Patents by Inventor Andrew P. Nowak

Andrew P. Nowak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220306897
    Abstract: An adhesion promoter composition is disclosed. The adhesion promoter composition also includes one or more reactive silanes which includes a mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, a glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, or combinations thereof. The adhesion promoter composition also includes one or more reactive organometallics. The composition may include one or more organic solvents, an optional one or more gelling agents, and an optional one or more functional additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Phuong BUI, Ashley Marie DUSTIN, Andrew P. NOWAK, Carissa Ann PAJEL, Melinda Dae MILLER, Stella FORS
  • Publication number: 20220306868
    Abstract: An adhesion promoter composition is disclosed. The adhesion promoter composition includes a first reactive silane compound and a second reactive silane compound, where the second reactive silane is different from the first. The adhesion promoter composition also includes one or more organic solvents and an organic base. A method for applying the adhesion promoter composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Phuong BUI, Stella FORS, Adam F. GROSS, Ashley Marie DUSTIN, Andrew P. NOWAK, Melinda Dae MILLER, Carissa Ann PAJEL
  • Patent number: 11447656
    Abstract: An anti-fouling coating is provided, containing a continuous matrix comprising a first component; a plurality of inclusions comprising a second component, wherein the first component is a low-surface-energy polymer having a surface energy, and the second component is a hygroscopic material containing one or more ionic species. The low-surface-energy polymer and the hygroscopic material are chemically connected ionically or covalently, such as in a segmented copolymer composition comprising fluoropolymer soft segments and ionic species contained within the soft segments. The continuous matrix and the inclusions form a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. Coefficient-of-friction experimental data is presented for various sample coatings. The incorporation of ionic species into the polymer chain backbone increases the hygroscopic behavior of the overall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Nowak, Adam F. Gross, April R. Rodriguez, Ashley Nelson
  • Patent number: 11446905
    Abstract: A conductive composite includes a first layer of elastomeric polymer, a layer of conductive fluorofluid on the first layer of elastomeric polymer, and a second layer of elastomeric polymer on the layer of conductive fluorofluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ashley Dustin, Xin Guan, Adam E. Sorensen, Andrew P. Nowak, Richard E. Sharp
  • Patent number: 11421179
    Abstract: Low-friction fluorinated coatings are disclosed herein. A preferred low-friction material contains a low-surface-energy fluoropolymer having a surface energy between about 5 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, and a hygroscopic material that is covalently connected to the fluoropolymer in a triblock copolymer, such as PEG-PFPE-PEG. The material forms a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. An exemplary copolymer comprises fluoropolymers with average molecular weight from 500 g/mol to 20,000 g/mol, wherein the fluoropolymers are (?,?)-hydroxyl-terminated and/or (?,?)-amine-terminated, and wherein the fluoropolymers are present in the triblock structure T-(CH2—CH2—O)—CH2—CF2—O—(CF2—CF2—O)m(CF2—O)n—CF2—CH2—(O—CH2—CH2)p-T where T is a hydroxyl or amine terminal group, p=1 to 50, m=1 to 100, and n=1 to 100. The copolymer also contains isocyanate species and polyol or polyamine chain extenders or crosslinkers possessing a functionality of preferably 3 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Nowak, Adam F. Gross, Elena Sherman
  • Patent number: 11421082
    Abstract: Some variations provide a polysulfide-based copolymer containing first repeat units comprising S8-derived sulfur atoms bonded via sulfur-sulfur bonds; and second repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic thiol molecule. Other variations provide a polysulfide-based copolymer containing first repeat units comprising S8-derived sulfur atoms bonded via sulfur-sulfur bonds; and second repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic unsaturated molecule, wherein the polysulfide-based copolymer has a total sulfur concentration of about 10 wt % or greater. Other variations provide a polysulfide-based copolymer containing first repeat units comprising S8-derived sulfur atoms bonded via sulfur-sulfur bonds; second repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic thiol molecule; and third repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic unsaturated molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Nowak, Ashley M. Dustin, April R. Rodriguez, Kevin Drummey
  • Patent number: 11421080
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure provide fluoropolymers and methods for forming and using such fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers include polyfluorobenzoxazines and polyfluoroimides. Methods for forming polyphthalonitriles are also provided. The present disclosure is further directed to compositions containing one or more fluoropolymers and one or more metal oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ashley M. Dustin, Andrew P. Nowak
  • Patent number: 11397282
    Abstract: Infrared-transparent and damage-resistant polymer optics with LWIR and/or MWIR transparency are provided. Some variations provide an optic containing at least 50 wt % of an infrared-transparent polymer, wherein the infrared-transparent polymer has a carbon-free polymer backbone, wherein the optic is characterized by at least 80% average transmission of radiation over a wavenumber band with cumulative wavenumber width of at least 1000 cm?1 contained within wavelengths from 3.1 ?m to 5 ?m and/or from 8.1 ?m to 12 ?m, and wherein the average transmission is defined as the percentage ratio of radiation intensity through an optic thickness of 25 microns divided by incident radiation intensity. Many polymer compositions and pendant groups are disclosed for use in the polymer optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Adam F. Gross, Ashley M. Dustin, Andrew P. Nowak, April R. Rodriguez, Rajesh D. Rajavel, Jacob M. Hundley
  • Patent number: 11396607
    Abstract: This invention provides durable, low-ice-adhesion coatings with excellent performance in terms of ice-adhesion reduction. Some variations provide a low-ice-adhesion coating comprising a microstructure with a first-material phase and a second-material phase that are microphase-separated on an average length scale of phase inhomogeneity from 1 micron to 100 microns. Some variations provide a low-ice-adhesion material comprising a continuous matrix containing a first component; and a plurality of discrete inclusions containing a second component, wherein the inclusions are dispersed within the matrix to form a phase-separated microstructure that is inhomogeneous on an average length scale from 1 micron to 100 microns, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other is a hygroscopic material. The coatings are characterized by an AMIL Centrifuge Ice Adhesion Reduction Factor up to 100 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Nowak, April R. Rodriguez, Elena Sherman, Adam F. Gross
  • Publication number: 20220119665
    Abstract: Resistive inks and method of making resistive inks that utilize a phthalonitrile resin as a curable component in the inks are disclosed. In one example, a resistive ink is provided. The resistive ink comprises a solvent, a thermally-curable phthalonitrile-based resin dissolved in the solvent, and one or more conductive fillers. In some examples, the phthalonitrile resin can comprise a B-staged material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ashley M. Dustin, Xin Guan, Michael J. Ventuleth, Andrew P. Nowak, Shahriar Alam, Stella Fors
  • Publication number: 20220119673
    Abstract: Some variations provide a multiphase polymer composition comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are chemically distinct, wherein the first polymer material and the second polymer material are microphase-separated on a microphase-separation length scale from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns, wherein the multiphase polymer composition comprises first solid functional particles selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, and wherein the first solid functional particles are chemically distinct from the first polymer material and the second polymer material. Some embodiments provide an anti-corrosion composition comprising first corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, wherein the multiphase polymer composition optionally further comprises second corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the second polymer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ashley M. DUSTIN, Andrew P. NOWAK, Jason A. GRAETZ, John J. VAJO, April R. RODRIGUEZ
  • Publication number: 20220097097
    Abstract: Some variations provide a method of forming a transparent icephobic coating, comprising: obtaining a hardenable precursor comprising a first component and a plurality of inclusions containing a second component, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other is a hygroscopic material; applying mechanical shear and/or sonication to the hardenable precursor; disposing the hardenable precursor onto a substrate; and curing the hardenable precursor to form a transparent icephobic coating. The coating contains a hardened continuous matrix containing regions of the first component separated from regions of the second component on an average length scale of phase inhomogeneity from 10 nanometers to 10 microns, such as less than 1 micron, or less than 100 nanometers. The transparent icephobic coating may be characterized by a light transmittance of at least 50% at wavelengths from 400 nm to 800 nm, through a 100-micron coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: April R. RODRIGUEZ, Andrew P. NOWAK, Adam F. GROSS
  • Patent number: 11254779
    Abstract: Some variations provide a reworkable ionomer composition comprising: a polymer containing a plurality of ionic monomers disposed in a chain backbone of the polymer, wherein the ionic monomers have a monomer charge polarity that is either positive or negative; and a plurality of ionic species disposed within the chain backbone of the polymer, wherein the ionic species have opposite charge polarity compared to the monomer charge polarity, wherein the ionic species and the ionic monomers are ionically bonded, and wherein the ionic species are capable of undergoing a reversible oxidation-state transition of at least +1 or ?1 when in the presence of a redox reagent. The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, polyurethane-ureas, polysiloxanes, polycarbonates, and combinations thereof. Many options for ionic monomers and ionic species are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Ashley M. Dustin, April R. Rodriguez, Shanying Cui, Andrew P. Nowak, Adam F. Gross
  • Patent number: 11247228
    Abstract: Some variations provide a method of forming a transparent icephobic coating, comprising: obtaining a hardenable precursor comprising a first component and a plurality of inclusions containing a second component, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other is a hygroscopic material; applying mechanical shear and/or sonication to the hardenable precursor; disposing the hardenable precursor onto a substrate; and curing the hardenable precursor to form a transparent icephobic coating. The coating contains a hardened continuous matrix containing regions of the first component separated from regions of the second component on an average length scale of phase inhomogeneity from 10 nanometers to 10 microns, such as less than 1 micron, or less than 100 nanometers. The transparent icephobic coating may be characterized by a light transmittance of at least 50% at wavelengths from 400 nm to 800 nm, through a 100-micron coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: April R. Rodriguez, Andrew P. Nowak, Adam F. Gross
  • Patent number: 11225589
    Abstract: Some variations provide a multiphase polymer composition comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are chemically distinct, wherein the first polymer material and the second polymer material are microphase-separated on a microphase-separation length scale from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns, wherein the multiphase polymer composition comprises first solid functional particles selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, and wherein the first solid functional particles are chemically distinct from the first polymer material and the second polymer material. Some embodiments provide an anti-corrosion composition comprising first corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, wherein the multiphase polymer composition optionally further comprises second corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the second polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Ashley M. Dustin, Andrew P. Nowak, Jason A. Graetz, John J. Vajo, April R. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11214707
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide coatings and methods for depositing coatings onto surfaces. In one aspect, a method for forming a coating includes applying a composition to a surface of a component, the composition including a first polymer, a second polymer that is a fluoropolymer, an isocyanate, and a curative. The method includes curing the mixture at a first temperature of about 50° C. or greater and increasing the first temperature to a second temperature of about 80° C. or greater. The method includes obtaining a coating disposed on the surface of the component, the coating having a thickness of from about 10 mils to about 50 mils and a void density of less than 5 voids of size 0.5 mm or greater per cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew P. Nowak, April R. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20210347153
    Abstract: A conductive composite includes a first layer of elastomeric polymer, a layer of conductive fluorofluid on the first layer of elastomeric polymer, and a second layer of elastomeric polymer on the layer of conductive fluorofluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ashley Dustin, Xin Guan, Adam E. Sorensen, Andrew P. Nowak, Richard E. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20210347152
    Abstract: A conductive composite includes a first layer of elastomeric polymer, a layer of electrically conductive paste on the first layer of elastomeric polymer, and a second layer of elastomeric polymer on the layer of electrically conductive paste. A reinforcement mesh is in contact with the layer of electrically conductive paste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Adam F. Gross, Ashley Dustin, Andrew P. Nowak, Xin Guan, Adam E. Sorensen, Richard E. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20210340413
    Abstract: Provided herein are phthalonitrile adhesive formulations and methods of making and using the adhesive formulations. An illustrative adhesive formulation comprises a phthalonitrile additive selected from a group consisting of 1,2-dicyanobenzene; a derivative of 1,2-dicyanobenzene; and combinations thereof; a bisphthalonitrile compound; and a curing agent; wherein the phthalonitrile additive does not comprise an ether functional group and does not comprise a thioether functional group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Ashley M. Dustin, Andrew P. Nowak, Gregory P. Nowak, Kevin J. Drummey, Michael Ventuleth
  • Patent number: 11155681
    Abstract: A composition for forming a microlattice structure includes a photopolymerizable compound and a flame retardant material. A microlattice structure includes a plurality of struts interconnected at a plurality of nodes, the struts including: a copolymer including a reaction product of a photopolymerizable compound and a flame retardant material. A microlattice structure includes a plurality of struts interconnected at a plurality of nodes, the struts including: a polymer including a reaction product of a photopolymerizable compound; and a flame retardant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Sophia S. Yang, Eric C. Clough, Thomas I. Boundy, Andrew P. Nowak, Zak C. Eckel, Alan J. Jacobsen