Controlling Varying Temperature Or Plural Heating Steps Patents (Class 264/29.7)
  • Patent number: 7708810
    Abstract: A gas permeable, carbon based, nanocomposite membrane comprises a nanoporous carbon matrix comprising a pyrolyzed polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles of carbon or an inorganic compound disposed in the matrix. The matrix is prepared by pyrolyzing a polymer, and nanoparticles of the particulate material are disposed in the polymer prior to pyrolysis. The particles may be disposed in a precursor of the polymer, which precursor is subsequently polymerized, or in the polymer itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Henry C. Foley, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Anna R. Merritt
  • Patent number: 7700014
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing dense carbon-carbon composite material by: infiltrating a fibrous preform with pitch to form pitch-infiltrated preform; carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated preform; injecting resin or pitch into the preform in a mold; oxygen stabilizing the filled preform and carbonizing and heat-treating the oxygen-stabilized impregnated preform; and subjecting the preform to a single final cycle of chemical vapor deposition. This process reduces densification time as compared to comparable conventional carbon-carbon composite manufacturing procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Allen H. Simpson, Slawomir T. Fryska, Mark L. La Forest, Barry P. Soos
  • Patent number: 7682534
    Abstract: A method for the production of a carbon or a ceramic component based on carbon, using a cellulose-containing semi-finished molded piece which is pyrolyzed. According to the invention, homogeneous large-size ceramic components may be produced, whereby a cellulose-containing, semi-finished molded piece containing fibers, chips or strands of homogeneous density distribution and homogeneous structure is used as semi-finished molded piece and is pyrolyzed in non-oxidizing gas atmospheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik GmbH, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Siegel, Gottfried Boden, Uwe Petasch, Volker Thole, Roland Weiss, Thorsten Scheibel, Martin Henrich, Marco Ebert, Martin Kühn, Andreas Lauer, Gotthard Nauditt
  • Patent number: 7658902
    Abstract: A process for producing a graphite article having a CTE of less than about 2.0 ppm/° C. over the temperature range of from 30° C. to 100° C. and an isotropy ratio of less than about 1.5 also advantageously having a thermal shock resistance parameter of greater than about 150×103 W/m in both the with-grain and against-grain directions, and the graphite so produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Albers, Douglas J. Miller, Irwin C. Lewis, David R. Ball
  • Publication number: 20090176130
    Abstract: A system for making carbon foam anodes including a digestion vessel in communication with a coal feedstock unit for producing a digested coal; a mold having an interior for accepting the digested coal to produce an ungraphitized carbon foam anode having a desired shape; a pressure unit in communication with the mold for producing an increased pressure within the interior of said mold; a heating element in communication with the mold to provide heat to the mold sufficient to convert the digested coal into the ungraphitized carbon foam anode; and a graphitization oven for graphitizing the ungraphitized carbon foam anode to produce the carbon foam anode. The present invention further includes methods for making carbon foam anodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Carbonxt Group Limited
    Inventors: Randall J. Harris, Damian Wales
  • Patent number: 7544316
    Abstract: A process for preparing graphite articles is presented. In particular, the process includes employing a particulate fraction comprising at least about 35 weight percent coke, coal or combinations thereof having a diameter such that a major fraction of it passes through a 0.25 mm to 25 mm mesh screen. The particulate fraction is mixed with a liquid or solid pitch binder, to form a stock blend; the stock blend is extruded to form a green stock; the green stock is baked to form a carbonized stock; and the carbonized stock is graphitized. The stock blend further includes carbon fibers added after mixing of the particulate fraction and pitch has begun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: James William Kortovich, Richard Liichang Shao, Irwin Charles Lewis, Richard Thomas Lewis, Dai Huang
  • Patent number: 7517832
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous activated carbon wherein fine pores in the surface of the activated carbon have diameters of 0.1-200 nm and the activated carbon is in the form of fiber having a fiber diameter of not more than 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakurai, Mai Kitahara, Masumi Hirata, Toru Sawaki
  • Patent number: 7404844
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making a high performance carbon membranes from polymer membranes. The method comprising the steps of exposing polymer precursor compounds to a polar organic liquid before pyrolysis of the exposed polymer precursor compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Pei Shi Tin, Tai Shung Neal Chung
  • Publication number: 20080063590
    Abstract: A process for producing a graphite article having a CTE of less than about 2.0 ppm/° C. over the temperature range of from 30° C. to 100° C. and an isotropy ratio of less than about 1.5 also advantageously having a thermal shock resistance parameter of greater than about 150×103 W/m in both the with-grain and against-grain directions, and the graphite so produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas J. Miller, Irwin C. Lewis, David R. Ball
  • Patent number: 7335330
    Abstract: A method of producing a sintered silicon carbide using a reaction sintering method, comprising: (1) dissolving and dispersing a silicon carbide powder in a solvent to produce a mixed powder slurry, (2) flowing the resulted mixed powder into a mold and drying it to obtain a green body, (3) temporarily sintering the green body in one of a vacuum atmosphere or inert gas atmosphere at 1200 to 1900° C. to obtain a temporarily sintered first body, (4) impregnating the resulted temporarily sintered first body with a phenol resin as a carbon source, (5) temporarily sintering the resulted carbon source-impregnated temporarily sintered first body in one of a vacuum atmosphere or inert gas atmosphere at 900 to 1400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Odaka
  • Patent number: 7306635
    Abstract: Coal-based cellular products that can be custom designed to have integral stiffeners or load paths, directed heat transfer paths, and/or directed mass transfer paths and methods for their production are described. Such design and production is made possible by the appropriate selection of starting materials, thermal treatment conditions and mold materials combined in at least some instances with segregation of different starting materials in different regions of a forming mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darren Rogers, Janusz Wladyslaw Plucinski
  • Patent number: 7276203
    Abstract: A process for producing hollow bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, in which a green body comprising compressible cores and a mouldable composition comprising binders and fiber material which is pressed with compression of the core is produced, the green body is cured and carbonized and pyrolysed by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere and, if desired, the body is silicized, hollow bodies produced in this way and their use, in particular as brake and clutch disks
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Arno Sommer, Dieter Huber, Dunja Straub
  • Patent number: 7261846
    Abstract: A ceramic brake lining which is reinforced with carbon fibers and has a matrix which consists essentially of silicon carbide together with silicon and/or carbon, wherein the reinforcing fibers used are long fibers having a mean length of at least 10 mm which are aligned in the plane parallel to the friction surface, a process for its production and its use in combination with brake discs made of C/SiC or CFC or as lining in friction clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Ronald Huener, Peter Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 7252795
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a high thermal conductive element that has improved thermal conductivity in the layer direction while retaining the high thermal conductivity characteristics in the planar direction possessed by graphite. The present invention is a high thermal conductive element in which carbon particles are dispersed in a graphite-based matrix, wherein (1) the c axis of the graphene layers constituting the graphite are substantially parallel, (2) the thermal conductivity ?? in a direction perpendicular to the c axis is at least 400 W/m·k and no more than 1000 W/m·k, and (3) the thermal conductivity ?? in a direction parallel to the c axis is at least 10 W/m·k and no more than 100 W/m·k.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Ozaki, Akira Taomoto, Mitsuru Hashimoto, Masahiro Deguchi, Motoshi Shibata
  • Patent number: 7226561
    Abstract: A method of producing a silicon carbide sintered body jig using a reaction sintering method, comprising: (a)dispersing a silicon carbide powder and an organic substance as a carbon source in a solvent, to produce a mixed slurry powder, (b) pouring the resulted slurry powder into a mold and drying this to obtain a green body, (c) temporarily-sintering the resulted green body under a vacuum atmosphere at 1800° C., to obtain a temporarily-sintered body, (d) temporarily-molding said temporarily-sintered body, to obtain a temporarily-molded body, (e) impregnating a melted metal silicon into the resulted temporarily-molded body by a capillary phenomenon and reacting free carbon in said temporarily-molded body with silicon sucked into said temporarily-molded body by a capillary phenomenon, to obtain a silicon carbide sintered body, and (f) subjecting the resulted silicon carbide sintered body to precise processing, to obtain a silicon carbide sintered body jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Motoyama, Jin-ichi Taguchi, Fumio Odaka, Toshikazu Shinogaya
  • Patent number: 7207424
    Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material. Preferably, the carbonized material has a density of at least about 1.30 g/cm3. Preferably, the composite material is formed in less than ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. A treating component may be impregnated into the composite. Consequently, carbon/carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6–1.8 g/cm3 or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: UCAR Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: Dai Huang, Dave Snyder, Richard T. Lewis, Irwin C. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7198739
    Abstract: Preform for carbon-carbon composite part (55) comprising multiple layers of fibrous mats (51, 52, 53) wherein each mat (51, 52, 53) comprises random carbon-containing fibrous matrix (11) having polymeric binder distributed therein and wherein adjacent mats (51, 52, 53) are bound together by additional polymer binder, stitching, and interlocking tabs. Also, method of manufacturing thick multi-layer composite preform, by: providing optionally reconfigurable tool including perforated screen through which vacuum can be drawn; delivering chopped fibers (b) to the tool while drawing vacuum therethrough to form fibrous object; delivering binder (c) to the fibrous object; melting or curing the binder (d) to make a fibrous mat (51, 52, 53); assembling plurality of the fibrous mats (51, 52, 53) and additional binder into the shape of a preform (e); and heat-pressing the resulting mat assembly (f) into finished thick preform (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Nabil Abu Gharbieh, Raymond J. Cipra, Alan E. Fatz, Thomas H. Siegmund
  • Patent number: 7172723
    Abstract: A shaped composite material for braking applications can be produced by a method comprising the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising bundles of filaments constituted substantially by carbon and having lengths no greater than 30 mm and an organic binder in a mould of the said shape and, at the same time, incorporating in the mixture a plurality of reinforcing fibres which extend along the shape in a manner such as to prevent the propagation of cracks, b) forming the mixture comprising the reinforcing fibres to produce a semi-finished product, c) subjecting the semi-finished product to a first firing at a temperature such as substantially to bring about pyrolysis of the organic binder and to a second firing in the presence of silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ralf Siegfried Goller, Giovanni Paolo Pacchiana
  • Patent number: 7144545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of ceramic bearing components in which a mixture of a metallo-organic compound and a chemically reactive filling substance is subjected to a pyrolysis reaction and the resulting product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: AB SKF
    Inventor: Jürgen Gegner
  • Patent number: 7105111
    Abstract: Process for producing hollow bodies comprising fibre-reinforced ceramic materials, where cores whose shape corresponds to that of the hollow spaces are produced in a first step, a green body is produced in a second step by introducing the abovementioned cores and a press moulding compound into a mould, where the press moulding compound comprises carbon fibres and/or carbon threads and pitch and/or resins, the green body is cured in a third step by heating under pressure, and then carbonised in a fourth step by heating in the absence of oxidants to form a C/C body, which latter can be infiltrated with liquid metal with retention of its shape in a fifth step, with at least partial formation of carbides, where the cores comprise a material which is non-meltable but undergoes at least sufficient shrinkage above the curing temperature of the shaping by pressing of the press moulding compound for the shrunken core to be able to be taken out from the carbonised body; hollow bodies produced by this process and also t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Udo Gruber, Ronald Huener, Andreas Kienzle, Andreas Rahn, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
  • Patent number: 7022274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an effective and rapid method and apparatus for sintering carbon filter blocks having a polymeric binder. The method employs direct contact heat transfer by gas molecule to powder particle, as opposed to conduction heat transfer from an external heating source, using commercially available sintered porous metal sheets and cylinders to form the mold and confine the powder, while allowing heated gas to pass uniformly through the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Graver Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: S. Dyer Harris, Joel T. Shertok, John K. LeSieur
  • Patent number: 7011786
    Abstract: Process for producing shaped bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, where a green body is produced in a first step by introducing a press moulding composition into a mold, where the press moulding composition comprises carbon fibers and/or carbon filaments and pitch and/or resins which, when treated thermally and with the exclusion of oxidizing agents, form carbon-containing residues, the green body is cured in a second step by heating to a temperature of from 120° C. to 280° C. under pressure, the cured green body, also referred to as intermediate body, is carbonized in a third step by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 750° C. to about 1100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Ronald Huener, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin, Andreas Rahn
  • Patent number: 7011785
    Abstract: Process for producing hollow bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, where mold cores whose shape corresponds to that of the hollow spaces are produced in a first step, at least one mold core together with a press moulding composition or formable fiber composition are introduced into a mold, where the press moulding composition comprises carbon fibers and/or carbon filaments and thermally curable carbonizable binders, in such a way that the position of the cores corresponds to the desired position of the hollow spaces to be formed in a second step, the composition is cured in a third step by heating to a temperature of from 120° C. to 280° C., to give a green body, the strengthened green body is carbonized and or graphitized in a fourth step by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 750° C. to about 2400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Ronald Huener, Andreas Rahn, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
  • Patent number: 7001544
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon-carbon composites includes steps of producing a mat using carbon fiber, carbon fabric, carbon sheet, or staple fiber; laminating at least three layers of mats; producing a preform using the laminated mats with a needle punching method; performing a first thermal treatment process on the produced preform at a predetermined temperature; densifying the first-thermal-treated preform; performing a second thermal treatment process on the densified preform; forming a predetermined shape out of the second-thermal-treated preform; and performing an oxidation resistant treatment process of the shaped preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: DACC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Kyu Shin, Jong Hyun Park, Sang Hyo Park, Hong Sik Park, Woo Chul Choi, Kwang Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6939490
    Abstract: Molding apparatus for rapid transfer of molten resin or pitch in an infiltration molding process. The apparatus includes e.g. an extruder (4) for melting and conveying a resin or pitch and a mold (10) arranged so that resin or pitch is conveyed to a mold insert cavity (19) within the mold. The mold insert contains an internal protrusion such as a locating ring (25) for positioning a porous body (1, 18) within the mold insert cavity in a position that brings about unidirectional flow of the molten resin or pitch through the porous body. Also, rapid resin or pitch infiltration molding process that includes injecting a high melting point, high viscosity, molten resin or pitch into the mold to effect a unidirectional impregnation of a heated preform via a pressure gradient in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Christopher S. Wahlers, Barry P. Soos
  • Patent number: 6923931
    Abstract: A process is described for the production of holes, particularly of micro-perforations, in a composite material, constituted by fibers embedded in a resinous matrix, characterized in that it consists in a preliminary step of carrying out on a specimen of the composite material, with the help of a laser beam, tests consisting in adjusting the duration of illumination at a predetermined place on the specimen, as well as the focusing and power of said laser beam, so as to confine the temperature in the mass of the material to a range of temperatures both greater than the thermal decomposition temperature of the matrix resin and below the temperature of altering the physical properties of the fibers, so as to carry out the elimination of the resin without affecting the physical integrity of the fibers, then in reproducing on the material (8) to be treated, at each position of a perforation to be made, the operating conditions of the laser (10, 12) so as to constitute in said material a through passage, as a resul
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Pascal Dublineau, Michel Buge, Alain Porte
  • Patent number: 6916435
    Abstract: A process for preparing graphite articles is presented. In particular, the process includes employing a particulate fraction comprising at least about 35 weight percent coke, coal or combinations thereof having a diameter such that a major fraction of it passes through a 0.25 mm to 25 mm mesh screen. The particulate fraction is mixed with a liquid or solid pitch binder, to form a stock blend; the stock blend is extruded to form a green stock; the green stock is baked to form a carbonized stock; and the carbonized stock is graphitized. The stock blend further comprises one or both of carbon fibers (advantageously added after mixing of the particulate fraction and pitch has begun) and small particle size filler (advantageously added as part of the particulate fraction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ucar Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: James William Kortovich, Richard Liichang Shao, Dai Huang, Irwin Charles Lewis, Richard Thomas Lewis
  • Patent number: 6881361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing shaped bodies, especially threads or foils, from at least one polymer of the groups consisting of polysaccharide, polysaccharide derivative or polyvinyl alcohol by forming a solution of the polymer that contains an additive in a solvent containing amine-N-oxide, extruding the solution and precipitating the extrudate by contacting with a coagulant. The invention is characterized in that at least two polymeric solutions are formed. At least one of the two polymeric solutions contains one or more finely distributed additives and the at least two polymeric solutions are simultaneously extruded forming a combined extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ostthuringische Materialprufgesellschaft fur Textil und Kunststoffe mbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schulze, Eberhard Taeger, Dieter Vorbach
  • Patent number: 6878331
    Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material. Preferably, the carbonized material has a density of at least about 1.30 g/cm3. Preferably, the composite material is formed in less than ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. A treating component may be impregnated into the composite. Consequently, carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6-1.8 g/cm3 or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: UCAR Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: Dai Huang, Richard T. Lewis, Irwin C. Lewis, David Snyder
  • Patent number: 6875263
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a filler derived from cereal husk, more particularly rice husk, in composite materials to enhance the flame retardant, antistatic, accelerator, plasticiser and blowing characteristics in various composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: Contract Research and Development
    Inventors: Mailvaganam Thavalingam Sivasithambaram Pillai, Khalid Haji Ahmad, Arulgnanam Vettivaloo Arunasalam
  • Patent number: 6849098
    Abstract: Carbonaceous, composite tooling fabricated from pitch-based or coal-based cellular or porous products, “carbonaceous foams” having a density of preferably between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.8 g/cm3 that are produced by: 1) conventional pitch foaming processes or; 2) the controlled beating of coal particulate preferably up to ¼ inch in diameter in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. According to a specifically preferred embodiment, the starting material coal has a free swell index as determined by ASTM test D720 of between about 3.5 and about 5.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian E. Joseph, Darren Kenneth Rogers
  • Patent number: 6838120
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon/silicon-carbide composite by a ‘One-shot’ process including carbonization, heat processing, infiltration, and forming an anti-oxidation layer on surface is provided through the steps of: 1) hardening a stacked carbon/phenolic preform; 2) carbonization and heat processing the preform until the temperature reaches at 2300° C.; 3) infiltrating and sintering the liquid metal silicon within the temperature of 1400˜1800° C.; and 4) inducting a compound including SiO2to gas phase and heat processing it while forming an anti-oxidation layer on the surface within temperature range of 2000° C.˜2700° C. (desirably, in the range of higher than 2300° C., and more desirably, at the temperature near 2500° C.). Herein, the carbonization, heat processing, and ultra-high heat processing might be performed at the same time in the step 2) and the step 4) might not be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventors: Yun Chul Kim, Yong Gu Won, Hyung Sik Lee, Kwang Hyeon Lim, Dong Hyuk Sin
  • Publication number: 20040265591
    Abstract: Connecting pieces for carbon material electrodes include carbon fibers. The fibers are oxidatively activated carbon fibers which additionally have a carbonized coating. The carbonized coating is a carbonization product of a coating material selected from wax, pitch, natural resins, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Wilhelm Frohs, Klaus-Peter Brehler, Michael Heine
  • Patent number: 6833012
    Abstract: Petroleum or coal tar pitch-based cellular or porous products having a density of preferably between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.8 g/cm3 are produced by the controlled heating of mesophase carbon materials derived from coal tar or petroleum pitch having a softening point in excess of about 300° C. and preferably between about 300 and about 400° C. in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The porous product thereby produced, preferably as a net shape or near net shape, can be machined, adhered and otherwise fabricated to produce a wide variety of low cost, low density products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darren Kenneth Rogers
  • Patent number: 6833011
    Abstract: An ablation resistant, monolithic, activated, carbon foam produced by the activation of a coal-based carbon foam through the action of carbon dioxide, ozone or some similar oxidative agent that pits and/or partially oxidizes the carbon foam skeleton, thereby significantly increasing its overall surface area and concurrently increasing its filtering ability. Such activated carbon foams are suitable for application in virtually all areas where particulate or gel form activated carbon materials have been used. Such an activated carbon foam can be fabricated, i.e. sawed, machined and otherwise shaped to fit virtually any required filtering location by simple insertion and without the need for handling the “dirty” and friable particulate activated carbon foam materials of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darren Kenneth Rogers, Janusz Wladyslaw Plucinski
  • Publication number: 20040227264
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the fabrication of improved graphite granules from unimproved graphite granules, where a polymer solution is uniformly sprayed onto a fluidized bed of unimproved graphite granules that are being stirred three dimensionally in high speed. The granules are then heat to dry to obtain coated graphite granules. To further improve the electrochemical properties of the final improved graphite granules, the coated graphite granules are immersed in a surface modifier, filtered, heat to dry and sifted. Then, they are solidified and carbonized in an inert environment to obtain final improved graphite granules. This invention is simple, easy to implement, and easy to implement for industrial production. The improved graphite granules made using embodiments of this invention, when used as the material for the negative electrode of a rechargeable battery produces a battery that has high initial charge/discharge efficiency, high reversible specific capacity and good cycle ability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Caisong Zou, Chuanfu Wang, Junqing Dong
  • Patent number: 6814765
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a coal-based carbon foam having a density of between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.8 g/cm3, preferably between about 0.2 g/cm3 and about 0.6 g/cm3 and most preferably between about 0.3 g/cm3 and about 0.4 g/cm3 that is produced by the controlled heating of high volatile bituminous coal particulate in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The high volatile bituminous coal starting material preferably exhibits a free swell index of between about 3.5 and about 5.0 and most preferably between about 3.75 and about 4.5. A number of additional highly desirable characteristics of the high volatile bituminous coal starting material are also described. The carbon foam product thereby produced can be machined, adhered and otherwise fabricated to produce a wide variety of low cost, low density products, or used in its preformed shape as a filter, heat or electrical insulator etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darren Kenneth Rogers
  • Patent number: 6800364
    Abstract: Insulation materials suited to high temperature applications, such as the insulation of furnaces, are formed from a mixture of pitch carbon fibers, such as isotropic pitch carbon fibers, and a binder comprising a solution of sugar in water. The sugar solution is preferably at a concentration of from 20-60% sucrose to yield a low density material having high flexural strength and low thermal conductivity when carbonized to a temperature of about 1800° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: UCAR Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Chiu, Irwin Charles Lewis, Ching-Feng Chang
  • Patent number: 6797251
    Abstract: Methods of treating a carbon foam precursor to facilitate subsequent foaming of the material at low pressures, which may be on the order of about 0.5 to 1.5 atmospheres, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the carbon foam precursor is subjected to partial devolatilization under controlled conditions with subsequent foaming being effected at low pressure. The carbon foam precursor may be one of various forms of coal including raw coal, coal extract mesophase pitch, synthetic mesophase pitch or petroleum based pitch. The prefoaming treatment of the carbon foam precursor may remove a portion of the internal blowing agent and may alter the fluidity of the carbon foam precursor matrix. In another embodiment, the precursor after being converted into a powder is subjected to oxidation prior to foaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: West Virginia University
    Inventors: Barbara Bennett, Alfred Stiller
  • Patent number: 6787075
    Abstract: A method of making a low friction bearing for use when immersed in a liquid particularly water is provided comprising a synthetic resin composition which includes powders of a rice bran ceramic, carbon rice bran ceramic or both which are uniformly dispersed in a synthetic resin. The weight ratio between the RBC or CRBC powders and the synthetic resin is 30:90 to 70:10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hokkirigawa, Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 6773528
    Abstract: A process produces a fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composite. The resulting composite has a high toughness where bundles of a reinforcing fiber are densely covered with glassy carbon derived from a resin to avoid deterioration of the strength, and it can easily be produced even in complicated shapes. Specifically, a fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composite is produced by preparing a fiber prepreg containing a powdered silicon and a resin and molding the prepreg to yield a green body having a desired shape, or laminating a fiber prepreg containing a resin and a woven fabric prepreg containing a powdered silicon and a resin in alternate order, and molding the laminate to yield a green body having a desired shape; carbonizing the green body at 900° C. to 1350° C. in an inert atmosphere; impregnating the carbonized body with a resin; firing the impregnated body again at 900° C. to 1350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Eiji Tani
  • Patent number: 6764620
    Abstract: A method for reaction forming refractory metal carbides. The method involves the fabrication of a glassy carbon preform by casting an organic, resin-based liquid mixture into a mold and subsequently heat treating it in two steps, which cures and pyrolizes the resin resulting in a porous carbon preform. By varying the amounts of the constituents in the organic, resin-based liquid mixture, control over the density of the carbon preform is obtained. Control of the density and microstructure of the carbon preform allows for determination of the microstructure and properties of the refractory metal carbide material produced. The glassy carbon preform is placed on a bed of refractory metal or refractory metal—silicon alloy. The pieces are heated above the melting point of the metal or alloy. The molten metal wicks inside the porous carbon preform and reacts, forming the refractory metal carbide or refractory metal carbide plus a minor secondary phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Marc N. Palmisiano, Kevin J. Jakubenas, Rita Baranwal
  • Publication number: 20040135275
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of making silicon-silicon carbide ceramic using biopreform derived from monocotyledonous caudex plant stem. The present invention also provides a silicon—silicon carbide ceramic made using a biopreform derived from monocotyledonous caudex plant stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Omprakash Chakrabarti, Himadri Sekhar Maiti, Rabindranath Mazumdar
  • Publication number: 20040130046
    Abstract: A process for producing hollow bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, in which a green body comprising compressible cores and a mouldable composition comprising binders and fiber material which is pressed with compression of the core is produced, the green body is cured and carbonized and pyrolysed by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere and, if desired, the body is silicized, hollow bodies produced in this way and their use, in particular as brake and clutch disks
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Arno Sommer, Dieter Huber, Dunja Straub
  • Patent number: 6749652
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a porous coal-based material having a density of between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.6 g/cm3 that is produced by the controlled heating of small coal particulate in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The coal starting material preferably exhibits a free swell index of between about 3.5 and about 5.0 and most preferably between about 4.0 and about 4.5. The porous product thereby produced can be machined, adhered and otherwise fabricated to produce a wide variety of low cost, low density products, or used in its preformed shape as a filter, heat or electrical insulator etc. Such porous products, without further treatment exhibit compressive strengths of up to about 6000 psi. Further treatment by carbonization or graphitization yields products that can be used as electrical or heat conductors. Methods for the production of these coal-based cellular products are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darren Kenneth Rogers
  • Publication number: 20040076810
    Abstract: A composite high temperature insulator (A) includes a planar layer (10) having anisotropic thermal conductivity properties. A second planar layer (12) is formed from a rigid insulation material, such as a carbonized mixture of carbon fibers and a binder. The second layer is coextensive with the first layer and is preferably bonded thereto by a carbonaceous cement (44). When used to insulate a heat source, such as a furnace (50), convective heat is directed back to the source by the reflective surface (16) of the inner, anisotropic layer (10). Heat which enters the anisotropic layer is dissipated evenly through the plane of the layer along a plurality of heat paths defined by a plurality of layers (14) of flexible graphite. Accordingly, heat which reaches the outer, second layer (12) results in fewer hot spots than occur with a conventional rigid insulation material, thereby reducing the total amount of insulation material required to achieve a desired level of thermal insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: UCAR Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Blain, Robert E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040041291
    Abstract: A process for preparing carbon electrodes is presented. In particular, a process for preparing carbon electrodes including the steps of combining calcined coke, a liquid pitch binder and carbon fibers derived from mesophase pitch to form an electrodestock blend; extruding the electrodestock blend to form a green electrodestock; baking the green stock to form a carbonized electrodestock; and graphitizing the carbonized stock by maintaining the carbonized tock at a temperature of at least about 2500.degree. C. for no more than about 18 hours is presented. The electrodes prepared by the inventive process are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: UCAR Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Shao, James W. Kortovich, Irwin C. Lewis, Richard T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6699411
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for simply producing a high purity silicon carbide sintered body having no remaining metal silicon and excellent heat resistance. A method for producing a silicon carbide sintered body of the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing a slurry by dispersing silicon carbide powder in a solvent; forming a molded body by pouring the slurry into a mold and effecting calcination for the slurry in a vacuum atmosphere or in an inert gas atmosphere; and sealing pores within the calcined molded body by impregnating the pores with high purity metal silicon molten by heating, and allowing the high purity metal silicon and carbon contained in the molded body to react on each other in the pores so as to produce silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Odaka, Kazuhiro Ushita, Yoshitomo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6699427
    Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, and a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch, is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material having a density of about 1.5 g/cm3, or higher. The composite material is formed in under ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. Consequently, carbon/carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6-1.8 g/cm3, or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: UCAR Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: Dai Huang, Irwin C. Lewis, William David Cate, Richard T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6699412
    Abstract: A process for forming a silicon carbide structure includes molding by compression a mixture of a silicon precursor powder and a cross-linking thermoset resin to form a rigid structure, carbonizing the rigid structure, and forming a silicon carbide structure by heating the carbonized rigid structure at a temperature sufficient to allow carbon and silicon in the structure to react to form silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kishor P. Gadkaree, Joseph F. Mach