Patents by Inventor Rhutesh K. Shah

Rhutesh K. Shah 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: 10618988
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of pyridyldiamido and/or quinolinyldiamido transition metal complexes and catalyst systems with an activator and a metal hydrocarbenyl chain transfer agent, such as an aluminum vinyl-transfer agent (AVTA), to produce branched propylene polymers, preferably propylene-ethylene copolymers or propylene-ethylene-diene monomer copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Hagadorn, Jo Ann M. Canich, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah
  • Patent number: 10538656
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan
  • Patent number: 10457801
    Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using one or both of a metallocene catalyst capable of producing high molecular weight polymers and a metallocene catalyst capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations. Polymerization processes include dual catalyst polymerization in a single polymerization zone comprising both metallocene catalysts. Other processes include serial or parallel polymerizations in multiple polymerization zones, using either or both catalysts in each polymerization zone. Such polymerization processes produce reactor blends, and are particularly suited for producing copolymer compositions (such as EP or EPDM copolymer compositions) exhibiting improved melt elasticity and rheological properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan
  • Publication number: 20190309115
    Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates with reduced crosslinked rubber dispersion sizes and dispersity. The thermoplastic vulcanizates include a polypropylene matrix phase in which cross-linked rubber particles are dispersed. The thermoplastic vulcanizates include the reaction product of a mixture that includes at least 10 wt % of isotactic polypropylene at least 30 wt % of an amorphous propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer containing at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units and less than or equal to 25 wt % of ethylene-derived units; at least 10 wt % of a diluent and at least 0.015 wt % of at least one curative. The mixture is preferably formed without adding an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Sudhin Datta, Andy H. Tsou, Ron Walker, Krishnan Anantha Narayana Iyer, Rhutesh K. Shah, Hamidreza Khakdaman, Sebastian Vasquez, Feng Li
  • Publication number: 20190284311
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for producing an olefin polymer by contacting a C3-C40 olefin, ethylene and a diene with a catalyst system including an activator and a metallocene catalyst compound comprising a substituted or unsubstituted indacenyl group and obtaining a C3-C40 olefin-ethylene-diene terpolymer typically comprising from 1 to 35 mol % of ethylene, from 98.9 to 65 mol % C3-C40 olefin, and, optionally, from 0.1 to 10 mol % diene. Preferably, a propylene-ethylene-ethylidene norbornene is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, John R. Hagadorn, Rhutesh K. Shah, Florin Barsan, Sarah J. Mattler
  • Publication number: 20190284318
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for producing an olefin polymer by contacting a C3-C40 olefin, ethylene and a diene with a catalyst system including an activator and a metallocene catalyst compound comprising a substituted or unsubstituted indacenyl group and obtaining a C3-C40 olefin-ethylene-diene terpolymer typically comprising from 30 to 55 mol % ethylene, from 69.09 to 45 mol % C3 to C40 comonomer, and from 0.01 to 7 mol % diene wherein the Tg of the terpolymer is ?28° C. or less. Preferably, a propylene-ethylene-ethylidene norbornene is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, John R. Hagadorn, Rhutesh K. Shah, Florin Barsan, Sarah J. Mattler, Chase A. Eckert, Zhifeng Bai
  • Publication number: 20190284319
    Abstract: This invention relates to production of propylene-predominant copolymers using a transition metal complex and at least two different non-coordinating anion activators. An olefinic feed comprising a C3-C40 alpha olefin, ethylene, and a diene monomer is contacted under polymerization reaction conditions with a catalyst system comprising a first non-coordinating anion activator, a second non-coordinating borate activator differing from the first non-coordinating anion activator, and a transition metal complex comprising a tetrahydro-s-indacenyl or tetrahydro-as-indacenyl group bound to a group 3-6 transition metal. A molar ratio of the first non-coordinating anion activator to the second non-coordinating anion activator is sufficient to produce a melt flow rate under the polymerization reaction conditions for the resulting copolymer of about 30 g/10 min or below as determined by ASTM D-1238 (230° C., 2.16 kg).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Rhutesh K. Shah, Jo Ann M. Canich, Edward J. Blok
  • Patent number: 10385198
    Abstract: Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125° C. of less than 5; and phase angle ? at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5°, as determined at 125° C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan
  • Publication number: 20190248935
    Abstract: A process to produce a branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer comprising combining a catalyst precursor and an activator with a feed comprising ethylene, C3 to C12 ?-olefins, and a dual-polymerizable diene to obtain a branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer; where the catalyst precursor is selected from pyridyldiamide and quinolinyldiamido transition metal complexes. The branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer may comprise within a range from 40 to 80 wt % of ethylene-derived units by weight of the branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer, and 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, and the remainder comprising C3 to C12 ?-olefin derived units, wherein the branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) within a range from 100 kg/mole to 300 kg/mole, an average branching index (g?avg) of 0.9 or more, and a branching index at very high Mw (g?1000) of less than 0.9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Crisita Carmen H. Atienza, Rhutesh K. Shah, Ron Walker, John R. Hagadorn, Sudhin Datta
  • Publication number: 20190248934
    Abstract: A process to produce a branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer comprising combining a catalyst precursor and an activator with a feed comprising ethylene, C3 to C12 ?-olefins, and a dual-polymerizable diene to obtain a branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer; where the catalyst precursor is selected from pyridyldiamide and quinolinyldiamido transition metal complexes. The branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer may comprise within a range from 40 to 80 wt % of ethylene-derived units by weight of the branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer, and 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, and the remainder comprising C3 to C12 ?-olefin derived units, wherein the branched ethylene-?-olefin diene elastomer has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) within a range from 100 kg/mole to 300 kg/mole, an average branching index (g?avg) of 0.9 or more, and a branching index at very high Mw (g?1000) of less than 0.9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Crisita Carmen H. Atienza, Rhutesh K. Shah, Ron Walker, John R. Hagadorn, Sudhin Datta
  • Patent number: 10336845
    Abstract: A propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer and method of making such comprising from 2% to 25% wt % by weight of ethylene, from 98% to 75% wt % by weight propylene and from 1% to 21% wt % by weight of a diene, wherein the terpolymer has a crystallinity of less than 3%, a melt flow rate (MFR) of less than 10 and a Tg by DSC of from ?2° C. to ?25° C. and methods to prepare the terpolymer are depicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Andy H. Tsou, Edward J. Blok, Gabor Kiss, Rhutesh K. Shah
  • Publication number: 20190169413
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan
  • Publication number: 20190169322
    Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Rhutesh K. Shah, Rainer Kolb, Jo Ann M. Canich, Peijun Jiang, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Syamal Tallury
  • Patent number: 10253173
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan
  • Publication number: 20180291128
    Abstract: A polymer obtained by a solution polymerization process comprising within a range from 0.5 to 20 wt % of cyclic olefin derived units, within a range from 0 wt % to 15 wt % C4 to C12 ?-olefin derived units, the remainder being ethylene derived units; and having a Mw/Mn of less than 2.5; a weight average molecular weight (Mw) within a range from 80,000 to 300,000 g/mole; and a g? value of greater than 0.95. The polymer may be formed in a solution polymerization process comprising combining in a solution cyclic olefins, ethylene, hydrogen and optionally C4 to C12 ?-olefins with a single-site catalyst to form the polymer, wherein the single-site catalyst is most preferably selected from unsymmetrical Group 4 bis-bridged cyclopentadienyl metallocenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Yong Yang, Rhutesh K. Shah
  • Publication number: 20180244817
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of quinolinyldiamido transition metal complexes and catalyst systems with an activator and a metal hydrocarbenyl chain transfer agent, such as an aluminum vinyl-transfer agent (AVTA), to produce branched propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: John R. Hagadorn, Jo Ann M. Canich, Andy H. Tsou, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah
  • Publication number: 20180134827
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of pyridyldiamido and/or quinolinyldiamido transition metal complexes and catalyst systems with an activator and a metal hydrocarbenyl chain transfer agent, such as an aluminum vinyl-transfer agent (AVTA), to produce branched propylene polymers, preferably propylene-ethylene copolymers or propylene-ethylene-diene monomer copolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: John R. Hagadorn, Jo Ann M. Canich, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah
  • Publication number: 20180002516
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan
  • Publication number: 20180002517
    Abstract: Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125° C. of less than 5; and phase angle ? at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5°, as determined at 125° C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan
  • Publication number: 20170362350
    Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using one or both of a metallocene catalyst capable of producing high molecular weight polymers and a metallocene catalyst capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations. Polymerization processes include dual catalyst polymerization in a single polymerization zone comprising both metallocene catalysts. Other processes include serial or parallel polymerizations in multiple polymerization zones, using either or both catalysts in each polymerization zone. Such polymerization processes produce reactor blends, and are particularly suited for producing copolymer compositions (such as EP or EPDM copolymer compositions) exhibiting improved melt elasticity and rheological properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jo Ann M. Canich, Rainer Kolb, Periagaram S. Ravishankar, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Peijun Jiang, Rhutesh K. Shah, Narayanaswami Dharmarajan