Patents by Inventor Chris Boyer
Chris Boyer 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).
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Patent number: 8839833Abstract: A tire having two beads and a carcass reinforcement with a main part wrapped within each bead around a bead wire core to form a turned-back portion. Each bead has an additional reinforcement and a filler profiled element extending the bead wire core radially outwards. This filler profiled element has, in any meridian plane, a three exterior sides including a radially inner side, axially inner side and axially outer side, with the axially inner and outer sides converging at a radially outermost point, and is formed of a stack in the radial direction of at least three polymer materials in contact along a contact surface that intersects any meridian plane along a meridian line.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Techniques S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Bopha Grisin, Chris Boyer
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Patent number: 8770246Abstract: A tire comprising a crown reinforcement which is itself capped radially with a tread, the crown reinforcement containing at least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements distributed axially at a variable pitch. The layer of circumferential reinforcing elements comprising five parts, these being a central part, two intermediate parts and two axially exterior parts, the pitch in the central part being in the range between 1 and 1.5 times the pitch of the axially exterior parts and the pitch in an intermediate part being in the range between 1.6 and 2 times the pitch of the axially exterior parts.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Christelle Chaulet, Richard Audigier, Chris Boyer
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Patent number: 8640423Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a photovoltaic panel on a rooftop includes a vessel having a first side, second side, front, bottom, and top panels, wherein the panels are attached to define a void within the vessel. A fill port is disposed on the vessel. A first hole is adapted to receive a screw on the top panel, wherein the first hole is aligned with a second hole disposed on the bottom panel, wherein the first and second holes are adapted to be aligned with a third hole on a first mounting cross arm. The top panel is inclined at an angle relative to the bottom panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignees: The University of Houston System, Metalab LLC, Standard Renewable Energy Inc.Inventors: Joseph Meppelink, Andrew Vrana, Chris Boyer
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Publication number: 20120160390Abstract: A tire for a heavy goods vehicle comprises two beads and a carcass reinforcement comprising a main part (161) wrapped within each bead around a bead wire core (171, 172) to form a turned-back portion (162), each bead comprising an additional reinforcement (163) and a filler profiled element extending the bead wire core radially outwards. This filler profiled element has, in any meridian plane, a triangular cross section and is formed of a stack in the radial direction of at least two polymer materials (11, 12, 13) in contact along a contact surface that intersects any meridian plane along a meridian line (112, 123).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Bopha Grisin, Chris Boyer
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Publication number: 20110308686Abstract: A tire comprising a crown reinforcement which is itself capped radially with a tread, the crown reinforcement containing at least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements distributed axially at a variable pitch. The layer of circumferential reinforcing elements comprising five parts, these being a central part, two intermediate parts and two axially exterior parts, the pitch in the central part being in the range between 1 and 1.5 times the pitch of the axially exterior parts and the pitch in an intermediate part being in the range between 1.6 and 2 times the pitch of the axially exterior parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Christelle Chaulet, Richard Audigier, Chris Boyer
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Publication number: 20110056536Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a photovoltaic panel on a rooftop includes a vessel having a first side, second side, front, bottom, and top panels, wherein the panels are attached to define a void within the vessel. A fill port is disposed on the vessel. A first hole is adapted to receive a screw on the top panel, wherein the first hole is aligned with a second hole disposed on the bottom panel, wherein the first and second holes are adapted to be aligned with a third hole on a first mounting cross arm. The top panel is inclined at an angle relative to the bottom panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Joseph Meppelink, Andrew Vrana, Chris Boyer
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Patent number: 7736783Abstract: A bipolar plate comprising a fluid barrier and a sealing frame formed around and overlaping the perimeter of the fluid barrier. The fluid barrier is placed in a mold and then a polymer is injected into the mold, thereby forming the sealing frame around the fluid barrier such that the sealing frame overlaps the perimeter of the fluid barrier. Because there are no surfaces to seal between the perimeter of the fluid barrier and the sealing frame, gaskets or other sealing surfaces are not required. A bipolar plate is further provided comprising a fluid barrier having the perimeter of the fluid barrier between a preformed cathode sealing frame and an anode sealing frame. The anode and cathode sealing frames are adapted to receive an overlapped portion of the perimeter of the fluid barrier. The anode and cathode sealing frames are then bonded together to form a fluid tight seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Lynntech, Inc.Inventors: Craig Andrews, Chris Boyer, Oliver J. Murphy, Al Cisar, Brad Fiebig
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Patent number: 7257853Abstract: Disclosed is a butterfly mop having an elongate shaft with a mop element disposed at one end of the shaft and a wringer connected to the shaft and the mop element. In preferred embodiments, the wringer includes a channel body having first and second leg portions defining a channel therebetween. The mop element includes a foldable, compressible, liquid-absorbent member, a mounting element having first and second support portions connected by a flexible member, and a scrubber mounted to the mounting element. The mop element and channel body are movable relative to one another, whereby the mop element may be drawn into the channel causing the mop element to fold along a central transverse axis and to become compressed between the channel body leg portions. The wringer includes a handle and an actuator link connecting the handle to one of the mop element and channel body for effecting relative hinged movement thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products LPInventors: Chris Boyer, Miroslav Vuckovic
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Patent number: 7125625Abstract: A bipolar assembly for use in electrochemical cell stacks, especially stacks operated at low pressure. The bipolar assembly is lightweight and provides a “post-type” flow field that operates with a low pressure drop. The bipolar assembly comprises a gas barrier having an array of electronically conducting posts disposed approximately perpendicular to the gas barrier. Each end of the posts is in electrical communication with the surface of an electrode. Because the bipolar assembly separates a cathode from an anode, the posts contact an anode electrode on one end and a cathode electrode on the other end. The posts provide current conduction through the stack as well as provide the flow fields for the electrochemical reactants. Optionally, the bipolar assembly may contain cooling fluid channels formed by adding additional gas barriers to the bipolar assembly. The space between the gas barriers form a channel through which cooling fluids may be circulated.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Lynnetech, Inc.Inventors: Alan J. Cisar, Craig C. Andrews, Charles J. Greenwald, Oliver J. Murphy, Chris Boyer, Rattaya Chow Yalamanchili, Carlos E. Salinas
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Publication number: 20050028309Abstract: Disclosed is a butterfly mop having an elongate shaft with a mop element disposed at one end of the shaft and a wringer connected to the shaft and the mop element. In preferred embodiments, the wringer includes a channel body having first and second leg portions defining a channel therebetween. The mop element includes a foldable, compressible, liquid-absorbent member, a mounting element having first and second support portions connected by a flexible member, and a scrubber mounted to the mounting element. The mop element and channel body are movable relative to one another, whereby the mop element may be drawn into the channel causing the mop element to fold along a central transverse axis and to become compressed between the channel body leg portions. The wringer includes a handle and an actuator link connecting the handle to one of the mop element and channel body for effecting relative hinged movement thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2003Publication date: February 10, 2005Applicant: Freudenberg Household ProductsInventors: Chris Boyer, Miroslav Vuckovic
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Publication number: 20050014037Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell operates with greater safety if a leak develops between the anode and the cathode sides of the fuel cell allowing hydrogen and oxygen to become mixed on whichever side operates at the lower pressure. A recombination catalyst is disposed within the fuel cell to catalyze the recombination reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water and prevent the formation of an explosive mixture. The hydrogen-oxygen recombination catalyst is disposed in a hydrogen distribution system, an oxygen distribution system, or a combination thereof. Suitable recombination catalysts include platinum or alloys thereof, palladium, gold, tin, and combinations thereof, with or without platinum. Still other suitable recombination catalysts include, for example, noble metals, nickel-paladium, and nickel oxides.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventors: Chris Boyer, Charles Greenwald, Oliver Murphy, Craig Andrews, Carlos Salinas
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Publication number: 20040214067Abstract: A method for assembling fully functional sub-stacks of electrochemical cells, that includes securing a plurality of electrochemical cell components into a functioning sub-stack. The cell components may include, without limitation, bipolar plates, bipolar grids, monopolar plates, monopolar grids, membrane and electrode assemblies (MEA), gas diffusion elements, flow fields, cooling plates, heating plates and combinations thereof. Each of these components are assembled in a generally planar assembly, or a stack. The method further includes banding perimeter tabs of one component in the sub-stack to perimeter tabs of another component in the sub-stack. Banding the perimeter tabs does not compress the components together with such a force as to form fluid tight seals, but rather provides compression to hold each component in place and aligned during storage and normal handling of the sub-stack. The perimeter tabs extend from the perimeter of the component and in the same plane as the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Chris Boyer, James Layton, James Evans, Brad Fiebig
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Publication number: 20040168910Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling electrochemical cell components into cells, sub-stacks of cells and stacks of cells. The components provide self-alignment of two or more components without introducing additional parts or complexity to the assembly process. Rather, at least one component has an integral projection and at least one other component has an integral cavity for receiving the projection. The dimensions of the projection and cavity must not interfer with the face-to-face contact between the generally planar components, and the projection must not be taller than the cavity is deep. In order to provide alignment across the entire face of the components, it is preferred to have at least one component with a plurality of projections and at least one component having a plurality of cavities. Preferably, the projections and cavities will be positioned at the generally opposite sides, end comers, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Craig Andrews, Jim Chepin, Chris Boyer, Brad Fiebig, James Evans, James Layton
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Publication number: 20040161655Abstract: A method for assembling electrochemical cells for monopolar arrays or bipolar stacks using an adhesive to bond and seal the interfaces of the stack components. Adhesives may bond and seal the components of an electrochemical cell stack, thereby providing a much lighter assembly than those stacks using traditional assembly methods and techniques. Accordingly, no gaskets, o-rings or similar devices are required to seal between the components. The adhesive may be an adhesive type selected from types consisting of reactively cured, thermoplastic, and cured by solvent loss. The adhesive may be an epoxy having a harness (Shore A) of between about 90 and about 70, preferably about 80. The perimeters of the membrane that is part of a membrane and electrode assembly may be dimensionally stabilized by leaving the perimeter in the PFSP form, or by converting the protonated perimeter to a tetra-alkyl ammonium form or to a polyvalent cationic form.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Oliver J. Murphy, Craig Andrews, James Layton, Charles J. Greenwald, Chris Boyer
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Publication number: 20040159543Abstract: An electrochemical cell component having a plate with opposing faces, seal grooves formed in each of the faces, and a plurality of holes extending through the plate between the first and second grooves with an integral sealing member formed in the grooves and holes. The seal grooves extend continuously around the perimeter of the faces and the grooves may follow any type of contiguous pattern. The component may form a frame surrounding a flow field. Bipolar plates and fluid cooled bipolar plates may comprise this electrochemical cell component. Alternatively, a seal groove may be formed in only the first face and a ridge formed in the second face of the component. The ridge may be used to form a fluid tight seal when pressed into an opposing surface of the membrane in a membrane and electrode assembly. A sealing material is contained within the seal groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Chris Boyer, Brad Fiebig, Craig Andrews, James Layton
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Publication number: 20040161653Abstract: A bipolar plate comprising a fluid barrier and a sealing frame formed around and overlaping the perimeter of the fluid barrier. The fluid barrier is placed in a mold and then a polymer is injected into the mold, thereby forming the sealing frame around the fluid barrier such that the sealing frame overlaps the perimeter of the fluid barrier. Because there are no surfaces to seal between the perimeter of the fluid barrier and the sealing frame, gaskets or other sealing surfaces are not required. A bipolar plate is further provided comprising a fluid barrier having the perimeter of the fluid barrier between a preformed cathode sealing frame and an anode sealing frame. The anode and cathode sealing frames are adapted to receive an overlapped portion of the perimeter of the fluid barrier. The anode and cathode sealing frames are then bonded together to form a fluid tight seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Craig Andrews, Chris Boyer, Oliver J. Murphy, Al Cisar, Brad Fiebig
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Publication number: 20030232234Abstract: A bipolar assembly for use in electrochemical cell stacks, especially stacks operated at low pressure. The bipolar assembly is lightweight and provides a “post-type” flow field that operates with a low pressure drop. The bipolar assembly comprises a gas barrier having an array of electronically conducting posts disposed approximately perpendicular to the gas barrier. Each end of the posts is in electrical communication with the surface of an electrode. Because the bipolar assembly separates a cathode from an anode, the posts contact an anode electrode on one end and a cathode electrode on the other end. The posts provide current conduction through the stack as well as provide the flow fields for the electrochemical reactants. Optionally, the bipolar assembly may contain cooling fluid channels formed by adding additional gas barriers to the bipolar assembly. The space between the gas barriers form a channel through which cooling fluids may be circulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Alan J. Cisar, Craig C. Andrews, Charles J. Greenwald, Oliver J. Murphy, Chris Boyer, Rattaya Yalamanchili, Carlos E. Salinas
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Publication number: 20020187337Abstract: A pitch coated board and method of manufacture are disclosed. A porous or fibrous material, is coated and partially impregnated with a thin layer, less than 10 mil in thickness, of a petroleum or coal tar pitch. A high softening point, above 200F, coal tar or petroleum pitch is heated, then preferably roller coated on a fibrous material, then cooled within 1-2 seconds or less, to produce the pitch coated material. The porous material may be heated, preferably superficially, prior to application of the pitch to facilitate some penetration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: David Chris Boyer, Melvin D. Kiser, Stephen E. See
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Patent number: D508759Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products LPInventors: Chris Boyer, Miroslav Vuckovic
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Patent number: D499555Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products, LPInventors: Timothy Molek, Chris Boyer, Paul B. Specht