Patents by Inventor Frédéric Vautard

Frédéric Vautard 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).

  • Publication number: 20240084097
    Abstract: An improved rubber composition and method to create the improved rubber composition is achieved by milling reduced graphene oxide (“RGO”) in liquid rubber to induce a reduction of bulk density of the reduced graphene oxide while maintaining dispersibility in rubber without using a solvent-based process resulting in an industrially scalable process and an improved rubber composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Frederic VAUTARD
  • Publication number: 20240076457
    Abstract: An improved rubber composition and method to create the improved rubber composition is achieved by milling reduced graphene oxide (“RGO”) in liquid rubber to induce a reduction of bulk density of the reduced graphene oxide while maintaining dispersibility in rubber without using a solvent-based process resulting in an industrially scalable process and an improved rubber composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Frederic VAUTARD
  • Patent number: 11518856
    Abstract: Rubber components of a tire comprising a diene elastomer and at least 1 phr of reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles having a specific surface area of at least 700 m2/g, an oxygen content of no more than 6 at %, and a ratio of non-aromaticity to aromaticity ID/IG of at least 0.7 as determined by Raman spectroscopy. Methods of preparing such rubber compositions in an internal mixer for achieving good distribution and dispersion are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Frederic Vautard
  • Publication number: 20220001695
    Abstract: The invention relates to nano-particle containing rubber formulations having improved physical properties used for manufacturing cured rubber articles and more specifically to a rubber composition containing non-rubber masterbatch containing graphene comprised nanoparticles. Such compositions may be used for articles of manufacture that include, for example, conveyor belts, motor mounts, tubing, hoses, or tires or components thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventor: Frederic VAUTARD
  • Publication number: 20210061962
    Abstract: Rubber components of a tire comprising a diene elastomer and at least 1 phr of reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles having a specific surface area of at least 700 m2/g, an oxygen content of no more than 6 at %, and a ratio of non-aromaticity to aromaticity ID/IG of at least 0.7 as determined by Raman spectroscopy. Methods of preparing such rubber compositions in an internal mixer for achieving good distribution and dispersion are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventor: Frederic VAUTARD
  • Patent number: 10501590
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a partially cured epoxy or amine-containing sizing agent, wherein at least a portion of epoxide or amine groups in the sizing agent are available as uncrosslinked epoxide or amine groups, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide or amine groups of no more than about 0.6. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Patent number: 10457785
    Abstract: A method of making a solid composite containing carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix, the method comprising admixing carbon fibers with a polymer precursor resin, and curing the polymer precursor resin to form a cured polymeric matrix that contains said carbon fibers embedded therein, wherein said carbon fibers have covalently bonded on their surfaces a partially cured epoxy-containing or amine-containing sizing agent, wherein at least a portion of epoxide groups or amine groups in the sizing agent are available as uncrosslinked epoxide groups or amine groups, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide groups or amine groups of no more than about 0.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Publication number: 20190248189
    Abstract: A heavy truck tire tread that includes a series of at least 50 similar tread features repeated along its longitudinal direction that include two ducts extending from the surface in the thickness direction, the ducts being joined together by one sipe. They further have one void in fluid communication with the two ducts, the void extending substantially parallel to the tread surface and having a void section area of at least 10 mm2. The tread is formed at least in part of a rubber composition comprising at least 75 phr of a first rubber component selected from a polybutadiene rubber (BR), a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or combinations thereof having a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. The rubber composition may further include at least 40 phr of a plasticizing resin having a Tg of at least 25° C. and a reinforcing filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Frederic VAUTARD, Constantine KHRIPIN, Stefan VOSS, Clifford WILSON
  • Patent number: 10351683
    Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber having on its surface a partially cured sizing agent, the method comprising covalently binding on the surface of said carbon fiber a sizing agent comprised of an epoxy resin, and partially curing said sizing agent by contact thereof with a curing agent such that at least a portion of epoxide groups remain uncrosslinked on said surface, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide groups of no more than about 0.6, and further comprising reacting at least a portion of said epoxide groups with a bifunctional molecule that contains first and second reactive groups, the first reactive group being reactive with and forming a covalent bond with the epoxy group, and the second reactive group being unsaturated and accessible for reaction with a carbon-carbon double bond of an unsaturated resin via a vinyl addition reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Patent number: 10240011
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a sizing agent containing epoxy groups, at least some of which are engaged in covalent bonds with crosslinking molecules, wherein each of said crosslinking molecules possesses at least two epoxy-reactive groups and at least one free functional group reactive with functional groups of a polymer matrix in which the carbon fiber is to be incorporated, wherein at least a portion of said cros slinking molecules are engaged, via at least two of their epoxy-reactive groups, in crosslinking bonds between at least two epoxy groups of the sizing agent. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan
  • Publication number: 20170166712
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a sizing agent containing epoxy groups, at least some of which are engaged in covalent bonds with crosslinking molecules, wherein each of said crosslinking molecules possesses at least two epoxy-reactive groups and at least one free functional group reactive with functional groups of a polymer matrix in which the carbon fiber is to be incorporated, wherein at least a portion of said cros slinking molecules are engaged, via at least two of their epoxy-reactive groups, in crosslinking bonds between at least two epoxy groups of the sizing agent. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic VAUTARD, Soydan Ozcan
  • Patent number: 9617398
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a sizing agent containing epoxy groups, at least some of which are engaged in covalent bonds with crosslinking molecules, wherein each of said crosslinking molecules possesses at least two epoxy-reactive groups and at least one free functional group reactive with functional groups of a polymer matrix in which the carbon fiber is to be incorporated, wherein at least a portion of said crosslinking molecules are engaged, via at least two of their epoxy-reactive groups, in crosslinking bonds between at least two epoxy groups of the sizing agent. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan
  • Publication number: 20160312024
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a partially cured epoxy or amine-containing sizing agent, wherein at least a portion of epoxide or amine groups in the sizing agent are available as uncrosslinked epoxide or amine groups, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide or amine groups of no more than about 0.6. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Publication number: 20160311986
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a partially cured epoxy or amine-containing sizing agent, wherein at least a portion of epoxide or amine groups in the sizing agent are available as uncrosslinked epoxide or amine groups, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide or amine groups of no more than about 0.6. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Publication number: 20160257797
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a partially cured epoxy or amine-containing sizing agent, wherein at least a portion of epoxide or amine groups in the sizing agent are available as uncrosslinked epoxide or amine groups, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide or amine groups of no more than about 0.6. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Patent number: 9365685
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a partially cured epoxy or amine-containing sizing agent, wherein at least a portion of epoxide or amine groups in the sizing agent are available as uncrosslinked epoxide or amine groups, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide or amine groups of no more than about 0.6. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Publication number: 20160102180
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a sizing agent containing epoxy groups, at least some of which are engaged in covalent bonds with crosslinking molecules, wherein each of said crosslinking molecules possesses at least two epoxy-reactive groups and at least one free functional group reactive with functional groups of a polymer matrix in which the carbon fiber is to be incorporated, wherein at least a portion of said crosslinking molecules are engaged, via at least two of their epoxy-reactive groups, in crosslinking bonds between at least two epoxy groups of the sizing agent. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan
  • Publication number: 20130224470
    Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a partially cured epoxy or amine-containing sizing agent, wherein at least a portion of epoxide or amine groups in the sizing agent are available as uncrosslinked epoxide or amine groups, which corresponds to a curing degree of epoxide or amine groups of no more than about 0.6. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Vautard, Soydan Ozcan, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
  • Patent number: 8399064
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the adhesion of carbon fibers by coating a surface of the carbon fibers with a polymer film containing functional groups capable of acting as chain transfer agents during a chain transfer polymerization of a resin curable by chain transfer polymerization to obtain coated carbon fibers. The coated carbon fibers are then contacted with the curable resin, and the chain transfer polymerization of the curable resin is induced to produce an organic matrix and forming a composite material. The functional groups of the polymer film act as chain transfer agents during the chain transfer polymerization of the curable resin and thereby improve adhesion of the carbon fibers to the organic matrix. Applications of this invention include aeronautical, aerospatial, shipbuilding, railway and motor vehicle industries, armaments industry, sports and leisure articles, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventors: Jacques Schultz, Michel Nardin, Frédéric Vautard, Vincent Roucoules, Brigitte Defoort
  • Publication number: 20100092695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process which makes it possible to improve the adhesion of carbon fibres with regard to an organic matrix forming, with these fibres, a composite material, this composite material being obtained by bringing the fibres into contact with a resin which can be cured by chain polymerization, followed by polymerization of the resin, which process consists in coating the surface of the carbon fibres, before these fibres are brought into contact with the resin, with a polymer film which comprises functional groups capable of acting as chain transfer agents during the polymerization of said resin. Applications: aeronautical, aerospatial, shipbuilding, railway and motor vehicle industries, armaments industry, sports and leisure articles, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Jacques Schultz, Michel Nardin, Frederic Vautard, Vincent Roucoules, Brigitte Defoort