Patents by Inventor Michael K. Westmoreland

Michael K. Westmoreland 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: 4644621
    Abstract: An improved high speed process for texturing continuous filament yarn is provided wherein the improvement comprises cooling the yarn, subsequent to texturing and prior to applying tension, by contact for at least 4 milliseconds with a curved surface at a temperature of -29.degree. to 2.degree. C. and an RMS of up to 10, frictional forces creating a yarn tension of 0.036 to 0.45 gram per denier per end at the surface. Apparatus is also provided for cooling the continuous filament yarn subsequent to texturing and prior to applying tension. The apparatus comprises a curved surface having a minimum length for yarn contact of 7.6 cm, an RMS of up to 10 and a temperature of -29.degree. to 2.degree. C. Textured yarn brought into contact with the surface for at least 4 milliseconds at a yarn tension of 0.036 to 0.045 gram per denier per end is cooled to increase yarn stability and prevent pullout of yarn texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel L. Yates, Frank L. Peckinpaugh, Thomas A. Flower, Michael K. Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 4396570
    Abstract: This invention is a continuous process for spinning and drawing polycarbonamide filaments as a continuous running length comprising spinning the filaments Y from the molten polymer through a spinnerette 3 into a quench stack 4 and immediately quenching the freshly spun filaments in a quench stack with a flowing quench medium and immediately applying a yarn finish so that after quenching and applying finish, the surface temperature of the filaments is below the second order transition temperature for the filaments at the ambient conditions, and immediately applying steam in a chamber 15 around the continuous running length of filaments at a temperature at from about 60.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. for periods from about 0.03 to 3 seconds and immediately drawing the filaments; and the apparatus to accomplish that process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Frank L. Peckinpaugh, Michael K. Westmoreland