Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080213564 | MODIFIED POROUS MATERIALS AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - Modified porous materials are disclosed having interconnected, complexly shaped three-dimensional surfaces. The modification is accomplished by crosslinking the three-dimensional surfaces or by incorporating, in situ, an inorganic material onto or into three-dimensional surfaces. The porous materials are macro structures including at least one of nano-features, micro-features, and combinations thereof. The modifying accomplishes changing surface properties of the porous materials, changing the three-dimensional surfaces, and/or rendering the porous materials substantially stable in a predetermined environment. | 09-04-2008 |
20080254095 | DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAME - A delivery device includes a hollow container, and a plurality of biodegradable and/or erodible polymeric layers established in the container. A layer including a predetermined substance is established between each of the plurality of polymeric layers, whereby degradation of the polymeric layer and release of the predetermined substance occur intermittently. Methods for forming the device are also disclosed herein. | 10-16-2008 |
20080268059 | IMMOBILIZING PARTICLES ONTO SURFACES - A method for immobilizing micro-particles, nano-particles or combinations thereof onto a surface is disclosed. The method includes distributing the micro-particles, nano-particles or combinations thereof onto the surface. The surface and the particles are exposed to thermal treatment, vapor treatment or combinations thereof, thereby adhering at least some of the micro-particles, nano-particles or combinations thereof to the surface. Materials including such immobilized micro-particles, nano-particles or combinations thereof are also disclosed herein. | 10-30-2008 |
20080317816 | POROUS OBJECTS HAVING IMMOBILIZED ENCAPSULATED BIOMOLECULES - A porous object includes a porous material having internal pore surfaces and external pore surfaces. Releasing material encapsulated biomolecules are immobilized on at least one of the internal pore surfaces, at least one of the external pore surfaces, or combinations thereof. | 12-25-2008 |
20100048734 | HYDROPHILIC COPOLYMERS AND ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING THE SAME - A water soluble copolymer includes first and second hydrophilic block segments or graft chains. The first hydrophilic block segment or graft chain contains cyclodextrin groups in at least a majority of its repeating units, and the second hydrophilic block segment or graft chain contains repeating units other than cyclodextrin groups. The first and second block segments or graft chains are covalently linked. | 02-25-2010 |
20110311746 | SCAFFOLDS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - Various embodiments of scaffolds are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the scaffold includes a tubular polymeric structure, and a controlled gradient of solid-walled microtubules oriented radially or axially in the tubular polymeric structure. In another embodiment, the scaffold includes a nano-fibrous tubular polymeric structure, and an oriented and interconnected microtubular porous network formed in the nano-fibrous tubular polymeric structure. In still another embodiment, a composite scaffold is formed including a polymeric structure having an inner wall and an outer wall, and at least one electrospun layer positioned along at least one of the inner wall, or the outer wall, or in a middle of the porous polymeric structure. | 12-22-2011 |
20120301516 | PARTICLE- CONTAINING COMPLEX POROUS MATERIALS - Porous materials and methods for forming them are disclosed. One method for immobilizing micro-particles and/or nano-particles onto internal pore surfaces and/or external pore surfaces of porous materials includes suspending the micro-particles and/or nano-particles in a liquid adapted to swell, soften, and/or deform either the porous materials and/or the particles, thereby forming a liquid-particle suspension. The method further includes adding the suspension to the porous materials; and removing the liquid, thereby forming the porous materials having the micro-particles and/or nano-particles immobilized on the internal pore surfaces and/or the external pore surfaces. | 11-29-2012 |
20120308825 | NANO-FIBROUS MICROSPHERES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Nano-fibrous microspheres and methods for forming them are disclosed herein. In one embodiment the microsphere includes a plurality of nano-fibers aggregated together in a spherical shape; and a plurality of pores formed between at least some of the plurality of nano-fibers. The nano-fibers are formed of star-shaped polymers. | 12-06-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100201245 | SPARK PLUG HAVING A PLASTIC UPPER INSULATOR AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION - A spark plug and method of construction thereof is provided. The spark plug includes a metal shell having a through cavity, a lower insulator and a plastic upper insulator. The lower insulator is received in the through cavity and has a through passage with a center electrode received therein. A ground electrode is operatively attached to the shell in spaced relation from the ground electrode to provide a spark gap. The plastic upper insulator has a distal end received in the through cavity of the shell and a terminal end extending axially outwardly from the shell. The upper insulator has a through passage extending between the terminal end and the distal end. An elongate conductive member is received in the through passage of the upper insulator and is configured for electrical communication with the center electrode. | 08-12-2010 |
20110012498 | SPARK PLUG INCLUDING HIGH TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCE ELECTRODE - A spark plug ( | 01-20-2011 |
20110037370 | SPARK PLUG INCLUDING ELECTRODES WITH LOW SWELLING RATE AND HIGH CORROSION RESISTANCE - A spark plug ( | 02-17-2011 |
20110121712 | SPARK PLUG WITH VOLUME-STABLE ELECTRODE MATERIAL - A spark plug having one or more electrodes at least partially fabricated from an aluminum-containing Ni-based alloy. The alloy is a volume-stable alloy that includes a Ni | 05-26-2011 |
20110121713 | SPARK PLUG WITH PLATINUM-BASED ELECTRODE MATERIAL - A spark plug for an internal combustion engine has one or more electrodes with an electrode material of a platinum (Pt) based alloy. The alloy includes aluminum (Al) and one or more refractory metals selected from the group containing nickel (Ni), rhenium (Re), ruthenium (Ru), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W). In at least some of the disclosed alloys, the aluminum contributes to the formation of an aluminum oxide (Al | 05-26-2011 |
20110127900 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG - A spark plug electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrode material includes a refractory metal (for example, tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), rhenium (Re), ruthenium (Ru) and/or chromium (Cr)) and a precious metal (for example, rhodium (Rh), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and/or iridium (Ir)), where the refractory metal is present in an amount that is greater than that of the precious metal. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, electrode materials including tungsten-based alloys such as W—Rh and ruthenium-based alloys such as Ru—Rh. Other combinations and embodiments are also possible. | 06-02-2011 |
20120025692 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR USE WITH A SPARK PLUG - A spark plug for an internal combustion engine has a center electrode, a ground electrode or both that includes an electrode material that is a Pt-based alloy. The electrode material may include platinum (Pt), at least one active element like aluminum (Al) or silicon (Si), and at least one high-melting point element such as ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), rhenium (Re), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), chromium (Cr), or a combination thereof. In at least some of the disclosed alloys, the aluminum (Al) and/or silicon (Si) contributes to the formation of a thin protective oxide layer on a surface of the electrode material. | 02-02-2012 |
20120169206 | RUTHENIUM-BASED ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG - A ruthenium-based electrode material for use with a spark plug. The electrode material comprises ruthenium (Ru) and a precious metal. The ruthenium (Ru) is the single largest constituent of the electrode material on a wt % basis. The electrode material may have a density that is less than or equal to about 15.5 g/cm | 07-05-2012 |
20120194056 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG - An electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a metal composite and includes a particulate component embedded or dispersed within a matrix component such that the metal composite has a multi-phase microstructure. In one embodiment, the metal composite includes a matrix component that includes a precious metal and makes up about 2-80% wt of the overall composite and a particulate component that includes a ruthenium-based material and makes up about 20-98% wt of the overall composite. | 08-02-2012 |
20120212119 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG - An electrode material may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. In one embodiment, the electrode material has one or both of iridium (Ir) or ruthenium (Ru), and has rhenium (Re). | 08-23-2012 |
20130002121 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG - An electrode material for use with spark plugs and other ignition devices, where the electrode material includes ruthenium (Ru), plus one or more additional constituents like precious metals, refractory metals, active elements, metal oxides, or a combination thereof. In one example, the electrode material is a multi-phase material that has a matrix phase including ruthenium (Ru) and one or more precious metals, refractory metals and/or active elements, and a dispersed phase including a metal oxide. The metal oxide may be provided in particle form or fiber/whisker form, and is dispersed throughout the matrix phase. A powder metallurgy process for forming the electrode material into a spark plug electrode is also provided. | 01-03-2013 |
20130063017 | SPARK PLUG INCLUDING ELECTRODES WITH LOW SWELLING RATE AND HIGH CORROSION RESISTANCE - A spark plug ( | 03-14-2013 |
20130099654 | SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE AND SPARK PLUG MANUFACTURING METHOD - A method of making a spark plug electrode includes several steps. One step includes providing an inner core of a ruthenium (Ru) based alloy or an iridium (Ir) based alloy. Another step includes providing an outer skin over a portion or more of the inner core in order to produce a core and skin assembly. The outer skin can be made of platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), or an alloy of one of these. Yet another step includes increasing the temperature of the core and skin assembly. And another step includes hot forming the core and skin assembly at the increased temperature. | 04-25-2013 |
20130285533 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG - An electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. In one embodiment, the electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes ruthenium (Ru) as the single largest constituent on a wt % basis, and at least one of rhenium (Re) or tungsten (W). The electrode material may further include one or more precious metals and/or rare earth metals. The electrode material may be used to form the center electrode, the ground electrode, firing tips, or other firing tip components. | 10-31-2013 |
20130313961 | METHOD OF MAKING RUTHENIUM-BASED MATERIAL FOR SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE - A method of making an electrode material for use in a spark plug and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes a “fibrous” grain structure. The disclosed method includes hot-forming a ruthenium-based material into an elongated wire that includes the “fibrous” grain structure while intermittently annealing the ruthenium-based material as needed. The intermittent annealing is performed at a temperature that maintains the “fibrous” grain structure. | 11-28-2013 |
20130344765 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE MATERIAL INTO A DESIRED FORM - A method of making an electrode material for use in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes ruthenium as the single largest constituent. The disclosed method includes hot-forming a layered structure that includes a ruthenium-based material core, an interlayer having a refractory metal disposed over the ruthenium-based material core, and a nickel-based cladding disposed over the interlayer. | 12-26-2013 |
20140015399 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG - An electrode material for use with spark plugs and other ignition devices. The electrode material is a two-phase composite material that includes a matrix component and a dispersed component embedded in the matrix component. In a preferred embodiment, the matrix component is a precious-metal based material and the dispersed component includes a material that exhibits a high melting point and a low work function such as, for example, carbides, nitrides, and/or intermetallics. A process for forming the electrode material into a spark plug electrode is also provided. | 01-16-2014 |
20140103792 | ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR A SPARK PLUG AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - An electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices for igniting an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material has a metal ceramic composite structure and includes a particulate component embedded or dispersed within a matrix component such that the electrode material has a multi-phase microstructure. In an exemplary embodiment, the matrix component includes platinum (Pt) and one or more additive metals like nickel (Ni) or palladium (Pd), and the particulate component includes an electrically conductive ceramic, such as titanium diboride (TiB | 04-17-2014 |
20140232254 | ELECTRODE CORE MATERIAL FOR SPARK PLUGS - An electrode core material that may be used in electrodes of spark plugs and other ignition devices to provide increased thermal conductivity to the electrodes. The electrode core material is a precipitate-strengthened copper alloy and includes precipitates dispersed within a copper (Cu) matrix such that the electrode core material has a multi-phase microstructure. In several exemplary embodiments, the precipitates include: particles of iron (Fe) and phosphorous, particles of beryllium, or particles of nickel and silicon. | 08-21-2014 |
20140265812 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE MATERIAL - A method of manufacturing an electrode material for use in spark plugs and other ignition devices. The electrode material may be manufactured into a desirable form by hot-forming a layered structure that includes a ruthenium-based material core, an iridium-based interlayer disposed over an exterior surface of the ruthenium-based material core, and a nickel-based cladding disposed over an exterior surface of the iridium-based material interlayer. The elongated layered wire produced by the hot-forming then has its nickel-based cladding removed to derive an elongated electrode material wire that includes the ruthenium-based material core encased in the iridium-based material. The elongated electrode material wire can be used to make many different spark plug/ignition device components. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100101402 | LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITE ARMOR - Improved composite armor designs uses optimally shaped ceramic pellets, a specific stacking geometry and a web system for patterning the pellets, improving manufacturability, and providing additional structural reinforcement. Lightweight, composite ballistic armor according to the invention may comprise an array of ceramic pellets, each pellet having a front surface, a back surface and a longitudinal centerline, and wherein the front surface of each pellet is intentionally convex. The front surface of each pellet may be hemispherical, in which case the cross-section of the pellet taken perpendicular to the centerline may be oval-shaped. Alternatively, the front surface of each pellet may be elliptical, in which case the cross-section of the pellet taken perpendicular to the centerline may be circular. In the preferred embodiment, the back surface of each pellet is formed at the same angle relative to its centerline, with the pellets being arranged with the flat surfaces lying in a plane. The pellets may be arranged in a square matrix, or may be arranged in a hexagonally close-packed matrix. The array of pellets may be embedded in a hardened matrix material, and/or tied together with netting material. | 04-29-2010 |
20100119792 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL AUXETIC STRUCTURES AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - Negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) or auxetic structures, including three-dimensional auxetic structures, are disclosed and applied to various applications. One such structure comprises a pyramid-shaped unit cell having four base points A, B, C, and D defining the corners of a square lying in a horizontal plane. Four stuffers of equal length or different lengths extend from a respective one of the base points to a point E spaced apart from the plane. Four tendons of equal length or different lengths, but less than that of the stuffers, extend from a respective one of the base points to a point F between point E and the plane. In three-dimensional configurations, a plurality of unit cells are arranged as tiles in the same horizontal plane with the base points of each cell connected to the base points of adjoining cells, thereby forming a horizontal layer. A plurality of horizontal layers are then stacked with each point E of cells in one horizontal layer being connected to a respective one of the points F of cells in an adjacent layer. Particularly for typical applications, the structure may further including a pair of parallel plates made sandwiching a plurality of horizontal layers of unit cells. | 05-13-2010 |
20110168313 | ULTRALIGHTWEIGHT RUNFLAT TIRES BASED UPON NEGATIVE POISSON RATIO (NPR) AUXETIC STRUCTURES - Negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) or auxetic are used to make lightweight wheels and runflat tires. The NPR tires can be tailored and functionally-designed to optimally meet the runflat requirements for both military and commercial vehicles. NPR-runflat tires may be fabricated using standard materials and simple manufacturing processes, resulting in low-cost and high-volume production. In preferred embodiments the runflat tire designs are fully compatible with Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS), while providing a performance equivalent to current military vehicle solutions but at half the weight. An auxetic wheel according to the invention comprises a line defining an axis of rotation; and a plurality of concentric rings of unit cells surrounding the axis, each unit cell being constructed of a plurality of members defining a Negative Poisson's Ratio (NPR) structure. The outermost ring of unit cells is arranged to facilitate rolling terrain contact, such that the stiffness of the structure in the localized region of loading due to terrain contact increases as the wheel rotates. A layer of material may be disposed between the concentric rings of unit cells which in preferred embodiments comprise a plurality of nested-V shapes. A cover may be provided over the outermost ring of unit cells forming a tire which may, or may not, be inflated. | 07-14-2011 |
20130322955 | RAPIDLY DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES BASED UPON NEGATIVE POISSON'S RATIO (NPR) AUXETIC COMPONENTS - Reconfigurable, expandable-collapsible structures based upon negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) auxetic unit cells achieve rapidly deployable apparatus, devices and systems. A plurality of joint bodies, each joint body having a plurality of connection features, are coupled to interconnecting link members with opposing ends, each end including connection features that engage with the connection features of the joint bodies. The link members pivot about different axes relative to the joint bodies, thereby forming an expandable and collapsible structure having a height and a width. The link members form an array of geometric unit cells when the structure is expanded, and the height and the width of the structure when expanded are both greater than the height and the width of the structure when collapsed. In certain embodiments the structures have unit cells based upon triangles or bowtie shapes. | 12-05-2013 |
20140017422 | BUSHINGS AND BUMPERS BASED UPON NPR (NEGATIVE POISSON'S RATIO) STRUCTURES - NPR (negative Poisson's ratio) components for vehicle and other applications generally assume a tubular structure defining an axis, a length and a cross section. The structure is composed of a plurality of nested, double-V unit cells, each unit cell comprising a pair of side points A and B defining a width, a first pair of tensile members interconnecting points A and B and intersecting at a point C forming a first V shape, a second pair of stuffer members interconnecting points A and B and intersecting at a point D forming a second V shape. The unit cells are connected in a first direction with the point B of one cell being connected to point A of an adjoining cell, and so on, until completing a continuous band. The unit cells are further connected in a second direction with the point D of one cell being connected to point C of an adjoining cell. In one embodiment, the bands are stacked radially outwardly from the axis to form a bushing. In accordance with a second embodiment, the bands are stacked lengthwise along the structure to form a joust bumper. | 01-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110029063 | AUXETIC STENTS - Stents of the type used to treat and prevent localized flow constriction in body vessels are based upon negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) structures. An auxetic stent constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a tubular structure having two ends defining a length with a central longitudinal axis and an axial view defining a cross section. The tubular structure is composed of a plurality of unit cells with two different configurations, called V-type and X-type. In V-type auxetic stents, each unit cell comprises a pair of side points A and B defining a width, a first pair of members interconnecting points A and B and intersecting at a point C forming a first V shape, and a second pair of members interconnecting points A and B and intersecting at a point D forming a second V shape. In X-type auxetic stents, each unit cell comprises eight points from A to H defining an outline of the unit cell. Eight straight or curved members interconnecting points A and B, B and C, C and D, C and E, E and F, F and G, G and H, G and A, respectively, forming the X-type unit cell. In both configurations, the unit cells are connected in rows and columns, such that compression of the structure between the two ends thereof causes the cross section of the structure to shrink in size. The auxetic structure configurations invented can also be used, with similar dimensions or significantly different dimensions, for other applications, such as in a nano-structural device, a tubal fastener design, or in an application associated with a large oil pipe or other pipelines. | 02-03-2011 |
20110117309 | BIOMIMETIC TENDON-REINFORCED (BTR) COMPOSITE MATERIALS - Biomimetic tendon-reinforced” (BTR) composite structures feature improved properties including a very high strength-to-weight ratio. A basic structure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart stuffer members, each having a first end and a second end defining a length. A plurality of tendon elements interconnect with the first and second ends of the stuffer members in alternating fashion, such that the tendon elements criss-cross each other between the stuffer members. A first panel is bonded or attached to the first ends of the stuffer members, and a second panel is bonded or attached to the second ends of the stuffer members. In the preferred embodiments, the first panel, the second panel, or both the first and second panels are curved. An efficient manufacturing process based upon hollow stuffers and tendon elements in the form of bent wires is also disclosed. | 05-19-2011 |