Patents by Inventor Ralph Munson Aten

Ralph Munson Aten 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: 9461312
    Abstract: An electrode (31c) for fuel cell comprises: a catalyst carrier (110) that is an electrically-conductive carrier (130) with a catalyst (120) supported thereon; a first electrolyte resin (141); and a second electrolyte resin (142). The first electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in an environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%. The second electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of not less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in the environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Masanori Aimu, Randal Lewis Perry, Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Robert Clayton Wheland, Ralph Munson Aten, Andri E. Elia
  • Patent number: 9431661
    Abstract: A cathode catalyst layer used for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that includes an electrolyte membrane is provided. The cathode catalyst layer comprises a catalyst having weight of not greater than 0.3 mg/cm2 of a reaction surface of the cathode catalyst layer that is adjoining the electrolyte membrane; and an electrolyte resin having oxygen permeability of not less than 2.2*10?14 mol/m/s/Pa in an environment of temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nonoyama, Masanori Aimu, Randal Lewis Perry, Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Robert Clayton Wheland, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Publication number: 20150299402
    Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a fluoropolymer composition. The process involves: i) combining an aqueous dispersion of melt flowable polytetrafluoroethylene and an aqueous dispersion of melt-fabricable tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer to form a fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion, ii) coagulating the fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion to form a solid fluoropolymer phase and an aqueous phase, iii) separating the solid fluoropolymer phase from the aqueous phase to form coagulated fluoropolymer, and iv) heating the coagulated fluoropolymer at a temperature of from 280° C. to less than the highest melting point of the coagulated fluoropolymer for a period of time sufficient to increase the tensile modulus, increase the tensile strength, increase the MIT flex life, and decrease the melt flow rate of the coagulated fluoropolymer and thereby forming the fluoropolymer composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: RALPH MUNSON ATEN, HEIDI ELIZABETH BURCH
  • Publication number: 20150175757
    Abstract: The present invention provides oriented film comprising the composition 55 to 95 wt % tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene/-perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer and 45 to 5 wt % tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer to total 100 wt % based on the combined weight of said copolymers, wherein the alkyl in each copolymer comprises 1 to 4 carbon atoms and wherein the presence of the tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer in the composition and the presence of perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) in both copolymers improves the thermoformability of the film as compared to oriented film of the same film thickness comprising the tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene/perfluoro-(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer by itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: RALPH MUNSON ATEN, HEIDI ELIZABETH BURCH, SUNDAR KILNAGAR VENKATARAMAN, ROBERT THOMAS YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20150021814
    Abstract: A core/shell polymer is provided and is optionally heat aged, wherein the core comprises one of (a) melt-fabricable tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer and (b) melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene and the shell comprises the other of (a) and (b), wherein the amount of (b) in said core/shell polymer is 15 to 45 wt % based on the total weight of (a) and (b) whether (b) is the core or shell of the core/shell polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Heidi Elizabeth Burch
  • Publication number: 20140329040
    Abstract: Disclosed is a melt processable semicrystalline fluoropolymer comprising: (a) about 0.001 to about 25 weight percent of repeating units arising from a hydrocarbon monomer having a functional group and a polymerizable carbon-carbon double bond, wherein said functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting of amine, amide, hydroxyl, phosphonate, sulfonate, nitrile, boronate and epoxidehydrocarbon monomer; and (b) the remaining weight percent of repeating units arising from tetrafluoroethylene. This melt processable semicrystalline fluoropolymer is impermeable to fuels and is useful as a lining for petroleum fuel tubing, as well as chemical resistance coating for, or adhesive between, perfluoropolymer and other polymers, metals and inorganics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: RALPH MUNSON ATEN, SHARON ANN LIBERT, CRAIG KING HENNESSEY
  • Publication number: 20140255703
    Abstract: A laminate is provided comprising a metal substrate and a fluoropolymer layer adhered directly to said metal substrate, said fluoropolymer layer having a recrystallized region at the interface with said metal substrate, the preferred laminate being an electrical cable wherein the metal substrate is an electrical conductor and the fluoropolymer layer is the electrical insulation of the conductor and wherein the opposite surface of the electrical insulation is not recrystallized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: RALPH MUNSON ATEN, HEIDI ELIZABETH BURCH, JOHNNIE F. TURNER, ROBERT THOMAS YOUNG, KATIE LYNN CAMPBELL
  • Publication number: 20140154608
    Abstract: A cathode catalyst layer used for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that includes an electrolyte membrane is provided. The cathode catalyst layer comprises a catalyst having weight of not greater than 0.3 mg/cm2 of a reaction surface of the cathode catalyst layer that is adjoining the electrolyte membrane; and an electrolyte resin having oxygen permeability of not less than 2.2*10?14 mol/m/s/Pa in an environment of temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nonoyama, Masanori Aimu, Randal Lewis Perry, Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Robert Clayton Wheland, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Publication number: 20130252134
    Abstract: This invention relates to solid polymer electrolyte materials for use in one or more electrode of a fuel cell. The solid polymer electrolyte materials comprise one or more ionomer which comprises polymerized units of monomers A and monomers B, wherein monomers A are perfluoro dioxole or perfluoro dioxolane monomers, and the monomers B are functionalized perfluoro olefins having fluoroalkyl sulfonyl, fluoroalkyl sulfonate or fluoroalkyl sulfonic acid pendant groups, CF2?CF(O)[CF2]nSO2X. The ionomer of the solid polymer electrolyte material has a number average molecular weight, Mn, of greater than 140,000. Specifically, the ionomers of the invention may find use in the catalyst layer of an electrode because the high molecular weight ionomers mitigate the formation of cracks in the catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, EI Du Pont De Nemours and Company and
    Inventors: Masayoshi Takami, Toshihiko Yoshida, Masanori Aimu, Randal Lewis Perry, Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Robert Clayton Wheland, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Publication number: 20130253157
    Abstract: This invention relates to solid polymer electrolyte materials for use in one or more electrode of a fuel cell. The solid polymer electrolyte materials comprise one or more ionomer which comprises polymerized units of monomers A and monomers B, wherein monomers A are perfluoro dioxole or perfluoro dioxolane monomers, and the monomers B are functionalized perfluoro olefins having fluoroalkyl sulfonyl, fluoroalkyl sulfonate or fluoroalkyl sulfonic acid pendant groups, CF2?CF(O)[CF2]nSO2X.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY AND TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayoshi Takami, Toshihiko Yoshida, Misaki Kobayashi, Randal Lewis Perry, Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Robert Clayton Wheland, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Publication number: 20130245219
    Abstract: This invention relates to ionomers and to ionically conductive compositions formed therefrom. The ionomers comprise polymerized units of monomers A and monomers B, wherein monomers A are perfluoro dioxole or perfluoro dioxolane monomers, and the monomers B are functionalized perfluoro olefins having fluoroalkyl sulfonyl, fluoroalkyl sulfonate or fluoroalkyl sulfonic acid pendant groups, CF2?CF(O)[CF2]nSO2X. The ionically conductive compositions of the invention are useful in fuel cells, electrolysis cells, ion exchange membranes, sensors, electrochemical capacitors, and modified electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: E I Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Randal L. Perry, Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Robert Clayton Wheland, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Patent number: 8436054
    Abstract: A process for making an aqueous dispersion of fluorinated ionomer particles by polymerizing in a first polymerization step at least one fluorinated monomer having an ionic group in an aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of initiator, the polymerizing providing dispersed particulate of fluorinated ionomer, polymerizing in a second polymerization step at least one fluorinated monomer having an ionic group in the aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of the dispersed particulate of fluorinated ionomer and initiator to form the aqueous dispersion of particles of fluorinated ionomer, and suspending the first polymerization step prior to beginning the second polymerization step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Kenneth Wayne Leffew, Ralph Birchard Lloyd, Charles Joseph Noelke
  • Publication number: 20130059101
    Abstract: Disclosed is a melt processible semicrystalline fluoropolymer comprising: (a) about 0.001 to about 25 weight percent of repeating units arising from a hydrocarbon monomer having a functional group and a polymerizable carbon-carbon double bond, wherein said functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting of amine, amide, hydroxyl, phosphonate, sulfonate, nitrile, boronate and epoxidehydrocarbon monomer; and (b) the remaining weight percent of repeating units arising from tetrafluoroethylene. This melt processible semicrystalline fluoropolymer is impermeable to fuels and is useful as a lining for petroleum fuel tubing, as well as chemical resistance coating for, or adhesive between, perfluoropolymer and other polymers, metals and inorganics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AMD COMPANY
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Sharon Ann Libert, Craig King Hennessey
  • Patent number: 8236898
    Abstract: A melt-mixed composition of non-melt flowable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer is provided that exhibits thixotropy at increasing shear rate in the molten state and high elongation at break even at PTFE concentrations well above 4 wt %, based on the combined weight of the PTFE and the perfluoropolymer, e.g. at least 200% up to at least 30 wt % PTFE, the composition also exhibiting the structure of a dispersion of submicrometer-size particles of the PTFE in a continuous phase of the melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Heidi Elizabeth Burch, Sundar Kilnagar Venkataraman, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Patent number: 8192677
    Abstract: A process is provided for extruding a partially crystalline melt-fabricable perfluoropolymers. The process comprises blow molding from a perfluoropolymer having polytetrafluoroethylene sub-micrometer particles dispersed therein. The perfluoropolymer composition is a core/shell polymer, with pelletized blend, a dispersion blend or a melt-mixed polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Sharon Ann Libert, Heidi Elizabeth Burch
  • Publication number: 20120010368
    Abstract: A melt-mixed composition of non-melt flowable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer is provided that exhibits thixotropy at increasing shear rate in the molten state and high elongation at break even at PTFE concentrations well above 4 wt %, based on the combined weight of the PTFE and the perfluoropolymer, e.g. at least 200% up to at least 30 wt % PTFE, the composition also exhibiting the structure of a dispersion of submicrometer-size particles of the PTFE in a continuous phase of the melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Heidi Elizabeth Burch, Sundar Kilnagar Venkataraman, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Patent number: 8058376
    Abstract: A process for making an aqueous dispersion of fluoropolymer particles by polymerizing in a first polymerization step at least one fluorinated monomer having an ionic group in an aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of initiator, the polymerizing providing dispersed particulate of fluorinated ionomer, and polymerizing in a second polymerization step at least one fluorinated monomer in the aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of the dispersed particulate of fluorinated ionomer and initiator to form the aqueous dispersion of particles of fluoropolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Kenneth Wayne Leffew, Ralph Birchard Lloyd, Charles Joseph Noelke
  • Patent number: 8053527
    Abstract: A melt-mixed composition of non-melt flowable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer is provided that exhibits thixotropy at increasing shear rate in the molten state and high elongation at break even at PTFE concentrations well above 4 wt %, based on the combined weight of the PTFE and the perfluoropolymer, e.g. at least 200% up to at least 30 wt % PTFE, the composition also exhibiting the structure of a dispersion of submicrometer-size particles of the PTFE in a continuous phase of the melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Heidi Elizabeth Burch, Sundar Kilnagar Venkataraman, Ralph Munson Aten
  • Publication number: 20110213088
    Abstract: Tensile strength after heat aged of articles molded from melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer is improved by incorporating polytetrafluoroethylene as dispersed submicrometer-size particles into the melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Heidi Elizabeth Burch, Sharon Ann Libert
  • Patent number: 7964274
    Abstract: Tensile strength after heat aging of articles molded from melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer is improved by incorporating polytetrafluoroethylene as dispersed submicrometer-size particles into the melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Heidi Elizabeth Burch, Sharon Ann Libert