Patents by Inventor Antonio Delfino

Antonio Delfino 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: 20170179507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stopping a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell stack and to a system containing a fuel-cell stack implementing such a method. The system comprises a gas circuit and a stack of electrochemical cells forming a fuel-cell stack comprising a polymer ion exchange membrane, said circuit comprising: a fuel-gas supply circuit (11) connecting a fuel-gas tank to the anode of the fuel-cell stack; and an oxidant-gas supply circuit (12b) connecting an oxidant-gas tank, or atmospheric air, to the cathode of the fuel-cell stack; characterized in that the system furthermore comprises means able to completely eliminate hydrogen present at the anode of the fuel-cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicants: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Braillard, Gino Paganelli, Antonio Delfino
  • Publication number: 20170137993
    Abstract: A threadlike metallic or metallized reinforcer, for example a thread, film, tape or cord made of carbon steel, at the periphery of which is positioned a layer of metal referred to as “surface metal” chosen from copper, nickel and copper/nickel alloys, is characterized in that this surface metal layer is itself coated, at least in part, with at least one layer of graphene; preferably, there is grafted, to this graphene, at least one functional group which can crosslink to a polymer matrix. This reinforcer of the invention is effectively protected from corrosion by virtue of the graphene present at the surface; advantageously, it can be adhesively bonded directly, without adhesion primer or addition of metal salt, to an unsaturated rubber matrix, such as natural rubber, by virtue of the possible functionalization of this graphene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT NIKOLAUS GRASS, WENDELIN JAN STARK, MILAN FEDURCO, ANTONIO DELFINO, JEAN-PAUL MERALDI
  • Publication number: 20170121806
    Abstract: A process for depositing, with forward progression, graphene on the surface of a metallic or metallized continuous reinforcer, at the periphery of which is positioned a layer of surface metal chosen from copper, nickel and copper/nickel alloys, comprises at least one stage of flame spray pyrolysis (“FSP”), under a reducing atmosphere, of a carbon precursor which generates, in the flame, at least one carbon-based gas such as carbon monoxide which is sprayed onto the surface of the reinforcer in forward progression, and is decomposed thereon to form one or more graphene layers at the surface of the surface metal; an additional stage of graphene functionalization makes it possible to adhere the reinforcer to a polymer matrix such as rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: WENDELIN JAN STARK, ROBERT NIKOLAUS GRASS, Milan Fedurco, ANTONIO DELFINO, JEAN-PAUL MERALDI
  • Publication number: 20170051098
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a polyurethane foam by microcasting based on MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) and on a polyol with a high ethylene oxide content, having an ethylene oxide content of greater than 50%, in which the following are mixed, under pressure, to form a foaming liquid precursor of polyurethane foam: a first reactive liquid, referred to as liquid A, comprising on the one hand a urethane prepolymer based on a first portion of the MDI and on a first portion of said polyol, and on the other hand the second portion of the MDI in the free state, said prepolymer being dissolved in this second portion of MDI in the free state; with a second reactive liquid, referred to as liquid B, comprising the second portion of said polyol and water as foaming agent, characterized in that the amount of said polyol in the liquid B represents between 25% and 75% by weight of the total of said polyol; this method is advantageously used for casting a polyurethane foam into the cavity of a tyre casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicants: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: ALAIN PARFONDRY, ANTONIO DELFINO
  • Publication number: 20170050468
    Abstract: A flat or planar reinforcer shaped as a multicomposite strip (R1), which is defined by three main perpendicular directions: an axial direction (X), a transverse direction (Y), and a radial direction (Z), has a width LR in the Y direction of between 2 and 100 mm, and has a thickness ER in the Z direction of between 0.1 and 5 mm. A ratio LR/ER is greater than 3. The multicomposite strip includes a plurality of monofilaments made of a composite material. The monofilaments are oriented along the X direction and include filaments of a mineral material embedded in a thermoset resin having a glass transition temperature Tg1 that is greater than 70° C. The monofilaments are coated in a layer of thermoplastic material. The reinforcer may be used to reinforce a tire and a multilayer laminate, which may be used to reinforce a tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: ANTONIO DELFINO
  • Publication number: 20160318342
    Abstract: A multicomposite reinforcer (R1, R2) has improved mechanical properties and comprises at least: one or more monofilament(s) (10) made of glass-resin composite comprising glass filaments (101) embedded in a thermoset resin (102), the glass transition temperature of which, denoted Tg1, is greater than 150° C.; and individually covering said monofilament, each monofilament or collectively several monofilaments, a layer of a thermoplastic material (12), the glass transition temperature of which, denoted Tg2, is greater than 20° C. The multicomposite reinforcer can be used in a multilayer laminate, either of which can be used to reinforce pneumatic or non-pneumatic tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: ANTONIO DELFINO
  • Publication number: 20160288569
    Abstract: Non-pneumatic tires are disclosed having a support structure that includes an outer reinforced annular band, a hub and a set of supports extending between the hub and radially inward from the outer reinforced annular band. The support structure is formed at least in part of a polyurethane produced from a prepolymer comprising a reaction product of an aromatic diisocyanate monomer and an active hydrogen component selected from a polyol, a polyamine or combinations thereof, the aromatic diisocyanate monomer and the active hydrogen component mixed at a ratio of NCO to isocyanate-reacting function group of at least 1.8:1, wherein the active hydrogen component has a number average molecular weight of between 1000 and 6000 and wherein the prepolymer contains no more than 10 wt % of residual aromatic diisocyanate monomer. The reaction components also include a curative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Alain Parfondry, Micheal E DOTSON, Clayton C BOHN, Antonio Delfino
  • Publication number: 20160185051
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a monofilament made of glass-resin composite comprising glass filaments embedded in a resin comprises: creating a rectilinear arrangement of glass filaments and conveying this arrangement in a feed direction: in a vacuum chamber, degassing the arrangement of glass filaments by the action of the vacuum; at the outlet of the vacuum chamber, after degassing, passing through an impregnation chamber under vacuum so as to impregnate said arrangement of glass filaments with a photocurable resin composition in the liquid state to obtain a pre-preg containing the glass filaments and the resin composition; passing said pre-preg through a sizing die having a cross section of predefined area and shape to provide it with the shape of a monofilament; and downstream of the die, in a UV irradiation chamber, polymerizing the resin composition under the action of the UV rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: ANTONIO DELFINO, JEAN-PAUL MERALDI, ALAIN PARFONDRY, GABRIEL LIMAT
  • Publication number: 20160159152
    Abstract: A monofilament made of glass-resin composite has improved properties in compression, in particular at high temperature, and comprises glass filaments embedded in a crosslinked resin. The glass transition temperature of the resin is equal to or greater than 190° C. The elongation at break of the monofilament, measured at 23° C., is equal to or greater than 4.0%. The initial tensile modulus of the monofilament, measured at 23° C., is greater than 35 GPa. The real part of the complex modulus of the monofilament, measured at 190° C. by the DMTA method, is greater than 30 GPa. Pneumatic or non-pneumatic tires are reinforced with such a composite monofilament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: ANTONIO DELFINO, JEAN-PAUL MERALDI
  • Publication number: 20160122460
    Abstract: A polymer has urethane or thiourethane units, which can be used, in particular, as an adhesion primer for the adhesive bonding of metal or glass to rubber. The polymer comprises base units comprising at least a sub-unit of formula —X1—CO—NH— in which X1 respectively represents O or S, and additional units comprising at least a secondary alcohol function and a thioether function in the ? position relative to the alcohol function. The polymer can be used as an adhesion primer for the adhesive bonding of a substrate, for example glass or metal, to an unsaturated rubber, or as a corrosion-resistant protective coating for a metal substrate. A metal reinforcer, such as wire, cord, film or plate, can be coated with the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: MILAN FEDURCO, MARCO RIBEZZO, ANTONIO DELFINO
  • Publication number: 20150352900
    Abstract: A ready-for-use metal reinforcer, for example, of the wire or cord type, made of brass-coated carbon steel, is capable of adhering directly by vulcanization to a matrix of unsaturated rubber such as natural rubber. The surface of the reinforcer is provided with nanoparticles of at least one sulfide of a metal chosen from cobalt, copper, iron, zinc and the alloys comprising at least one of these elements. Such a reinforcer can be used as the reinforcing element of a finished article made of rubber, such as a tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: ANTONIO DELFINO, MILAN FEDURCO, JEAN PAUL MERALDI, ROBERT NIKOLAUS GRASS, WENDELIN JAN STARK
  • Publication number: 20150307981
    Abstract: The surface of a body, in particular a metal reinforcer, at least the surface of which comprises a layer of metal referred to as surface metal capable of forming sulphides, is sulfurized. The metal can be chosen from copper, zinc and their alloys. The process comprises at least one stage of flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) of a sulphur-donating precursor, for example, thiophene, which generates hydrogen sulphide in the flame. The metal bodies or reinforcers thus treated can be directly adhesively bonded, without adhesion primer or addition of metal salt, such as a cobalt salt, to matrices of unsaturated rubber such as natural rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT NIKOLAUS GRASS, MILAN FEDURCO, ANTONIO DELFINO, JEAN PAUL MERALDI, WENDELIN JAN STARK
  • Publication number: 20150259463
    Abstract: A polyurea comprises at least urea base units of formula —NH—CO—NH— and additional units. The additional units comprise at least, on the one hand, a secondary alcohol functional group and, on the other hand, an ether, thioether or secondary amine functional group in the alpha position with respect to the secondary alcohol functional group. Such a polymer can be used as an adhesion primer for the adhesive bonding of a substrate, for example, glass or metal, to an unsaturated rubber or as corrosion-resistant protective coating for a metal substrate. Metal reinforcers, such as thread, cord, film or plate, coated can also be coated with such a polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Milan Fedurco, Marco Ribezzo, Antonio Delfino
  • Patent number: 9105893
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle includes a fuel cell with a decomposition reactor for decomposing sodium chlorate (NaClO3). Reaction products produced by the decomposition reactor include oxygen and sodium chloride (NaCl). Gaseous hydrogen is stored onboard the vehicle, such as in a hydrogen tank at a low pressure, using metal hydrides. The hydrogen from the hydrogen tank and the oxygen produced by the decomposition reactor are consumed by the fuel cell in order to produce electricity. The vehicle further includes a storage tank for storing the NaCl produced by decomposition of the NaClO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Delfino
  • Patent number: 9080241
    Abstract: A system is provided for producing hydrogen and oxygen based on decomposition of sodium chlorate (NaClO3). In a service station, NaClO3 is produced by a sodium chloride (NaCl) electrolyser. The service station is supplied with water (H2O), NaCl, and energy in order to carry out an electrolysis reaction in the electrolyser, to produce NaClO3 and gaseous hydrogen (H2). The NaClO3 and H2 are supplied to vehicles. Each vehicle includes a reactor for decomposing the NaClO3 and producing reaction products of NaCl and oxygen, with the oxygen being supplied to a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Delfino
  • Publication number: 20150174968
    Abstract: A single-layer bead wire for a tyre includes a core and an outer layer. The core includes at least one yarn of a multifilament textile fibre embedded in an organic matrix. The outer layer includes a metal wire wound around and in contact with the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Huyghe, Laurent Bucher, Antonio Delfino, Jean-Paul Meraldi, Thibault Rapenne
  • Publication number: 20150151592
    Abstract: The inner wall of a pneumatic tyre, in the vulcanized state, provided with a layer of polyurethane foam, characterized in that the polyurethane is based on a diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), in particular 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and on a polyol having an ethylene oxide content of greater than 50% (% by weight). This specific polyurethane formulation makes it possible to obtain a light foam that efficiently absorbs noise; it has the advantages of being simple and inexpensive and of being easy to process by direct casting of the reactants in the pneumatic tyre of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Alain Parfondry, Antonio Delfino
  • Publication number: 20150144245
    Abstract: A bead wire for a tyre includes a core, an outer layer, and at least one intermediate layer. The core includes at least one yarn of a multifilament textile fibre embedded in an organic matrix. The outer layer includes an outer-layer metal wire wound around the core. Each intermediate layer includes an intermediate-layer metal wire wound around the core. Each intermediate layer is disposed between the core and the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Laurent Bucher, Jean-Michel Huyghe, Antonio Delfino, Jean-Paul Meraldi, Thibault Rapenne
  • Publication number: 20150122394
    Abstract: A bead wire for a tyre includes a core and an outer layer. The core includes a plurality of circumferential windings of at least one core yarn, with each core yarn including a core multifilament textile fibre embedded in an organic core matrix. The outer layer includes a single outer-layer yarn, with the outer-layer yarn including an outer-layer multifilament textile fibre embedded in an organic outer-layer matrix. The outer-layer yarn is wound around the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Huyghe, Laurent Bucher, Antonio Delfino, Jean-Paul Meraldi, Thibault Rapenne
  • Patent number: 8962120
    Abstract: Non-pneumatic resilient wheel (10), that is supported structurally and defines three perpendicular directions, circumferential (X), axial (Y) and radial (Z). The wheel comprises a hub (11); an annular band referred to a shear band (13) comprising at least one inner circumferential membrane (14) and one outer circumferential membrane (16) that are oriented in the circumferential direction X; and a plurality of support elements (12) that connect the hub (11) to the inner circumferential membrane (14). The two membranes (14, 16) are connected to one another, in zones (17) referred to as anchoring zones, by means of a series (15A, 15B, 15C), that extends in the circumferential direction (X), of cylinder structures (15) referred to as connecting cylindrical structures that are non-touching in the circumferential direction X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Antonio Delfino, Richard Herault, Denis Martin, Jean-Paul Meraldi