Abstract: A method of making a net-shape molded article for use with food processing and food contact is disclosed. The article is made from a molten resin including a polypropylene base matrix loaded with a thermally conductive filler such that the molten resin has a thermal conductivity between about 1.0 W/mK and about 20 W/mK when fully set. The molten resin is formed into an article, such as a food tray, using injection molding techniques. Preferably, the thermally conductive material includes hexagonal boron nitride and natural graphite.

Abstract: A composition and method for die-level packaging of microelectronics is disclosed. The composition includes about 20% to about 80% of a thermoplastic base matrix; about 20% to about 70% of a non-metallic, thermally conductive material such that the composition has a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 20 ppm/C and a thermal conductivity of greater than 1.0 W/mK. Using injection molding techniques, the composition can be molten and then injected into a die containing the microelectronics to encapsulate the microelectronics therein.

Abstract: A method of molding reinforced polymer compositions using a molding machine with a tapered bore is provided. The method has particular application in molding polymer that is reinforced with particles having an aspect ratio that is greater than 1:1. The plunger machine used in the method includes a barrel housing with a smooth walled barrel with longitudinal fins projecting inwardly towards the center of the bore that defines a main melt chamber. A plunger housing, having a plunger bore, defines an initial melt chamber and is in communication with the main melt chamber. A plunger resides in the plunger bore and is reciprocatable therein. The barrel bore is continuously inwardly tapered and cooperates with the longitudinal fins to provide a shortened melt period and a smooth transition and alignment of reinforcing members within the polymer mixture during the melt process.

Abstract: A method for making a stator assembly having a thermally-conductive, plastic housing for a high speed motor is provided. A thermally-conductive, high-density polymer composition is used to make the housing, and the stator is uniformly encapsulated therein. The polymer composition comprises a base polymer matrix such as polyphenylene sulfide, and a thermally-conductive, high-density filler material such as zinc oxide.

Abstract: A plunger machine for molding reinforced polymer compositions is provided. The plunger machine has particular application in molding polymer that is reinforced with particles having an aspect ratio that is greater than 1:1. The plunger machine includes a barrel housing with a smooth walled barrel with longitudinal fins projecting inwardly towards the center of the bore that defines a main melt chamber. A plunger housing, having a plunger bore, defines an initial melt chamber and is in communication with the main melt chamber. A plunger resides in the plunger bore and is reciprocatable therein. The barrel bore is continuously inwardly tapered and cooperates with the longitudinal fins to provide a shortened melt period and a smooth transition and alignment of reinforcing members within the polymer mixture during the melt process.

Abstract: A plunger machine for molding reinforced polymer compositions is provided. The plunger machine has particular application in molding polymer that is reinforced with particles having an aspect ratio that is greater than 1:1. The plunger machine includes a barrel housing with a smooth walled barrel with longitudinal fins projecting inwardly towards the center of the bore that defines a main melt chamber. A plunger housing, having a plunger bore, defines an initial melt chamber and is in communication with the main melt chamber. A plunger resides in the plunger bore and is reciprocatable therein. The barrel bore is continuously inwardly tapered and cooperates with the longitudinal fins to provide a shortened melt period and a smooth transition and alignment of reinforcing members within the polymer mixture during the melt process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-heating container for heating consumable items such as food and beverages. The container assembly includes a star-shaped inner container for holding heating media that produces an exothermic reaction, and an outer container for holding a consumable item such as food and beverages. The inner container includes a thermally conductive polymer composition, and the outer container includes a heat-insulating material. The thermally conductive polymer composition includes a base polymer matrix and filler material.

Abstract: An electronic connector having a housing containing a circuit board with a heat-generating component, such as a photodiode or laser, is provided. The housing is molded over the circuit board and heat-generating component. The housing is made from a moldable, thermally conductive polymer composition containing a base polymer and thermally conductive filler material. Liquid crystal polymers can be used as the base polymer, and boron nitride particles and carbon fibers can be used as the thermally conductive filler materials. In one embodiment, the thermally conductive polymer composition includes 30 to 60% of a base polymer, 25% to 50% of a first thermally conductive filler material, and 10 to 25% of a second thermally conductive filler material. The molded housing is capable of dissipating heat from the heat-generating component. A method for making the electronic connector is also provided.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode reflector assembly having a heat pipe and a reflector body is provided. The assembly further includes a mounting member for mounting a circuit board having an array of light-emitting diodes. The mounting member and reflector body are made from a thermally-conductive polymer composition comprising: i) about 20% to about 80% by weight of a base polymer matrix such as polycarbonate; and ii) about 20% to about 80% by weight of a thermally-conductive material such as carbon graphite.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a power transfer belt that is manufactured of a highly thermally conductive polymer composition, in contrast to the typical rubber material used to fabricate the belts of the prior art. The new and unique belt of the present invention is manufactured of a thermally conductive polymer material that is easily injection moldable into any desired shape and configuration. Further, the polymer composition is very thermally conductive, which assists in dissipating heat that is generated by the friction created during normal operation of the device. The new belt material and its construction allow heat to be conducted directly through the surface of the belt thus preventing heat buildup within the belt itself, thereby preserving and extending its life. Further, the present invention provides a novel method whereby a thermally conductive belt is manufactured through net shape molding.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a conductive injection molding composition. The thermally conductive composition includes a metallic base matrix of, by volume, between 30 and 60 percent. A first thermally conductive filler, by volume, between 25 and 60 percent is provided in the composition that has a relatively high aspect ratio of at least 10:1. In addition, an alternative embodiment of the composition mixture includes a second thermally conductive filler, by volume, between 10 and 25 percent that has a relatively low aspect ratio of 5:1 or less.

Abstract: Welding equipment that includes a tooling cart for transferring interchangeable tooling modules to a welding machine. A latch is mounted to the welding machine for latching the tooling cart to the welding machine, and a latch is provided for latching the tooling modules onto the tooling cart. A two-piece tooling cart includes a removable upper section for securing tooling modules thereto and a reusable lower section for use with other tooling modules. A welding method permits operation of a welding machine using a user interface that permits modular programming of at least one operational sequence of welding machine valves and weld operations for a variety of different tooling modules. An operator inputs a new sequence of operations using the user interface rather than having to rewrite ladder logic just to switch over the welding machine to use with a different tooling module.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a net-shape molded elastomeric heat-dissipating device that includes an integrally formed conformable interface surface. A base elastomeric matrix material is loaded with thermally conductive filler and injected into a mold cavity to form the completed device. Further, a layer of thermally conductive pressure sensitive adhesive material is applied to the conformable interface surface to allow the device to be securely fastened to a heat-generating surface. The present invention provides superior sealing and elimination of voids and air gaps that are typically found between the thermal transfer surfaces thereby facilitating enhanced thermal transfer properties. In addition, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an elastomeric heat sink device as described above.

Abstract: A structural frame (12) for dissipating heat from an electronic device (10) is provided. The structural frame (12), to which an electronic circuit board (14) containing a heat generating electronic component (16) is mounted, is injection molded from a thermally conductive, net-shape moldable polymer composition. The electronic component (16) that is within the device (10) is in thermal communication with the structural frame (12), so that the heat generated within the device (10) is transferred to the frame (14) and dissipated from the heat-generating device (10). An outer case (22) may be mounted to the frame (12) to finish the device (10) or the frame (12) may serve as all or a part of the outer device case (22) as well. In addition, the structural frame (12) has characteristics that may be engineered and used to shield the device (10) from electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A new die insert for an extrusion machine and a method of using the invention that includes a continuous strand of fiber reinforcing material to be statically drawn directly to the center of the molten flow of polymer base matrix is provided. The insert is placed in line with the discharge end of an injection molding apparatus. A molten flow of polymer base matrix proceeds in a straight linear fashion through the die. A fiber feed tube is centered on the interior of the die. As the polymer flows past the feed tube the molten polymer draws a continuous strand of fiber reinforcing into the center of the flow. The polymer is then extruded and cooled and the extrusion is further pelletized to produce injection molding feed stock material having continuous fiber reinforcing. The result provides a continuous extrusion process that allows the formation of a continuous fiber-reinforced product employing brittle fibers in one-step process.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product to assist in managing the physical plant mechanisms and market finances for a deregulated electricity grid or regulated utility grid, populated with solar electric generation capacity. This system provides tools to assist grid operators in the scheduling and dispatch of generation resources in an electrical grid populated with solar electric generation capacity, a week in advance, on an hourly basis. It also provides tools to assist companies engaged in generation, distribution and energy marketing, in the electrical power industry, to manage their contractual supply obligations in the day-ahead hourly wholesale market and the spot market, in an electrical grid populated with solar electric generation capacity. This process can also be used to predict solar loading of building structures, using forecast irradiance data as inputs to common building energy modeling programs, a week in advance, on an hourly basis.

Abstract: The electronic connector (10) includes an improved heat dissipating housing for cooling heat generating devices located within the connector (10). The electronic connector (10) of the present invention enables the cost-effective cooling of electronic devices (22, 24) within the connector (10) while realizing superior thermal conductivity and improved electromagnetic shielding. A method of forming an electronic connector (10) that includes the steps of first providing a heat generating electronic component (22, 24) capable of electronically coupling two data devices together having a first port (16a) and a second port (16b). This component (22, 24) is typically mounted or installed into a circuit board (20). An outer housing (12) of moldable thermally conductive polymer material (102, 202, 302, 402) is overmolded around the heat generating electronic component (22, 24) leaving the first port (16a) and the second port (16b) of connector (10) exposed.

Abstract: A highly thermally conductive and high strength net-shape moldable molding composition, with a thermal conductivity above 4 W/m° K and a strength of at least 15 ksi includes a polymer base matrix of, by volume, between 30 and 70 percent. A first highly thermally conductive filler of high modulus PITCH-based carbon, by volume, between 15 and 47 percent is provided in the composition that has a relatively high aspect ratio of at least 10:1. Also in the composition mixture is a second high strength filler of PAN-based carbon, by volume, between 10 and 35 percent that has a relatively high aspect ratio of 10:1 or more. Optionally, a third filler material of thermally conductive material with a relatively low aspect ratio of 5:1 or less may be included in the composition, by volume less than 10 percent, to improve the thermal conductivity and strength of the composition.

Abstract: A thermally-conductive polymer composition suitable for making molded reflector articles having light-reflecting surfaces is provided. The composition comprises: a) about 20% to about 80% by weight of a base polymer matrix such as polycarbonate; and b) about 20% to about 80% by weight of a thermally-conductive carbon material such as graphite. The composition can be used to make reflector articles such as housings for automotive tail lamps, head lamps, and other lighting fixtures. A method for manufacturing reflector articles is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat pipe construction includes first providing a tubular pipe with an open end. A thermally conductive material, such as a metallic material or a filled polymer composite material is overmolded over or cast around the tubular pipe. Additional heat dissipating elements, such as insert molded pins, may be provided in the overmolded or cast material to enhance thermal conductivity of the heat sink assembly. The tubular pipe is then filled with heat pipe media, such as water or ammonia, and then immediately sealed therein to effectively form an embedded heat pipe within a thermally conductive cast or overmolded structure. With the method of the present invention, an heat pipes can be overmolded with or cast into other heat dissipating material structure to improve overall performance of the heat pipe without damaging the heat pipe.