Patents by Inventor Erik S. Weiser

Erik S. Weiser 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).

  • Patent number: 8017190
    Abstract: A metal/fiber laminate has a plurality of adjacent layers. Each layer is porous and includes an arrangement of fibers. At least one of the layers has its fibers coated with a metal. A polymer matrix permeates each such arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Stephen J. Hales, Joel A. Alexa, Brian J. Jensen, Roberto J. Cano, Erik S. Weiser
  • Patent number: 7977411
    Abstract: The invention involves composite materials containing a polymer foam and an aerogel. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability, good acoustic insulation, and excellent physical mechanical properties. The composite materials can be used, for instance, for heat and acoustic insulation on aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime ships in place of currently used foam panels and other foam products. The materials of the invention can also be used in building construction with their combination of light weight, strength, elasticity, ability to be formed into desired shapes, and superior thermal and acoustic insulation power. The materials have also been found to have utility for storage of cryogens. A cryogenic liquid or gas, such as N2 or H2, adsorbs to the surfaces in aerogel particles. Thus, another embodiment of the invention provides a storage vessel for a cryogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Martha K. Williams, Trent M. Smith, James E. Fesmire, Erik S. Weiser, Jared P. Sass
  • Patent number: 7964698
    Abstract: The benefits of liquid crystal polymers and polyetherimides are combined in an all-aromatic thermoplastic liquid crystalline polyetherimide. Because of the unique molecular structure, all-aromatic thermotropic liquid crystal polymers exhibit outstanding processing properties, excellent barrier properties, low solubilities and low coefficients of thermal expansion in the processing direction. These characteristics are combined with the strength, thermal, and radiation stability of polyetherimides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Erik S. Weiser, Theodorus J. Dingemans, Terry L. St. Clair, Jeffrey A. Hinkley
  • Publication number: 20110070793
    Abstract: A metal/fiber laminate has a plurality of adjacent layers. Each layer is porous and includes an arrangement of fibers. At least one of the layers has its fibers coated with a metal. A polymer matrix permeates each such arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicants: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics
    Inventors: Stephen J. Hales, Joel A. Alexa, Brian J. Jensen, Roberto J. Cano, Erik S. Weiser
  • Patent number: 7851062
    Abstract: A metal/fiber laminate has a plurality of adjacent layers. Each layer is porous and includes an arrangement of fibers. At least one of the layers has its fibers coated with a metal. A polymer matrix permeates each such arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Stephen J. Hales, Joel A. Alexa, Brian J. Jensen, Roberto J. Cano, Erik S. Weiser
  • Publication number: 20100275617
    Abstract: The invention involves composite materials containing a polymer foam and an aerogel. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability, good acoustic insulation, and excellent physical mechanical properties. The composite materials can be used, for instance, for heat and acoustic insulation on aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime ships in place of currently used foam panels and other foam products. The materials of the invention can also be used in building construction with their combination of light weight, strength, elasticity, ability to be formed into desired shapes, and superior thermal and acoustic insulation power. The materials have also been found to have utility for storage of cryogens. A cryogenic liquid or gas, such as N2 or H2, adsorbs to the surfaces in aerogel particles. Thus, another embodiment of the invention provides a storage vessel for a cryogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicants: Space Administration
    Inventors: Martha K. Williams, Trent M. Smith, James E. Fesmire, Erik S. Weiser, Jared P. Sass
  • Patent number: 7781492
    Abstract: The invention involves composite materials containing a polymer foam and an aerogel. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability, good acoustic insulation, and excellent physical mechanical properties. The composite materials can be used, for instance, for heat and acoustic insulation on aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime ships in place of currently used foam panels and other foam products. The materials of the invention can also be used in building construction with their combination of light weight, strength, elasticity, ability to be formed into desired shapes, and superior thermal and acoustic insulation power. The materials have also been found to have utility for storage of cryogens. A cryogenic liquid or gas, such as N2 or H2, adsorbs to the surfaces in aerogel particles. Thus, another embodiment of the invention provides a storage vessel for a cryogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Martha K. Williams, Trent M. Smith, James E. Fesmire, Erik S. Weiser, Jared P. Sass
  • Patent number: 7595112
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal/composite hybrid laminate is provided. One or more layered arrangements are stacked on a solid base to form a layered structure. Each layered arrangement is defined by a fibrous material and a perforated metal sheet. A resin in its liquid state is introduced along a portion of the layered structure while a differential pressure is applied across the laminate structure until the resin permeates the fibrous material of each layered arrangement and fills perforations in each perforated metal sheet. The resin is cured thereby yielding a metal/composite hybrid laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Roberto J. Cano, Brian W. Grimsley, Erik S. Weiser, Brian J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7541388
    Abstract: A fully imidized, solvent-free polyimide foam having excellent mechanical, acoustic, thermal, and flame resistant properties is produced. A first solution is provided, which includes one or more aromatic dianhydrides or derivatives of aromatic dianhydrides, and may include one or more aromatic diamines, dissolved in one or more polar solvents, along with an effective amount of one or more blowing agents. This first solution may also advantageously include effective amounts respectively of one or mores catalysts, one or more surfactants, and one or more fire retardants. A second solution is also provided which includes one or more isocyanates. The first and second solutions are rapidly and thoroughly mixed to produce an admixture, which is allowed to foam—in an open container, or in a closed mold—under ambient conditions to completion produce a foamed product. This foamed product is then cured by high frequency electromagnetic radiation, thermal energy, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Juan M. Vazquez, Roberto J. Cano, Brian J. Jensen, Erik S. Weiser
  • Publication number: 20090118461
    Abstract: The benefits of liquid crystal polymers and polyetherimides are combined in an all-aromatic thermoplastic liquid crystalline polyetherimide. Because of the unique molecular structure, all-aromatic thermotropic liquid crystal polymers exhibit outstanding processing properties, excellent barrier properties, low solubilities and low coefficients of thermal expansion in the processing direction. These characteristics are combined with the strength, thermal, and radiation stability of polyetherimides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Erik S. Weiser, Theodorus J. Dingemans, Terry L. St. Clair, Jeffrey A. Hinkley
  • Patent number: 7507784
    Abstract: Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials and end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide reactive end-groups. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in the melt phase. They are highly processable by a variety of melt process shape forming and blending techniques. Once processed and shaped, the end-capped liquid crystal oligomers were heated to further polymerize and form liquid crystalline thermosets (LCT). The fully cured products are rubbers above their glass transition temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Theodorus J. Dingemans, Erik S. Weiser, Terry L. St. Clair
  • Publication number: 20090022975
    Abstract: A metal/fiber laminate has a plurality of adjacent layers. Each layer is porous and includes an arrangement of fibers. At least one of the layers has its fibers coated with a metal. A polymer matrix permeates each such arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Stephen J. Hales, Joel A. Alexa, Brian J. Jensen, Roberto J. Cano, Erik S. Weiser
  • Publication number: 20080286473
    Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions containing siloxanes and fluoropolymer resin hinder the accumulation of moisture and reduce the adhesion of ice formed on the coating. Applications of such coating compositions to surfaces thus reduce the propensity for ice formation on a treated surface, and ease the dislodging of any ice formed on the treated surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicants: and space Ad+
    Inventors: Trent M. Smith, Erik S. Weiser, Roberto J. Cano, Michael E. Prince, Leslie A. Curtis, Charles D. DeWeese
  • Patent number: 6956066
    Abstract: A fully imidized, solvent-free polyimide foam having excellent mechanical, acoustic, thermal, and flame resistant properties is produced. A first solution is provided, which includes one or more aromatic dianhydrides or derivatives of aromatic dianhydrides, and may include one or more aromatic diamines, dissolved in one or more polar solvents, along with an effective amount of one or more blowing agents. This first solution may also advantageously include effective amounts respectively of one or mores catalysts, one or more surfactants, and one or more fire retardants. A second solution is also provided which includes one or more isocyanates. The first and second solutions are rapidly and thoroughly mixed to produce an admixture, which is allowed to foam—in an open container, or in a closed mold—under ambient conditions to completion produce a foamed product. This foamed product is then cured by high frequency electromagnetic radiation, thermal energy, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Juan M. Vazquez, Roberto J. Cano, Brian J. Jensen, Erik S. Weiser
  • Patent number: 6939940
    Abstract: Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials and were end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide reactive end-groups. The resulting reactive end-capped liquid crystal oligomers exhibit a variety of improved and preferred physical properties. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in the melt phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Theodorous J. Dingemans, Erik S. Weiser, Terry L. St. Clair
  • Publication number: 20040249002
    Abstract: A fully imidized, solvent-free polyimide foam having excellent mechanical, acoustic, thermal, and flame resistant properties is produced. A first solution is provided, which includes one or more aromatic dianhydrides or derivatives of aromatic dianhydrides, and may include one or more aromatic diamines, dissolved in one or more polar solvents, along with an effective amount of one or more blowing agents. This first solution may also advantageously include effective amounts respectively of one or mores catalysts, one or more surfactants, and one or more fire retardants. A second solution is also provided which includes one or more isocyanates. The first and second solutions are rapidly and thoroughly mixed to produce an admixture, which is allowed to foam—in an open container, or in a closed mold—under ambient conditions to completion produce a foamed product. This foamed product is then cured by high frequency electromagnetic radiation, thermal energy, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Juan M. Vazquez, Roberto J. Cano, Brian J. Jensen, Erik S. Weiser
  • Publication number: 20020132933
    Abstract: Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials and were end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide reactive end-groups. The resulting reactive end-capped liquid crystal oligomers exhibit a variety of improved and preferred physical properties. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in the melt phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Theodorous J. Dingemans, Erik S. Weiser, Terry L. St. Clair
  • Patent number: 6235803
    Abstract: A shaped article composed of an aromatic polyimide has a hollow, essentially spherical structure and a particle size of about 100 to about 1500 &mgr;m, a density of about 1 to about 6 pounds/ft3 and a volume change of 1 to about 20% by a pressure treatment of 30 psi for 10 minutes at room temperature. A syntactic foam, made of a multiplicity of the shaped articles which are bonded together by a matrix resin to form an integral composite structure, has a density of about 3 to about 30 pounds/ft3 and a compression strength of about 100 to about 1400 pounds/in2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Erik S. Weiser, Terry L. St. Clair, Yoshiaki Echigo, Hisayasu Kaneshiro
  • Patent number: 6222007
    Abstract: High quality films, preimpregnated tape (prepegs) and composites have been fabricated from polyimide precursor “salt-like” solutions. These “salt-like” solutions have a low viscosity (5,000 to 10,000 cp) and a high solids content (50-65% by weight) and can be coated onto reinforcing fiber to produce prepegs with excellent tack and drape at 12-15% residual solvent (˜4-6% water from thermal imidization reaction). The processing of these types of prepegs significantly overcomes solvent removal problems and allows excellent fiber wet out. In addition, the physical characteristics of the polyimide precursor “salt-like” solutions permits processing into high-performance materials through the use of standard prepregging and composite fabrication equipment. The resultant composites are of high quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Roberto J. Cano, Erik S. Weiser, Terry L. St. Clair, Yoshiaki Echigo, Hisayasu Kaneshiro
  • Patent number: 6180746
    Abstract: A polyimide precursor solid residuum is an admixture of an aromatic dianhydride or derivative thereof and an aromatic diamine or dervative thereof plus a complexing agent, which is complexed with the admixture by hydrogen bonding. The polyimide precursor solid residuum is effectively employed in the preparation of polyimide foam and the fabrication of polyimide foam structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Unitika, LTD
    Inventors: Erik S. Weiser, Terry L. St. Clair, Yoshiaki Echigo, Hisayasu Kaneshiro