Patents by Inventor Wan-Li Liu

Wan-Li Liu 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: 20050131144
    Abstract: A subject-matter of the present invention is a surface-active block copolymer comprising at least one hydrophilic block and at least one hydrophobic block which is prepared by a “living” or “controlled” preparation process, the said copolymer exhibiting a number-average molecular mass of between 1 000 and 50 000, preferably between 2 000 and 20 000, more preferably still between 4 000 and 16 000, a glass transition temperature of the hydrophobic block of less than 30° C., preferably of less than 25° C., and greater than ?100° C., and a surface tension of less than 60 millinewtons per metre (mN/m), preferably of less than 50 mN/m, measured at a concentration in demineralized water of less than or equal to 10?4 mol/l, and the transfer agent optionally having been rendered inert with respect to the said radical polymerization. The copolymers obtained can be used in particular in detergency or in paints, adhesives and building materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Herve Adam, Pascal Herve, Mathieu Joanicot, Wan-Li Liu, Maria Talingting
  • Patent number: 6825290
    Abstract: A subject-matter of the present invention is a process for the preparation of a latex by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, of at least one radical polymerization initiator and of at least one surface-active block copolymer comprising at least one hydrophilic block and at least one hydrophobic block which is prepared by a “living” or “controlled” preparation process, the said copolymer exhibiting a number-average molecular mass of between 2 000 and 20 000, preferably between 4 000 and 16 000, a glass transition temperature of the hydrophobic block of less than 30° C., preferably of less than 25° C., and greater than −100° C., and a surface tension of less than 60 millinewtons per metre (mN/m), preferably of less than 50 mN/m, measured at a concentration in demineralized water of less than or equal to 10−4 mol/l at 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Hervé Adam, Wan-Li Liu
  • Publication number: 20040209995
    Abstract: A subject-matter of the present invention is a process for the preparation of a latex by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, of at least one radical polymerization initiator and of at least one surface-active block copolymer comprising at least one hydrophilic block and at least one hydrophobic block which is prepared by a “living” or “controlled” preparation process, the said copolymer exhibiting a number-average molecular mass of between 2 000 and 20 000, preferably between 4 000 and 16 000, a glass transition temperature of the hydrophobic block of less than 30° C., preferably of less than 25° C., and greater than −100° C., and a surface tension of less than 60 millinewtons per metre (mN/m), preferably of less than 50 mN/m, measured at a concentration in demineralized water of less than or equal to 10−4 mol/l at 20° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Herve Adam, Wan-Li Liu
  • Patent number: 6794486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing a dithio group comprised at the end of a polymer chain, comprising the step of reacting a polymer comprising a dithio group at least one chain-end, with an amine compound, different from triethanol amine, in an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Herve Adam, Wan-Li Liu
  • Publication number: 20030166790
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing a dithio group comprised at the end of a polymer chain, comprising the step of reacting a polymer comprising a dithio group at least one chain-end, with an amine compound, different from triethanol amine, in an organic solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Herve Adam, Wan-Li Liu
  • Publication number: 20020198347
    Abstract: A subject-matter of the present invention is a surface-active block copolymer comprising at least one hydrophilic block and at least one hydrophobic block which is prepared by a “living” or “controlled” preparation process, the said copolymer exhibiting a number-average molecular mass of between 1 000 and 50 000, preferably between 2 000 and 20 000, more preferably still between 4 000 and 16 000, a glass transition temperature of the hydrophobic block of less than 30° C., preferably of less than 25° C., and greater than 100° C., and a surface tension of less than 60 millinewtons per metre (mN/m), preferably of less than 50 mN/m; measured at a concentration in demineralized water of less than or equal to 10−4 mol/l, and the transfer agent optionally having been rendered inert with respect to the said radical polymerization. The copolymers obtained can be used in particular in detergency or in paints, adhesives and building materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Herve Adam, Pascal Herve, Mathieu Joanicot, Wan-Li Liu, Maria Ruela Talingting
  • Publication number: 20020198316
    Abstract: A subject-matter of the present invention is a process for the preparation of a latex by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, of at least one radical polymerization initiator and of at least one surface-active block copolymer comprising at least one hydrophilic block and at least one hydrophobic block which is prepared by a “living” or “controlled” preparation process, the said copolymer exhibiting a number-average molecular mass of between 2 000 and 20 000, preferably between 4 000 and 16 000, a glass transition temperature of the hydrophobic block of less than 30° C., preferably of less than 25° C., and greater than −100° C., and a surface tension of less than 60 millinewtons per metre (mN/m), preferably of less than 50 mN/m, measured at a concentration in demineralized water of less than or equal to 10−4 mol/l at 20° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Herve Adam, Wan-Li Liu
  • Patent number: 5948861
    Abstract: Solid star-branched block copolymers wherein each branch comprises at least two (2) alternating blocks bonded to each other, the free end of each branch being a block of at least one polymerized hydrocarbon conjugated diene (I), e.g. isoprene, containing at least 5 carbon atoms, with at least one carbon atom of each pair of residual double-bonded carbon atoms of polymerized diene (I) units being additionally single-bonded to two carbon atoms, or a copolymer of a least one diene (I) and at least one aryl-substituted olefin, e.g. styrene, the blocks adjacent to said polymerized diene (I) containing blocks constituting at least 50 wt. % of said copolymer and being a polymer of at least one hydrocarbon conjugated diene (B), e.g., 1,3-butadiene, which is different from diene (I) and contains at least four (4) carbons atoms, with each residual double-bonded carbon atom of polymerized conjugated diene (B) units being additionally bonded to a hydrogen atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Coolbaugh, Wan-Li Liu, Frederick C. Loveless, Demetreos N. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5780540
    Abstract: The invention provides dispersants and dispersant viscosity index improvers which include polymers of conjugated dienes which have been hydrogenated and functionalized. The dispersant substances include compositions including a copolymer of two different conjugated dienes, a copolymer of a p-alkylstyrene and a conjugated diene, or a homopolymer of a conjugated diene. The polymers are selectively hydrogenated to produce polymers which have highly controlled amounts of unsaturation, permitting highly selective functionalization. Also provided are lubricant fluids, such as mineral and synthetic oils, which have been modified in their dispersancy and/or viscometric properties by means of the dispersant substances of the invention. Also provided are methods of modifying the dispersancy and/or viscometric properties of lubricating fluids such as mineral and synthetic lubricating oils. The dispersant substances may also include a carrier fluid to provide dispersant concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Ellen Bernice Brandes, Wan-Li Liu, Frederick Charles Loveless
  • Patent number: 5663239
    Abstract: Solid star-branched block copolymers wherein each branch comprises at least two (2) alternating blocks bonded to each other, the free end of each branch being a block of at least one polymerized hydrocarbon conjugated diene (I), e.g. isoprene, containing at least 5 carbon atoms, with at least one carbon atom of each pair of residual double-bonded carbon atoms of polymerized diene (I) units being additionally single-bonded to two carbon atoms, or a copolymer of a least one diene (I) and at least one aryl-substituted olefin, e.g. styrene, the blocks adjacent to said polymerized diene (I) containing blocks constituting at least 50 wt. % of said copolymer and being a polymer of at least one hydrocarbon conjugated diene (B), e.g., 1,3-butadiene, which is different from diene (I) and contains at least four (4) carbons atoms, with each residual double-bonded carbon atom of polymerized conjugated diene (B) units being additionally bonded to a hydrogen atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Coolbaugh, Wan-Li Liu, Frederick C. Loveless, Demetreos N. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5508353
    Abstract: There are disclosed novel comb graft polymers and copolymers comprising a backbone of a linear polymer of p-methylstyrene (p-MS) and grafted branches of a linear addition polymer of at least one anionically polymerizable compound. The polymers may be produced by metallating the p-MS polymer with an organo alkali metal metallating agent, e.g., an alkyllithium, at active hydrogen sites along the polymer chain and graft polymerizing the anionically polymerizable compound at the metallated sites to form the grafted branches. Certain of the foregoing comb graft polymers and copolymers, e.g., wherein the backbone is a homopolymer of p-MS or a copolymer of p-MS and a ring-substituted alkylstyrene such as p-tert-butylstyrene (t-BS) and the branches are a polymer of t-BS, are useful as additives to functional fluids, particularly hydrocarbon lubricating oils, for the purpose of thickening and improving their viscosity index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Wan-Li Liu, Frederick C. Loveless
  • Patent number: 5489649
    Abstract: Novel star-branched polymers in which the arms are each a polymer of an anionically polymerizable monomer consisting of monoethylenically unsaturated compounds comprising p-tert-butylstyrene (t-BS) coupled with a polyalkenyl coupling agent. Certain of the foregoing star-branched polymers, e.g., wherein the arms are a homopolymer of t-BS and the coupling agent is divinylbenzene (DVB), are useful as additives to functional fluids, particularly hydrocarbon lubricating oils, for the purpose of improving their viscometric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Wan-Li Liu, Frederick C. Loveless
  • Patent number: 5484866
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polymer concentrate which is a relatively concentrated solution in a base stock oil, e.g., a mineral oil or synthetic hydrocarbon oil, of a highly branched polymer having segments of a polymer of p-tert-butylstyrene (t-BS), comprising the free radical solution polymerization in the base stock oil of t-BS and optionally, one or more additional polymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated (monofunctional) monomers together with a small amount of a multiethylenically unsaturated (multifunctional) cross-linking agent, e.g., divinylbenzene (DVB). Optionally, the polymer solution obtained from the polymerization may be diluted with an additional amount of the base stock oil employed in the polymerization to obtain a polymer concentrate having a lower polymer concentration and viscosity than the polymerization solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick C. Loveless, Wan-Li Liu
  • Patent number: 5474623
    Abstract: A method of forming a magnetically anisotropic powder includes the steps of forming a substantially spherical powder having a major magnetic phase and an average particle size of less than about 200 microns, diffusing hydrogen into the spherical powder at elevated temperatures in an amount sufficient to disproportionate the major magnetic phase, and desorbing the hydrogen by heating the disproportionated powder under vacuum. The magnetic material from which the spherical powder is formed may be a rare earth-transition metal-boron alloy including at least one element from the iron group, at least one rare earth element, and boron. A method of forming a bonded magnet containing magnetically anisotropic particles further includes the steps of mixing the dehydrogenated powder with a binder to form a mixture, and aligning and magnetizing the powder particles in the mixture in a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Inc.
    Inventors: Bao-Min Ma, Wan-Li Liu, Yu-Lan Liang
  • Patent number: 5457156
    Abstract: An acrylic additive polymer containing free carboxylic acid groups is added to a core-shell impact-property modifier containing free carboxylic acid groups to produce an improved physical-property modifier for polyamide resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Wan-Li Liu, Susan M. Liwak
  • Patent number: 5332782
    Abstract: An acrylic additive polymer containing free carboxylic acid groups is added to a core-shell impact-property modifier containing free carboxylic acid groups to produce an improved physical-property modifier for polyamide resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Wan-Li Liu, Susan M. Liwak
  • Patent number: 4618644
    Abstract: There is provided a curable composition comprising at least one silicone resin dispersed in at least one olefinic organic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Wan-Li Liu
  • Patent number: 4599381
    Abstract: There is provided a graft copolymer comprising poly(vinyl chloride) polymer having grafted thereto a silicone polymer. Methods for making such graft copolymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company, Silicone Products Division
    Inventor: Wan-Li Liu
  • Patent number: 4585670
    Abstract: There are provided curable polysiloxane block copolymers having at least one block of diorganosiloxane units, at least one block of trifunctional arylsiloxane units, optionally, at least one block of trifunctional alkylsiloxane units, and at least one block of acrylate-functional siloxane units. The cured compositions are transparent, self-bonding, tough, dirt repellent and solvent resistant. Methods for making the block copolymers, curable compositions, and articles of manufacture are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Wan-Li Liu
  • Patent number: 4563514
    Abstract: There is provided polysilarylene-polysiloxane copolymers comprising:(a) at least one unit of the formula ##STR1## (b) at least one unit of the formula ##STR2## and (c) at least one unit of the formula ##STR3## There are also provided curable compositions comprising the instant polymers and a cure initiator, articles having the instant compositions cured to a substrate, and methods for making the aforesaid copolymers, curable compositions and articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wan-Li Liu, Jonathan D. Rich