Patents by Inventor Timothy Brydon Burnell
Timothy Brydon Burnell 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).
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Patent number: 6891015Abstract: High yields of ester-substituted diary carbonates such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate were obtained by the condensation of ester-substituted phenols with phosgene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) and optionally a tertiary amine catalyst in a solvent free reaction system comprising an aqueous phase held at a pH of 8.3 or higher. The optimized conditions of the present invention use an excess of ester-substituted phenol relative to phosgene and high conversion of phosgene to ester-substituted diaryl carbonate is observed. The product ester-substituted diaryl carbonate may be conveniently isolated as a solid by filtration or as a liquid in which the excess ester-substituted phenols serves as solvent. The method represents an attractive route for the manufacture of bis methyl salicyl carbonate and ester-substituted diaryl carbonates generally. The ester-substituted diaryl carbonates are useful for the preparation and modification of polycarbonates.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Brydon Burnell, Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Ganesh Kailasam, James Anthony Cella
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Patent number: 6576911Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is directed a method and an apparatus comprising irradiating a polymer sample with at least one wavelength of substantially monochromatic light and monitoring radiation emitted by the polymer sample which is correlated to sample hydrolysis and a change in polymer molecular weight.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell
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Patent number: 6576801Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of neutralizing residual acid species in crude dihydric phenol comprising the step of introducing a thermally stable organic base selected from the group consisting of tetraalkyl phosphonium hydroxides, tetraorganophosphonium carboxylic acid salts, or a mixture thereof into the crude dihydric phenol.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Timothy Brydon Burnell, Patrick Joseph McCloskey
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Patent number: 6548623Abstract: Polycarbonates containing low or undetectable levels of Fries rearrangement product may be prepared by the melt reaction of a dihydroxy aromatic compound such as bisphenol A with an ester-substituted diaryl carbonate such as the diaryl carbonate of methyl salicylate, bis-methyl salicyl carbonate. Low levels of Fries product are obtained as the combined result of a highly effective catalyst system which suppresses the Fries reaction and the use of lower melt polymerization temperatures relative to temperatures required for the analogous polymerization reaction using diphenyl carbonate.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Joseph Brunelle, Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Timothy Brydon Burnell, Ganesh Kailasam
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Publication number: 20030060649Abstract: High yields of ester-substituted diary carbonates such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate were obtained by the condensation of ester-substituted phenols with phosgene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) and optionally a tertiary amine catalyst in a solvent free reaction system comprising an aqueous phase held at a pH of 8.3 or higher. The optimized conditions of the present invention use an excess of ester-substituted phenol relative to phosgene and high conversion of phosgene to ester-substituted diaryl carbonate is observed. The product ester-substituted diaryl carbonate may be conveniently isolated as a solid by filtration or as a liquid in which the excess ester-substituted phenols serves as solvent. The method represents an attractive route for the manufacture of bis methyl salicyl carbonate and ester-substituted diaryl carbonates generally. The ester-substituted diaryl carbonates are useful for the preparation and modification of polycarbonates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Brydon Burnell, Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Ganesh Kailasam, James Anthony Cella
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Publication number: 20030050427Abstract: Polycarbonates containing low or undetectable levels of Fries rearrangement product may be prepared by the melt reaction of a dihydroxy aromatic compound such as bisphenol A with an ester-substituted diaryl carbonate such as the diaryl carbonate of methyl salicylate, bis-methyl salicyl carbonate. Low levels of Fries product are obtained as the combined result of a highly effective catalyst system which suppresses the Fries reaction and the use of lower melt polymerization temperatures relative to temperatures required for the analogous polymerization reaction using diphenyl carbonate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Joseph Brunelle, Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Paul Michael Smigelski, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Ganesh Kailasam
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Patent number: 6518391Abstract: Solid state polymerization of partially crystalline polycarbonate oligomers bearing ester-substituted terminal groups occurs at useful reaction rates despite their high level of endcapping. Partially crystalline polycarbonate oligomers having ester substituted terminal groups may be obtained in a single step by reaction of an ester substituted diaryl carbonate such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate with a dihydroxy aromatic compound such as bisphenol A in the presence of a transesterification catalyst such as sodium hydroxide. Alternatively, amorphous oligomeric polycarbonates incorporating ester substituted endgroups may be obtained through careful control of the melt reaction conditions. The amorphous oligomeric polycarbonates are crystallized upon exposure to solvent vapor and subsequently undergo solid state polymerization at synthetically useful reaction rates.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, James Day, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Timothy Brydon Burnell
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Patent number: 6469192Abstract: High yields of ester-substituted diary carbonates such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate were obtained by the condensation of ester-substituted phenols with phosgene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) and optionally a tertiary amine catalyst in a solvent free reaction system comprising an aqueous phase held at a pH of 8.3 or higher. The optimized conditions of the present invention use an excess of ester-substituted phenol relative to phosgene and high conversion of phosgene to ester-substituted diaryl carbonate is observed. The product ester-substituted diaryl carbonate may be conveniently isolated as a solid by filtration or as a liquid in which the excess ester-substituted phenols serves as solvent. The method represents an attractive route for the manufacture of bis methyl salicyl carbonate and ester-substituted diaryl carbonates generally.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Brydon Burnell, Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Ganesh Kailasam, James Anthony Cella
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Publication number: 20020143134Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of neutralizing residual acid species in crude dihydric phenol comprising the step of introducing a thermally stable organic base selected from the group consisting of tetraalkyl phosphonium hydroxides, tetraorganophosphonium carboxylic acid salts, or a mixture thereof into the crude dihydric phenol.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Paul Michael Smigelski, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Patrick Joseph McCloskey
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Patent number: 6437082Abstract: The stoichiometric ratio of dihydric phenol to diarylcarbonate during production of polycarbonates can be evaluated by infrared analysis, preferably using an FTIR spectrometer, to detect the amount of BPA or other dihydric phenol in the mix tank. In one format of the method, one or both of two characteristic peaks, reflecting the methyl CH bonds and hydroxyl OH bonds are evaluated. These peaks occur equally in BPA monomers and oligomers, and hence are independent of the degree of oligomerization or polymerization which has occurred. For this reason, monitoring of stoichiometry can be performed on the contents of the mix tank, or on the products from or contents of any downstream reactors. Using a calibration curve, the absorbance associated with these bonds is converted into a measure of the concentration of BPA and from that to first moles and then grams of BPA in the mixture being tested. The amount of DPC is determined by subtracting the number of grams of BPA from the total initial sample weight.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Linda McCracken, Patrick McCloskey, Eva Mardomingo-Santás, Timothy Brydon Burnell
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Patent number: 6420588Abstract: High yields of ester-substituted diary carbonates such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate were obtained by the condensation of methyl salicylate with phosgene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) in an interfacial reaction system in which the pH of the aqueous phase was greater than 9.3. Using the method of the present invention conversions of greater than 99% were obtained whereas under standard conditions using triethylamine as the catalyst conversions were limited to 70-75% of the methyl salicylate starting material even with a 20 mole % excess of added phosgene. The optimized conditions of the of the present invention use only a slight excess of phosgene and represent an attractive route for the manufacture of bis methyl salicyl carbonate and ester-substituted diaryl carbonates generally.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Daniel Joseph Brunelle, Elliott West Shanklin, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Ganesh Kailasam
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Patent number: 6414106Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of neutralizing residual acid species in crude dihydric phenol comprising the step of introducing a thermally stable organic base selected from the group consisting of tetraalkyl phosphonium hydroxides, tetraorganophosphonium carboxylic acid salts, or a mixture thereof into the crude dihydric phenol.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Timothy Brydon Burnell, Patrick Joseph McCloskey
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Patent number: 6403754Abstract: Acidic impurities in dihydroxyaromatic compounds such as bisphenol A, as illustrated by sulfonic acids and mercaptocarboxylic acids, can have an adverse effect on the molecular weight of a polycarbonate prepared therefrom by transesterification. The same is true of acidic impurities in diaryl carbonates such as diphenyl carbonate, as illustrated by salicylic acid and ferric chloride. The reagents are analyzed for these impurities. Based on the analysis, the reagents are discarded or recycled, or a compensatory amount of alkali metal hydroxide is employed as a catalyst in the reaction.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Timothy Brydon Burnell, Juan Rodriques Ordonez, Ignacia Vic Fernandez, Gerardo Hidalgo-Llinas, Rudy Francois Alain J. Peemans, Edward Venama
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Patent number: 6316578Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the preparation of polycarbonate by the melt process comprising reacting a diphenol and a diarylcarbonate in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a catalytically effective amount of an alkali and/or alkali earth metal salt of a non volatile acid and a base.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr.
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Patent number: 6300460Abstract: This invention relates to mixed dialkali metal salts of sulfuric acid containing at least one cesium equivalent useful in catalyst systems in melt polymerizations. The catalysts provide product with low branching side reaction products and good properties.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Alberto Nisoli
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Patent number: 6252035Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of polycarbonate comprising preparing a polycarbonate by a melt process by reacting a diphenol and a diaryl carbonate in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of one or more alkali and or alkali earth metal salts of chelating agents. Suitable chelating agents include nitrilotriacetate and EDTA.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr.
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Patent number: 6228973Abstract: A method of preparing polycarbonate by the melt process comprising the steps of: a) melting a dihydric phenol and a diester of carbonic acid for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a melt; and thereafter introducing a catalyst composition comprising a tetraorganophosphonium salt or a derivative thereof and 1) an alkali and/or alkali earth metal compound or derivative thereof or 2) a less active alkali and/or alkali earth metal derivative thereof into the melt; and b) oligomerizing the product from step a) to a number average molecular weight of from about 3000 to about 7500; and c) polymerizing the product from step b) to a number average molecular weight of from about 16,000 to about 35,000.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Johan Pieter Anna Heuts, Hendricus Franciscus Zirkzee
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Patent number: 6187447Abstract: Anti-fouling coatings comprise a room temperature vulcanizable polyorganosiloxane composition and a polyorganosiloxane free from silanol groups and comprising at least one hydroxy- or alkoxy-terminated polyoxyalkylenealkyl radical. The latter is capable of blooming to the surface of the cured room temperature vulcanizable composition, thus inhibiting the deposition of marine life on the coated article.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Judith Stein, Timothy Brydon Burnell, James Anthony Cella
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Patent number: 6184334Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of polycarbonate comprising preparing a polycarbonate by a melt process by reacting a diphenol and a diaryl carbonate in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of one or more alkali metal salts of oxoacids of sulfur.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr.
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Patent number: RE38995Abstract: High yields of ester-substituted diary carbonates such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate were obtained by the condensation of methyl salicylate with phosgene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) in an interfacial reaction system in which the pH of the aqueous phase was greater than 9.3. Using the method of the present invention conversions of greater than 99% were obtained whereas under standard conditions using triethylamine as the catalyst conversions were limited to 70-75% of the methyl salicylate starting material even with a 20 mole % excess of added phosgene. The optimized conditions of the of the present invention use only a slight excess of phosgene and represent an attractive route for the manufacture of bis methyl salicyl carbonate and ester-substituted diaryl carbonates generally.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Joseph McCloskey, Timothy Brydon Burnell, Daniel Joseph Brunelle, Elliott West Shanklin, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Ganesh Kailasam