Patents by Inventor Laurie E. Austin
Laurie E. Austin 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: 5629256Abstract: The subject invention relates to an anionic polymerization technique for synthesizing rubbery polymers of conjugated diolefin monomers, such as rubbery copolymer of .alpha.-methylstyrene and 1,3-butadiene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. They have high trans-isomer contents which leads to good treadwear characteristics and a broad molecular weight distribution which enhances processability.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1996Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Adel F. Halasa, Laurie E. Austin, Susan A. Weakland
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Patent number: 5627237Abstract: This invention reveals a pneumatic tire having an outer circumferential tread wherein said tread is a sulfur-cured rubber composition comprised of, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, (1) from about 5 to about 50 parts of 3,4-polyisoprene rubber, wherein said 3,4-polyisoprene rubber has (a) a 3,4-isomer content of from 75 percent to 95 percent, (b) a 1,2-isomer content of from 5 percent to 25 percent, (c) a glass transition temperature from 0.degree. to 25.degree. C. and (d) a number average molecular weight which is within the range of 30,000 to 180,000; and (2) from about 50 to about 95 parts of a rubbery polymer which is co-curable with the 3,4-polyisoprene rubber.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Adel F. Halasa, Wen-Liang Hsu, David J. Zanzig, Gerald L. Allen, Laurie E. Austin
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Patent number: 5623035Abstract: The subject invention relates to an anionic polymerization technique for synthesizing rubbery polymers of conjugated diolefin monomers, such as a rubbery copolymer of .alpha.-methylstyrene and 1,3-butadiene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. They have high trans-isomer contents which leads to good treadwear characteristics and a broad molecular weight distribution which enhances processability.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1995Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Adel F. Halasa, Laurie E. Austin, Susan A. Weakland
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Patent number: 5616653Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1996Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Wen-Liang Hsu, Adel F. Halasa, Barry A. Matrana, Scott M. Christian, Laurie E. Austin, Bill B. Gross
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Patent number: 5612436Abstract: The subject invention discloses an isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making treads for tires which have improved wear characteristics without compromising traction characteristics or rolling resistance. Said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber is comprised of (1) a first block which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from 1,3-butadiene and (2) a second block which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from both 1,3-butadiene and isoprene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene in the second block are in an essentially random order, wherein the diblock rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -100.degree. C. to about -70.degree. C., and wherein the diblock rubber has a Mooney viscosity which is within the range of about 50 to about 140.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Adel F. Halasa, Wen-Liang Hsu, David J. Zanzig, Paul H. Sandstrom, Laurie E. Austin
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Patent number: 5541264Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Wen-Liang Hsu, Adel F. Halasa, Barry A. Matrana, Scott M. Christian, Laurie E. Austin, Bill B. Gross
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Patent number: 5514757Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1995Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Wen-Liang Hsu, Adel F. Halasa, Barry A. Matrana, Scott M. Christian, Laurie E. Austin, Bill B. Gross
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Patent number: 5514756Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Wen-Liang Hsu, Adel F. Halasa, Barry A. Matrana, Scott M. Christian, Laurie E. Austin, Bill B. Gross
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Patent number: 5422403Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1994Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Wen-Liang Hsu, Adel F. Halasa, Barry A. Matrana, Scott M. Christian, Laurie E. Austin, Bill B. Gross
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Patent number: 5239009Abstract: It is highly desirable for tire treads to exhibit good traction characteristics such as good wet skid resistance. However, it has traditionally been very difficult to improve the traction characteristics of a tire without sacrificing rolling resistance and tread wear. The high performance segmented elastomers of this invention offer a unique combination of desirable characteristics for utilization in making tire tread compositions. For instance, the rubbery polymers of this invention can be made into tire treads which exhibit outstanding traction characteristics while maintaining good rolling resistance and tread durability.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1991Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Adel F. Halasa, Wen-Liang Hsu, Brian J. Doucet, Laurie E. Austin