Abstract: An improved method for determining an initial flat spot magnitude on a tire that has been resting for a period of time on a substantially flat surface uses regression analysis. In accordance with the method, values of a tire flat spot magnitude for a particular type of tire are determined at a number of measurement intervals by a uniformity machine that spins the tire. An equation having at least two exponentially decaying terms is then determined that corresponds to the measured data points. Regression analysis is then used to determine an estimate for an initial flat spot magnitude. The method can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different tire designs with respect to flat spot recovery rates.

Abstract: Composite electrode/current collectors for capacitors, e.g., a flow-through capacitor or electric double layer capacitor are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making a composite electrode/current collectors and capacitors having at least one composite electrode/current collector.

Abstract: Lay-up mold comprising a contoured metal frame having an overlying conformal coating of polyurethane.

Abstract: A system is provided for recording information relating to the condition of electrodes in an electric arc furnace. An imaging apparatus is provided in a consistent position relative to an imaging station. Periodically, the electrode columns are removed from the furnace and moved to a position such that the electrode column is placed at the imaging station. Then an image of the electrode column is created with the imaging apparatus, and the images are stored in a memory of a computer for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: Carbon fiber bundles may be dispersed into substantially single mono-filaments in pitch by stirring a mixture of fibers and pitch at a temperature at which the pitch has a viscosity of about 0.1 to about 5 poise. The resulting fiber pitch binder contains about 0.5 to about 10.0 wt. % carbon fibers substantially dispersed as substantially single mono-filaments which are randomly oriented which may then be used directly as a binder for producing carbon bodies, for example, graphite electrodes, pinstock or specialty graphite articles. This unique binder using an economical amount of carbon fibers has the capacity to increase the strength and reduce the coefficients of thermal expansion of the resulting carbon products in more than one direction due to the random orientation of the carbon fibers.

Abstract: Insulation materials suited to high temperature applications, such as the insulation of furnaces, are formed from a mixture of pitch carbon fibers, such as isotropic pitch carbon fibers, and a binder comprising a solution of sugar in water. The sugar solution is preferably at a concentration of from 20-60% sucrose to yield a low density material having high flexural strength and low thermal conductivity when carbonized to a temperature of about 1800° C.

Abstract: Laminates are prepared from resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheets. Impregnated sheets are calendered and layers of the calendered sheets, which may also be coated with a resin adhesive, are stacked into structures which optionally contains layers of metals or plastics. After curing at elevated temperature and pressure, 2500 psi and 150° C., the laminates form dense machinable structures suitable for uses such as electronic thermal management (ETM) devices.

Abstract: A thermal insulating device, and process for making it, are presented. The inventive thermal insulating device is formed of a cylindrically shaped shell comprising multiple layers of a continuous spiral wound anisotropic flexible graphite sheet, the layers of spiral wound graphite sheet being separated by and bonded to a cured resin.

Abstract: A heat sink apparatus is constructed from alternating longer and shorter sheets of graphite material sandwiched together such that the longer sheets extend beyond the shorter sheets to define fins. The directions of higher thermal conductivity of the anisotropic graphite material are oriented in the plane of the sheet. The longer and shorter sheets have base ends aligned together to define a generally planar base surface for engaging an electronic device to be cooled.

Abstract: A thermal management system provides a heat dissipating component using a high thermal conductivity insert. The heat dissipating component may be a spreader or heat sink, and includes a planar graphite member having high thermal conductivity along the plane of the member and having a relatively low thermal conductivity through the thickness of the member. A cavity is formed through the thickness of the member and the high conductivity insert is received in the cavity. The insert may be an isotropic high thermal conductivity material such as copper or an anisotropic material such as graphite oriented to have high conductivity in the direction of the thickness of the planar element.

Abstract: Components for use in electrochemical double-layer capacitors utilize at least one layer of a flexible graphite sheet material in an electrode or current collector or utilize a tanged metal layer in a current collector.

Abstract: A composite heat sink apparatus includes a metal base which has a thermal conductivity of at least about 200 W/m°K. The metal base is preferably constructed either of copper of aluminum. The heat sink apparatus further includes a plurality of fins attached to the base, the fins being constructed of anisotropic graphite material having a direction of relatively high thermal conductivity perpendicular to the base.

Abstract: A thermal interface and a thermal interface as part of a thermal management system that comprises a heat source, and a cooling module. The heat source has an external surface; the thermal interface is a flexible graphite sheet article having two parallel planar surfaces, with the first planar surface of the thermal interface being in operative contact with the external surface of the heat source and the second planar surface being in contact with the cooling module. The graphite sheet contains oil.

Abstract: An induction furnace capable of operation at temperatures of over 3100° C. has a cooling assembly (60), which is selectively mounted to an upper end of the furnace wall (76). The cooling assembly includes a dome and a lifting mechanism (80), mounted to the dome, which raises a cap (16) of the furnace slightly, allowing hot gases from the hot zone to mix with cooler gas in the dome.

Abstract: A process for embossing a flexible graphite sheet, and the flexible graphite article produced thereby is presented.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet exhibiting enhanced isotropy is provided. In addition, an apparatus, system and method for continuously producing a resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheet is also provided.

Abstract: Processes and systems to reduce sticking of graphite materials and particularly resin impregnated graphite materials to forming tools, such as an embossing roller, during a process of manufacturing articles from the graphite materials. In one embodiment, an aerosol spray non-stick material is intermittently sprayed upon the embossing rollers. In a second embodiment, one or more sheets of thin flexible solid non-stick material, such as polyethylene, are sandwiched between the graphite material and the embossing rollers. The system is particularly useful for manufacturing material useful in producing components of fuel cells.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, and a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch, is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material having a density of about 1.5 g/cm3, or higher. The composite material is formed in under ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. Consequently, carbon/carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6-1.8 g/cm3, or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing flexible sheets of expanded graphite material from recycled materials, comprising providing source materials in the form of flexible sheets of expanded graphite; comminuting the source materials into particles; re-expanding the particles; and preparing a mat from the re-expanded particles. Also described herein is a process of manufacturing a graphite material comprising grinding a cured resin impregnated graphite material into particles; removing at least part of the resin from the particles; and expanding the resin removed particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible graphite sheet having increased isotropic properties. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible graphite sheet formed from particles of expanded natural graphite formed from graphite flake sized no more than about 30% by weight +80 mesh prior to expansion. The resulting sheet of flexible graphite exhibits improved conductive and fluid sealing properties.