Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Herold

Thomas A. Herold 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).

  • Apparatus and method for making carbon fibers
    Patent number: 7223376
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the carbonization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers. The apparatus comprises a furnace, or series of furnaces in side-by-side arrangement. Each furnace includes a heater, an air inlet and an air diffusion plate. The fiber is located in the furnace above the air diffuser plate, such that heated air is evenly dispersed over the fibers. The method generally comprises the steps of heat treating the PAN precursor in an oxidizing environment to stabilize the fiber, and then further heat treating the stabilized fiber in an oxidizing environment to carbonize the stabilized fiber. The method can be carried out in a single furnace, or can be carried out in a series of furnaces in a continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology and Equipment Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Panter, Thomas A. Herold
  • Apparatus and method for making carbon fibers
    Publication number: 20010033035
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the carbonization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers. The apparatus comprises a furnace, or series of furnaces in side-by-side arrangement. Each furnace includes a heater, an air inlet and an air diffusion plate. The fiber is located in the furnace above the air diffuser plate, such that heated air is evenly dispersed over the fibers. The method generally comprises the steps of heat treating the PAN precursor in an oxidizing environment to stabilize the fiber, and then further heat treating the stabilized fiber in an oxidizing environment to carbonize the stabilized fiber. The method can be carried out in a single furnace, or can be carried out in a series of furnaces in a continuous process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald L. Panter, Thomas A. Herold