Patents by Inventor Francis W. Zok

Francis W. Zok 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: 6132542
    Abstract: A hybrid CMC laminate is comprised of alternating layers of dense ceramics and fiber reinforced CMCs. The strategy involves the use of strong and stiff ceramics in order to delay the onset of cracking within the CMC layers. To provide protection from mechanical abrasion, improve thermal conductivity and inhibit oxygen ingress into the CMC layer, ceramic layers are placed on the outer surfaces of laminate. The laminate is produced by stacking alternating layers of dense ceramic and binderless layers of fiber reinforced CMCs, and then hot-pressing them together. The volume fractions of the constituent layers and the fiber architecture can be readily varied through this process. Reinforcement architecture (unidirectional vs. crossply) and the relative volume fractions of the phases effects the tensile and flexural properties of the laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Willard A. Cutler, Fred F. Lange, Francis W. Zok, Kenneth Chyung
  • Patent number: 6025048
    Abstract: A hybrid CMC laminate is comprised of alternating layers of dense ceramics and fiber reinforced CMCs. The strategy involves the use of strong and stiff ceramics in order to delay the onset of cracking within the CMC layers. To provide protection from mechanical abrasion, improve thermal conductivity and inhibit oxygen ingress into the CMC layer, ceramic layers are placed on the outer surfaces of laminate. The laminate is produced by stacking alternating layers of dense ceramic and binderless layers of fiber reinforced CMCs, and then hot-pressing them together. The volume fractions of the constituent layers and the fiber architecture can be readily varied through this process. Reinforcement architecture (unidirectional vs. crossply) and the relative volume fractions of the phases effects the tensile and flexural properties of the laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Willard A. Cutler, Fred F. Lange, Francis W. Zok