Patents by Inventor Karl Wefers
Karl Wefers 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).
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Patent number: 8835762Abstract: An apparatus for electrical isolation of metallic hardware is provided and includes an item of hardware and an isolation sheet disposed in contact with the item of hardware. The isolation sheet includes first and second opposing sides at least one of which is anodized.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, IncInventors: Leo Gard, Karl Wefers
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Publication number: 20130306293Abstract: A thermal management system for use in a vacuum is provided including a heat generation device and a heat dissipation device. An extruded first heat transfer panel is mounted to a surface of the heat generation device and an extruded second heat transfer panel is mounted to a surface of the heat dissipation device. The first and second heat transfer panels are positioned between the heat generation device and the heat dissipation device. A portion of the first heat transfer panel and a portion of the second heat transfer panel are interposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONALInventors: Leo Gard, Karl Wefers
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Publication number: 20130308273Abstract: A thermal management system for use in a vacuum is provided including a heat generation device and a heat dissipation device. A laser sintered first heat transfer panel is mounted to a surface of the heat generation device and a laser sintered second heat transfer panel is mounted to a surface of the heat dissipation device. The first and second heat transfer panels are positioned between the heat generation device and the heat dissipation device. A portion of the first heat transfer panel and a portion of the second heat transfer panel are interposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONALInventors: Leo Gard, Karl Wefers
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Publication number: 20120314394Abstract: An apparatus for electrical isolation of metallic hardware is provided and includes an item of hardware and an isolation sheet disposed in contact with the item of hardware. The isolation sheet includes first and second opposing sides at least one of which is anodized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Leo Gard, Karl Wefers
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Publication number: 20020011280Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of stains, especailly water stains, on the exterior surface of aluminum alloy products. The method entails contacting the exterior surfaces of these products, particularly sheet or plate products, extrusions and/or forgings made from 5000 or 6000 Series aluminum alloys, with an organophosphonic or organophosphinic acid-derived material. Preferably, liquid forms of this material are added to an alcohol or water-based carrier solution, then sprayed, dipped, painted or rolled onto the surfaces of flat sheet or plate products to enhance their brightness. Other more complex shapes may be dipped into material baths.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Gary A. Nitowski, Raymond J. Colbert, Karl Wefers, Daniel D. Roup, Larry F. Wieserman, Paul R. Ziman
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Patent number: 5435374Abstract: A method for wetting and bonding refractory alumina or aluminosilicate fibers or particles with molten aluminum or aluminum alloys by forming a boron oxidized interface between the fiber and the metal is exists. The method comprises the steps of (a) coating alumina fibers with an effective amount of a thermally decomposable precursor of boron oxide; (b) heating the coated fiber sufficiently to form a boron oxide; and (c) forming a composite with aluminum metal or an aluminum alloy. Thermally decomposable precursors of boron oxide include ammonium pentaborate, ammonium diborate and orthoboric acid.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1993Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Maya Fishkis, Chanakya Misra, Karl Wefers
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Patent number: 5324587Abstract: A laminate suitable for vehicular applications includes at least two sheets of aluminum alloy and an adhesive layer between the sheets bonding them together. An oxide layer on surfaces of the sheets is treated with a phosphorous acid electrolyte, so that a coordination number of four predominates for the aluminum-oxygen-phosphorous bond. Equivalent bonding strengths in the laminates are obtained in substantially less time with phosphorous acid treatment compared with phosphoric acid treatment.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1991Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Gary A. Nitowski, Karl Wefers, Larry F. Wieserman
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Patent number: 5286560Abstract: An aluminum alloy matrix composite containing alumina or aluminum silicate reinforcement whereby said composite material exhibits wetting between said reinforcement and said aluminum alloy. The composite comprises (a) alumina or aluminosilicate reinforcement; (b) a matrix of aluminum or aluminum alloy; and (c) an intelayer of mixed oxides of aluminum and boron wherein the interlayer of mixed oxides of aluminum and boron includes but is not limited to the following oxides, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 2B.sub.2 O.sub.3 at the interface between said reinforcement and said matrix.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1992Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Maya Fishkis, Chanakya Misra, Karl Wefers
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Patent number: 5277788Abstract: A twice-anodized aluminum substrate is anodized sequentially in first and second aqueous electrolytes. In the first, the substrate is conventionally anodized to produce (i) a porous anodic oxide layer having open pores and a passivation layer thereunder. The substrate, now singly-coated, is then anodized in the second electrolyte of an aqueous solution of an organophosphorus compound which generates a residue which is chemisorbed and covalently bonded to the substrate to form (ii) a monomolecular essentially continuous monolayer on the outer surface of (i), and at the same time, the second anodizing step produces (iii) a barrier layer of non-porous aluminum oxide under (i). The thickness of this barrier layer can be increased as a function of the voltage used while maintaining the thickness of (i) substantially constant, and (ii) protects (i) from dissolution.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1992Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Gary A. Nitowski, Larry F. Wieserman, Karl Wefers
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Patent number: 5238715Abstract: Disclosed is a food or beverage container or container panel comprised of an aluminum alloy body having an integral bottom and wall. An intermediate layer comprised of an aluminum oxide or aluminum hydroxide layer is bonded to the aluminum alloy body and a functionalized layer of an organo phosphonate, organo phosphinate or phosphate ester is bonded to the oxide or hydroxide layer. A polymer layer is bonded to the functionalized layer. The functionalized layer is comprised of the reaction product of phosphonic or phosphinic acid and/or phosphonic acid ester, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1991Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Karl Wefers, Gary A. Nitowski, Larry F. Wieserman
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Patent number: 5132181Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a functionalized layer and an aluminum hydroxide layer on an aluminum substrate, the aluminum hydroxide layer located between the substrate and the functionalized layer. The method comprises the steps of subjecting an aluminum substrate to a hydrothermal treatment in an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 2 to 14 to form a layer of aluminum hydroxide on said substrate and thereafter treating said aluminum substrate with a phosphorus-containing acid selected from phosphinic and phosphonic acid to form a functionalized layer on said aluminum hydroxide layer, the functionalized layer comprised of the reaction product of said acid and the layer of aluminum hydroxide.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1990Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Karl Wefers, Gary A. Nitowski, Larry F. Wieserman
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Patent number: 5131987Abstract: Disclosed is a process for anodically oxidizing aluminum alloy surfaces as a pretreatment for structural adhesive bonds or laminates. The process is comprised of anodically oxidizing aluminum and its alloys in phosphorous acid containing electrolyte to form a porous film comprised of Al, O and P. This film provides a very effective substrate for adhesively bonding aluminum articles and laminates.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1989Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Gary A. Nitowski, Karl Wefers, Larry F. Wieserman
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Patent number: 5126210Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating the surface of a valve metal such as aluminum to form a two layer protective coating thereon using an anodizing bath consisting essentially of an aqueous solution having a concentration ranging from about 0.001 molar to a saturated solution of a monomeric phosphorus- containing compound selected from the class consisting of a 1-30 carbon water soluble phosphonic acid, a 1-30 carbon water soluble phosphinic acid, and mixtures thereof. The valve metal surface is anodized in the anodizing bath while maintaining a voltage selected from a range of from about 1 to about 400 volts until the current density falls to a level indicative of the fact that a nonporous valve oxide layer has been formed on the valve metal surface and a reaction product from the monomeric phosphonic/phosphinic acid compound is chemically bonded to the oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1990Date of Patent: June 30, 1992Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Larry F. Wieserman, Karl Wefers, Gary A. Nitowski, Edward S. Martin
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Patent number: 5124289Abstract: A treated permeable inorganic membrane is disclosed comprising a permeable inorganic membrane capable of reacting with an organic acid. The treated membrane has good chemical stability over a pH range of from 1 to 14, is capable of controlling the flux through the membrane, has altered internal and external wetting properties of the membrane surface, and has controlled pore size due to the presence of a monomolecular layer of an organic acid material chemically bonded to the surface of the inorganic membrane. The monomolecular layer of organic acid material is formed on the membrane surface by contacting the membrane with an organic acid reactant selected from the class consisting of phosphonic acid having the formula RPO(OH).sub.2 ; phosphinic acid having the formula RR'PO(OH); monocarboxylic acids having the formula RCOOH; dicarboxylic acids having the formula R"(COOH).sub.2 ; boronic acid having the formula RB(OH).sub.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1988Date of Patent: June 23, 1992Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Edward S. Martin, Larry F. Wieserman, Karl Wefers, Kathryn Cross
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Patent number: 5103550Abstract: Disclosed is a food or beverage container or container panel comprised of an aluminum alloy body having an integral bottom and wall. An intermediate layer comprised of an aluminum oxide or aluminum hydroxide layer is bonded to the aluminum alloy body and a functionalized layer of an organo phosphonate, organo phosphinate or phosphate ester is bonded to the oxide or hydroxide layer. A polymer layer is bonded to the functionalized layer. The functionalized layer is comprised of the reaction product of phosphonic or phosphinic acid and/or phosphonic acid ester, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1989Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Karl Wefers, Gary A. Nitowski, Larry F. Wieserman
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Patent number: 5102507Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating the surface of a valve metal such as aluminum to form a two layer protective coating thereon using an anodizing bath consisting essentially of an aqueous solution having a concentration ranging from about 0.001 molar to a saturated solution of a phosphorus-containing compound selected from the class consisting of a phosphorus acid ester and salts thereof. A non-porous barrier valve metal oxide layer is formed on a surface of the valve metal, and a functionalized layer comprised of a phosphate ester is formed on the oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1989Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Larry F. Wieserman, Karl Wefers, Gary A. Nitowski
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Patent number: 5059258Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a functionalized layer and an aluminum hydroxide layer on an aluminum substrate, the aluminum hydroxide layer located between the substrate and the functionalized layer. The method comprises the steps of subjecting an aluminum substrate to a hydrothermal treatment in an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 2 to 14 to form a layer of aluminum hydroxide on said substrate and thereafter treating said aluminum substrate with a phosphorus-containing acid selected from phosphonic and phosphonic acid to form a functionalized layer on said aluminum hydroxide layer, the functionalized layer comprised of the reaction product of said acid and the layer of aluminum hydroxide.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1989Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Karl Wefers, Gary A. Nitowski, Larry F. Wieserman
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Patent number: 5037795Abstract: A chromatographic packing material is disclosed which comprises generally spherical metal oxide/hydroxide support particles comprising crystals extending radially outward from a central core region and having a shape selected from principally acicular to principally lamellar and having bonded to the surface of said metal oxide/hydroxide support particles a layer of one or more phosphorus-containing organic materials comprised of a phosphorus-containing acid group bonded to said metal oxide/hydroxide particles and an unreacted carbon-containing acid group.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1988Date of Patent: August 6, 1991Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Larry F. Wieserman, Karl Wefers, Kathryn Cross, Edward S. Martin
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Patent number: 5032237Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating the surface of a valve metal such as aluminum to form a two layer protective coating thereon using an anodizing bath consisting essentially of an aqueous solution having a concentration ranging from about 0.001 molar to a saturated solution of a monomeric phosphorus-containing compound selected from the class consisting of a 1-30 carbon water soluble phosphonic acid, a 1-30 carbon water soluble phosphinic acid, and mixtures thereof. The valve metal surface is anodized in the anodizing bath while maintaining a voltage selected from a range of from about 1 to about 400 volts until the current density falls to a level indicative of the fact that a nonporous valve oxide layer has been formed on the valve metal surface and a reaction product from the monomeric phosphonic/phosphinic acid compound is chemically bonded to the oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1989Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Larry F. Wieserman, Karl Wefers, Gary A. Nitowski, Edward S. Martin
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Patent number: 4994429Abstract: An active material is disclosed which comprises a metal oxide/hydroxide surface having chemically bonded to reactive sites thereon a substantially monomolecular layer of organic acid molecules. Each organic acid molecule is chemically bonded to a reactive site on the oxide/hydroxide surface through a phosphorus-containing acid group selected from the group consisting of a phosphonic acid group and a phosphinic acid group. Each organic acid molecule also comprises an unreacted acid group oriented away from the metal oxide/hydroxide surface and selected from the class consisting of a phosphonic acid group, a phosphinic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, and a carboxylic acid group.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1988Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Larry F. Wieserman, Karl Wefers, Kathryn Cross, Edward S. Martin