Patents by Inventor Ralph Michael

Ralph Michael 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).

  • Publication number: 20200200327
    Abstract: An insulation product for a pipe or vessel having at least one aerogel insulation layer, an additional insulation layer positioned around the at least one aerogel insulation layer, and a protective cladding layer surrounding the at least one aerogel insulation layer and the additional insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Jason J. Koravos, Dennis A. Kopp
  • Publication number: 20200182394
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced insulation product may include a first layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite and a second layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite. The first layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a first binder that may form a first binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the first layer together. The second layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a second binder that may form a second binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the second layer together. The fiber reinforced insulation product may further include a third binder that may form a third binding framework that bonds the first layer and the second layer together. The third binder may be dispersed throughout the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Stanislav Kukatin
  • Publication number: 20200148201
    Abstract: A secondary system operates on a vehicle to avoid a collision when a problem occurs with a primary system. For example, the secondary system may operate independently from the primary system to take over control of the vehicle from the primary system when the secondary system detects a potential collision, when an error occurs with the primary system, and so on. In examples, the primary system may implement first techniques, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, to understand an environment around the vehicle and/or instruct the vehicle to move within the environment. In examples, the secondary system may implement second techniques that are based on positioning, velocity, acceleration, etc. of the vehicle and/or objects around the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Lewis King, Ralph Michael Kling, Yu Liu, Andreas Christian Reschka, Robert Edward Somers, Chuang Wang
  • Patent number: 10612717
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced insulation product may include a first layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite and a second layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite. The first layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a first binder that may form a first binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the first layer together. The second layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a second binder that may form a second binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the second layer together. The fiber reinforced insulation product may further include a third binder that may form a third binding framework that bonds the first layer and the second layer together. The third binder may be dispersed throughout the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Stanislav Kukatin
  • Publication number: 20200101656
    Abstract: Molds for forming fiber reinforced insulation and methods of using the molds are described. One exemplary mold may include an upper mold and a lower mold. The upper mold and the lower mold may be coupleable to define a mold cavity for receiving therein a fiber reinforced insulation preform. The upper mold may include a plurality of apertures that may be configured to allow moisture from the fiber reinforced insulation preform to pass through the upper mold while substantially preventing fibers from the fiber reinforced insulation preform from passing through the upper mold such that the fiber reinforced insulation preform dries and cures to form the fiber reinforced insulation product. The plurality of apertures may collectively define an open area of at least 20% of an inner surface area of the upper mold that may contact the fiber reinforced insulation preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Andrew Pfefer, Stanislav Kukatin, Guodong Zheng
  • Publication number: 20200080679
    Abstract: A vapor-barrier stop pre-treated piping insulation system including an insulation segment, a vapor-barrier stop, and a sealant. The insulation segment includes a cylindrical exterior surface, a cylindrical exterior surface, a first end surface, a second end surface, at least two ledge surfaces, and a wall extending between the cylindrical exterior surface and the cylindrical interior surface. The vapor-barrier stop is applied prior to installation of the insulation segment and extends, starting from at least the first end surface, over the cylindrical interior surface, the cylindrical exterior surface, the at least two ledge surfaces, and the first end surface along the insulation segment towards the second end surface. The vapor-barrier stop is configured to impede vapor-exchange through the vapor-barrier stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventor: Ralph Michael Fay
  • Publication number: 20200080680
    Abstract: A fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite may include coarse glass fibers, glass microfibers, aerogel particles, and a binder. The coarse glass fibers may have an average fiber diameter between about 8 ?m and about 20 ?m. The glass microfibers may have an average fiber diameter between about 0.5 ?m and about 3 ?m. The glass microfibers may be homogenously dispersed within the coarse glass fibers. The aerogel particles may be homogenously dispersed within the coarse glass fibers and the glass microfibers. The fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite may include between about 50 wt. % and about 75 wt. % of the aerogel particles. The binder bonds the coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, and the aerogel particles together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Guodong Zheng, Stanislav Kukatin, Luke S. Weith
  • Publication number: 20200080681
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced insulation product may include a first layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite and a second layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite. The first layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a first binder that may form a first binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the first layer together. The second layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a second binder that may form a second binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the second layer together. The fiber reinforced insulation product may further include a third binder that may form a third binding framework that bonds the first layer and the second layer together. The third binder may be dispersed throughout the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Stanislav Kukatin
  • Publication number: 20200080301
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an insulated structure includes a frame comprising a plurality of wall studs coupled together and a plurality of foam boards attached to the frame to form a continuous insulative wall. A plurality of fasteners attaches the foam boards to the frame. Each fastener includes an elongate shaft and a cap. The elongate shaft is configured to penetrate through a foam board and into a wall stud to couple the components together. The cap is configured to be positioned atop a foam board to distribute a load relatively evenly to the foam board. A sealing tape is applied across seams between adjacent foam boards and over the fasteners' caps to seal the wall. A sealing caulk is applied to secondary fasteners and penetrations to seal the wall. In some embodiments, the structure has a fastener density of about 1 fastener per 243 in2 of foam board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Kathryn Fink Miks, Ralph Michael Fay, Thomas S Calzavara, Francis John Babineau, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200078981
    Abstract: A method for producing an insulation product may include providing an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution may include coarse glass fibers, glass microfibers, aerogel particles, and a binder. The coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, the aerogel particles, and the binder may be uniformly dispersed in the aqueous solution and may form a slurry. The method may further include removing at least a portion of water from the slurry such that the coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, the aerogel particles, and the binder may form a wet laid mixture. The method may also include curing the wet laid mixture to cure the binder and bond the coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, and the aerogel particles together to form a fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite. The fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite may include between about 50 wt. % and about 75 wt. % of the aerogel particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Guodong Zheng, Stanislav Kukatin, Luke S Weith
  • Patent number: 10513847
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an insulated structure includes a frame comprising a plurality of wall studs coupled together and a plurality of foam boards attached to the frame to form a continuous insulative wall. A plurality of fasteners attaches the foam boards to the frame. Each fastener includes an elongate shaft and a cap. The elongate shaft is configured to penetrate through a foam board and into a wall stud to couple the components together. The cap is configured to be positioned atop a foam board to distribute a load relatively evenly to the foam board. A sealing tape is applied across seams between adjacent foam boards and over the fasteners' caps to seal the wall. A sealing caulk is applied to secondary fasteners and penetrations to seal the wall. In some embodiments, the structure has a fastener density of about 1 fastener per 243 in2 of foam board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Kathryn Fink Miks, Ralph Michael Fay, Thomas S Calzavara, Francis John Babineau, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190153726
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an insulated structure includes a frame comprising a plurality of wall studs coupled together and a plurality of foam boards attached to the frame to form a continuous insulative wall. A plurality of fasteners attaches the foam boards to the frame. Each fastener includes an elongate shaft and a cap. The elongate shaft is configured to penetrate through a foam board and into a wall stud to couple the components together. The cap is configured to be positioned atop a foam board to distribute a load relatively evenly to the foam board. A sealing tape is applied across seams between adjacent foam boards and over the fasteners' caps to seal the wall. A sealing caulk is applied to secondary fasteners and penetrations to seal the wall. In some embodiments, the structure has a fastener density of about 1 fastener per 243 in2 of foam board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kathryn Fink Miks, Ralph Michael Fay, Thomas S. Calzavara, Francis John Babineau, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190136515
    Abstract: Systems and methods for making a waterproofed concrete wall assembly, such as for a basement wall. A waterproof liner is present at the pouring of the concrete of the wall assembly, and has a fibrous layer into which concrete can infuse before hardening. The waterproof liner may include one or more boards including a polymer foam. The boards may line a form used to make the wall assembly, or may make up part of the form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, II, Ralph Michael Fay, Diana Fisler, ChangQing Shen, Guodong Zheng, Zebonie Sukle, Dennis A. Kopp
  • Publication number: 20190136514
    Abstract: Systems and methods for making a waterproofed concrete wall assembly, such as for a basement wall. A form is constructed. At least a first side of the form is made of one or more boards having a polymer foam and a fibrous facer. At least some of the boards have perimeter edges shaped such that some adjacent boards overlap at the shaped perimeter edges. Concrete is poured into the gap between the sides of the form, and is allowed to harden. The other side of the form may be removed, while leaving the boards of the first side of the form in place adjacent the hardened concrete. Some of the concrete is infused into the fibrous facers of at least some of the boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Diana Fisler, Zebonie Sukle, ChangQing Shen, Guodong Zheng, Duane Paradis, Ralph Michael Fay
  • Publication number: 20190091987
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a facer used as protective covering for an insulation product. The facer may include a metallic foil layer, a scrim layer, and a paper layer positioned adjacent the scrim layer. The facer may also include a polypropylene material forming a polypropylene layer positioned adjacent the paper layer and heat bonded to an exposed major surface of the paper layer such that a portion of the polypropylene extends into pores of the paper layer to assist in coupling the polypropylene material to the paper layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Anthony Edward Moore, Edward Albert Bright
  • Patent number: 10221563
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an insulated structure includes a frame comprising a plurality of wall studs coupled together and a plurality of foam boards attached to the frame to form a continuous insulative wall. A plurality of fasteners attaches the foam boards to the frame. Each fastener includes an elongate shaft and a cap. The elongate shaft is configured to penetrate through a foam board and into a wall stud to couple the components together. The cap is configured to be positioned atop a foam board to distribute a load relatively evenly to the foam board. A sealing tape is applied across seams between adjacent foam boards and over the fasteners' caps to seal the wall. A sealing caulk is applied to secondary fasteners and penetrations to seal the wall. In some embodiments, the structure has a fastener density of about 1 fastener per 243 in2 of foam board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Kathryn Fink Miks, Ralph Michael Fay, Thomas S Calzavara, Francis John Babineau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10221562
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an insulated structure includes a frame comprising a plurality of wall studs coupled together and a plurality of foam boards attached to the frame to form a continuous insulative wall. A plurality of fasteners attaches the foam boards to the frame. Each fastener includes an elongate shaft and a cap. The elongate shaft is configured to penetrate through a foam board and into a wall stud to couple the components together. The cap is configured to be positioned atop a foam board to distribute a load relatively evenly to the foam board. A sealing tape is applied across seams between adjacent foam boards and over the fasteners' caps to seal the wall. A sealing caulk is applied to secondary fasteners and penetrations to seal the wall. In some embodiments, the structure has a fastener density of about 1 fastener per 243 in2 of foam board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Kathryn Fink Miks, Thomas S Calzavara, Francis John Babineau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10160191
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a facer used as protective covering for an insulation product. The facer may include a metallic foil layer, a scrim layer, and a paper layer positioned adjacent the scrim layer. The facer may also include a polypropylene material forming a polypropylene layer positioned adjacent the paper layer and heat bonded to an exposed major surface of the paper layer such that a portion of the polypropylene extends into pores of the paper layer to assist in coupling the polypropylene material to the paper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Anthony Edward Moore, Edward Albert Bright
  • Publication number: 20180320824
    Abstract: An insulation product for a pipe or vessel having at least one aerogel insulation layer, an additional insulation layer positioned around the at least one aerogel insulation layer, and a protective cladding layer surrounding the at least one aerogel insulation layer and the additional insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Fay, Jason J. Koravos, Dennis A. Kopp
  • Publication number: 20180135076
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector comprising (a) a variant AAV2 capsid protein, wherein the variant AAV2 capsid protein comprises at least four amino acid substitutions with respect to a wild type AAV2 capsid protein; wherein the at least four amino acid substitutions are present at the following positions in an AAV2 capsid protein sequence: 457, 492, 499 and 533; and (b) a heterologous nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a gene product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: Ralph Michael Linden