Patents by Inventor Donald F. Connors

Donald F. Connors 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).

  • Carbon fiber friction material
    Publication number: 20040147192
    Abstract: A carbon friction material, preferably a woven carbon friction material, wherein a binder such as an epoxy or phenolic resin is used to strengthen and impart rigidity to the friction material. The friction material has a graded concentration of the binder such that the friction surface may have substantially no binder. A reinforcing substrate such as a fiberglass backing may also be present. The coefficient of friction at the friction surface may be further increased by, for example, shaving the surface such that a plurality of fibers become oriented in a direction perpendicular to the friction surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Ballard Material Products Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Connors, David Giannelli, Robert W. Pepper
  • Method for densifying the edges and surfaces of a preform using a liquid precursor
    Patent number: 5981002
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for densifying one or more porous preforms, including the edges and surfaces of one or more preform, when using a liquid precursor. The method includes covering at least a portion of the porous preform with an insulating material to insulate at least a part of the preform. The preform is submerged in a precursor liquid which is heat-decomposable. The preform is heated in the precursor liquid at a temperature sufficient to decompose the precursor liquid within the preform and to deposit a decomposition product of the precursor liquid within the preform. The heating of the preform is continued in the precursor liquid until at least part of the insulated portion of the preform, which would not densify in this process without insulation, is densified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Donald F. Connors, Jr.
  • Method for densification of porous billets
    Patent number: 5733611
    Abstract: A porous preform is densified by heating while emersed in a precursor liquid. Heating is achieved by passing a current through the preform or by an induction coil immersed in the liquid. Ways to control the densification process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Garrett S. Thurston, Raymond J. Suplinskas, Thomas J. Carroll, Donald F. Connors, Jr., David T. Scaringella, Richard C. Krutenat
  • Method of densifying porous billets
    Patent number: 5397595
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of producing a densified carbon preform having interior a porous region of graded carbon-silicon carbide, carbon-silicon nitride or ceramic-ceramic composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Avco Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Carroll, Donald F. Connors, Jr., Raymond J. Suplinskas, Garrett S. Thurston
  • Apparatus for densification of porous billets
    Patent number: 5389152
    Abstract: A porous preform is densified by heating while emersed in a precursor liquid. Heating is achieved by passing a current through the preform or by an induction coil immersed in the liquid. Ways to control the densification process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Avco Corporation
    Inventors: Garrett S. Thurston, Raymond J. Suplinskas, Thomas J. Carroll, Donald F. Connors, Jr., David T. Scaringella, Richard C. Krutenat