Patents by Inventor Robert E. Hefner

Robert E. Hefner 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: 20200009511
    Abstract: A composite membrane including a porous support and a thin film layer comprising a reaction product of: i) a polymer comprising a sub-unit including a Troger's base moiety represented by Formula I: wherein L includes an arylene group substituted with at least one carboxylic acid or a corresponding salt or ester group, or a hydroxyl; and ii) a crosslinking agent selected from at least one of: a) a multifunctional epoxy compound and b) a multifunctional azide compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Praveen Agarwal, Peter E. M. Aerts, Tamara Dikic, Shouren Ge, Robert E. Hefner, Yuanqiao Rao, Bart G. M. Rijksen, Ian A. Tomlinson
  • Publication number: 20190330522
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and use thereof for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir. More particularly, this invention concerns sulfonated epoxy resin polymers comprising an epoxide-containing compound, a primary amino sulfonate, and optionally one or more of a primary monoamine alkylene oxide oligomer, that modify the permeability of subterranean formations and increase the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen M. Hoyles, Sayeed Abbas, Robert E. Hefner, Shawn J. Maynard, Cesar E. Meza
  • Publication number: 20190256644
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin composition and method for preparing said composition. The ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin composition is made by forming a reaction product comprising an epoxide-containing compound, a primary amino sulfonate, and optionally one or more of a primary monoamine alkylene oxide oligomer, followed by converting any unreacted epoxide groups in the reaction product to ?-glycol groups by hydrolysis. Said ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin compositions demonstrate good solubility in aqueous solutions and are useful for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Stephen M. Hoyles
  • Publication number: 20190153295
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and use thereof for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir. More particularly, this invention concerns ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin composition and method for preparing said composition. The ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin composition is made by forming a reaction product comprising an epoxide-containing compound, a primary amino sulfonate, and optionally one or more of a primary monoamine alkylene oxide oligomer, followed by converting any unreacted epoxide groups in the reaction product to ?-glycol groups by hydrolysis. Said ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin compositions demonstrate good solubility in aqueous solutions and are useful for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen M Hoyles, Robert E. Hefner
  • Publication number: 20170088663
    Abstract: A process for preparing an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition including the steps of: (I) reacting a mixture of the following components: (a) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl-containing material, (b) an epihalohydrin, (c) a stoichiometric excess of a base compound or basic acting substance, (d) a catalyst, and (e) optionally, a solvent; wherein the reacting step (I) is carried out under reaction conditions sufficient to form a crude aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product in the resultant reaction mixture; (II) neutralizing the resultant reaction mixture of step (I) containing the crude aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product with a phosphate neutralizing agent sufficient to partially neutralize the base or basic acting substance and to form a neutralized fluid medium containing aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product; (III) removing at least a portion of unreacted epihalohydrin from the reaction mixture of step (II); and (IV)
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Daryoosh Beigzadeh, David J. Couling, Robert W. Coyle, David A. Carr
  • Publication number: 20170022134
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods related to the hydroformylation of cyclododecatriene to form cyclododecatriene trialdehyde, and the conversion of the trialdehyde to the polyphenols of Formula 1: where R, m p and Q are as defined herein. Curable compositions comprising compounds of Formula 1, including powder coating compositions, and methods of curing the compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Erich J. Molitor, Robert E. Hefner
  • Publication number: 20130143982
    Abstract: A coating composition comprising an advanced epoxy resin polymeric composition having the following chemical structure:(formula) I where n is a number from 1 to about 3000; each m independently has a value of 0 or 1; each R0 is independently —H or —CH3; each R1 is independently —H or a C1 to C6 alkylene radical (saturated divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical); R?1—R?4 are independently hydrogen, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, an aryl or an aralkyl group or other substituent, for example, a nitro, an isocyanate, or an alkyloxy group; additionally, any two of R?1-R?4 may form fused ring independently; and X is cycloalkylene group, including substituted cycloalkylene group, where the substituent groups include an alkyl, cycloalkyl, an aryl or an aralkyl group or other substituent group, for example, a halide, a cyano, a nitro, a blocked isocyanate, or an alkyloxy group; the combination of cycloalkylene and alkylene groups and the combination of alkylene and cycloalkylene group with a bridging moiety in between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xin Jin, Ray E. Drumright, Bernhard Kainz, Jerry E. White, Robert E. Hefner
  • Publication number: 20130144015
    Abstract: An epoxy resin adduct including the reaction product of (A) at least one polyfunctional aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin; and (B) at least one reactive compound; wherein the polyfunctional aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin is isolated from the epoxy resin formed by the epoxidation of (i) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl-containing material using (ii) an epi-halohydrin, (iii) a basic-acting substance, (iv) a non-Lewis acid catalyst, and (v) optionally one or more solvents; and wherein the re-active compound (B) comprises one or more compounds having two or more reactive hydrogen atoms per molecule and the reactive hydrogen atoms are reactive with epoxide groups. A curable epoxy resin composition includes the adduct described above. A cured epoxy resin is prepared by a process of curing the curable epoxy resin composition containing the adduct described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hefner
  • Publication number: 20110039981
    Abstract: An epoxy resin comprising at least one epoxy amide such as at least one of a glycidyl ether amide and a glycidyl ester amide derived from at least one non-seed oil based alkanolamide; and a process for preparing such epoxy resin. An epoxy resin composition can be prepared comprising the epoxy amide above and one or more epoxy resins other than the epoxy amide. A curable epoxy resin composition can also be made from the above epoxy resin composition which contains at least one curing agent and/or at least one curing catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jim D. Earls
  • Publication number: 20110009559
    Abstract: Aromatic dicyanate compounds which comprise aliphatic moieties having at least about six carbon atoms and resins and thermoset products based on these compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mullins, Robert E. Hefner, Ulrich Herold, Mark B. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20080023250
    Abstract: A steering control console for a mobile machine is disclosed. The control console has an armrest extending adjacent a seat in a forward direction generally parallel with a seat plane of symmetry. The control console also includes an operator interface device operatively connected to the armrest. The operator interface device is tiltable about a pivot axis through a range of approximately 70-90 degrees. The pivot axis is substantially aligned with the forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Robert L. Stamate, Norval P. Thomson, Timothy J. Silvers, Mark C. Redden
  • Publication number: 20040068062
    Abstract: The present invention concerns hydroxyaliphatic functional diglycidyl ethers of bisphenols (epoxy resins); curable (thermosettable) mixtures of at least one hydroxyaliphatic functional epoxy resin and at least one curing agent and/or catalyst therefor, as well as cured (thermoset) compositions prepared therefrom; and derivatives prepared therefrom. The bisphenol precursor to the diglycidyl ether contains a hydroxyaliphatic group linkage between the two aromatic rings of the bisphenol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Louis L. Walker, Robert E. Hefner, Katherine S. Clement
  • Publication number: 20040053033
    Abstract: This invention is a monomer comprising at least two dienophile groups and at least two ring structures which ring structures are characterized by the presence of two conjugated carbon-to-carbon double bonds and the presence of a leaving group L, wherein L is characterized that when the ring structure reacts with a dienophile in the presence of heat or other energy sources, L is removed to form an aromatic ring structure. This invention is also curable oligomers and polymers and highly cross-linked polymers made with such monomers. Moreover, this invention is a method of making porous films by combining such monomers or their oligomers with a porogen, curing the polymer and removing the porogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Q. Jason Niu, Robert E. Hefner, James P. Godschalx, James T. Pechacek, Kim E. Arndt
  • Publication number: 20020091223
    Abstract: The present invention concerns hydroxyaliphatic functional diglycidyl ethers of bisphenols (epoxy resins); curable (thermosettable) mixtures of at least one hydroxyaliphatic functional epoxy resin and at least one curing agent and/or catalyst therefor, as well as cured (thermoset) compositions prepared therefrom; and derivatives prepared therefrom. The bisphenol precursor to the diglycidyl ether contains a hydroxyaliphatic group linkage between the two aromatic rings of the bisphenol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Louis L. Walker, Robert E. Hefner, Katherine S. Clement
  • Patent number: 6389343
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling the resistance to the movement of a steering shaft that is operable to move as a function of an operator input. A position sensor is coupled with the steering shaft and transmits a shaft position signal as a function of the position of the steering shaft. A processing device is coupled with the position sensor to receive the shaft position signal and transmits a resistance signal as a function of the shaft position signal. A resistance device is coupled with the processing device to receive the resistance signal and is coupled with the steering shaft, the resistance device resists the movement of the steering shaft as a function of the resistance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Kevin Huang, John J. Krone, Andrew H. Nippert
  • Patent number: 5109696
    Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to assess the performance of a vehicle's powertrain. A microcomputer collects sensor data indicative of the rotational velocity of an output shaft and a transmission input shaft and of the pressure of a directional clutch and a speed clutch. The microcomputer calculates a set of powertrain parameters based on the collected sensor data and produces an error signal in response to predetermined conditions of the powertrain parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Irving Bright, Ronald C. Erickson, Dennis K. Greene, Gerald D. Hardy, Robert E. Hefner, Lowell E. Johnson, Donald J. Schwingel, Richard E. Spring
  • Patent number: 4694928
    Abstract: Operator restraint systems of the type having a lap belt restrain the operator at all times including side tipovers. An operator restraint system has an apparatus for connecting a lap belt first end portion to an operator's station at a location adjacent a seat first side and an apparatus for connecting a lap belt second end portion to the operator's station at a location adjacent a seat second side and an apparatus for releasing one of the first and second lap belt end portions from connection with the operator's station in response to an impact being applied in a direction transverse to one of the first and second seat side portions. Therefore, the lap belt is released during side tipover impacts and the problems associated therewith are overcome. The operator restraint system is particularly suited for use on a material handling vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Barton, Robert E. Hefner, Paul A. Reid, Frank R. Sable