Patents by Inventor Christopher Whitmore

Christopher Whitmore 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).

  • Method of altering a surface of a ceramic matrix composite to aid in nodule removal
    Patent number: 11760699
    Abstract: A method of altering a surface of a ceramic matrix composite to aid in nodule removal is described. A fiber preform comprising a framework of ceramic fibers is heated to a temperature at or above a melting temperature of silicon. During the heating, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a molten material comprising silicon. After the infiltration, the fiber preform is cooled, and the infiltrated fiber preform is exposed to a gas comprising nitrogen during cooling. Silicon nitride may be formed by a reaction of free (unreacted) silicon at or near the surface of the infiltrated fiber preform with the nitrogen. Thus, a ceramic matrix composite having a surface configured for easy nodule removal is formed. Any silicon nodules formed on the surface during cooling may be removed without machining or heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPOSITES INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Whitmore, Stephen Harris, Sungbo Shim, Timothy Western
  • METHOD OF ALTERING A SURFACE OF A CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE TO AID IN NODULE REMOVAL
    Publication number: 20210009480
    Abstract: A method of altering a surface of a ceramic matrix composite to aid in nodule removal is described. A fiber preform comprising a framework of ceramic fibers is heated to a temperature at or above a melting temperature of silicon. During the heating, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a molten material comprising silicon. After the infiltration, the fiber preform is cooled, and the infiltrated fiber preform is exposed to a gas comprising nitrogen during cooling. Silicon nitride may be formed by a reaction of free (unreacted) silicon at or near the surface of the infiltrated fiber preform with the nitrogen. Thus, a ceramic matrix composite having a surface configured for easy nodule removal is formed. Any silicon nodules formed on the surface during cooling may be removed without machining or heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Whitmore, Stephen Harris, Sungbo Shim, Timothy Western