration pyrolysis or reaction with liquid silicon. A chemical vapor deposited or chemical vapor composite process is utilized to deposit a polishable silicon or silicon carbide cladding on the honey comb structure. Alternatively, the cladding may be replaced by a free standing replicated CVC SiC facesheet that is bonded to the honeycomb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: William Goodman, Clifford T. Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8003026
    Abstract: Method for making carbon-carbon composite friction product, by: fabricating carbon fiber preform; heat-treating the carbon fiber preform; infiltrating the carbon fiber preform with a high carbon-yielding pitch using VPI (vacuum pressure infiltration) or resin transfer molding (RTM) processing; carbonizing the preform with an intermediate heat-treatment at 800-2000° C.; repeating the pitch infiltration and carbonization steps to achieve a final density of >1.75 g/cc; machining the surfaces of the preform; and applying an oxidation protection system. This approach overcomes problems inherent in lower density carbon-carbon composites by employing high carbon-yielding pitches to densify the carbon-carbon composites to a high density. The high carbon yielding pitches may include isotropic pitches, 100% anisotropic (mesophase) pitches, or mixtures of the two. They may be derived from petroleum, coal tar, or synthetic feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark La Forest, Neil Murdie, David R. Cole
  • Patent number: 7998376
    Abstract: Method for producing carbon-carbon composite brake discs by: (a) providing annular nonwoven carbon fiber brake disc preforms; (b) carbonizing the brake disc preforms; (c) densifying the carbonized preforms by CVD/CVI (chemical vapor deposition/chemical vapor infiltration); (d) densifying the products of step (c) with isotropic or mesophase pitch by VPI (vacuum pitch infiltration) or RTM (resin transfer molding) processing; (e) carbonizing the preforms to remove non-carbon volatiles from the pitch and to open porosity in the pitch-infused preforms; (f) densifying the products of step (e) with isotropic or mesophase pitch by VPI or RTM processing; (g) carbonizing the preforms to remove non-carbon volatiles from pitch and to open porosity in the pitch-infused preforms; and (h) heat-treating the resulting pitch-densified carbon-carbon composite brake disc preforms. This manufacturing approach reduces lot-to-lot variability in friction performance of the resulting carbon-carbon composite brake discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7976745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composite polymeric material containing nanometric inorganic inclusions comprising the steps of: mixing a polymer with a thermolytic precursor to provide a homogeneous dispersion of said at least one precursor and of said at least one polymer; subjecting said homogeneous dispersion to heating to provide a molten polymer and thermolytic fission of the precursor, generating the inclusions dispersed in the molten polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
    Inventors: Raffaele Vecchione, Gianfranco Carotenuto, Valeria Casuscelli, Floriana Esposito, Salvatore Leonardi, Luigi Nicolais, Maria Viviana Volpe
  • Publication number: 20110159767
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric which contains pitch-based carbon fibers having a high elongation and a high elastic modulus which are not attained in the prior art and is obtained by improving the tensile elongation of carbon fibers derived from mesophase pitch, a felt obtained from the nonwoven fabric, and production processes therefore. The nonwoven fabric contains pitch-based carbon fibers, wherein the pitch-based carbon fibers have (i) an average fiber diameter (D1) measured by an optical microscope of more than 2 ?m and 20 ?m or less, (ii) a percentage of the degree of fiber diameter distribution (S1) to average fiber diameter (D1) measured by an optical microscope of 3 to 20%, (iii) a tensile elastic modulus of 80 to 300 GPa and (iv) a tensile elongation of 1.4 to 2.5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: TEIJIN LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroshi SAKURAI, Hiroshi HARA, Hiroki SANO, Shuhei ONOUE, Yukio NAKAMOTO, Yoshio OSAWA, Shoichi TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20110156297
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pitch-based carbon-carbon composite useful as a brake disc, includes (a) providing annular carbon fiber brake disc preform; (b) heat-treating the carbon fiber preform; (c) infiltrating the carbon fiber preform with pitch feedstock by VPI or RTM processing; (d) carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated carbon fiber preform; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to achieve a density in the carbon fiber preform of approximately 1.5 g/cc to below 1.7 g/cc; and (f) densifying the preform by CVI/CVD processing to a density higher than 1.7 g/cc. Employing lower cost VPI and/or RTM processing in early pitch densification cycles and using more expensive CVI/CVD processing only in the last densification cycle provides C-C composites in which the pitch-based components resist pullout, resulting in a longer wearing composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20110124253
    Abstract: A carbon/carbon (C/C) composite includes a carbon matrix and a non-woven, carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material. Where woven materials are employed, CNTs are infused on a parent carbon fiber material in a non-woven state. A C/C composite includes a barrier coating on the CNT-infused fiber material. An article is constructed from these (C/C) composites. A method of making a C/C composite includes winding a continuous CNT-infused carbon fiber about a template structure and forming a carbon matrix to provide an initial C/C composite or by dispersing chopped CNT-infused carbon fibers in a carbon matrix precursor to provide a mixture, placing the mixture in a mold, and forming a carbon matrix to provide an initial C/C composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Applied NanoStructured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tushar K. SHAH, Harry C. MALECKI, Murray N. CARSON
  • Patent number: 7938992
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing pitch-densified carbon-carbon composite brake discs from carbon fiber preforms, by the following sequential steps: (a) providing a carbon-carbon composite brake disc preform; (b) heat treating the preform; (c) subjecting the heat-treated preform to Chemical Vapor Deposition/Chemical Vapor Infiltration processing; (d) infiltrating the preform with an isotropic low to medium char-yield pitch by Vacuum Pitch Infiltration processing or Resin Transfer Molding processing; (e) carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated preform; (f) machining the surfaces of the resulting carbonized preform; and (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until the density of the carbon-carbon composite preform is at least 1.70 g/cc. The use of VPI equipment with isotropic, low to medium char-yield pitches for all densification steps following an initial CVD densification reduces capital and pitch materials cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7927523
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing pitch-based carbon-carbon composite useful as a brake disc, by: (a) providing annular carbon fiber brake disc preform; (b) heat-treating the carbon fiber preform; (c) infiltrating the carbon fiber preform with pitch feedstock by VPI or RTM processing; (d) carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated carbon fiber preform; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to achieve a density in the carbon fiber preform of approximately 1.5 g/cc to below 1.7 g/cc; and (f) densifying the preform by CVI/CVD processing to a density higher than 1.7 g/cc. Employing lower cost VPI and/or RTM processing in early pitch densification cycles and using more expensive CVI/CVD processing only in the last densification cycle provides C-C composites in which the pitch-based components resist pullout, resulting in a longer wearing composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7897072
    Abstract: Low cost isotropic and/or mesophase pitch is used to densify carbon fiber preforms by VPI and/or RTM equipment in place of CVI/CVD processing, for reduced manufacturing cycle times and costs and reduced need for expensive densification equipment. The process includes: heat treating a carbon fiber preform; infiltrating the preform with a pitch feedstock by VPI and/or RTM; carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated carbon fiber preform at 1200-2450° C. with a hold time of 4 hrs to ensure the entire furnace reaches the max temperature; repetition of the pitch infiltration and carbonization steps until the density of the preform is about 1.7 g/cc or higher; and a final heat-treatment of the densified composite. Brake discs manufactured in this way have higher densities and better thermal characteristics, which result in improved mechanical properties and friction and wear performance as compared with conventional CVI/CVD-densified brake discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Neil Murdie, Allen H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7785447
    Abstract: Closed apparatus and processes by which carbon feedstock is composed of a mixture of non-coking coal fines and another carbonaceous material, such as waste coke fines, are described. The coal and coke fines are mixed together and may be formed into solid pieces. The mixture alone or as solid pieces is fired through pyrolyzation into solid pieces of coke, with solid and gaseous by-products of pyrolyzation being recycled for use within the coke-producing closed system, thereby reducing or eliminating release of undesirable substances to the environment. A char-forming binder may or may not be added to the carbon mixture prior to pyrolyzation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Combustion Resources, LLC
    Inventors: Craig N. Eatough, Jon S. Heaton, Steven R. Eatough
  • Patent number: 7763192
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing composite wheel beam key by: forming entirely from carbon fiber precursors or from carbon fiber precursors and ceramic materials a fibrous preform blank in a shape of a desired wheel beam key, wherein the fiber volume fraction of the preform blank is at least 50%; carbonizing the carbon fiber precursors; rigidifying the carbonized preform blank by subjecting it to at least one cycle of CVD; grinding the surface of the preform blank to open pores on its surface; and subjecting the open-pored preform blank to RTM processing with pitch. Also, carbon-carbon composite or carbon-ceramic composite wheel beam key produced by this process, having a density of from 1.5 g/cc to 2.1 g/cc and a maximum internal porosity of 10% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Allen H. Simpson, Mark L. La Forest, Slawomir T. Fryska
  • Patent number: 7736554
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part out of impervious thermostructural composite material, the method comprising forming a porous substrate from at least one fiber reinforcement made of refractory fibers, and densifying the reinforcement by a first phase of carbon and by a second phase of silicon carbide. The method then continues by impregnating the porous substrate with a composition based on molten silicon so as to fill in the pores of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Jacques Thebault, Clément Bouquet, Michel Laxague, Hervé Evrard
  • Patent number: 7718101
    Abstract: A process for producing a friction material based on a sheet-like carbon fiber woven fabric for wet-friction elements, such as clutch linings or synchronizing ring linings. The woven fabric of carbon fibers is impregnated with a binder, in particular with a resin, to form a binder-impregnated fiber material. The prepreg is cured for a curing period under a curing temperature which is elevated with respect to the ambient temperature and is pressed mechanically on its surfaces with a pressing mold before the start and/or at least during part of the curing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: SGL Carbon SE
    Inventors: Udo Gruber, Sebastian Grasser, Eugen Pfitzmaier, Reiner Bode, Gernot Hochegger
  • Patent number: 7708810
    Abstract: A gas permeable, carbon based, nanocomposite membrane comprises a nanoporous carbon matrix comprising a pyrolyzed polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles of carbon or an inorganic compound disposed in the matrix. The matrix is prepared by pyrolyzing a polymer, and nanoparticles of the particulate material are disposed in the polymer prior to pyrolysis. The particles may be disposed in a precursor of the polymer, which precursor is subsequently polymerized, or in the polymer itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Henry C. Foley, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Anna R. Merritt
  • Patent number: 7700014
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing dense carbon-carbon composite material by: infiltrating a fibrous preform with pitch to form pitch-infiltrated preform; carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated preform; injecting resin or pitch into the preform in a mold; oxygen stabilizing the filled preform and carbonizing and heat-treating the oxygen-stabilized impregnated preform; and subjecting the preform to a single final cycle of chemical vapor deposition. This process reduces densification time as compared to comparable conventional carbon-carbon composite manufacturing procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Allen H. Simpson, Slawomir T. Fryska, Mark L. La Forest, Barry P. Soos
  • Publication number: 20100078839
    Abstract: A pitch densification process which is widely applicable in the densification of carbon fiber preforms and stabilized pitch fiber preforms. The process includes: (a.) introducing liquid pitch into a fibrous carbon preform; (b.) carbonizing the pitch-impregnated preform by heating it in the absence of oxidizing agents; and subsequently (c.) further densifying the carbonized pitch-impregnated preform. The pitch used for densification may be coal tar pitch, petroleum pitch, or synthetic pitch. The softening point of the pitch will normally range from 100° C. to 340° C., depending upon the properties to be imparted to the finished product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Allen H. Simpson, Slawomir T. Fryska, Mark L. La Forest