Patents by Inventor Christopher Hiltunen

Christopher Hiltunen 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).

  • Process of debundling carbon fiber tow and molding compositions containing such fibers
    Patent number: 11214894
    Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL STRUCTURAL PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Probir Kumar Guha, Michael J. Siwajek, Michael J. Hiltunen, Shane Skop, Christopher Hiltunen, Patrick Hale
  • Process of debundling carbon fiber tow and molding compositions containing such fibers
    Patent number: 10337129
    Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Structural Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Probir Kumar Guha, Michael J. Siwajek, Michael J. Hiltunen, Shane Skop, Christopher Hiltunen, Patrick Hale
  • PROCESS OF DEBUNDLING CARBON FIBER TOW AND MOLDING COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SUCH FIBERS
    Publication number: 20180105958
    Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Probir Kumar Guha, Michael J. Siwajek, Michael J. Hiltunen, Shane Skop, Christopher Hiltunen, Patrick Hale