Patents by Inventor Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin 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: 7708805Abstract: Porous carbon fibers, whose active centers are formed by pores that are filled at least in part by carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide, obtainable by carbonization of organic or inorganic polymers, the use thereof for the adsorption or separation of gaseous substances, in particular of CO2, and also a method for the production thereof. First, a spinning mixture containing polyacrylonitrile-based polymer A and an organic or metallo-organic polymer B is produced. Next, the spinning mixture is spun to form mixed fibers of polymer A and polymer B. The mixed fiber is stabilized by oxidation. This is followed by carbonization or graphitization of the mixed fiber under non-oxidizing conditions in such a way that the polymer B forms a carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide residue of at least 22 wt %, the residue forming active centers.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Michael Heine, Richard Neuert, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 7445095Abstract: A brake system includes a friction coupling having organically or inorganically bound metal-containing, sintered-metal-containing and/or CFC-containing brake linings and a brake disc of fiber-reinforced C/SiC ceramic composite material. A friction layer and/or a surface of the brake disc subject to friction has a proportion of SiC greater than 65% and material compositions in a core region and a surface region of the brake disc are different. The brake system may be used in motor vehicles, rail vehicles or aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 7238414Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite body containing a first zone made of a ceramic matrix, which predominantly contains silicon carbide and, optionally, silicon and/or carbon and/or compounds thereof, and containing a second zone, which is located on a surface of the ceramic matrix zone and formed form a fiber-reinforced C/SiC ceramic. The fiber length decreases from the exterior of the fiber-reinforced ceramic zone up to the first zone and, optionally, up to one or more other zones that are arranged on the second zone. A method for producing the composite body is characterized by involving a joint infiltration at least of the first zone and of the second zone with liquid silicon and by the carrying out of a siliconization. A composite body of this type can be used, in particular, as armoring in the civil or military sectors.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Bodo Benitsch, Michael Heine, Sven Schweizer, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Publication number: 20070132128Abstract: Porous carbon fibers, whose active centers are formed by pores that are filled at least in part by carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide, obtainable by carbonization of organic or inorganic polymers, the use thereof for the adsorption or separation of gaseous substances, in particular of CO2, and also a method for the production thereof. First, a spinning mixture containing polyacrylonitrile-based polymer A and an organic or metallo-organic polymer B is produced. Next, the spinning mixture is spun to form mixed fibers of polymer A and polymer B. The mixed fiber is stabilized by oxidation. This is followed by carbonization or graphitization of the mixed fiber under non-oxidizing conditions in such a way that the polymer B forms a carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide residue of at least 22 wt %, the residue forming active centers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: Michael Heine, Richard Neuert, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Publication number: 20070116939Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite body containing a first zone made of a ceramic matrix, which predominantly contains silicon carbide and, optionally, silicon and/or carbon and/or compounds thereof, and containing a second zone, which is located on a surface of the ceramic matrix zone and formed form a fiber-reinforced C/SiC ceramic. The fiber length decreases from the exterior of the fiber-reinforced ceramic zone up to the first zone and, optionally, up to one or more other zones that are arranged on the second zone. A method for producing the composite body is characterized by involving a joint infiltration at least of the first zone and of the second zone with liquid silicon and by the carrying out of a siliconization. A composite body of this type can be used, in particular, as armoring in the civil or military sectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2004Publication date: May 24, 2007Inventors: Bodo Benitsch, Michael Heine, Sven Schweizer, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 7219776Abstract: A friction disc, in particular a brake or clutch disc, includes carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic composite material with at least one top surface formed as a friction surface. At least part of the friction surface is formed of a different material, in particular of a carbon-containing material. The different material exhibits lower wear and oxidation resistance than that of the rest of the friction surface and a supporting zone of the friction disc. A visual, audible or mechanical signal is produced under operating conditions due to comparatively greater wear. The signal provides a warning that the service life of the friction disc is being exceeded. A process for producing the friction disc is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Bodo Benitsch, Martin Christ, Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Jens Rosenlöcher, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 7138190Abstract: Composite which contains reinforcing fibers comprising carbon and whose matrix comprises silicon carbide, silicon and copper, with the mass fraction of copper in the composite being up to 55%, processes for producing it, in particular by liquid infiltration of C/C intermediate bodies with melts comprising Si and/or Cu and Si, and also its use as friction lining in a friction pairing with ceramic brake discs or clutch discs comprising C/SiC.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Martin Christ, Ronald Huener, Andreas Kienzle, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 7105111Abstract: Process for producing hollow bodies comprising fibre-reinforced ceramic materials, where cores whose shape corresponds to that of the hollow spaces are produced in a first step, a green body is produced in a second step by introducing the abovementioned cores and a press moulding compound into a mould, where the press moulding compound comprises carbon fibres and/or carbon threads and pitch and/or resins, the green body is cured in a third step by heating under pressure, and then carbonised in a fourth step by heating in the absence of oxidants to form a C/C body, which latter can be infiltrated with liquid metal with retention of its shape in a fifth step, with at least partial formation of carbides, where the cores comprise a material which is non-meltable but undergoes at least sufficient shrinkage above the curing temperature of the shaping by pressing of the press moulding compound for the shrunken core to be able to be taken out from the carbonised body; hollow bodies produced by this process and also tType: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Udo Gruber, Ronald Huener, Andreas Kienzle, Andreas Rahn, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Publication number: 20060071373Abstract: Process for producing hollow bodies comprising fibre-reinforced ceramic materials, where cores whose shape corresponds to that of the hollow spaces are produced in a first step, a green body is produced in a second step by introducing the abovementioned cores and a press moulding compound into a mould, where the press moulding compound comprises carbon fibres and/or carbon threads and pitch and/or resins, the green body is cured in a third step by heating under pressure, and then carbonised in a fourth step by heating in the absence of oxidants to form a C/C body, which latter can be infiltrated with liquid metal with retention of its shape in a fifth step, with at least partial formation of carbides, where the cores comprise a material which is non-meltable but undergoes at least sufficient shrinkage above the curing temperature of the shaping by pressing of the press moulding compound for the shrunken core to be able to be taken out from the carbonised body; hollow bodies produced by this process and also tType: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2002Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Udo Gruber, Ronald Huener, Andreas Kienzle, Andreas Rahn, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 7011785Abstract: Process for producing hollow bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, where mold cores whose shape corresponds to that of the hollow spaces are produced in a first step, at least one mold core together with a press moulding composition or formable fiber composition are introduced into a mold, where the press moulding composition comprises carbon fibers and/or carbon filaments and thermally curable carbonizable binders, in such a way that the position of the cores corresponds to the desired position of the hollow spaces to be formed in a second step, the composition is cured in a third step by heating to a temperature of from 120° C. to 280° C., to give a green body, the strengthened green body is carbonized and or graphitized in a fourth step by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 750° C. to about 2400° C.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Ronald Huener, Andreas Rahn, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 7011786Abstract: Process for producing shaped bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, where a green body is produced in a first step by introducing a press moulding composition into a mold, where the press moulding composition comprises carbon fibers and/or carbon filaments and pitch and/or resins which, when treated thermally and with the exclusion of oxidizing agents, form carbon-containing residues, the green body is cured in a second step by heating to a temperature of from 120° C. to 280° C. under pressure, the cured green body, also referred to as intermediate body, is carbonized in a third step by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 750° C. to about 1100° C.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Ronald Huener, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin, Andreas Rahn
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Publication number: 20050179152Abstract: Process for producing shaped bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, where a green body is produced in a first step by introducing a press moulding composition into a mold, where the press moulding composition comprises carbon fibers and/or carbon filaments and pitch and/or resins which, when treated thermally and with the exclusion of oxidizing agents, form carbon-containing residues, the green body is cured in a second step by heating to a temperature of from 120° C. to 280° C. under pressure, the cured green body, also referred to as intermediate body, is carbonized in a third step by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 750° C. to about 1100° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Ronald Huener, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin, Andreas Rahn
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Patent number: 6926127Abstract: Friction members are composed of a ceramic composite material. The friction members can be used for motor vehicles as a clutch disk for friction clutches, for transmitting motive power, or as a brake disk. A friction zone of the friction member is composed of ceramic, in particular of Si and SiC. A core zone of the friction member is made from fiber-reinforced C/SiC, in particular of long fiber woven fabric-reinforced and short fiber-reinforced C/SiC.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Ingrid Krätschmer, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 6908667Abstract: A method is provided for producing a fiber-reinforced material which is composed, at least in a region of a surface layer, of a ceramic composite and has carbon-containing fibers reaction-bonded to a matrix containing the elements Si and C. In particular a method of producing fiber-reinforced silicon carbide is provided in which a structure of a matrix contains cracks and/or pores, at least at ambient temperature, because of a high thermal expansion coefficient compared with that of the fibers. Metals are selectively electrodeposited in the open pores and cracks of the matrix and, in particular, in a region of the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. As a result, the open pores and cracks are filled and, in addition, metallic top layers are optionally formed that are firmly keyed to the ceramic composite and that may serve as an interlayer for glass top layers or ceramic top layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Martin Christ, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 6908660Abstract: The present invention relates to shaped bodies made of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites and comprising a core zone and at least one covering layer which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is higher than that of the core zone. The covering layer is an SiC-rich covering layer and is divided into segments which are separated from the adjacent segments by gaps or bridging zones of a material which is different from the material of the segments. The invention also relates to a process for producing such shaped bodies by infiltration of an intermediate body with molten silicon and their use for friction disks, in vehicle construction or as protective plates.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Nadine Hander, Andreas Kienzle, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 6824862Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic composites contain bundles, tows or hanks of long fibers, wherein the long fiber bundles, tows or hanks are completely surrounded by a short fiber-reinforced matrix, with the long and short fibers having, independently of one another, a mean diameter of from 4 to 12 &mgr;m and the long fibers having a mean length of at least 50 mm and the short fibers having a mean length of not more than 40 mm, a process for producing them and their use for producing clutch disks or brake disks.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Georg Burkhart, Martin Christ, Ronald Huener, Andreas Kienzle, Peter Winkelmann, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Patent number: 6759117Abstract: A multilayer ceramic composite is described which contains at least one supporting zone having oxidation-sensitive reinforcing fibers as well as a matrix. The matrix optionally contains oxidation-sensitive components. The composite further contains at least one surface layer, as well as at least one additional protective layer disposed between the supporting zone and surface layer, and whose matrix is composed substantially of at least one component of the matrix of the supporting zone or cover layer. The protective layer further contains additives that form self-healing layers.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: SGL Carbon AGInventors: Moritz Bauer, Martin Christ, Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Jens Rosenlöcher, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Publication number: 20030230194Abstract: Activated porous carbon fibers, whose active centers are formed by pores that are filled at least in part by carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide, obtainable by carbonization of organic or inorganic polymers, the use thereof for the adsorption or separation of gaseous substances, in particular of CO2, and also a method for the production thereof. The method includes the following steps. The first step is production of a spinning mixture containing polyacrylonitrile-based polymer A and an organic or metallo-organic polymer B. The next step is spinning of the spinning mixture to form mixed fibers of polymer A and polymer B. The next step is stabilization of the mixed fiber by oxidation. The next step is carbonization or graphitization of the mixed fiber under non-oxidizing conditions in such a way that the polymer B forms a carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide residue of at least 25 wt %, this residue forming active centers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Michael Heine, Richard Neuert, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Publication number: 20030207749Abstract: The present invention relates to shaped bodies made of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites and comprising a core zone and at least one covering layer which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is higher than that of the core zone. The covering layer is an SiC-rich covering layer and is divided into segments which are separated from the adjacent segments by gaps or bridging zones of a material which is different from the material of the segments. The invention also relates to a process for producing such shaped bodies by infiltration of an intermediate body with molten silicon and their use for friction disks, in vehicle construction or as protective plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Nadine Hander, Andreas Kienzle, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
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Publication number: 20030180527Abstract: Composite which contains reinforcing fibers comprising carbon and whose matrix comprises silicon carbide, silicon and copper, with the mass fraction of copper in the composite being up to 55%, processes for producing it, in particular by liquid infiltration of C/C intermediate bodies with melts comprising Si and/or Cu and Si, and also its use as friction lining in a friction pairing with ceramic brake discs or clutch discs comprising C/SiCType: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Martin Christ, Ronald Huener, Andreas Kienzle, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin