Patents Assigned to GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
  • Patent number: 7835419
    Abstract: A pin for use in connecting graphite electrodes into a joint, where the pin has at least one male tang having a tang factor, defined as the ratio of male tang length to diameter of the electrode into which hit is to be threaded, of at least about 0.60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, Lionel D. Burton Batty, Philip D. Coleman
  • Patent number: 7824650
    Abstract: A graphitizable carbon foam having enhanced directional thermal conductivity is provided. The mesophase portions of a mesophase pitch are aligned with each other to create an oriented mesophase pitch, which is then foamed to provide an oriented pitch foam. The pitch foam can be heated to carbonize the pitch thereby forming an oriented carbon foam. The carbon foam can be further heated to provide an oriented graphite foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Stansberry, Leonard Singer
  • Patent number: 7799309
    Abstract: A process for enhancing the expansion of intercalated graphite flake is presented. The process includes annealing the graphite flake at a temperature of at least about 3000° C. prior to intercalation and intercalating in the presence of a lubricious additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Anderson Reynolds, III, Ronald Alfred Greinke
  • Patent number: 7799428
    Abstract: A thermal solution for an electronic device, which is positioned between a heat source and an external surface of the electronic device and/or another component of the electronic device, where the thermal solution facilitates heat dissipation from the heat source while shielding the external surface and/or second component from the heat generated by the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Kikuo Fujiwara, Masaaki Tozawa, Gary D. Shives, Julian Norley, Robert Anderson Reynolds, III
  • Patent number: 7785712
    Abstract: A structural insulated panel, which includes a carbon foam core having a high ratio of compressive strength to density, desirable fire retardant properties, and resistance to environmental stress. The carbon foam structural insulated panel also includes a first layer and a second layer bound to a first surface and second surface of the carbon foam core. Applications of the carbon foam structural insulated panel include structural and fire retardant elements of residential and commercial buildings, aircraft and also watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Miller, Irwin C. Lewis, Robert A. Mercuri
  • Patent number: 7776430
    Abstract: An article for tooling composite materials, including a carbon foam, a sealant attached to the carbon foam so as to form a monolithic fine-grain graphite-like surface; and a skin of facesheet materials. The facesheet materials include: a spray-deposited coating of metal; more preferably, a thermal or plasma spray-deposited metal; and most preferably, a plasma sprayed Invar metal. The facesheet materials may optionally include a flash coating. The facesheet materials alternately include plastics, resinous materials and carbon-carbon composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Shao, David M. Kaschak
  • Patent number: 7758779
    Abstract: A reinforced carbon foam material is formed from carbon fibers incorporated within a carbon foam's structure. First, carbon fiber bundles are combined with a liquid resol resin. The carbon fiber bundles separate into individual carbon fiber filaments and disperse throughout the liquid resol resin. Second, the carbon fiber resin mixture is foamed thus fixing the carbon fibers in a permanent spatial arrangement within the phenolic foam. The foam is then carbonized to create a carbon fiber reinforced foam with improved graphitic characteristics as well as increased strength. Optionally, various additives can be introduced simultaneously with the addition of the carbon fiber bundles into the liquid resol, which can improve the graphitic nature of the final carbon foam material and/or increase the foam's resistance to oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Miller, Irwin C. Lewis, Richard L. Shao, Mehmet Suha Yazici
  • Patent number: 7666270
    Abstract: The invention presented is a method for applying heat spreaders to a plurality of display panels, including (a) providing a plurality of heat spreader composites, each of which comprises a heat spreader material having an adhesive thereon and a release material positioned such that the adhesive is sandwiched between the heat spreader material and the release material; (b) removing the release material from a plurality of the composites; and (c) applying at least one of the composites to each of the plurality of display panels each such that the adhesive adheres the heat spreader material to the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Martin David Smalc, Julian Norley, Joseph Paul Capp, Timothy Clovesko
  • Patent number: 7658902
    Abstract: A process for producing a graphite article having a CTE of less than about 2.0 ppm/° C. over the temperature range of from 30° C. to 100° C. and an isotropy ratio of less than about 1.5 also advantageously having a thermal shock resistance parameter of greater than about 150×103 W/m in both the with-grain and against-grain directions, and the graphite so produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Albers, Douglas J. Miller, Irwin C. Lewis, David R. Ball
  • Patent number: 7660337
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus for transporting a carbon based electrode having a threaded male end. The apparatus includes a casing having a top end and a bottom end. The casing defines an electrode aperture from the bottom end shaped to accept the threaded male end of the carbon based electrode to secure the lifting apparatus to the electrode. An attachment aperture is positioned in the top end while an attachment element is positioned in the attachment aperture and operatively engaging the top end of the casing. The attachment element is positioned to accept engagement from a crane or other powered lifting device, while the lifting apparatus is preferably manually attachable to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Darral Teeples, John Douglas Phillips, David Arthur Lehr, Thomas Davis Schiller, Terrence Patrick Wells
  • Patent number: 7658903
    Abstract: A highly isotropic graphite useful for, inter alia, nuclear applications is disclosed, which has a ash content of less than 300 ppm and a boron equivalence of less than about 2 ppm without requiring a post graphitization purification step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Miller, David R. Ball
  • Patent number: 7592695
    Abstract: A compound heat sink for the removal of thermal energy useful for, inter alia, electronic devices or other components. The compound heat sink includes a die cast base element; an extruded dissipation element having a thermal conductivity of at least about 150 W/m-K; and a thermal connection material positioned between and in thermal contact with each of the base element and the dissipation element, wherein the thermal connection material having an in-plane thermal conductivity greater than the thermal conductivity of the dissipation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Reis, Julian Norley, Prathib Skandakumaran
  • Patent number: 7573717
    Abstract: A graphite heat spreader is provided for use with a flash LED light source for a camera of a handheld device such as a cell phone. Dramatically reduced operating temperatures are provided at substantially increased power levels thus providing both improved lighting and improved operating life of the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Reis, Martin David Smalc, Brian J. Laser, Gary Stephen Kostyak, Prathib Skandakumaran, Matthew G. Getz, Michael Frastaci
  • Patent number: 7563841
    Abstract: A cement useful for bonding carbon articles or sealing the surfaces of carbon articles to provide a surface useful for, inter alia, composite tooling or other high temperature applications or for bonding of carbon articles together to form larger blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Shao, Irwin C. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7544316
    Abstract: A process for preparing graphite articles is presented. In particular, the process includes employing a particulate fraction comprising at least about 35 weight percent coke, coal or combinations thereof having a diameter such that a major fraction of it passes through a 0.25 mm to 25 mm mesh screen. The particulate fraction is mixed with a liquid or solid pitch binder, to form a stock blend; the stock blend is extruded to form a green stock; the green stock is baked to form a carbonized stock; and the carbonized stock is graphitized. The stock blend further includes carbon fibers added after mixing of the particulate fraction and pitch has begun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: James William Kortovich, Richard Liichang Shao, Irwin Charles Lewis, Richard Thomas Lewis, Dai Huang
  • Patent number: 7527855
    Abstract: A carbon foam article useful for, inter alia, composite tooling or other high temperature applications, which includes a carbon foam having a ratio of compressive strength to density of at least about 7000 psi/g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Miller, Irwin C. Lewis, Robert A. Mercuri
  • Patent number: 7505275
    Abstract: A light emitting diode comprising a body and a thermal via integral therewith and which extends from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Reis, James R. Cartiglia
  • Patent number: 7494712
    Abstract: Composites are prepared from resin-impregnated flexible graphite materials. Impregnated materials are compressed and cured at elevated temperature and pressure to form structures suitable for uses such as electronic thermal management (ETM) devices, supercapacitors and secondary batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Norley, John Joseph Brady, George Getz, Jr., Jeremy Klug
  • Publication number: 20090032227
    Abstract: The invention provides to thermal management devices constructed from flexible graphite. In one embodiment, the thermal management device includes a wick structure inside a shell. In certain preferred embodiments, the wick structure is composed of a mass of expanded graphite. In a another embodiment, the shell of the device includes flexible graphite and an optional wick structure. In certain preferred embodiments, the flexible graphite shell is fluid impermeable. The invention further includes methods of making the aforementioned thermal management devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Krassowski, Gray G. Chen, Thomas W. Burkett, Brian M. Ford, Jing-Wen Tzeng, Julian Norley, Martin D. Smalc
  • Patent number: 7470468
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Angelo Mercuri, Joseph Paul Capp, Michael Lee Warddrip, Thomas William Weber