Patents by Inventor James W. Rudolph

James W. Rudolph 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: 11332823
    Abstract: A method of densifying an annular porous structure comprises stacking a plurality of annular porous structures to form a porous structure stack in a graphite susceptor, wherein the graphite susceptor is disposed within a vessel. The method includes disposing a graphite panel within the graphite susceptor and located radially inward from the porous structure stack. The method includes flowing a reactant gas into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Goodrich Corproation
    Inventor: James W. Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20190345602
    Abstract: A method of densifying an annular porous structure comprises stacking a plurality of annular porous structures to form a porous structure stack in a graphite susceptor, wherein the graphite susceptor is disposed within a vessel. The method includes disposing a graphite panel within the graphite susceptor and located radially inward from the porous structure stack. The method includes flowing a reactant gas into the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 10407769
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decreasing the radial temperature gradient in CVI/CVD furnaces is provided. The apparatus may comprise a graphite susceptor disposed within a vessel. Porous structures may be stacked within the graphite susceptor. The stack of porous structures may form a circular shape proximate a radially inward surface of the graphite susceptor. Graphite panels may be disposed within the graphite susceptor. The graphite panels may be located proximate a radially inward surface of the porous structures. The graphite panels may radiate heat radially outward and towards the graphite susceptor. Reactant gas may be flowed into the graphite susceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: James W. Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20170268101
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decreasing the radial temperature gradient in CVI/CVD furnaces is provided. The apparatus may comprise a graphite susceptor disposed within a vessel. Porous structures may be stacked within the graphite susceptor. The stack of porous structures may form a circular shape proximate a radially inward surface of the graphite susceptor. Graphite panels may be disposed within the graphite susceptor. The graphite panels may be located proximate a radially inward surface of the porous structures. The graphite panels may radiate heat radially outward and towards the graphite susceptor. Reactant gas may be flowed into the graphite susceptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 8057855
    Abstract: A process for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD includes disposing a number of porous structures in a stack within a furnace. The stack has a center opening region extending through the porous structures and an outer region extending along the outside of the porous structures. Channels provide fluid communication between the center opening region and the outer region. A first portion of a gas composition is introduced to the center opening region. A second portion of the gas composition is introduced to the outer region. The porous structures are densified from an average density of less than 0.60 g/cm3 to an average density of greater than 1.70 g/cm3 in a single cycle of non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Vincent R. Fry
  • Patent number: 7892646
    Abstract: A pressure gradient CVI/CVD process includes providing a furnace defining an outer volume. Porous structures and ring-like spacers are assembled in a stack with a ring-like spacer between each adjacent pair of porous structures. The stack of porous structures is disposed between a bottom plate and a top plate in the furnace, wherein the bottom plate, the stack of porous structures, and the ring-like spacers define an enclosed cavity. A channel provides fluid communication between the enclosed cavity and the outer volume. A gas composition is introduced into the enclosed cavity. A portion of the gas composition flows through the channel. A pressure gradient is maintained between the enclosed cavity and the outer volume. The gas composition in the outer volume is provided at a pressure of at least about 15 torr. The porous structures are densified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Vincent Fry
  • Patent number: 7691443
    Abstract: A method for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD in a single cycle is described. A hardware assembly for use in the single cycle non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD process is provided as well are process and process conditions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Vincent Fry
  • Patent number: 7476419
    Abstract: A method of chemical vapor infiltration and deposition includes stacking a number of porous structures in a stack in a furnace. The stack has a center opening region extending through the porous structures and an outer region extending along the porous structures. A first portion of a reactant gas is introduced to the center opening region. A second portion of the reactant gas is introduced to the outer region. The first portion and the second portion are controlled proportions thereby introducing predetermined portions of the reactant gas to both the center opening region and the outer region. The change in weight of the entire furnace, including contents, is measured during the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition process. The rate of weight change is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, David E. Daws, Dary Zeigler, Afshin Bazshushtari
  • Patent number: 7335397
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using pressure gradient CVI/CVD. The apparatus includes a stack of porous structures where each porous structure has an aperture therethrough. The apparatus also includes at least one ring-like spacer disposed within the stack of porous structures between neighboring porous structures. The ring-like spacer encircles the apertures of the neighboring porous structures. The stack of porous structures and the at least one ring-like spacer define an enclosed cavity including each porous structure aperture. A channel provides fluid communication between the enclosed cavity and an outer volume defined by the interior surface of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Paul T. Perea, John S. Linck, Chris T. Kirkpatrick, Richard Jones
  • Patent number: 6780462
    Abstract: The invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure. The process comprises the steps of partially densifying a porous structure with a pressure gradient CVI/CVD process in which a first potion of the porous structure is subjected to greater pressure than a second portion of the porous structure. The process is suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities of aircraft brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Purdy, James W. Rudolph, Lowell D. Bok
  • Patent number: 6744023
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a furnace configured for processing refractory composites comprising a cooling gas flowed in a closed circuit through the furnace and over a cooling element disposed within the furnace. The cooling gas can flow either by natural convection or a convective force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis T. Garn, Jerry S. Lee, James W. Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20040047990
    Abstract: A hardware assembly is provided for controlling a first portion of gas and a second portion of gas in a furnace. The first portion of the gas is introduced to a center opening region of a stack of porous structures. The second portion of the gas is introduced to an outer region of the stack of porous structures. Most of the gas flows out of the hardware assembly from either the center opening region or the outer region while some of the gas flows out through small holes from the other region. A densification method is also provided with two densification processes in which the gas flows in opposite directions in the two densification processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David E. Daws, James W. Rudolph, Dary Zeigler, Afshin Bazshushtari
  • Patent number: 6669988
    Abstract: A hardware assembly is provided for controlling a first portion of gas and a second portion of gas in a furnace. The first portion of the gas is introduced to a center opening region of a stack of porous structures. The second portion of the gas is introduced to an outer region of the stack of porous structures. Most of the gas flows out of the hardware assembly from either the center opening region or the outer region while some of the gas flows out through small holes from the other region. A densification method is also provided with two densification processes in which the gas flows in opposite directions in the two densification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Daws, James W. Rudolph, Dary Zeigler, Afshin Bazshushtari
  • Patent number: 6639196
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a furnace configured for processing refractory composites comprising a cooling gas flowed in a closed circuit through the furnace and over a cooling element disposed within the furnace. The cooling gas can flow either by natural convection or a convective force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Fiala, James W. Rudolph, Dennis T. Garn, Jerry S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20030035893
    Abstract: A hardware assembly is provided for controlling a first portion of gas and a second portion of gas in a furnace. The first portion of the gas is introduced to a center opening region of a stack of porous structures. The second portion of the gas is introduced to an outer region of the stack of porous structures. Most of the gas flows out of the hardware assembly from either the center opening region or the outer region while some of the gas flows out through small holes from the other region. A densification method is also provided with two densification processes in which the gas flows in opposite directions in the two densification processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: David E. Daws, James W. Rudolph, Dary Zeigler, Afshin Bazshushtari
  • Publication number: 20020031740
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for cooling a furnace configured for processing refractory composites. More specifically, the invention is directed to method and apparatus for cooling a furnace more rapidly than prior art methods. According to the invention, a cooling gas is flowed in a closed circuit through the furnace, over the refractory composites disposed within the furnace, and over a cooling element disposed within the furnace. The cooling gas may be flowed by natural convection or by force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Dennis T. Garn, Jerry S. Lee, James W. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 6352430
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for cooling a furnace configured for processing refractory composites. More specifically, the invention is directed to method and apparatus for cooling a furnace more rapidly than prior art methods. According to the invention, a cooling gas is flowed in a closed circuit through the furnace, over the refractory composites disposed within the furnace, and over a cooling element disposed within the furnace. The cooling gas may be flowed by natural convection or by force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis T. Garn, Jerry S. Lee, James W. Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20010019752
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: The B.F.Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Purdy, James W. Rudolph, Lowell D. Bok
  • Patent number: 6257881
    Abstract: The invention relates to a susceptor lid for use in a CVI/CVD furnace. More specifically, the invention is directed to a lid configured to consecutively run CVI/CVD and heat treatment processes without opening the furnace. The susceptor lid according to the invention comprises: a susceptor lid body having a gas exhaust hole, the susceptor lid body having a top surface and a bottom surface; and an exhaust lid disposed over the gas exhaust hole, with a clearance between the exhaust lid and the gas exhaust hole such that exhaust gas pressure within the clearance is approximately equal to, or less than the exhaust gas pressure within the gas exhaust hole, the exhaust lid being positioned to block the majority of the radiation from below the bottom surface of the susceptor lid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Robert Fiala, Dary Zeigler, Darren Welson, Jose Del Real, James W. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 6109209
    Abstract: A gas preheater for use in a CVI/CVD furnace that receives a reactant gas from a gas inlet, comprising a sealed baffle structure disposed within the furnace. The sealed baffle structure has a baffle structure inlet and baffle structure outlet. A sealed duct structure is disposed within the furnace, said sealed duct structure being sealed around the gas inlet and said baffle structure such that substantially all of the reaction gas received from the gas inlet is directed to and forced to flow through said sealed baffle structure to said baffle structure outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Mark J. Purdy, Lowell D. Bok