Electrical Heating (e.g., Resistance Heat, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/404)
  • Patent number: 11181321
    Abstract: A ceramic liner can include a monolithic body having a surface portion and a bulk portion. The surface portion can have a thickness less than the total thickness of the monolithic body. The monolithic body can include an amorphous phase. The amorphous phase can be discontinuous. At least one member of the discontinuous phase can be embedded in the surface portion. The bulk portion can be substantially free of the amorphous phase. A method of forming a ceramic liner can include providing a furnace with a coating and a bulk material of the ceramic liner and heating the bulk material and the coating. In an embodiment, a coated lining form can be used to provide the coating. In a particular embodiment, the coating can be transferred to the bulk material from the coated lining form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: John Carl Walsh, III, Michael P. Schnelzer, Edmund A. Cortellini
  • Patent number: 9149069
    Abstract: A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Garrett, Zeming Gou, Lawton E. Kizer, Raymond M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 9138550
    Abstract: A non-heating tobacco flavor suction device (1) comprises a suction holder (2) with a suction path defined inside and a filler (8) arranged in the suction path. The filler (8) is formed of tobacco particles. The suction path and the filler (8) arranged therein provide a ventilation resistance of between about 40 and about 80 mmAq in cooperation with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu Takeuchi, Michihiro Inagaki, Morio Yajima, Kazuhiko Katayama, Atsuro Yamada, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 8974215
    Abstract: A heating mold for thermal nanoimprint lithography is disclosed. According to one aspect, the mold includes a resistive heating element and collecting element for collecting the electromagnetic energy of a variable electromagnetic field emitted by a source located outside the mold. The collecting element being connected to the resistive heating element in which the electromagnetic energy is dissipated. A method for manufacturing the mold, a thermal nanoimprint lithography device including the mold, and a a method for preparing a substrate including a surface nanostructured by a thermal nanoimprint lithography technique using the mold is applied are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Stefan Landis, Sergio Nicoletti
  • Publication number: 20150054199
    Abstract: Heated mould cavities of injection-moulding dies require long heating and cooling phases, with the result that the production unit numbers are low, the unit costs are high and the degree of efficiency is low as a result of the energy for temperature control. It is therefore a problem of the invention to eliminate or to reduce these disadvantages. According to the invention, this is solved by virtue of the fact that a die insert for delimiting, at least in sections, a mould cavity which is configured in a moulding plate of an injection-moulding die for producing components from a flowable material is provided with a main body which has a shaping front side for the mould cavity and a rear side which lies opposite the shaping front side, wherein the main body carries a layer heating means on the shaping front side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Herbert Guenther, Torsten Schnell, Siegrid Sommer, Frederic Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20150048555
    Abstract: A carbon fiber preform has a plurality of carbon fiber sheets that are stacked and are bonded to each other by means of an adhesive resin having thermal plasticity. This carbon fiber preform comprises a partial-conducting layer arranged at least either between at least one pair of adjacent layers of the plurality of carbon fiber sheets or on a surface area of the plurality of carbon fiber sheets and configured to have a resistance area which has higher electric resistance than electric resistance of the carbon fiber sheet in a stacking direction and a conductive area which is capable of having electrical continuity in the stacking direction, wherein the resistance area and the conductive area are arranged in a surface direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. The plurality of carbon fibers sheets are bonded to each other by means of the adhesive resin in the surface direction in the conductive area and in an area corresponding to periphery of the conductive area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagasaki, Tamotsu Suzuki, Haruhiko Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8945456
    Abstract: The invention is a stereolithography machine (1) comprising the following: a support plate (2) provided with a hole (2a); a container (3) associated with the support plate (2) and comprising a transparent bottom (3a); a radiation source (4) arranged below the support plate (2) and suited to convey a radiation beam towards the transparent bottom (3a) through the hole (2a); a temperature control unit (5) suited to maintain the support plate (2) at a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: DWS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Sergio Zenere
  • Publication number: 20140353879
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a heated candle scoop comprises a handle, a scoop, and a means for heating the scoop. In one embodiment, the means for heating the scoop comprises a heating element, which may be a typical 80/20 (80% nickel, 20% chromium) wire, ribbon, or strip, or anything that performs a substantially similar function (e.g., ceramics, catalytic heaters, etc.) known to those of skill in the art. It will be appreciated that electrical power, batteries, or gases may be used to heat the element as known to those in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Julie Skirvin
  • Patent number: 8890020
    Abstract: A heater tube is provided for use in a method of producing a diamond or cubic boron nitride (CBN) tipped cutting tool by sintering a mass of crystalline particles to a metal carbide. The heater tube has a cylindrical shape and is comprised of a plurality of windings of an expanded graphite foil which are compressed together. In the method, a heater tube assembly is formed which comprises the metal carbide substrate positioned within the heater tube and a mass of diamond or CBN particles positioned within the heater tube adjacent the substrate. The method includes simultaneously applying sufficient levels of pressure to the heater tube assembly and sufficient levels of electrical current to the heater tube assembly for a sufficient amount of time to cause sintering of the crystalline particles and bonding to the substrate to form a diamond or CBN tipped cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Leland M. Reineke
  • Patent number: 8864489
    Abstract: A heating mould for thermal nanoimprint lithography, a process of producing the heating mould, and a process for producing a nanostructured substrate which include the heating mould. The heating mould includes the heating mould. The heating mould includes a substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface, and a through-cavity extending from a first orifice in the first principal surface up to a second orifice in the second principal surface. The mould also includes a heating layer, an electrically and thermally insulating layer which covers the heating layer and, at least partially, imprint patterns, and leads for supplying an electric current to the heating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Stefan Landis, Sergio Nicoletti
  • Patent number: 8663540
    Abstract: A heater tube is provided for use in a method of producing a diamond or cubic boron nitride (CBN) tipped cutting tool by sintering a mass of crystalline particles to a metal carbide. The heater tube has a cylindrical shape and is comprised of a plurality of windings of an expanded graphite foil which are compressed together. In the method, a heater tube assembly is formed which comprises the metal carbide substrate positioned within the heater tube and a mass of diamond or CBN particles positioned within the heater tube adjacent the substrate. The method includes simultaneously applying sufficient levels of pressure to the heater tube assembly and sufficient levels of electrical current to the heater tube assembly for a sufficient amount of time to cause sintering of the crystalline particles and bonding to the substrate to form a diamond or CBN tipped cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Leland M. Reineke
  • Patent number: 8623253
    Abstract: Provided are low-melt polyimides and poly(amic acids) (PAAs) for use in repair of electrical wire insulation, flat or ribbon wire harnesses, and flat surfaces comprised of high-performance polymers such as inflatables or solar panels applications. Also provided are methods and devices for repair of electrical insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Scott T. Jolley, Tracy L. Gibson, Martha K. Williams, Clyde F. Parrish, Steven L. Parks
  • Publication number: 20130113141
    Abstract: A method for forming fibre reinforced composites, such as rotor blades for wind turbines, and a heated mould. The mould includes an active surface intended to be in contact with the composite and a core member comprising a cell structure. One or more conduit(s) is/are embedded in the core member forming a path through the cell structure, and one or more heating wire(s) is/are arranged in said conduit(s). The core member is preferably made from a material with a high thermal conductivity and may include openings in at least some cell walls of the cell structure to allow fluids to pass there through. The mould may include two or more heating zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SSP TECHNOLOGY A/S
    Inventor: Flemming Sørensen
  • Publication number: 20130037995
    Abstract: A mold core for molding and controlling the temperature of a hollow structure comprises an electrically non-conducting or only slightly conducting inner area and an electrically conducting outer area and two electrical contacts accessible from outside for applying a voltage, wherein the thickness of the outer area is constant or is specifically varied. A method for producing a mold core comprises molding a first body to form an inner electrically non-conducting or only slightly conducting area of the mold core and applying molding material to the first body to form an outer electrically conducting area of the mold core and attaching two electrical contacts accessible from outside for applying a voltage, wherein the thickness of the outer area is constant or specifically varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: André Alexander Stieglitz
  • Publication number: 20130020740
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a molding system (100) including (but not limited to): (i) an electrically chargeable conduit (102), and (ii) an electrical-charge source (104) configured to provide an electrical charge to the electrically-chargeable conduit (102), the electrical charge hastening flow of a resin (106) along the electrically-chargeable conduit (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Jenko, Angelo Mier
  • Patent number: 8357325
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a mold and the mold fabricated by such method. The mold is fabricated by providing a support structure having a predefined shape; applying a heat distribution layer on the support structure; applying a heating element network upon the heat distribution layer; applying at least one glass composition layer upon the heating element network; applying a resin composition to each of the heating element network and the at least one glass composition layer; and integrating the heat distribution layer, heating element network, the at least one glass composition layer and the resin composition to form a mold unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Koerwien
  • Patent number: 8327514
    Abstract: A riveting apparatus includes a hot air pipe; a connection pipe coupled to the hot air pipe; a forming tool having a configuration in which peripheral and center portions project downward and portions existing therebetween are curved upward, defined with discharge holes which extend in axial and radial directions, and coupled to a lower end of the connection pipe so that hot air having passed through the connection pipe can be discharged through the discharge holes to heat an end of a rivet to thereby allow the forming tool to form the end of the rivet into the shape of a head; a moving unit coupled to the hot air pipe or the connection pipe to move the forming tool upward and downward; and a guide surrounding the forming tool so that hot air discharged through the discharge holes can be directed toward the end of the rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Gunyang Trunet, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taek-hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8308889
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for curing composite material to form composite structures are provided. A curing tool in one embodiment includes cured nano tube impregnated resin, at least two conductors formed in the nano tube impregnated resin, at least one layer of cured composite material and at least one insulation layer separating the cured composite material from the nano tube impregnated resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: George J. Glancy, David L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120168990
    Abstract: A resin molding apparatus includes a pair of metal molds respectively arranged so as to be insulated from the ground with insulating materials, and a molding portion including the pair of metal molds and to which a resin material is provided. At least one metal mold of the pair of metal molds is provided with electrodes at two points flanking the molding portion. A high frequency current generator capable of applying high frequency current having a frequency of about 10 kHz or more is connected to the two electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: THE DOSHISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kuwahara, Tsutao Katayama, Kazuto Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120125716
    Abstract: The invention is a plank fabricated from a composite fiberglass material. The invention further comprises the method of making the composite fiberglass plank using a pultrusion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Ethan A. Love, Eugene J. Morgan, Carol A. Schulz-Morgan
  • Publication number: 20120112387
    Abstract: A heating mold for thermal nanoimprint lithography comprising resistive heating means and collecting means for collecting the electromagnetic energy of a variable electromagnetic field emitted by a source located outside the mold, said collecting means being connected to said resistive heating means (34) in which said energy is dissipated. Method for manufacturing this mold. A thermal nanoimprint lithography device comprising said mold. A method for preparing a substrate comprising a surface nanostructured by a thermal nanoimprint lithography technique, wherein said mold is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat a I'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Stefan Landis, Sergio Nicoletti
  • Patent number: 8029721
    Abstract: Mold assemblies for compression molding of footwear components include molds, heating elements, conductor plates, insulating layers and carrier trays. An upper mold assembly is placed into a fixture attached to an upper press platen. A lower mold assembly slides into and out of a fixture attached to a lower press platen. Heating elements within the mold assemblies connect to electrical contacts in the fixtures when the mold assemblies are installed in the fixtures, thereby providing electrical power to the heating elements and heating the molds. A conveyor is positioned to receive a mold assembly from (or transfer a mold assembly to) the lower press platen fixture when the lower platen is in a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20110140311
    Abstract: A thermoplastic injection molding system and method of use is described for molding parts from heated plastics and other organic resins. The machine uses heat sources located along the barrel to heat the source material while an auger screw transports the source material in the barrel. This transport step does not shear the source material, nor does it use friction to produce the heat necessary to melt the source material. The material becomes substantially liquid or melted during the heating process, and the melted material is forced, by the auger screw, into a chamber whereupon a plunger, situated concentrically with the auger screw, injects the material from the chamber into a mold. Sensors located along the barrel and in the chamber ensure consistency between mold cycles. The controller dynamically adjusts the injection molding process to achieve more consistent and reliable molded parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Koalesce, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ernest Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 7919037
    Abstract: A process and a mold for molding parts. The mold is fabricated using a mixture of a viscous resin such as a gel coat containing nano particles. Electrical conductors are incorporated in the mold surface. The resulting mold in use is heatable by application of electricity to produce parts substantially reducing cure and post cure time. Completed parts containing conductive nano particles may also be produced and are heatable in use for applications where it is desirable to heat the part in use such as de-icing panels. A composition for fabricating parts containing a resin and nano particle segments in sufficient quantity to establish a conductive path is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Darren Boyce
  • Publication number: 20110062634
    Abstract: A heating mould for thermal nanoimprint lithography, a process of producing the mould, and a process for producing a nanostructured substrate employing the mould. The heating mould includes a substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface, and a through-cavity extending from a first orifice in the first principal surface up to a second orifice in the second principal surface. The heating mould also includes a thermally conducting layer that mechanically supports the second membrane, an insulating layer beneath the thermally conducting mechanical support layer, heating means and an electrically and thermally insulating layer which covers the heating means and, at least partially, the second membrane, imprint patterns on the electrically and thermally insulating layer, and means for supplying an electric current to the heating means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Stefan LANDIS, Sergio Nicoletti
  • Publication number: 20100264137
    Abstract: A smart polymer molded hybrid shipping container generally refers to large intermodal shipping container and their manufacture, and more particularly to a recyclable rotationally-molded RF (radio frequency) transparent thermoplastic polymer shell with a removable outer structural fabricated steel load bearing support frame capable of being integrated with an internally mounted geo-location detection system, date transmission communication devices, inner environmental sensors, data storage system, and power storage system. The smart polymer molded hybrid shipping container is designed to be 100% recyclable after useful life with a mechanically fastened exoskeleton steel frame that can be reused in the post manufacturing process. The smart polymer molded hybrid shipping container has a one piece molded shell with load bearing molded in floor system and outer polymer skin that is entirely weather resistant and non-corrosive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Frederick G. Lampe
  • Publication number: 20100213641
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a material with a multispectral smoke screening, that is, to mix the composite materials of carbon fiber and graphite, carbon fiber and bamboo-charcoal, carbon fiber and carbon black respectively with epoxy resin to produce an absorbing film which dimensions are 15 cm×15 cm×0.2 cm and can absorbs millimeter-wave (8 mm) and infrared wave (3-5 and 8-12 ?m). The film can be a smoke material of the M56 turbo smoke generator to resist the millimeter-wave and infrared wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Kuo-Hui Wu, Pao-Hui Chen, Yann-Jang Gung, Wei-Che Hung
  • Patent number: 7765663
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a chair seat, wherein borders of the chair seat is injection molded by two steps, comprises following steps: a. preparing net cloth, inner border injecting mold, outer border injecting mold, plastic and gun screw; b. injecting inner border: warming up inner border injecting mold, simultaneously heating up the plastic, and injecting the plastic into the inner border injecting mold when its temperature reaches the injecting temperature; c. installing the net cloth: cutting out the net cloth according to the size of the inner border, impacting the edge of the net cloth into the inner border by the gun screw by hand, and then cutting redundant net cloth; d. injecting outer border: inserting the inner border with impacted net cloth into the outer border injecting mold, and injecting the plastic into the outer border injecting mold when its temperature reaches the injecting temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Zhiqing Liu
  • Patent number: 7666342
    Abstract: A blow molding apparatus for expanding a polymer tube and a method for fabricating a stent using the apparatus is disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a tubular mold, over which a heated ring is made of a material having thermal conductivity greater than the tubular mold is translated. The ring is heated with heated fluid streams applied directly onto an outer surface of the ring, or heated fluid circulated within the ring, or an electrically resistive coil within the ring, or combinations thereof. The heated ring uniformly heats a circumference of the tubular mold that, in turn, uniformly heats a circumferential band of the polymer tube. The heated polymer tube is progressively expanded radially and axially while the ring is translated longitudinally over the polymer tube. The expanded polymer tube can be heat set and cooled prior to removal from the tubular mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Limon, Daniel A. Castro, David C. Gale
  • Publication number: 20090250843
    Abstract: Mold assemblies for compression molding of footwear components include molds, heating elements, conductor plates, insulating layers and carrier trays. An upper mold assembly is placed into a fixture attached to an upper press platen. A lower mold assembly slides into and out of a fixture attached to a lower press platen. Heating elements within the mold assemblies connect to electrical contacts in the fixtures when the mold assemblies are installed in the fixtures, thereby providing electrical power to the heating elements and heating the molds. A conveyor is positioned to receive a mold assembly from (or transfer a mold assembly to) the lower press platen fixture when the lower platen is in a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20090239023
    Abstract: An injection-molding device includes at least first and second mould parts, defining a mould cavity, wherein at least one of the mould parts includes a heating device, for heating the mould part in the vicinity of a mould cavity surface, the heating device includes an inductive coil having a plurality of windings and being powered by an oscillator. The heating device further comprises a thin top member, which functions as a susceptor for electromagnetic energy emitted by the inductive coil, which is placed in grooves in a carrier member. An intermediate member is placed between the top member and the carrier member. The intermediate member does not function as a susceptor to any grater extent, but provides mechanical stability while allowing the heat generation to be concentrated to the top member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Thermal Cyclic Technologies TCTech i Stockholm AB
    Inventors: Stefan Olin, Jan Jaderberg
  • Patent number: 7585486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high-purity niobium monoxide powder (NbO) produced by a process of combining a mixture of higher niobium oxides and niobium metal powder or granules; heating and reacting the compacted mixture under controlled atmosphere to achieve temperature greater than about 1945° C., at which temperature the NbO is liquid; solidifying the liquid NbO to form a body of material; and fragmenting the body to form NbO particles suitable for application as capacitor anodes. The NbO product is unusually pure in composition and crystallography, and can be used for capacitors and for other electronic applications. The method of production of the NbO is robust, does not require high-purity feedstock, and can reclaim value from waste streams associated with the processing of NbO electronic components. The method of production also can be used to make high-purity NbO2 and mixtures of niobium metal/niobium monoxide and niobium monoxide/niobium dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Reading Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Motchenbacher, James W. Robison, Brian J. Higgins, Thomas J. Fonville
  • Publication number: 20090140465
    Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is a gate insert of an injection mold that includes a base member. The base member defines a nozzle interface for receiving, in use, a nozzle of a melt distribution system that is heated, in use, by a heater, and a gate, the gate configured to fluidly link, in use, a melt channel of the nozzle with a molding cavity. The gate insert further includes a thermal regulator associated with the base member, the thermal regulator includes a direct energy conversion device that is capable of heating and cooling, wherein the thermal regulator is controllably operable, in use, to control the temperature of the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: James Osborne PLUMPTON
  • Publication number: 20090014662
    Abstract: A directional neutron detector consisting of very thin plastic scintillation fibers and optically coupled to a photo-sensor array, where the directionality of Neutrons is estimated from the sequence of fibers traversed by the scattered protons and energy deposited in each one of them . Several fabrication methods of the large thin fiber arrays are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Avraham Suhami
  • Publication number: 20090001633
    Abstract: A blow molding apparatus for expanding a polymer tube and a method for fabricating a stent using the apparatus is disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a tubular mold, over which a heated ring is made of a material having thermal conductivity greater than the tubular mold is translated. The ring is heated with heated fluid streams applied directly onto an outer surface of the ring, or heated fluid circulated within the ring, or an electrically resistive coil within the ring, or combinations thereof. The heated ring uniformly heats a circumference of the tubular mold that, in turn, uniformly heats a circumferential band of the polymer tube. The heated polymer tube is progressively expanded radially and axially while the ring is translated longitudinally over the polymer tube. The expanded polymer tube can be heat set and cooled prior to removal from the tubular mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy A. Limon, Daniel A. Castro, David C. Gale
  • Publication number: 20070250150
    Abstract: A flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems for stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body are provided. An elongate outer sheath has proximal and distal end portions defining a passageway, and the proximal end portion having an outer layer including melt bonding material. A strain relief member has a tubular first end portion of a first outer diameter and a flared second end portion of a greater second outer diameter. The strain relief member has an inner engaging surface that includes melt bonding material, at least a portion of which disposes concentrically about, and melt bonded to, the outer sheath proximal end portion melt bonding outer layer. The strain relief member second end portion is operatively coupled between a handle first connector and handle second connector. Methods of making a flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Dharmendra Pal, Jeffry S. Melsheimer
  • Patent number: 7168935
    Abstract: An apparatus for formation of a three dimensional object comprising a sealed container; an electron beam subsystem capable of directing energy within said container; a positioning subsystem contained within said container; a wire feed subsystem contained within said container; an instrumentation subsystem electronically connected to said electron beam subsystem, positioning subsystem, and wire feed subsystem; and a power distribution subsystem electrically connected to said electron beam subsystem, positioning subsystem, wire feed subsystem, and said instrumentation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Karen M. Taminger, J. Kevin Watson, Robert A. Hafley, Daniel D. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7132061
    Abstract: A conductive silicon nitride composite sintered body having an average grain size of 100 nm or less and whose relative roughness (Ra) after electric discharge machining is 0.3 ?m or less can be obtained by grinding/mixing a silicon nitride powder and a metal powder together until the average particle size of the silicon nitride powder becomes 30 nm or less, and subsequently by molding and sintering. It is preferable that the crushing/mixing is continued until it is apparent that a peak of added metal in an X-ray diffraction pattern has disappeared during the crushing/mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7052567
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is generally characterized by a heating/inflation module having pressurizable interior and an attached heat curable pre-preg. In particular, an elastomeric, seamless composite is provided that includes a heating element disposed within a thermoset resin matrix. The composite adapted to maintain a consistent temperature profile and an internal air pressure. A first end piece is attached to a first end of the composite and has an air port for communication with a compressed air source, a vacuum port for communication with a vacuum supply source and at least one electrical cable port for communication with a power supply source. A second end piece attached to a second end of the composite. The apparatus further includes a pre-preg removably attached to an outer surface of the composite. The pre-preg includes a structural fiber matrix supporting a heat curable resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Verline Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Blackmore, William M. Lepola
  • Patent number: 6855446
    Abstract: A fuel cell composed of a plurality of cell function assemblies of each of which includes a set of spaced electrolytic membranes, two pairs of electrode plates in contact with opposite surfaces of each of the electrolytic membranes, a set of separators, and a set of six support frames assembled to retain the electrolytic membranes and separators in position. In the fuel cell, the separators each are in the form of a flat plate of synthetic resin integrally provided with a plurality of spaced projections made of pressed carbon powder and retained in contact with the electrode plates to form a pair of reaction chambers at opposite sides of each of the electrolytic membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Hashimoto, Masanao Shiomi, Hirotaka Fukatsu, Kousuke Kawajiri, Seiken Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Morita
  • Patent number: 6846445
    Abstract: A method for rapidly heating a mold cavity to a predetermined temperature preferably above the softening or melting temperature of the molding material prior to and during the molding stage thereby increasing moldability and improving quality of molded parts. The mold cavity is formed by two metallic halves on which high-frequency electric current is applied and an electric circuit involving the two halves is formed. Due to the proximity effect, the electrical current flows on the inner surfaces of the two cavity halves, thus rapidly heating the mold cavity. Proper use of insulation behind the cavity surface helps increase heating efficiency. Conformal on-off cooling channels provide both thermal insulation during the heating phase and rapidly cooling of the molded article during the cooling phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventors: Byung Kim, Donggang Yao
  • Patent number: 6803013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming meltblown material with a die assembly. The die may further include a die tip and a heating element positioned relative to the die tip apex to maintain the polymer material extruded from the die tip in a molten state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Fish, Lamar H. Gipson, Jark C. Lau
  • Patent number: 6797224
    Abstract: A filling system includes a pressurized source of fill material and a pressure fill head wherein the fill head also includes a heating element positioned so as to transfer heat to fill material passing through the fill head. A method of filling holes using a fill material passing through a pressure fill head includes the steps of causing fill material to enter the fill head, modifying the viscosity of the fill material while it is within the fill head, and causing the modified viscosity fill material to exit the fill head and enter at least one hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: TTM Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Pedigo, Timothy Meyer
  • Patent number: 6776949
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for bonding polymeric materials is provided. The apparatus and method both utilize ferromagnetic materials in association with the polymeric materials to be bonded together. The polymeric materials, and the ferromagnetic material, are placed within a magnetic field, which causes hysteresis losses in the ferromagnetic field, and thus elevation in the temperature of both the ferromagnetic material and the polymeric materials to the point where the polymeric materials melt and fuse together. The ferromagnetic materials only rise in temperature to their Curie temperatures, at which point the hysteresis losses cease, and the polymeric material stops being heated. Removing the electromagnetic field allows for cooling and fusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Weber
  • Publication number: 20040070116
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a molded body, in which a preferably powdered, pasty, or granular molding material is heated and compressed in a pressing cavity, and the molding material is heated by producing ohmic heat in it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Alfred Kaiser, Stefan Mahler, Robert Kremer, Klaus Muller
  • Publication number: 20040046281
    Abstract: This invention discloses a process for rapidly and economically replicating microstructures on polymeric substrates. During the process, a die with protruded microstructures is rapidly heated to above the polymer softening temperature, pressed onto a cold polymer substrate, and subsequently rapidly cooled for die separation. When the heated die contacts the polymer substrate, localized melting occurs at the contacting locations between the substrate and the to-be-replicated microstructure. The resulted melts are confined locally, forming localized spots for compression molding. Bulk deformation of these localized melts results in microstructure replication. In addition to reduction in cycle time, the new process improves dimensional accuracy of replicated microstructures due to uncoupling of microfabrication with macrofabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Byung Kim, Donggang Yao
  • Publication number: 20040041303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly heating a mold cavity to a predetermined temperature preferably above the softening or melting temperature of the molding material prior to and during the molding stage thereby increasing moldability and improving quality of molded parts. The mold cavity is formed by two metallic halves on which high-frequency electric current is applied and an electric circuit involving the two halves is formed. Due to the proximity effect, the electrical current flows on the inner surfaces of the two cavity halves, thus rapidly heating the mold cavity. Proper use of insulation behind the cavity surface helps increase heating efficiency. Conformal on-off cooling channels provide both thermal insulation during the heating phase and rapidly cooling of the molded article during the cooling phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Byung Kim, Donggang Yao
  • Patent number: 6649114
    Abstract: The apparatus for connecting objects by means of a plastically deformable connecting body comprises a shaping punch (4), a flow-restricting wall (5) closely surrounding the shaping punch and a gas supply lead (6) through which a gaseous medium can be introduced into the gap between the shaping punch (4) and the flow-restricting means (5). The shaping punch (4) has a heating cartridge (8) by means of which the lower end of the shaping punch can be heated. Provided on the outside of this shaping punch are heat-transfer ribs (9) which are used to heat up the supplied, gaseous medium which emerges at the lower end of the flow-restricting means in order to produce a flow around a plastically deformable connecting body (3), so that the latter is uniformly heated for the deforming process. The connecting body (3) is also integrally formed on a part (2) and reaches through a hole in a second part (1) which is to be connected to the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kiefel Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Lochner, Marco Hobelsberger, Robert Gschwendtner
  • Publication number: 20030194537
    Abstract: A phase change composition comprises: a matrix comprising a silicone-organic block copolymer, and a thermally conductive filler. The composition can be used as a thermal interface material in electronic devices. The composition is formulated to have any desired phase change temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Dorab Edul Bhagwagar, Andrew Anthony Mojica, Kimmai Thi Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030183986
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for bonding polymeric materials is disclosed. The apparatus and method both utilize ferromagnetic materials in association with the polymeric materials to be bonded together. The polymeric materials, and the ferromagnetic material, are placed within a magnetic field, which causes hysterisis losses in the ferromagnetic field, and thus elevation in the temperature of both the ferromagnetic material and the polymeric materials to the point where the polymeric materials melt and fuse together. The ferromagnetic materials only rise in temperature to their Curie temperatures, at which point the hysterisis losses cease, and the polymeric material stops being heated. Removing the electromagnetic field allows for cooling and fusing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jan Weber