Patents by Inventor Zhiqiang Zhang

Zhiqiang Zhang 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: 20080242566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel use of nanomaterials as a viscosity modifier and thermal conductivity improver for gear oil and other lubricating oil compositions. The gear oils of the instant invention have a higher viscosity index, higher shear stability, and improved thermal conductivity compared to currently available gear oils. The preferred nanoparticles also impart a reduction in the coefficient of friction, including reduced friction in the boundary lubrication regime. These properties are obtained by replacing part or all of the polymer thickener or viscosity index improver or some other part of the composition normally used in gear oils with nanomaterials of suitable shape, size, and composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Frances E. Lockwood, Zhiqiang Zhang, Gefei Wu, Thomas R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7348298
    Abstract: A fluid media such as oil or water, and a selected effective amount of carbon nanomaterials necessary to enhance the thermal conductivity of the fluid. One of the preferred carbon nanomaterials is a high thermal conductivity graphite, exceeding that of the neat fluid to be dispersed therein in thermal conductivity, and ground, milled, or naturally prepared with mean particle size less than 500 nm, and preferably less than 200 nm, and most preferably less than 100 nm. The graphite is dispersed in the fluid by one or more of various methods, including ultrasonication, milling, and chemical dispersion. Carbon nanotubes with graphitic structure is another preferred source of carbon nanomaterial, although other carbon nanomaterials are acceptable. To confer long term stability, the use of one or more chemical dispersants is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Frances E. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20070293405
    Abstract: Nanomaterials have been used as a supplement or replacement of traditional polymer-based viscosity modifiers for lubricants and other related fluids. Compared with traditional polymer-based viscosity modifiers, nanomaterials possess better viscosity-index modification functions, i.e., more even viscosity increase across the whole temperature range. Meanwhile, a cost-effective way of making nanomaterials have been developed based on commercially available graphite materials, and the resulting nanoparticles of graphite are nanodisks (nanoplates). Furthermore, it provides a viscosity modifier which exhibits temporary shear loss, which can contribute to fuel economy, but no permanent shear loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Gefei Wu, Frances Lockwood, Thomas Smith
  • Publication number: 20070165827
    Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, but cannot reach the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) fires a trigger. One trigger is a T_No_Answer trigger, which is fired in response to a call to the main number that is not answered within a predefined number of rings. Another trigger is a T_Busy trigger that is fired in response to a call to the main number that is made when the main number is busy. Each trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP to ring an alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. If this attempt to reach the called party also fails, then the SSP again fires the trigger and an attempt is made to connect the calling party to the next number on the call list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Worsham, David Levine, Greg Patterson, Zhiqiang Zhang, Sunil Contractor, Ping Song
  • Publication number: 20060040832
    Abstract: The introduction of nanostructures in a liquid provides a means for changing the physical and/or chemical properties of the liquid. Improvements in heat transfer, electrical properties, viscosity, and lubricity can be realized upon dispersion of nanotubes in liquids. Stable dispersions of nanostructures are described and surfactants/dispersants are identified which can disperse nanostructures in petroleum liquid medium. The appropriate dispersant is chosen for the selected nanostructure material and the oil based medium and the dispersant is dissolved into the liquid medium to form a solution. The nanostructure is added to the dispersant containing the solution with agitation, ultrasonication, and/or combinations thereof. Nanostructures dispersed in a fluid form a nanofluid utilized as a shock absorber oil whereby the nanostructures serve to improve the viscosity index of the fluid or more particularly the shock absorber oil in the form of a lubricant additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Gefei Wu, Frances Lockwood, Daniel Dotson
  • Patent number: 6964989
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to water resistant peelable protective and decorative clear or pigmented coating compositions and, more specifically, to solvent and aqueous based, polymeric coating compositions which form a protective and/or decorative coating on a variety of substrates, including automotive paints, metals, plastics, concrete, natural and synthetic elastomers, and ceramics. The coatings are be formulated for temporary or long term protection depending upon the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ashland Inc.
    Inventors: Jiafu Fang, Zhiqiang Zhang, Frances E. Lockwood, Richard J. Baumgart, Michael A. Dituro
  • Publication number: 20050027024
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to water resistant peelable protective and decorative clear or pigmented foam coating compositions and, more specifically, to aqueous, polymeric coating compositions which form a protective and/or decorative coating and removably adhere to a variety of substrates, including automotive paints, metals, glass, vinyl, plastics, concrete, natural and synthetic elastomers, and ceramics. The coatings present a three-dimensional expandable foamy structure, and can be readily peeled off from the substrate as a whole piece. The coatings may be formulated for temporary or long-term protection depending upon the application. The peelable coatings can be applied as expandable foam cord, and as a film, paste, gel, paint, etc. as well, whereby the expansion of the foam can be controlled by the formulation and applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Richard Baumgart, Michael Dituro, Frances Lockwood, Daniel Dotson, Wen-Chen Su, Gefei Wu
  • Publication number: 20050025694
    Abstract: The introduction of nanotubes in a liquid provides a means for changing the physical and/or chemical properties of the liquid. Improvements in heat transfer, electrical properties, viscosity, and lubricity can be realized upon dispersion of nanotubes in liquids; however, nanotubes behave like hydrophobic particles and tend to clump together in liquids. Methods of preparing stable dispersions of nanotubes are described and surfactants/dispersants are identified which can disperse carbon nanotubes in aqueous and petroleum liquid medium. The appropriate dispersant is chosen for the carbon nanotube and the water or oil based medium and the dispersant is dissolved into the liquid medium to form a solution. The carbon nanotube is added to the dispersant containing the solution with agitation, ultrasonication, and/or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Frances Lockwood
  • Patent number: 6824025
    Abstract: An adjustable dispensing nozzle for an aerosol container in which pivotally interconnected elbows have an extension tube extending from one elbow and a stem on the other elbow inserted into and pivotal in a socket on a valve actuating lever of a cap mounted on the container. The elbow has a diverter valve rotatably mounted in the cylindrical body for directing the contents of the container to an orifice to exit as a spray, or to a socket in which an extension tube can be inserted to deliver the contents to a selected target as a stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ashland INC
    Inventors: Steve B. Ruble, Richard J. Baumgart, Zhiqiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 6822012
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to water resistant peelable protective and decorative clear or pigmented coating compositions and, more specifically, to aqueous and solvent based, polymeric coating compositions which form a protective and/or decorative coating and is removably adheres to a variety of substrates, including automotive paints, metals, glass, vinyl, plastics, concrete, natural and synthetic elastomers, and ceramics. The coatings can be either a flat film on the substrate, or a three-dimensional expandable foamy coating, and can be readily peeled off from the substrate as a whole piece. The coatings may be formulated for temporary or long-term protection depending upon the application. The peelable coatings can be applied as a paint, paste, film, or expandable foam cord whereby the expansion of the foam can be controlled by the formulation and applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ashland Inc
    Inventors: Richard J. Baumgart, Michael A. Dituro, Frances E. Lockwood, Zhiqiang Zhang, Daniel J. Dotson
  • Patent number: 6783746
    Abstract: The introduction of nanotubes in a liquid provides a means for changing the physical and/or chemical properties of the liquid. Improvements in heat transfer, electrical properties, viscosity, and lubricity can be realized upon dispersion of nanotubes in liquids; however, nanotubes behave like hydrophobic particles and tend to clump together in liquids. Methods of preparing stable dispersions of nanotubes are described and surfactants/dispersants are identified which can disperse carbon nanotubes in aqueous and petroleum liquid medium. The appropriate dispersant is chosen for the carbon nanotube and the water or oil based medium and the dispersant is dissolved into the liquid medium to form a solution. The carbon nanotube is added to the dispersant containing the solution with agitation, ultrasonication, and/or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Frances E. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 6713522
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to water resistant peelable protective and decorative clear or pigmented foam coating compositions and, more specifically, to aqueous and solvent based, polymeric coating compositions which form a protective and/or decorative coating and is removably adheres to a variety of substrates, including automotive paints, metals, glass, vinyl, plastics, concrete, natural and synthetic elastomers, and ceramics. The coatings present a three-dimensional expandable foamy coating, and can be readily peeled off from the substrate as a whole piece. The coatings may be formulated for temporary or long-term protection depending upon the application. The peelable coatings can be applied as a paint, paste, film, or expandable foam cord whereby the expansion of the foam can be controlled by the formulation and applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ashland Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Richard J. Baumgart, Michael A. Dituro, Frances E. Lockwood, Daniel J. Dotson, Wen-Chen Su
  • Publication number: 20020077377
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to water resistant peelable protective and decorative clear or pigmented foam coating compositions and, more specifically, to aqueous and solvent based, polymeric coating compositions which form a protective and/or decorative coating and is removably adheres to a variety of substrates, including automotive paints, metals, glass, vinyl, plastics, concrete, natural and synthetic elastomers, and ceramics. The coatings present a three-dimensional expandable foamy coating, and can be readily peeled off from the substrate as a whole piece. The coatings may be formulated for temporary or long-term protection depending upon the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Richard J. Baumgart, Michael A. Dituro, Frances E. Lockwood, Daniel J. Dotson, Wen-Chen Su
  • Publication number: 20020053579
    Abstract: An adjustable dispensing nozzle for an aerosol container in which pivotally interconnected elbows have a positionable extension tube extending from one elbow and a stem on the other elbow inserted into and pivotal in a socket on a valve actuating lever of a cap mounted on the container. Means for dispensing a spray may be incorporated within the stem of the dispensing nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Richard J. Baumgart, Zhiqiang Zhang, Steve B. Ruble