Fiber Embedded In A Ceramic, Glass, Or Carbon Matrix Patents (Class 428/293.4)
  • Patent number: 6815037
    Abstract: This invention provides a carrier member made of a UV resistant fiber-reinforced composite material where a UV resistant coating material is applied on the surface of the fiber-reinforced composite material and a process for producing thereof. A preferable fiber-reinforced composite material is a fiber-reinforced plastic or carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material. A UV resistant coating material is one or more selected from the group consisting of ceramics, cermets, metals and alloys. The carrier member is produced by coating the surface of the fiber-reinforced composite material with a UV resistant coating material by spraying. This carrier member is advantageous in that it can exhibit properties inherent to a fiber-reinforced composite material such as a light weight, higher rigidity and higher heat resistance and that it little contaminates a precision instrument material when being used in cleansing with UV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Ooshima, Takashi Kobayashi, Kenichi Aoyagi, Daisuke Uchida
  • Publication number: 20040211354
    Abstract: A one-piece bowl of thermostructural composite material comprising fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix. The bowl is made by supplying deformable fiber in plies that are whole, being free from slots or cutouts, superposing said plies on a former of shape corresponding to the bowl to be made, deforming the plies, and bonding the superposed plies to one another by means of fibers extending transversely relative to the plies, e.g. by needling so as to obtain a bowl preform which is then densified. The bowl can be used as a support for a crucible in an installation for producing monocrystalline silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Guirman, Dominique Coupe, Jean-Michel Georges
  • Patent number: 6805946
    Abstract: Fibrous monolith processing techniques to fabricate multifunctional structures capable of performing more than one discrete function such as structures capable of bearing structural loads and mechanical stresses in service and also capable of performing at least one additional non-structural function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Mulligan, John Halloran, Dragan Popovich, Mark J. Rigali, Manish P. Sutaria, K. Ranji Vaidyanathan, Michael L. Fulcher, Kenneth L. Knittel
  • Publication number: 20040204533
    Abstract: Process for a fiber-reinforced ceramic material whose reinforcing fibers are present in the form of at least one of woven fabrics, short fibers and long fibers, wherein the mass ratio of the fibers in the form of woven fabrics, short fibers and long fibers is 0-35:25-80:0-45 and at least a part of the reinforcing fibers has at least one protective layer of carbon produced by pyrolysis of resins or pitches, boron compounds or phosphorus compounds or combinations thereof which have been deposited thereon, a process for producing it and its use as material for brake linings
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Huner, Moritz Bauer, Peter Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6803108
    Abstract: Carbon fiber bundles may be dispersed into substantially single mono-filaments in pitch by stirring a mixture of fibers and pitch at a temperature at which the pitch has a viscosity of about 0.1 to about 5 poise. The resulting fiber pitch binder contains about 0.5 to about 10.0 wt. % carbon fibers substantially dispersed as substantially single mono-filaments which are randomly oriented which may then be used directly as a binder for producing carbon bodies, for example, graphite electrodes, pinstock or specialty graphite articles. This unique binder using an economical amount of carbon fibers has the capacity to increase the strength and reduce the coefficients of thermal expansion of the resulting carbon products in more than one direction due to the random orientation of the carbon fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: UCAR Carbon Company Inc.
    Inventors: Irwin C. Lewis, Terrence A. Pirro
  • Patent number: 6773793
    Abstract: An electrical insulating sheet is disclosed. The sheet includes 50-99% D glass flakes and 1-50% additives. Optional ingredients include a bonding agent, porosity control agent, and reinforcing agent(s) to enhance tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Electrolock, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald T. Flynn, Darryl A. Payne, Ralph E. Brandon
  • Patent number: 6770584
    Abstract: A hybrid insulation material comprises of porous ceramic substrate material impregnated with nanoporous material and method of making the same is the topic of this invention. The porous substrate material has bulk density ranging from 6 to 20 lb/ft3 and is composed of about 60 to 80 wt % silica (SiO2) 20 to 40 wt % alumina (Al2O3) fibers, and with about 0.1 to 1.0 wt % boron-containing constituent as the sintering agent. The nanoporous material has density ranging from 1.0 to 10 lb/ft3 and is either fully or partially impregnated into the substrate to block the pores, resulting in substantial reduction in conduction via radiation and convention. The nanoporous material used to impregnate the fiber substrate is preferably formed from a precursor of alkoxysilane, alcohol, water, and an acid or base catalyst for silica aerogels, and from a precursor of aluminum alkoxide, alcohol, water, and an acid or base catalyst for alumina aerogels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrea O. Barney, Vann Heng, Kris Shigeko Oka, Maryann Santos, Alfred A. Zinn, Michael Droege
  • Patent number: 6761967
    Abstract: The invention relates to an external reinforcement for beams, columns, plates and the like, substantially consisting in the combination of fibers and a resin and whereby the majority of the fibers is situated in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement, characterized in that at least well-defined portions of the external reinforcement are provided with an additional reinforcement formed by fibers which are arranged according to at least one direction differing from the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Immo Emergo, Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Dirk Christiaan Jozef Isidoor De Neef
  • Publication number: 20040131835
    Abstract: A heat dissipating structure includes a composite having a thermal expansion coefficient between 30° C. and 250 ° C. in a range from 2 to 13.10−6 K−1, a volume mass below 3000 kg·m−3, and a conductivity equal to or greater than 113 W·m−1·K−1. The composite is formed by a matrix which is made of a metal, polymer, or resin, in combination with a reinforcement component. The reinforcement component contains microfibers at a volume proportion in a range from 5 to 90% and nanofibers at a volume proportion from 1 to 60%, with the composite obtained through infiltration of the reinforcement component by the metal in liquid state or the polymer and resin in liquid or uncured state. Applied onto the composite is a surface layer having entirely or at least partially a metallic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: ELECTROVAC, FABRIKATION ELEKTROTECHNISCHER SPEZIALARTIKEL GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventors: Theodore Nicolas Schmitt, Klaus Dieter Mauthner, Ernst Hammel
  • Patent number: 6759117
    Abstract: A multilayer ceramic composite is described which contains at least one supporting zone having oxidation-sensitive reinforcing fibers as well as a matrix. The matrix optionally contains oxidation-sensitive components. The composite further contains at least one surface layer, as well as at least one additional protective layer disposed between the supporting zone and surface layer, and whose matrix is composed substantially of at least one component of the matrix of the supporting zone or cover layer. The protective layer further contains additives that form self-healing layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Martin Christ, Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Jens Rosenlöcher, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
  • Patent number: 6758386
    Abstract: A method of joining a ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle to a metal manifold is provided, wherein a silicon nitride insert is disposed inside the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle and the metal manifold to provide a joint therebetween. The silicon nitride insert is preferably co-processed with the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle such that the ceramic matrix provides a bond between the rocket nozzle and the insert. The metal manifold is then secured to the silicon nitride insert, preferably using brazing, to form a joint assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David B. Marshall, Min Z Berbon, John R. Porter
  • Patent number: 6756112
    Abstract: A high-temperature fiber-reinforced carbon-carbon composite material of essentially uniform density, is fabricated by the following sequence of steps: (a) selecting a fiber/matrix material combination; (b) providing a fiber preform of desired shape and fiber placement; (c) selecting at least one low-viscosity pre-carbon monomer material that wets the surfaces of the fiber preform; (d) impregnating the fiber preform with the monomer; (e) polymerizing the monomer material in-situ in a single phase process into a pre-carbon polymer of desired molecular weight; (f) pryolyzing the pre-carbon polymer to form a carbon matrix material; and (g) repeating steps (d)-(f) to further densify the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Phillip G. Wapner, Wesley P. Hoffman, Steven P. Jones
  • Patent number: 6749937
    Abstract: Carbon-silicon carbide brake preforms are manufactured by carbonizing a blend of carbon (e.g., polyacrylonitrile) fibers and thermosetting pitch resin, optionally along with a lubricant such as graphite, to provide an intermediate product having open porosity and subsequently filling the pores of the intermediate product with silicon by a melt infiltration process. Molded articles that consist principally of carbon, that have relatively high strength and resistance to decomposition by frictional heat, and that are suitable for melt infiltration with silicon, are produced by, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Gray
  • Patent number: 6734237
    Abstract: Provided is a fiberglass binder composition which comprises a polycarboxy polymer, polyol and an imidazoline. The binder also preferably includes a catalyst which is an alkali metal salt of a phosphorus-containing organic acid. The resultant binder provides minimal processing difficulties and a product which exhibits minimal water absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Johns Manville International,, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Taylor, Philip Francis Miele, Lance Wang
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6716782
    Abstract: A porous ceramic fiber insulating material and method of making a material having a combination of silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) fibers, and boron-containing powders is the topic of the new invention. The insulative material is composed of about 60 wt % to about 80 wt % silica fibers, about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % alumina fibers, and about 0.1 wt % to about 1.0 wt % boron-containing powders. A specific boron-containing powder used for this invention is boron carbide powder which provide boron-containing by-products, which aid in fusion and sintering of the silica and alumina fibers. The material is produced by forming an aqueous slurry, blending and chopping the fibers via a shear mixer, orienting the fibers in the in-plane direction, draining water from the fibers, pressing the fibers into a billet, heating the fibers to remove residual water, and firing the billet to fuse the fibers of the material. After sintering, bulk density of the new insulation material ranges from 6 to 20 lb/ft3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vann Heng, Karrie Ann Hinkle, Mary Ann Santos
  • Patent number: 6713162
    Abstract: Using plural layers selected from among composite resin substrates having a fully high or low dielectric constant, composite resin substrates having a fully high magnetic permeability, and composite resin substrate layers having a fully high Q value, the invention provides a multilayer electronic part of small size having high performance and improved overall electrical characteristics. The multilayer electronic part includes constituent layers of at least two types formed of composite materials and a conductor layer formed on at least one composite material layer, wherein the conductor layer constructs a predetermined electric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Takaya, Toshikazu Endo
  • Patent number: 6709736
    Abstract: Protection products and armored products made of a fiber-reinforced composite material with a ceramic matrix, include a protection element for partial or complete absorption of at least one impact-like load focussed at a point. The protection element has a body having at least one dimension at least equal to 3 cm, in a direction perpendicular to a load to be absorbed. The body includes a fiber-reinforced composite material having a ceramic matrix with at least 10% by weight of silicon carbide and having reinforcing fibers. At least 5% by weight of the reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers and/or graphite fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Reinhard Nixdorf
  • Publication number: 20040038027
    Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic fiber and methods for its use and formation. The present invention may comprise a fiber component that is a twisted bundle comprised of multiple strands of a nonfibrillating monofilament, the degree of twist being greater than about 0.9 turns/inch (about 0.36 turns/cm). The present invention may further comprise another fiber component, discrete from the twisted fiber component, that is fibrillated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Lovett, Daniel T. Biddle, H. Charles Pitts,
  • Publication number: 20040038029
    Abstract: The invented insulation is a ceramic fiber insulation wherein the ceramic fibers are treated with a coating which contains transition metal oxides. The invented process for coating the insulation is a process of applying the transition metal oxide coating to the fibers of the insulation after the fibers have been formed into a tile or other porous body. The coating of transition metal oxide lowers the transmittance of radiation through the insulation thereby lowering the temperature of the backface of the insulation and better protecting the structure that underlies the insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alfred A. Zinn, Ryan Jeffrey Tarkanian
  • Patent number: 6696144
    Abstract: The present invention is a low density hybrid airfoil comprising a temperature resistant exterior layer and a tough, high impact resistant interior layer. Specifically, the airfoil comprises a monolithic ceramic exterior layer and a fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite interior layer. Both the monolithic ceramic and fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite are low density materials. Additionally, the monolithic ceramic is a high temperature resistant material, and the fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite is a relatively high impact resistant structure. Encapsulating the airfoil with a temperature resistant exterior layer protects the airfoil in a high temperature environment, and supporting the airfoil with a high impact resistant, fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite improves the overall impact resistance of the airfoil thereby resulting in a tough, high temperature resistant, low density airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Holowczak, Karl M. Prewo, Jayant S. Sabnis, William K. Tredway
  • Publication number: 20040023015
    Abstract: A thermal insulation material comprises an intimate mixture of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 6670026
    Abstract: A method for producing apertures in hot section components of gas turbine engines made from ceramic matrix composites that have at least one oxidizable component. The method involves forming the apertures using a laser beam controlled by parameters that ablate the ceramic matrix composite in the path of the beam, while simultaneously heating the matrix material, SiC or SiN, to a sufficient temperature to oxidize it to form a silica. Sufficient heat is supplied by the beam to melt the silica to cause it to flow. The melted silica is quickly solidified as recast silica along the walls of the newly created aperture before it has an opportunity to flow and form undesirable geometries. The wall of the aperture is formed of recast silica that is a smooth surface and that forms an oxidation barrier to inhibit any further oxidation of the underlying composite as it is exposed to the high temperatures and oxidative, corrosive atmosphere of an operating gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Dale Steibel, Wayne Garcia Edmondson, Wilbur Douglas Scheidt
  • Patent number: 6670021
    Abstract: 12A high temperature gas turbine component includes an inner core made of a monolithic ceramic material embedded within an outer CMC shell. The inner core may be formed with a through hole, blind hole, wear pads and the like. A method of making the bushing includes the steps of a) forming an inner core of silicon nitride or silicon carbide; and b) applying a ceramic matrix composite material over substantially all of the inner core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Stewart Schroder, Paul Stephen DiMascio, Randall Richard Good
  • Patent number: 6666310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber-reinforced ceramic body and a method for producing same. The ceramic body consists of a core and a boundary layer (93, 94) which is joined to the core and has at least one outer surface (96, 97) which can preferably be subjected to tribological stress. The core consists of one or more layers (92) of which at least one is reinforced with long fibers. The boundary layer (93, 94) is reinforced with short fibers. The fibers are preferably reaction-bonded in a matrix by melt infiltration and are made of high-temperature resistant fibers with covalent bonds on the basis of silicon, carbon, boron or nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Universitat Stuttgart, Institut fur Fertigungstechnologie Kermaischer Bautelle
    Inventors: Karl Berreth, Marcus Speicher, Rainer Gadow
  • Publication number: 20030215625
    Abstract: A protective coating for a carbon-containing component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of non-stoichiometric silicon and carbon; non-stoichiometric silicon and oxygen; non-stoichiometric silicon and nitrogen; compounds of silicon, oxygen, and carbon; compounds of silicon, oxygen and nitrogen; compounds of silicon, nitrogen, and carbon; and silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: IIan Golecki
  • Patent number: 6641903
    Abstract: A transparent plastic pane of acrylic glass with internal plastic filaments, which largely hold together the fragments formed in the event of a break characterized in that the plastic filaments are at least partly sized. The internal filaments can be sized completely and/or partly, for example in portions. Hereby the matrix adhesion of the filaments can be adjusted to the effect that any fragments which may be formed in the event of break are largely held together by the filaments without permitting undesired detachment of the filaments during thermal stresses in the normal range of −20 to 120° C. The plastic panes are suitable in particular as a noise protection wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Egbert Schoela, Gerald Molnar, Mojmir Ruzicka
  • Publication number: 20030198795
    Abstract: Modular surface treatment materials such as carpet tiles, ceramic floor and wall panels and tiles, ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring squares, wall covering materials, and the like, are provided in a matrix of a plurality of different colors and a sequential array of tonal variations within each color. A system and method, including a computer-aided design tool for laying out patterns of individual modular material units selected from the color-tone matrix, is included, as well as display devices for materials in the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: William K. Grant
  • Patent number: 6627143
    Abstract: SiC—C/C composite materials having a suitable kinetic coefficient of friction, good corrosion resistance in strongly oxidizing and corrosive environments, good creep resistance and spalling resistance, and high hardness. The materials are hardly oxidized or abraded even when exposed to high temperatures, while maintaining the excellent impact resistance and light weight of C/C composites. Molten metal pumps using the materials are provided from which components do not dissolve into the molten metal even when used in molten metal and have sufficient thermal impact resistance and oxidation resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Hanzawa, Kenji Nakano
  • Patent number: 6624105
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an oxide ceramic fiber/oxide ceramic composite material comprising primary composite materials each consisting of (a) an assembly of ceramic fibers composed mainly of a metal oxide and (b) a metal oxide ceramic which includes the ceramic fiber assembly (a) therein, the metal oxide of the ceramic (b) being different from the main component metal oxide of the ceramic fiber assembly (a) and the amount of the metal oxide ceramic (b) being 1 to 85% by weight relative to the weight of the ceramic fiber assembly (a), and a metal oxide ceramic which is a matrix for the primary composite materials and which includes the primary composite materials therein, the metal oxide of the ceramic being the same as or different from the main component metal oxide of the ceramic fiber assembly (a); and a process for producing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining Material Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kagawa, Yoshinobu Komatsubara, Hiroshi Nakamura, Katsusuke Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 6620471
    Abstract: An ultra dense composite strip for flexible pipe having armouring formed of longitudinal carbon fibers provided within a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix in the form of a flat ribbon with a substantially rectangular cross-section, whereof at least one of the surfaces of the strip is reinforced with a film made integral with said surface, over substantially its whole width and over substantially its whole length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventor: Anh Tuan Do
  • Patent number: 6617013
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite material (10) having a plurality of interlaminar stitches (16) as shown in FIG. 1. The stitches are formed by directing laser energy into the material to melt and recast zones of the material in a direction transverse to the layers of reinforcing fibers(12). The stitches not only improve the interlaminar strength of the material, but they also increase the through-thickness thermal conductivity of the material, thereby reducing thermal-induced stresses. The zones of recast material (18) may define holes (20) extending at least partially through the thickness of the material. The holes may be filled with a filler material (24), thereby mitigating any adverse loss-of-area effect created by the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Jay A. Morrison, Gary Brian Merrill
  • Patent number: 6607851
    Abstract: A multi-layer tile material produced from layers of alumina enhanced thermal barrier material having different densities. The insulation layers are bound together by a high strength, high temperature alumina or silica binder having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the insulation layers. Use of the multi-layered tile allows the problems of tile slumping and of insufficient heat management associated with low density alumina enhanced thermal barrier tile to be overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, Jr., Franklin K. Myers
  • Publication number: 20030138615
    Abstract: Protection products and armored products made of a fiber-reinforced composite material with a ceramic matrix, include a protection element for partial or complete absorption of at least one impact-like load focussed at a point. The protection element has a body having at least one dimension at least equal to 3 cm, in a direction perpendicular to a load to be absorbed. The body includes a fiber-reinforced composite material having a ceramic matrix with at least 10% by weight of silicon carbide and having reinforcing fibers. At least 5% by weight of the reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers and/or graphite fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: SGL Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Reinhard Nixdorf
  • Patent number: 6596373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition for a fibre reinforced composite material, which is thermosetting resin composition where the glass transition temperature Tg of the cured material obtained by heating for 2 hours at 180° C. is at least 150° C., and the modulus of rigidity G′R in the rubbery plateau in the temperature region above the aforesaid Tg is no more than 10 MPa. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a fibre-reinforced composite material which is outstanding in its resistance to hot-wet environmental condition, impact resistance, and strength characteristics such as tensile strength and compression strength, and furthermore it is possible to provide a thermosetting resin composition and a prepreg outstanding in terms of their peel strength to a honeycomb core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Kishi, Hiroaki Ninomiya, Junko Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20030134098
    Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic composites comprising bundles, tows or hanks of long fibers, wherein the long fiber bundles, tows or hanks are completely surrounded by a short fiber-reinforced matrix, with the long and short fibers having, independently of one another, a mean diameter of from 4 to 12 &mgr;m and the long fibers having a mean length of at least 50 mm and the short fibers having a mean length of not more than 40 mm, a process for producing them and their use for producing clutch disks or brake disks
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Georg Burkhart, Martin Christ, Ronald Huener, Andreas Kienzle, Peter Winkelmann, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
  • Patent number: 6592981
    Abstract: A lightweight insulating sandwich tile (110) having applications such as spacecraft and reusable launch vehicle thermal protection is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lightweight insulating sandwich tile (110) includes an outer structural facesheet (120) that is bonded or co-cured with an inner insulating core (130). The outer structural facesheet (120) is comprised of carbon-carbon and includes an oxidation resistant layer (140) on an outer surface thereof. The oxidation resistant layer (140) may comprise a coating or surface treatment of, for example, MoSi2, amorphous SiCN, amorphous SiCBN, Ti3SiC2, HfC, HfO2, HfB2, SiC, Ir, and ZrB2. The inner insulating core (130) is comprised of bonded discontinuous carbon fibers, a network of vitreous carbon ligaments, carbon aerogel, or graphite felt or a hybrid combination of these materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Suraj P. Rawal, Frank M. Kustas
  • Patent number: 6592979
    Abstract: Hybrid matrix fiber composites having enhanced compressive performance as well as enhanced stiffness, toughness and durability suitable for compression-critical applications. The methods for producing the fiber composites using matrix hybridization. The hybrid matrix fiber composites include two chemically or physically bonded matrix materials, whereas the first matrix materials are used to impregnate multi-filament fibers formed into ribbons and the second matrix material is placed around and between the fiber ribbons that are impregnated with the first matrix material and both matrix materials are cured and solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Steven J. Deteresa, Richard E. Lyon, Scott E. Groves
  • Publication number: 20030129375
    Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic composites which comprise at least two layers of a multidirectional woven fiber fabric as reinforcement, with at least 5% of the area of each layer of woven fiber fabric being permeated by matrix material, friction disks comprising these composites as core zone or support zone, a process for producing them and their use as brake disks or clutch disks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Andreas Kienzle, Ingrid Kraetschmer, Mario Krupka
  • Publication number: 20030124296
    Abstract: This invention comprises a transparent laminate having at least one layer of glass and having self-adhered directly to the layer of glass a thermoplastic polymer layer wherein the laminate is capable of sustaining repeated or prolonged stress after the breakage of the glass layer while maintaining the structural integrity of the laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 6576330
    Abstract: A fully inorganic boron nitride paste, containing 80 to 94% of a boron nitride paint and 6 to 20% of ceramic fibers, is provided to allow the process of manufacturing boron nitride “shell” coatings of 0.0313 to 0.25 inch onto ceramic substrates chosen from a wide range of densities. De-clumping of the ceramic fibers such that fiber lengths are greater than 100 micrometers and clumps are less than {fraction (3/32)} inch improves boron nitride “shell” layer uniformity. Boron nitride content of greater than 36 wt. % (or about 50 vol. %) in the boron nitride “shell” provides ceramic structures with a matrix of boron nitride that provides long-term nonwetting behavior for molten nonferrous metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignees: Rex Roto Technologies, Inc., Zyp Coatings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Schenck, Karl W. Dersch, Lloyd R. Chapman, Cressie E. Holcombe, Jr., William B. Webb, Christopher W. Ivey
  • Patent number: 6558782
    Abstract: Flexible graphite article of manufacture made by compressing a mixture of expanded graphite particle and a fluoro-resin including ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) copolymers after additional heat treatment. An article of manufacture of a gasket material made shows enhanced mechanical properties especially after oil immersion and reduced leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: SGL Technic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoliy S. Bakman, Akira Kubo
  • Patent number: 6547190
    Abstract: A solar array including a carbon fiber mesh substrate is provided. The solar panels including a series of hybrid structures formed along the common and continuous substrate by sandwiching the substrate between a series of discontinuous upper and lower support layers. In order to construct the solar panels having such hybrid structure, a series of top support layers or upper face sheets is disposed on a upper surface of the substrate and between the folding sections. The solar cells are placed on top of the upper face sheets. Similarly, a series of lower support layers or lower face sheets are disposed on a bottom surface of the substrate and between the folding sections. The folding sections are the regions where the upper and lower face sheets discontinue and expose the underlying substrate. The solar array can be folded along the folding section when a bending force is applied over one of the hybrid structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Thompson, Wah L. Lim
  • Publication number: 20030059595
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying the properties of a porous freeform fabricated part by increasing its density and reducing its porosity. The porosity and density of a freeform fabricated part are altered by packing the pores in a freeform part with an infiltrant, such as a preceramic polymer. The process includes drawing a vacuum on or pressurizing the freeform part while it is in an infiltrant bath, thereby forcing the infiltrant into the pores of the freeform part. After removing the densified freeform part from the infiltrant bath, the freeform part is subjected to a treating process, such that the infiltrant within the pores transforms to a ceramic or ceramic-containing phase to thereby increasing the density of the freeform part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Wayde R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6537654
    Abstract: Protection products and armored products made of a fiber-reinforced composite material with a ceramic matrix, include a protection element for partial or complete absorption of at least one impact-like load focussed at a point. The protection element has a body having at least one dimension at least equal to 3 cm, in a direction perpendicular to a load to be absorbed. The body includes a fiber-reinforced composite material having a ceramic matrix with at least 10% by weight of silicon carbide and having reinforcing fibers. At least 5% by weight of the reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers and/or graphite fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: SGL Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Reinhard Nixdorf
  • Publication number: 20030041987
    Abstract: An acoustical panel has a fiberboard which includes a fibrous filler and a base binder, and a nodulated overlay disposed on the fiberboard, wherein the overlay includes nodulated wool and an overlay binder and has a substantially smooth surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous filler is mineral wool and the base binder is granular starch. In an another embodiment of the present invention, the nodulated wool is nodulated mineral wool and the overlay binder is cooked pearl cornstarch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Foster, Larry R. Parks, James R. Lokey, John J. Janczura, Robert G. Ganse, Barry Buhay, Walter W. Chamberlain, John Felegi
  • Patent number: 6528190
    Abstract: A composite (20) has a matrix (10), preferably of ceramic, interspersed with reinforcement structures (12), preferably ceramic fibers, coated with a material (14) selected from ZrGeO4, HfGeO4 and CeGeO4, where the composite can be used as a component in high temperature turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Christian X. Campbell, Jay E. Lane
  • Patent number: 6517960
    Abstract: An article comprises a silicon-containing substrate and a zircon coating. The article can comprise a silicon carbide/silicon (SiC/Si) substrate, a zircon (ZrSiO4) intermediate coating and an external environmental/thermal barrier coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hongyu Wang
  • Publication number: 20030021975
    Abstract: An oxidation-protected brake disk is made of a fiber-reinforced ceramic material. A method of producing such a brake disk comprises applying at least one paint layer to a brake disk. In order to reduce damage to the brake disk under extreme thermal stress, the brake disk is provided with a layer of a highly temperature-stable paint that is viscous at the operating temperature of the brake disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Roland Martin
  • Publication number: 20030012938
    Abstract: A multilayer ceramic composite is described which contains at least one supporting zone having oxidation-sensitive reinforcing fibers as well as a matrix. The matrix optionally contains oxidation-sensitive components. The composite further contains at least one surface layer, as well as at least one additional protective layer disposed between the supporting zone and surface layer, and whose matrix is composed substantially of at least one component of the matrix of the supporting zone or cover layer. The protective layer further contains additives that form self-healing layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Martin Christ, Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Jens Rosenlocher, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin