Patents by Inventor Robert G. Lachenauer

Robert G. Lachenauer 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: 8057568
    Abstract: A highly porous substrate is provided using an extrusion system. More particularly, the present invention enables the production of a highly porous substrate. Depending on the particular mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrusion system enables the use of a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Fibers, which have an aspect ratio greater than 1, are selected according to substrate requirements, and are typically mixed with binders, pore-formers, extrusion aids, and fluid to form a homogeneous extrudable mass. The homogeneous mass is extruded into a green substrate. The more volatile material is preferentially removed from the green substrate, which allows the fibers to form interconnected networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, Biprodas Dutta, William M. Carty, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7901480
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a highly porous substrate. More particularly, the present invention enables fibers, such as organic, inorganic, glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal fibers, to be combined with binders and additives, and extruded, to form a porous substrate. Depending on the selection of the constituents used to form an extrudable mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables process advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrudable mixture may use a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Additives can be selected that form inorganic bonds between overlapping fibers in the extruded substrate that provide enhanced strength and performance of the porous substrate in a variety of applications, such as, for example, filtration and as a host for catalytic processes, such as catalytic converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, William M Carty
  • Patent number: 7862641
    Abstract: A highly porous substrate is provided using an extrusion system. More particularly, the present invention enables the production of a highly porous substrate. Depending on the particular mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrusion system enables the use of a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Fibers, which have an aspect ratio greater than 1, are selected according to substrate requirements, and are typically mixed with binders, pore-formers, extrusion aids, and fluid to form a homogeneous extrudable mass. The homogeneous mass is extruded into a green substrate. The more volatile material is preferentially removed from the green substrate, which allows the fibers to form interconnected networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, Robert G. Lachenauer, Biprodas Dutta, William M. Carty
  • Patent number: 7722828
    Abstract: The invention relates to an engine with an exhaust gas pathway extending between the engine and the atmosphere. The engine includes a manifold portion fluidically connected to an engine, a muffler portion fluidically connected to the atmosphere, a conduit portion fluidically connected between the manifold portion and the muffler portion, and a plurality of baffles operationally connected within the muffler. A substantially fibrous refractory material at least partially coats the exhaust gas pathway. Exhaust gas from the engine flowing through the exhaust gas pathway to the atmosphere flows over the substantially fibrous refractory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7682577
    Abstract: A simple catalytic device that is easily installed into vehicles, small engines, and industrial exhaust stacks is provided. The simple catalytic device has a ridged and stable backbone structure that withstands expected mechanical forces. In one example, the backbone is a highly gas permeable mesh or screen. A fibrous material is disposed on the backbone, with a catalytic material coating applied to the fibrous material. The catalytic device is constructed to be installable in an exhaust path, where it provides a catalytic conversion for non-particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7682578
    Abstract: An exhaust gas pollution treatment device, having an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe with an exhaust path extending between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. A gas permeable backbone member is positioned in the exhaust path and a substantially fibrous nonwoven refractory material is disposed on the backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7640732
    Abstract: A highly porous ceramic filter consisting essentially of bonded ceramic fibers forms a part of an exhaust filtration system for a gasoline two-stroke engine. The porosity of the substrate permits accumulation of particulate constituents of the exhaust stream without detracting from the engine performance due to backpressure. Embodiments of the porous ceramic filter are disposed with a catalyst to facilitate reduction of gaseous and particulate byproducts of combustion from the two-stroke engine, so that emission of harmful pollutants is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7578865
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a highly porous substrate. More particularly, the present invention enables fibers, such as organic, inorganic, glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal fibers, to be combined with binders and additives, and extruded, to form a porous substrate. Depending on the selection of the constituents used to form an extrudable mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables process advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrudable mixture may use a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Additives can be selected that form inorganic bonds between overlapping fibers in the extruded substrate that provide enhanced strength and performance of the porous substrate in a variety of applications, such as, for example, filtration and as a host for catalytic processes, such as catalytic converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, William M Carty
  • Publication number: 20090173687
    Abstract: A highly porous substrate is provided using an extrusion system. More particularly, the present invention enables the production of a highly porous substrate. Depending on the particular mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrusion system enables the use of a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Fibers, which have an aspect ratio greater than 1, are selected according to substrate requirements, and are typically mixed with binders, pore-formers, extrusion aids, and fluid to form a homogeneous extrudable mass. The homogeneous mass is extruded into a green substrate. The more volatile material is preferentially removed from the green substrate, which allows the fibers to form interconnected networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: GEO2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, William M. Carty, Biprodas Dutta
  • Publication number: 20090136709
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a highly porous substrate. More particularly, the present invention enables fibers, such as organic, inorganic, glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal fibers, to be combined with binders and additives, and extruded, to form a porous substrate. Depending on the selection of the constituents used to form an extrudable mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables process advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrudable mixture may use a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Additives can be selected that form inorganic bonds between overlapping fibers in the extruded substrate that provide enhanced strength and performance of the porous substrate in a variety of applications, such as, for example, filtration and as a host for catalytic processes, such as catalytic converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, William M. Carty
  • Patent number: 7486962
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a highly porous substrate. More particularly, the present invention enables fibers, such as organic, inorganic, glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal fibers, to be combined with binders and additives, and extruded, to form a porous substrate. Depending on the selection of the constituents used to form an extrudable mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables process advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrudable mixture may use a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Additives can be selected that form inorganic bonds between overlapping fibers in the extruded substrate that provide enhanced strength and performance of the porous substrate in a variety of applications, such as, for example, filtration and as a host for catalytic processes, such as catalytic converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, William M Carty
  • Patent number: 7451849
    Abstract: An exhaust gas pollution treatment device, having an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe with an exhaust path extending between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. A gas permeable backbone member is positioned in the exhaust path and a substantially fibrous nonwoven refractory material is disposed on the backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7444805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust system conduit, including a generally cylindrical outer portion and a generally cylindrical inner portion disposed within the generally cylindrical outer portion and defining a generally cylindrical fluid-flow path. The generally cylindrical inner portion further includes a substantially fibrous porous nonwoven refractory monolith and a catalyst material at least partially coating the monolith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Publication number: 20080199369
    Abstract: A highly porous substrate is provided using an extrusion system. More particularly, the present invention enables the production of a highly porous substrate. Depending on the particular mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrusion system enables the use of a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Fibers, which have an aspect ratio greater than 1, are selected according to substrate requirements, and are typically mixed with binders, pore-formers, extrusion aids, and fluid to form a homogeneous extrudable mass. The homogeneous mass is extruded into a green substrate. The more volatile material is preferentially removed from the green substrate, which allows the fibers to form interconnected networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: GEO2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, Biprodas Dutta, William M. Carty