Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Farminer

Kenneth W. Farminer 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: 8349032
    Abstract: Fuel oxygenates comprised of fatty acid or fatty acid ester derivatives which have been reacted with ozone; a base; and a lower alkanol (1 to 8 carbon atoms) are described. The oxygenates comprise ester groups at a point of cleavage by the ozone which provide oxygen in the oxygenate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Bioplastic Polymers and Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer
  • Patent number: 8217193
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of new polyols and polyesters from a natural oil or other unsaturated fatty acid esters is described. The process involves ozone cleavage of double bonds in the fatty acid chains of the oils along with coupling of a hydroxylated compound such as a mono-alcohol, a diol, or a polyol to the cleaved ends of the molecules resulting from the cleavage with a base. The resulting polyols and polyesters are as intermediates for polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Bioplastic Polymers and Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer, Phuong T. Tran, Tam Tran, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8110036
    Abstract: A moisture-curable, silane-modified oil is disclosed. The silane-modified oil includes an unsaturated oil having at least one unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain per molecule of the unsaturated oil, and at least one hydrolysable silyl group grafted to the unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain. The silane-modified oil has a degree of unsaturation that is substantially similar that of the unsaturated oil. A process for forming the moisture-curable, silane-modified oil according to the disclosure includes reacting the unsaturated oil with an unsaturated hydrolysable silane in the presence of a free radical initiator. Also disclosed is a cured silane-modified oil which includes the reaction product of the silane-modified oil and water. Compositions according to the disclosure have relatively low viscosities (facilitating their application to a substrate) and have relatively high levels of silane grafting (resulting in non-leaching cured compositions with a high gel content).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State Univeristy, Bioplastic Polymers and Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer, Madhusudhan Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20100083871
    Abstract: A moisture-curable, silane-modified oil is disclosed. The silane-modified oil includes an unsaturated oil having at least one unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain per molecule of the unsaturated oil, and at least one hydrolysable silyl group grafted to the unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain. The silane-modified oil has a degree of unsaturation that is substantially similar that of the unsaturated oil. A process for forming the moisture-curable, silane-modified oil according to the disclosure includes reacting the unsaturated oil with an unsaturated hydrolysable silane in the presence of a free radical initiator. Also disclosed is a cured silane-modified oil which includes the reaction product of the silane-modified oil and water. Compositions according to the disclosure have relatively low viscosities (facilitating their application to a substrate) and have relatively high levels of silane grafting (resulting in non-leaching cured compositions with a high gel content).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicants: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Bioplastic Polymers and Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer, Madhusudhan Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20100084603
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of new polyols and polyesters from a natural oil or other unsaturated fatty acid esters is described. The process involves ozone cleavage of double bonds in the fatty acid chains of the oils along with coupling of a hydroxylated compound such as a mono-alcohol, a diol, or a polyol to the cleaved ends of the molecules resulting from the cleavage with a base. The resulting polyols and polyesters are as intermediates for polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicants: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Bioplastic Polymers and Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer, Phuong T. Tran, Tam Tran
  • Patent number: 7601677
    Abstract: A method for lubrication by supplying a liquid lubricant to moving metal parts, more than fifty percent by weight of the liquid lubricant being a triglyceride vegetable oil having a saturated fatty acid content of less than nine percent by weight of the triglyceride vegetable oil and a polyunsaturated fatty acid content of more than seventy percent by weight of the triglyceride vegetable oil, the triglyceride vegetable oil having an American Petroleum Institute Thermo-Oxidation Engine Oil Simulation Test rod residue weight of less than thirty five milligrams and a pour point of less than minus twenty degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer, Ramani Narayan, Phuong T. Tran
  • Patent number: 7589222
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of new polyols from a natural oil is described. The process involves ozone cleavage of double bonds in the fatty acid chains of the oils along with coupling of a di or polyol to the cleaved ends of the molecules resulting from the cleavage with a base. The resulting polyols are as intermediates for polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Bioplastic Polymers and Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer, Phuong T. Tran, Tam Tran, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20080202020
    Abstract: Fuel oxygenates comprised of fatty acid or fatty acid ester derivatives which have been reacted with ozone; a base; and a lower alkanol (1 to 8 carbon atoms) are described. The oxygenates comprise ester groups at a point of cleavage by the ozone which provide oxygen in the oxygenate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicants: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Bioplastic Polymers and Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer
  • Patent number: 7367995
    Abstract: Fuel oxygenates comprised of fatty acid or fatty acid ester derivatives which have been reacted with ozone; a base; and a lower alkanol (1 to 8 carbon atoms) are described. The oxygenates comprise ester groups at a point of cleavage by the ozone which provide oxygen in the oxygenate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Ramani Narayan, Daniel Graiver, Kenneth W. Farminer
  • Patent number: 4082690
    Abstract: A method or process for reducing and/or preventing foam in non-aqueous systems such as crude oil and coking processes is disclosed. The method involves the use of a composition consisting essentially of (1) a polydimethylsiloxane fluid, (2) a particular siloxane resin, and (3) a hydrocarbon solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Farminer