Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Bürger

Wolfgang Bürger 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: 11421086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wendlandt, Wolfgang Bürger, John William Dolan
  • Publication number: 20210215444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an anisotropic fluoropolymer having a different intrinsic thermal conductivity in at least two directions as a heat conducting material in a thermally conductive article, to a thermally conductive article comprising said anisotropic fluoropolymer and to a process for the production of said anisotropic fluoropolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bürger, Michael Wendlandt, Leonard Schlichting
  • Patent number: 10377866
    Abstract: Fluoropolymer articles having a high surface roughness and high coarseness are provided. In one embodiment, a fiber is provided that has a surface roughness expressed as a peak-to-valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometers and an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometers. In another embodiment, a membrane having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.3 g/cm3/psi and an air permeability of 15 ft3/ft2/min or higher is provided. The fluoropolymer articles are produced by a process that includes forming a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., densifying the paste-formed product, and then stretching the dens Pied paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a modified PTFE, a TFE copolymer, a fluorothermoplastic, a fluoroelastomer, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wendlandt, Wolfgang Bürger, John William Dolan
  • Patent number: 9534159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an ionic fluoropolymer in its H-form for the formation of an antistatic coating on a non-conductive substrate, and to a cable comprising an outermost non-conductive layer with a coating thereon which comprises an ionic fluoropolymer in its H-form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Bürger
  • Publication number: 20140367078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an anisotropic fluoropolymer having a different intrinsic thermal conductivity in at least two directions as a heat conducting material in a thermally conductive article, to a thermally conductive article comprising said anisotropic fluoropolymer and to a process for the production of said anisotropic fluoropolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bürger, Michael Wendlandt, Leonhard Schlichting
  • Publication number: 20140120286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wendlandt, Wolfgang Bürger, John William Dolen
  • Publication number: 20140004333
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an ionic fluoropolymer in its H-form for the formation of an antistatic coating on a non-conductive substrate, and to a cable comprising an outermost non-conductive layer with a coating thereon which comprises an ionic fluoropolymer in its H-form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Wolfgang Bürger
  • Patent number: 8075669
    Abstract: There is described a composite material such as venting materials and vents containing said venting materials. The vents are air- or more generally gas-permeable venting composites that are oleophobic and liquid repellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Meindl, Wolfgang Buerger
  • Patent number: 7670720
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite for an electrochemical reaction apparatus that possesses satisfactory ion conduction properties and has excellent mechanical strength and heat resistance, is provided. The solid polymer electrolyte composite is characterized in that a solid polymer electrolyte is contained in the continuous pores of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene sheet which has continuous pores and in which the inner surfaces defining the pores are covered with a functional material such as a metal oxide. An electrochemical reaction apparatus containing an electrolyte, wherein said electrochemical reaction apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte composite is used as this electrolyte is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Buerger, Peter Hertel, Manfred Wendl
  • Patent number: 6921606
    Abstract: Composite film articles and assemblies that include at least one layer of expanded fluoropolymer bonded to at least one thermoplastic sheet are fabricated using a method which can adjust the gas and liquid permeability of the composite film assemblies. These composite film articles and assemblies optionally have electroactive properties and a thin porous metallic overlayer that can serve as a current collector, and can be used in electrochemical devices such as air depolarized cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sassa, David Zuckerbrod, Wolfgang Buerger, John E. Bacino
  • Publication number: 20040175571
    Abstract: Improved filled, expanded PTFE materials and improved gasket materials made therefrom, the gaskets being capable of forming a seal with greater bolt load retention than is possible with existing PTFE gaskets. The expanded PTFE membranes of the invention can be tailored to exhibit a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 25,000 psi, a matrix tensile strength ratio in two orthogonal directions of between 0.025 and 4, an orientation index of 500 or less, and a density of 2.0 g/cc or less. The improved gaskets exhibit improved mechanical properties such as high bolt load retention, low creep, high tensile strength, low stress to seal and high crystallinity index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Buerger, Erika Simpson, Raymond B. Minor
  • Publication number: 20030194599
    Abstract: Composite film articles and assemblies that include at least one layer of expanded fluoropolymer bonded to at least one thermoplastic sheet are fabricated using a method which can adjust the gas and liquid permeability of the composite film assemblies. These composite film articles and assemblies optionally have electroactive properties and a thin porous metallic overlayer that can serve as a current collector, and can be used in electrochemical devices such as air depolarized cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Sassa, David Zuckerbrod, Wolfgang Buerger, John E. Bacino
  • Publication number: 20030049538
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device with at least two electrodes and an electrolyte, a carrier material for the electrolyte being disposed between the electrodes, and the carrier material including a porous material in whose inner pore structure a perfluoropolyether and/or fluorinated substance is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Buerger, Rudolf Steffl
  • Patent number: 6261678
    Abstract: This invention provides air impermeable liquid-water resistant water-vapor-permeable composites that are highly oleophobic and some of which have enhanced water-vapor-permeable properties. In its broadest aspect, the composites comprise: a layer of a microporous polymer that is water-vapor permeable and which is oleophobic, and which is liquid water-resistant. This layer is in contact with an air-impermeable, liquid water resistant, polymer layer that is permeable to water-vapor molecules. The oleophobic microporous polymer layer confers enhanced oleophobicity. In another aspect, a third layer of a microporous, water vapor permeable polymer can also be present on the other side of the air-impermeable polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: Rainer von Fragstein, Wolfgang Buerger, Rudolf Steffl, Wolfgang Zehnder
  • Patent number: 6194074
    Abstract: The functioning of an aircraft is dependent on numerous mechanical, hydraulic and electronic systems. Access to these systems, for example for maintenance purposes, can often only be made from the outside or inside of the aircraft by removing panels. In order to protect the systems from environmental influences such as water ingress, a reliable panel sealant is required. A sealant material has been developed which before use consists essentially of a) 30-90% by weight porous base material and b) 10-70% by weight corrosion inhibitor having the requirements that it is compatible with saud porous material and has a group which is polar in nature. Preferably the porous base material is expanded polytetrafluorethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Amadeus Wiesemann, Hans-Jörg Rüsch, Wolfgang Walter, Wolfgang Bürger, Reinhold Holbein
  • Patent number: 6074738
    Abstract: This invention provides air impermeable liquid-water resistant water-vapor-permeable composites that are highly oleophobic and some of which have enhanced water-vapor-permeable properties.In its broadest aspect, the composites comprise: a layer of a microporous polymer that is water-vapor permeable and which is oleophobic, and which is liquid water-resistant. This layer is in contact with an air-impermeable, liquid water resistant, polymer layer that is permeable to water-vapor molecules. The oleophobic microporous polymer layer confers enhanced oleophobicity. In another aspect, a third layer of a microporous, water vapor permeable polymer can also be present on the other side of the air-impermeable polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Rainer von Fragstein, Wolfgang Buerger, Rudolf Steffl, Wolfgang Zehnder
  • Patent number: 5814405
    Abstract: Microporous membranes are described and characterized as having a morphological microstructure of very highly elongated nodes interconnected by fibrils which form a structural network of voids or pores through the spaces between the nodes and fibrils, which voids or pores extend from one side of the membrane to the other. The membranes are highly uniform in terms of mass per volume, have very high strength and a very open microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates, GmbH
    Inventors: Phillip A. Branca, Daniel E. Hubis, Wolfgang Buerger, Christiane Rudolf, Ralf Tillmanns