Chemical Vapor Infiltration (i.e., Cvi) Of Porous Base (e.g., Fiber, Fibrous Web Etc.) Patents (Class 427/255.12)
  • Patent number: 11920478
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an article, the article has a body having: a first face; and a first bevel surface extending from the first face. A plurality of first channels along the first bevel surface extending from the first face. A ceramic coating is along the inner diameter surface and the first bevel surface. Each of the first channels are machined in the body by plunging a rotating bit into the first surface and drawing the rotating bit down the bevel surface. The coating is thereafter applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher W. Strock
  • Patent number: 10227264
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite article may include impregnating an inorganic fiber porous preform with a first slurry composition. The slurry composition includes particles, a solvent, and a pre-gellant material. Gelling of the pre-gellant material in the slurry composition is initiated to substantially immobilize the particles and yield a gelled article. The method also includes impregnating the gelled article with a second solution that includes a high char-yielding component, and pyrolyzing the high char-yielding component to yield carbon and form a green composite article. The green composite article is then infiltrated with a molten metal or alloy infiltrant to form the composite article. The molten infiltrant reacts with carbon, and the final composite article may include less residual metal or alloy than a composite article formed without using the second solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Isaiah Harris
  • Patent number: 8980367
    Abstract: A method for making an anode active material is described. The anode active material includes a phosphorus composite material. In the method, a solid-state red phosphorus and a porous conductive carbon material are provided. The solid-state red phosphorus and the porous conductive carbon material are spaced disposed in a vessel and the vessel is sealed. The solid-state red phosphorus is sublimed by heating the vessel to make the sublimed red phosphorus diffused in the porous conductive carbon material. The sublimed red phosphorus is condensed. The condensed red phosphorus adsorbs in the porous conductive carbon material to form the phosphorus composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Wang, Xiang-Ming He, Wen-Ting Sun, Jian-Jun Li
  • Patent number: 8956683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in chemical vapor infiltration processes and devices for depositing a biocompatible material onto a porous substrate to form an orthopedic implant. The substrate may be formed of reticulated vitreous foam and coated with tantalum, niobium, tungsten, or other biocompatible materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven J. Seelman, David B. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8846147
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a complex part out of composite material including three-dimensional woven fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix, the method including three-dimensionally weaving a continuous fiber strip including a succession of fiber blanks for preforms of a plurality of parts that are to be fabricated; subsequently cutting individual fiber blanks out from the strip, each blank being a one-piece blank; shaping a cut-out blank to obtain a one-piece fiber preform having a shape that is close to the shape of a part that is to be fabricated; consolidating the preform in the desired shape; and densifying the consolidated preform by forming a matrix by chemical vapor infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Herakles, Snecma
    Inventors: Nicolas Eberling-Fux, Eric Bouillon, Clément Roussille, Stéphane Otin, Dominique Coupe
  • Publication number: 20140272377
    Abstract: A method includes providing a ceramic fiber preform with a range of 20 to 40 volume percent fiber which can include silicon carbide fibers; coating the ceramic fiber preform with a boron nitride interface coating; infiltrating the ceramic fiber preform with a ceramic matrix with a range of 20 to 40 volume percent silicon carbide; infiltrating the ceramic fiber preform with a constituent material such as boron carbide, boron, and carbon; and infiltrating the ceramic fiber preform with a eutectic melt material where the metallic eutectic melt can include at least one material from a group consisting of: a transition metal-silicon eutectic melt such as zirconium silicide, a transition metal-boride eutectic melt such as zirconium boride, and a transition metal-carbide eutectic melt such as zirconium carbide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Adam Lee Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 8834686
    Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle coated microporous substrate, the process for preparing the same and uses thereof are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald J. McClure, Mario A. Perez
  • Patent number: 8545939
    Abstract: A method and a device for infiltration of a structure made of a porous material by chemical vapor deposition. According to the method, a first face of the porous material structure is exposed to a gaseous flow, and the second face is maintained at least partially free from any contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Sebastien Donet, Fabrice Emieux, Lionel Filhol, Stephanie Thollon
  • Publication number: 20130196141
    Abstract: Provided is a method for internally coating the pores of a porous functional coating made of a base material with a hardening material that reduces the diffusion of the base material and/or the reactivity of the base material with the environment thereof. The hardening material is deposited from the gas phase onto the interior surfaces of the pores. It was recognized that by depositing hardening material from the gas phase, it can be introduced much deeper into the pore system of the functional coating than had been possible according to the prior art. This applies in particular when the hardening material is not itself introduced into the pore s stem, but rather one or two precursors thereof, and from said precursors the actual hardening material forms at the internal surfaces of the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Vassen, Frank Vondahlen, Doris Sebold, Daniel Emil Mack, Georg Mauer, Detlev Stoever
  • Patent number: 8491963
    Abstract: To densify thin porous substrates (1) by chemical vapor infiltration, the invention proposes using loading tooling (10) comprising a tubular duct (10) disposed between first and second plates (12, 13) and around which the thin substrates for densification are disposed radially. The tooling as loaded in this way is then placed inside a reaction chamber (20) in an infiltration oven having a reactive gas admission inlet (21) connected to the tubular duct (11) to enable a reactive gas to be admitted into the duct which distributes the gas along the main faces on the substrates (1) in a flow direction that is essentially radial. The reactive gas can also flow in the opposite direction, i.e. it can be admitted into the tooling (10) from its outer envelope (16) and can be removed via the duct (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Franck Lamouroux, Sébastien Bertrand, Stéphane Goujard, Alain Caillaud, Francis Bagilet, Stéphane Mazereau
  • Patent number: 8481106
    Abstract: A method of fabrication of high-k paraelectric metal oxide films at low temperatures utilizing ordered mesoporous metal oxide thin films synthesized by organic templating methodology. The process consisting of (a) chemical solution deposition of periodic ordered mesoporous structures containing high-k metal oxide films, (b) removal of organic template additives, (c) infiltration of the pores with an appropriate second phase, and (d) low temperature thermal and/or annealing of infiltrated films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: SBA Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyama P. Mukherjee, Mark L. F. Phillips, Travis P. S. Thoms
  • Patent number: 8221836
    Abstract: The method comprises: using chemical vapor infiltration to form a first continuous interphase on the fibers of a fiber structure made of refractory fibers, the interphase having a thickness of no more than 100 nanometers; impregnating the fiber structure with a consolidation composition comprising a carbon or ceramic precursor resin; forming a fiber preform that is consolidated by shaping the impregnated fiber structure and using pyrolysis to transform the resin into a discontinuous solid residue of carbon or ceramic; using chemical vapor infiltration to form a second continuous interphase layer; and densifying the preform with a refractory matrix. This preserves the capacity of the fiber structure to deform so as to enable a fiber preform to be obtained that is of complex shape, while nevertheless guaranteeing the presence of a continuous interphase between the fibers and the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Eric Philippe, Eric Bouillon
  • Patent number: 8163339
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving densification of porous substrate using a film boiling process. In particular, the disclosed method and apparatus permit more complete densification of a substrate (i.e., densification closer to the surface of the substrate) by providing a sort of barrier that reduces cooling of the surface of the substrate being densified caused by contact with the relatively cool boiling liquid precursor of the densifying material, such as carbon. In particular, contact between the substrate and the liquid precursor is reduced using one or both of physical barriers (such as a mesh material) or structures that promote the formation of an insulating gaseous layer between the substrate and the liquid precursor (such as a plate closely spaced apart from the surface of the porous substrate).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventor: Arnaud Fillion
  • Patent number: 8114478
    Abstract: A method for making dual-sided membrane sheet comprises the steps of: a) forming a microporous polymer sheet including a plurality of capillary channels and b) forming a semi-permeable discriminating layer upon at least a portion of the opposing outer surfaces of the sheet, wherein the sheet is advanced along a production pathway during at least a portion of: step a), step b), or while transferring the sheet from step a) to step b) by engaging the sheet along one or more of its edge sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Koreltz, David J. Moll
  • Patent number: 8084079
    Abstract: A method of densifying a porous substrate with pyrolytic carbon includes loading the substrate into an oven, admitting a reaction gas mixture to the oven, extracting an effluent gas from the oven, and recycling components of the effluent gas into the reaction gas mixture. The reaction gas mixture contains a pyrolytic carbon precursor gas together with a vector gas. The effluent gas contains residual components of the reaction gas mixture together with reaction products, including hydrogen. The recycling is performed after eliminating heavy hydrocarbons contained in the effluent gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Jacques Thebault, Sébastien Bertrand, Christian Robin-Brosse, Bruno Bernard, Jean-Luc Domblides
  • Patent number: 8057855
    Abstract: A process for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD includes disposing a number of porous structures in a stack within a furnace. The stack has a center opening region extending through the porous structures and an outer region extending along the outside of the porous structures. Channels provide fluid communication between the center opening region and the outer region. A first portion of a gas composition is introduced to the center opening region. A second portion of the gas composition is introduced to the outer region. The porous structures are densified from an average density of less than 0.60 g/cm3 to an average density of greater than 1.70 g/cm3 in a single cycle of non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Vincent R. Fry
  • Patent number: 7919143
    Abstract: A carrier for an object, preferably a substrate of a semiconductor component such as a wafer, includes a receiving element for the object and gas outlets arranged below the receiving element along the object received. At least sections of the carrier are made of a material which including stabilizing fibers and having a porosity which forms the gas outlets, in order to enable a desired gas to exit from the gas outlets in a dosed and finely distributed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schunk Kohlensteofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Schneweis
  • Publication number: 20110071014
    Abstract: A method of forming a highly densified chemical matrix composite CMC from a preform of a matrix of a non-oxide ceramic and continuous ceramic fibers. An interface coating is added, followed by partially densifying the preform with a resin to increase the density of the preform using a polymer infiltration pyrolysis PIP) process one or more times. A chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process is used to bring the CMC to a final desired density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Kmetz, Kirk C. Newton
  • Publication number: 20100296621
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements comprising the steps of placing nuclear fuel balls in the container made from ultra-porous material, applying a CVI to the container and removing the container. The container for manufacturing fuel elements comprising balls, and is produced from at least one ultra-porous material, for example carbon foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicants: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE, SNECMA PROPULSION SOLIDE
    Inventors: Jerome Broli, Jean-Marc Goyheneche, Fabrice Mazaudier, Francis Langlais
  • Patent number: 7713573
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices with therapy eluting components and methods for making same. More specifically, the invention relates to implantable medical devices having at least one porous layer, and methods for making such devices, and loading such devices with therapeutic agents. A mixture or alloy is placed on the surface of a medical device, then one component of the mixture or alloy is generally removed without generally removing the other components of the mixture or alloy. In some embodiments, a porous layer is adapted for bonding non-metallic coating, including drug eluting polymeric coatings. A porous layer may have a random pore structure or an oriented or directional grain porous structure. One embodiment of the invention relates to medical devices, including vascular stents, having at least one porous layer adapted to resist stenosis or cellular proliferation without requiring elution of therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary K. Owens, Brian R. Wamhoff, Matthew S. Hudson, Whye-Kei Lye, Joshua Spradlin, Michael Reed, Kareen Looi
  • Publication number: 20100112334
    Abstract: Disclosed are a silicon carbide-based porous body and a method of fabricating the same. The silicon carbide-based porous body is formed by burning silicon carbide-based particles, and includes Si-N- or Si-N-O-based acicular particles grown to have a needle shape on the surfaces defining the pores in the porous body. Further, the method of fabricating a silicon carbide-based porous body includes forming a pre-molded product using silicon carbide-based particles having a purity of 95% to 99%, and thermally treating the pre-molded product in a kiln in a nitrogen atmosphere having partial pressure of 0.5 atm to 2 atm, thus growing Si-N- or Si-N-O-based acicular particles having a needle shape on the surfaces defining the pores in the porous body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Mun-Kyu Cho, Doo-Hoa Jeong, Gi-Gen Hong
  • Patent number: 7666463
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing porous nuclear fuel elements for use in advanced high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors (HTGR's). Advanced uranium bi-carbide, uranium tri-carbide and uranium carbonitride nuclear fuels can be used. These fuels have high melting temperatures, high thermal conductivity, and high resistance to erosion by hot hydrogen gas. Tri-carbide fuels, such as (U,Zr,Nb)C, can be fabricated using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) to simultaneously deposit each of the three separate carbides, e.g., UC, ZrC, and NbC in a single CVI step. By using CVI, a thin coating of nuclear fuel may be deposited inside of a highly porous skeletal structure made, for example, of reticulated vitreous carbon foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis L. Youchison, Brian E. Williams, Robert E. Benander
  • Patent number: 7648735
    Abstract: A composition, a medical implant constructed from the composition, and a method of making the composition are described. The composition is a composite material, comprising a porous, reticulated, open cell network having at least part of its surface coated with blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Hunter, Vivek Pawar
  • Patent number: 7479302
    Abstract: An actively-cooled, fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite thrust chamber for liquid rocket propulsion systems is designed and produced with internal cooling channels. The monocoque tubular structure consists of an inner wall, which is fully integrated to an outer wall via radial coupling webs. Segmented annular void spaces between the inner wall, outer wall and adjoining radial webs form the internal trapezoidal-shaped cooling channel passages of the tubular heat exchanger. The manufacturing method enables producing any general tubular shell geometry ranging from simple cylindrical heat exchanger tubes to complex converging-diverging, Delaval-type nozzle structures with an annular array of internal cooling channels. The manufacturing method allows for transitioning the tubular shell structure from a two-dimensional circular geometry to a three-dimensional rectangular geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Wayne S. Steffier
  • Patent number: 7476419
    Abstract: A method of chemical vapor infiltration and deposition includes stacking a number of porous structures in a stack in a furnace. The stack has a center opening region extending through the porous structures and an outer region extending along the porous structures. A first portion of a reactant gas is introduced to the center opening region. A second portion of the reactant gas is introduced to the outer region. The first portion and the second portion are controlled proportions thereby introducing predetermined portions of the reactant gas to both the center opening region and the outer region. The change in weight of the entire furnace, including contents, is measured during the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition process. The rate of weight change is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, David E. Daws, Dary Zeigler, Afshin Bazshushtari
  • Patent number: 7419700
    Abstract: Carbon-ceramic brake discs, the remaining porosity in which, after infiltration with a carbide-forming element and reaction of this element with at least part of the carbon in the preliminary body of the carbon-ceramic brake disc to form carbides, is at least partly filled with particles whose average diameter is in the range from 0.5 nm to 20 nm, and a process for producing carbon-ceramic brake discs with reduced porosity, wherein carbon-ceramic brake discs are treated with a solution of organic compounds of boron, zirconium, titanium, silicon or aluminum or mixtures of such compounds, the cited organic compounds being present as sols in an organic solvent, after removal from the sol bath the brake discs treated in this way are dried in an oven at a heating rate of between 30 K/h and 300 K/h under air or protective gas and are then tempered at a final temperature of between 350° C. and 800° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Güther, Jens Rosenlöcher, Moritz Bauer
  • Patent number: 7404983
    Abstract: The present inventions pertain to a method of applying a solid protective coating to articles, to a system capable of depositing a solid film layer on articles, and to hermetically sealed articles. In particular, films are deposited on fused quartz substrates, optical fibers, and other items requiring a hermetic seal by a single or multiple beams laser-induced chemical vapor deposition [LCVD]. According to the present inventions, the protective layer can be deposited on the articles to be hermetically sealed in an open environment at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature whereby the coating process may occur outside the confines of an enclosure. A coaxial precursor and non-reactive laminar gas jet configuration insulates the deposition area from oxygen and other aerial impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Wilson K. S. Chiu, King Hong Kwok
  • Publication number: 20080175988
    Abstract: The present inventions pertain to a method of applying a solid protective coating to articles, to a system capable of depositing a solid film layer on articles, and to hermetically sealed articles. In particular, films are deposited on fused quartz substrates, optical fibers, and other items requiring a hermetic seal by a single or multiple beams laser-induced chemical vapor deposition [LCVD]. According to the present inventions, the protective layer can be deposited on the articles to be hermetically sealed in an open environment at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature whereby the coating process may occur outside the confines of an enclosure. A coaxial precursor and non-reactive laminar gas jet configuration insulates the deposition area from oxygen and other aerial impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Wilson K.S. Chiu, King Hong Kwok
  • Patent number: 7335397
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using pressure gradient CVI/CVD. The apparatus includes a stack of porous structures where each porous structure has an aperture therethrough. The apparatus also includes at least one ring-like spacer disposed within the stack of porous structures between neighboring porous structures. The ring-like spacer encircles the apertures of the neighboring porous structures. The stack of porous structures and the at least one ring-like spacer define an enclosed cavity including each porous structure aperture. A channel provides fluid communication between the enclosed cavity and an outer volume defined by the interior surface of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Paul T. Perea, John S. Linck, Chris T. Kirkpatrick, Richard Jones
  • Patent number: 7332195
    Abstract: Method for densifying a porous carbon preform (5). The method includes the steps of: (a) providing the apparatus (11); (b) charging the apparatus (11) with a plurality of stacks of annular porous carbon preforms (5), the preforms being separated from one another by spacers (15); (c) locating the charged apparatus (11) in a furnace at a temperature in the range of 950-1100° C. and a pressure in the range of 5-40 torr; and (d) circulating a natural gas reactant blended with up to 15% propane through the apparatus for a period of from 150 to 900 hours. Carbon-carbon composite preforms made by this method may be configured as aircraft landing system brake discs or racing car brake discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Arico, David E. Parker, Akshay Waghray, Brian Miller, David W. Shaw
  • Patent number: 7306826
    Abstract: A method for making a ceramic matrix composite turbine engine component, wherein the method includes providing a plurality of biased ceramic plies, wherein each biased ply comprises ceramic fiber tows, the tows being woven in a first warp direction and a second weft direction, the second weft direction lying at a preselected angular orientation with respect to the first warp direction, wherein a greater number of tows are woven in the first warp direction than in the second weft direction. The plurality of biased plies are laid up in a preselected arrangement to form the component, and a preselected number of the plurality of biased plies are oriented such that the orientation of the first warp direction of the plies lie about in the direction of maximum tensile stress during normal engine operation. A coating is applied to the plurality of biased plies. The coated component preform is then densified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh Subramanian, James Dale Steibel, Douglas Melton Carper, Brian Keith Flandermeyer
  • Patent number: 7252860
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a high temperature stable fiber composite ceramic by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) with a silicon carbide precursor in a suitable carrier gas on carbon fiber preforms or silicon carbide fiber preforms. This process is characterized by the use of a process pressure of ?0.6 bar absolute and a process temperature of ?1100° C. Also disclosed are structural component parts, particularly for aircraft and spacecraft engineering, which are commonly exposed to high thermal and mechanical loading and which have been produced by the above process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: MAN Technologie AG
    Inventors: Kilian Peetz, Angelika Froehlich, August Muehlratzer
  • Patent number: 7063870
    Abstract: Annular brake disc preform (15), wherein 40 to 80 layers of reinforcement fibers of at least two different lengths (11, 19) ranging from 10–60 mm are distributed in a planar gradient throughout the body of the preform, with the reinforcement fibers located near the exterior planes of the disc being predominately shorter fibers (11) and with the reinforcement fibers located in the central planes of the disc being predominately longer fibers (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Charles A. Parker, Frank Dillon, Thomas H. Siegmund, Raymond J. Cipra, Alan E. Fatz, Peter F. Braunisch, Tobey Cordell
  • Patent number: 7033568
    Abstract: A palladium hydride superconductor, PdyHx where yHx is 1Hx, 2Hx, or 3Hx, having a critical temperature Tc?11K and stoichiometric ratio x?1. The critical temperature is proportional to a power of the stoichiometric ratio, which is stable over periods exceeding 24 hours, temperature variations from 4K to 400K, and pressures down to 1 mbar. The palladium hydride is coated with a stabilizing material such as a metal, metal oxide, ceramic, or polymer that can bond to palladium. It can be made by electrochemically loading a palladium lattice with isotopic hydrogen in an electrolytic solution, by allowing isotopic hydrogen to diffuse into a palladium thin film in a pressure chamber, or by injecting isotopic hydrogen into a palladium thin film in a vacuum chamber. The stabilizing material can be electrochemically bonded to the surface of the palladium hydride, or deposited using chemical vapor deposition or molecular beam epitaxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Paolo Tripodi
  • Patent number: 7018815
    Abstract: Mesophilic methane bacteria obtained from digested sludge are acclimatized in an H2/CO2 medium and the acclimatized methane bacteria are grown on a support inclusive of inorganic nutritional salts of trace metal elements by using an immobilized bed bioreactor. The grown bacteria are allowed to metabolize a mixed gas, prepared by adding hydrogen to at least one of coal gas and biogas, into methane and at the same time, cobalamin contained in the fermented liquor is recovered as an extracellular product in the form of cyanocobalamin by using potassium cyanide to thereby produce vitamin B12 efficiently in a high content and high yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Maekawa, Zhen Ya Zhang
  • Patent number: 6991847
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the synthesis of 2-D and 3-D periodic porous silicon structures and composites with improved properties having the advantages of porous silicon and photonic bandgap materials. Photonic crystals comprise a two dimensionally periodic or three dimensionally periodic microporous structural matrix of interconnecting, crystallographically oriented, monodispersed members having voids between adjacent members, and said members additionally having randomly nanoporous surface porosity. The silicon nanofoam material shows enhanced and spectrally controlled/tunable photoluminescence and electroluminesce and finds use as transparent electrodes, high-lumonosity light emitting diodes (LEDs), wavelength division multiplexors, high-active-area catalyst supports, photonic bandgap lasers, silicon-based UV detectors, displays, gas sensors, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Padmanabhan, Ray H. Baughman, Anvar A. Zakhidov, Guenadiy Lazarov
  • Patent number: 6942893
    Abstract: A porous substrate having a concave inside face and an outside face is disposed in an enclosure, and reactive gas is introduced into the enclosure to densify the substrate. At least a portion of the gas is divided into two non-zero fractions. The first fraction of the gas is fed to the inside face of the substrate. The second fraction of the gas is fed to only the outside face of the substrate. Alternatively, the first fraction of the gas is fed via a tooling extending into an inside volume defined by the concave inside face of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Bernard Delperier, Jean-Luc Domblides, Jean-Philippe Richard, Pierre Delaurens
  • Patent number: 6905981
    Abstract: Improved dielectric materials suitable for use in integrated circuits and computer systems are provided by a chemical vapor deposition process employing fluoroalkane precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Tominori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6884476
    Abstract: A masking material and a method for applying the masking material to preselected surfaces of a component to protect the surfaces to which the masking material is applied from exposure to a vapor phase of aluminum gas while a protective environmental coating is applied to other surfaces of the component. The component, such as found in the hot section of a gas turbine engine, typically has intricate internal passageways. A ceramic material is applied as a mask over preselected surfaces while leaving remaining surfaces of a component exposed. The component typically is a superalloy component, and the exposed surfaces are to be coated with an environmental protective coating. The surfaces are preselected on the basis of whether coating is desired on the surface. The ceramic material forms a continuous, crack-free mask on these preselected surfaces without obstructing the internal passageways. The ceramic material which forms a mask is stable at the elevated temperatures of environmental coating application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeff Pfaendtner, James Ruud, Ted Grossman, Peter Meschter, Joseph Rigney
  • Patent number: 6854602
    Abstract: A hydrogen permselective membrane, a method of forming a permselective membrane and an apparatus comprising a permselective membrane, a porous substrate and an optional intermediate layer are described. Using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at low reactant gas concentration, high permselectivities are achieved with minimal reduction in hydrogen permeance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: Conocophillips Company, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
    Inventors: Shigeo Ted Oyama, Lixiong Zang, Doohwan Lee, Doug S. Jack
  • Patent number: 6783598
    Abstract: A method of applying a moisture barrier seal to a fiber optic coil includes mounting a fiber optic coil in a vacuum deposition chamber, so as to expose a large exterior surface area of the fiber optic coil to an interior portion of the deposition chamber. The method further includes reducing the air pressure within the chamber to a value that is less than ambient pressure outside of the chamber. The method further includes introducing a vapor form of a non-porous material, preferably parylene, into the chamber. The vapor form of the non-porous material changes into a solid state upon contact with the fiber optic coil, so as to form a conformal coat on the fiber optic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Fibersense Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Peter Gregory
  • Patent number: 6773495
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a semiconductor processing method of forming a metal-comprising layer over a substrate. A substrate is provided within a reaction chamber, and a source of a metal-comprising precursor is provided external to the reaction chamber. The metal-comprising precursor comprises a metal coordinated with at least one Lewis base to form a complex having a stoichiometric ratio of the at least one Lewis base to the metal. An amount of the at least one Lewis base is distributed within the source to an amount that is in excess of the stoichiometric ratio. At least some of the metal-comprising precursor is transported from the source to the reaction chamber. A metal is deposited from the metal-comprising precursor and onto the substrate within the reaction chamber. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of storing a metal-comprising material. A metal-comprising material is dispersed within a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Uhlenbrock, Brian A. Vaartstra
  • Patent number: 6767587
    Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a trifluoromethyl-containing component and a hardenable material. Weatherable coatings are also provided by compositions comprising a mobile non-volatile fluorinated component and a hardenable material. Processes are also provided for forming hydrophobic coatings on articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Cytonix Corporation
    Inventor: James F. Brown
  • Publication number: 20040115348
    Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic preform is disclosed having the steps of: coating with a preceramic polymer at least one fabric panel formed of silicon carbide fibers coated with a high temperature boron nitride; shaping the at least one fabric panel into a preliminary preform; curing the preceramic polymer to impart rigidity to the preform, and inserting the rigidized preform into a reactor without tooling for a chemical vapor infiltration process to form the ceramic preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis James Landini, Roger Lee Ken Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6709512
    Abstract: When a polycrystalline or single crystal silicon layer is grown by catalytic CVD, a catalyst having a nitride covering at least its surface is used. In case that tungsten is used as the catalyst, tungsten nitride is formed as the nitride. The nitride is made by heating the surface of the catalyst to a high temperature around 1600 to 2100° C. in an atmosphere containing nitrogen prior to the growth. When the catalyst is heated to the temperature for its use or its nitrification, it is held in a hydrogen atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Yamoto, Hideo Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 6699604
    Abstract: A turbomachine component includes a silicon nitride substrate and a protective coating on the substrate. The protective coating includes a porous silicon nitride matrix and a noble metal infiltrated in the porous silicon nitride matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Li, Alexander S. Kozlov
  • Patent number: 6669988
    Abstract: A hardware assembly is provided for controlling a first portion of gas and a second portion of gas in a furnace. The first portion of the gas is introduced to a center opening region of a stack of porous structures. The second portion of the gas is introduced to an outer region of the stack of porous structures. Most of the gas flows out of the hardware assembly from either the center opening region or the outer region while some of the gas flows out through small holes from the other region. A densification method is also provided with two densification processes in which the gas flows in opposite directions in the two densification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Daws, James W. Rudolph, Dary Zeigler, Afshin Bazshushtari
  • Patent number: 6630202
    Abstract: Method of treating a surface of a steam line plug grip wherein the surface is subjected to chemical vapor deposition (CVD) treatment to introduce a hard oxide material into pores and cracks in the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Catherine Procik Dulka, James Burner, John Ackerman, Richard Oran Kilgo, Edwin R. Baker, Gail Dunning
  • Patent number: 6610227
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a fiber reinforced composite member includes the steps of: forming a fabric 1 on the surface of a mandrel 10, infiltrating the formed fabric with matrix, and leaving portions 12a, 12b of the mandrel as integral with the fabric and removing the mandrel before the fabric adheres to the mandrel by matrix infiltration. Subsequently, a remaining portion of the mandrel is used as a reference surface and machining is performed. Without possibility of adhesion to the mandrel and resulting breakage, machining bases (axial center and reference surface) during machining can accurately be provided, and this can largely enhance machining precision and yield of the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6528108
    Abstract: A reactant gas is introduced into a process chamber under a temperature which is lower than reactive temperature of the reactant gas so that voids in a porous amorphous insulation film on a sample is filled with the introduced reactant gas. And chemical vapor deposition is carried out with heating the porous amorphous insulation film up to a temperature which is higher than the reactive temperature of the reactant gas to form a crystalline thin film on inner surfaces of the voids. Image data representing the porous amorphous insulation film in which the crystalline thin film is formed are generated with using a transmission electron microscope, and the porous amorphous insulation film is observed based on the image data to measure topographical characteristics of the porous amorphous insulation film such as void's size, porosity, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Kawamura