Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090075545 | Chemically-Assisted Alignment of Nanotubes Within Extensible Structures - A method and system for aligning nanotubes within an extensible structure such as a yarn or non-woven sheet. The method includes providing an extensible structure having non-aligned nanotubes, adding a chemical mixture to the extensible structure so as to wet the extensible structure, and stretching the extensible structure so as to substantially align the nanotubes within the extensible structure. The system can include opposing rollers around which an extensible structure may be wrapped, mechanisms to rotate the rollers independently or away from one another as they rotate to stretch the extensible structure, and a reservoir from which a chemical mixture may be dispensed to wet the extensible structure to help in the stretching process. | 03-19-2009 |
20090311166 | Continuous Process for the Production of Nanostructures Including Nanotubes - The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes. | 12-17-2009 |
20100196695 | CONTROLLED-ORIENTATION FILMS AND NANOCOMPOSITES INCLUDING NANOTUBES OR OTHER NANOSTRUCTURES - Generally, the present invention provides methods for the production of materials comprising a plurality of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) and related articles. The plurality of nanostructures may be provided such that their long axes are substantially aligned and, in some cases, continuous from end to end of the sample. For example, in some cases, the nanostructures may be fabricated by uniformly growing the nanostructures on the surface of a substrate, such that the long axes are aligned and non-parallel to the substrate surface. The nanostructures may be, in some instances, substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface. In one set of embodiments, a force with a component normal to the long axes of the nanostructures may be applied to the substantially aligned nanostructures. The application of a force may result in a material comprising a relatively high volume fraction or mass density of nanostructures. In some instances, the application of a force may result in a material comprising relatively closely-spaced nanostructures. The materials described herein may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials (e.g., nanocomposites). For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed, and, after the application of a force, transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, and combined with another material (e.g., to form a nanocomposite) to enhance the properties of the material. | 08-05-2010 |
20100294424 | TRANSFORMATION OF NANOSTRUCTURE ARRAYS - A method and apparatus for transforming vertically-aligned nanostructures into densified, horizontally-aligned arrays. A contact element such as a roller is used to topple an array of carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures by drawing or rolling the contact element across the surface of the substrate such that the vertically-aligned nanostructures are forced into at least partial horizontal-alignment while being densified to give the transformed array enhanced properties. The contact element engages the nanostructures at a location below their upper distal end to topple and densify the array without disrupting the relative alignment of the individual nanostructures in the array. Transfer printing of the nanostructures is also provided. | 11-25-2010 |
20110038784 | ALKYNE-ASSISTED NANOSTRUCTURE GROWTH - The present invention relates to the formation and processing of nanostructures including nanotubes. Some embodiments provide processes for nanostructure growth using relatively mild conditions (e.g., low temperatures). In some cases, methods of the invention may improve the efficiency (e.g., catalyst efficiency) of nanostructure formation and may reduce the production of undesired byproducts during nanostructure formation, including volatile organic compounds and/or polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Such methods can both reduce the costs associated with nanostructure formation, as well as reduce the harmful effects of nanostructure fabrication on environmental and public health and safety. | 02-17-2011 |
20120126449 | SHAPING NANOSTRUCTURE ARRAYS - Nanostructured assemblies are manufactured by condensing an evaporated wetting agent onto a nanostructure array formed from a plurality of generally aligned carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures. The condensed wetting agent draws the individual nanostructures together to form various geometries of nanostructured assemblies based on various parameters including process variables and the starting shape and dimensional features of the nanostructure array. Various simple and complex geometries can be achieved in this manner, including geometries that are curved, bent, or twisted. Adjacent nanostructure arrays of the same or different starting geometries can be shaped into compound or interrelating structures. Additional process steps such as plasma etching, coating and others can be used to control the shaping and structural attributes of the nanostructured assemblies. A method of making a molded replica of a shaped nanostructure array is also disclosed. | 05-24-2012 |
20120276799 | Chemically-Assisted Alignment Nanotubes Within Extensible Structures - A method and system for aligning nanotubes within an extensible structure such as a yarn or non-woven sheet. The method includes providing an extensible structure having non-aligned nanotubes, adding a chemical mixture to the extensible structure so as to wet the extensible structure, and stretching the extensible structure so as to substantially align the nanotubes within the extensible structure. The system can include opposing rollers around which an extensible structure may be wrapped, mechanisms to rotate the rollers independently or away from one another as they rotate to stretch the extensible structure, and a reservoir from which a chemical mixture may be dispensed to wet the extensible structure to help in the stretching process. | 11-01-2012 |
20130142987 | NANOSTRUCTURE-REINFORCED COMPOSITE ARTICLES AND METHODS - The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes. | 06-06-2013 |
20130260113 | HYBRID NANOSTRUCTURE ARRAY - A hybrid nanostructure array having a substrate and two types of nanostructures, including a set of first nanostructures extending from the substrate and a set of second nanostructures interspersed among the first nanostructures. The first and second nanostructures comprise structures having nanoscale proportions in two dimensions and being elongate in the third dimension. For example, the nanostructures can be nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods, nanocolumns, and/or nanofibers. Also disclosed is a hybrid nanoparticle array using two different types of nanoparticles that have all three dimensions in the nanoscale. The two types of nanostructures or nanoparticles can vary in composition, shape, or size. | 10-03-2013 |
20130283884 | HIGH RESOLUTION PIPETTE - A pipette includes a movable piston and a diaphragm that at least partly defines a fluid chamber enclosing a volume of working fluid. The piston displaces a volumetric amount of the working fluid in the chamber when moved. In response, the diaphragm displaces a smaller volumetric amount of fluid outside the chamber. A deamplification ratio is defined by the ratio of the volume displaced by the diaphragm to the volume displaced by the piston. The deamplification ratio is adjustable by adjusting or changing the diaphragm and/or by adjusting the size of the fluid chamber. The deamplifying pipette enables measuring and dispensing of very small volumes of liquid and is easily adapted to commercially available pipette components. Pipette components such as a pipette tip or adaptor may include a diaphragm to enable deamplification of the nominal volume capacity of a given pipette device. | 10-31-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130152731 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CRANKSHAFT - A crankshaft is cast in a mold to define a plurality of pin bearing journals and a plurality of main bearing journals, at least one of each has a hollow section extending therethrough. A single core is positioned within the mold to form all of the hollow sections. The single core may include a cross-section defining an elliptical shape to form hollow sections having an elliptical cross-sectional shape to further reduce the weight of the crankshaft. The hollow sections are each positioned along a path that minimizes stress within the crankshaft. The path may include a non-linear path relative to a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft or a linear path angled relative to the longitudinal axis to bend or direct the hollow sections away from high stress regions of the crankshaft. The non-circular cross section of the core may spiral about its own axis to maximize mass reduction. | 06-20-2013 |
20140137835 | FOUR COUNTERWEIGHT CRANKSHAFT FOR 90 DEGREE V6 ENGINE - A crankshaft includes first, second, third, and fourth main journals, each coaxially disposed along a crankshaft axis. A first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth crank pin are each parallel with the crankshaft axis, and radially offset from the crankshaft axis. A first crank arm includes a first counterweight, and connects the first main journal and the first crank pin. A third crank arm includes a second counterweight, and connects the second crank pin and the second main journal. A seventh crank arm includes a third counterweight, and connects the third main journal and the fifth crank pin. A ninth crank arm includes a fourth counterweight, and connects the sixth crank pin and the fourth main journal. The first, second, third, and fourth counterweights are the only counterweights of the crankshaft. | 05-22-2014 |
20140367064 | METHOD OF SIMULTANEOUSLY MANUFACTURING A PLURALITY OF CRANKSHAFTS - A method of simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of crankshafts includes positioning a single core within a cavity of a mold having a first half and a second half together forming an exterior shape of the plurality of crankshafts. The exterior shape of each of the plurality of crankshafts produced thereby includes a plurality of pin bearing journals and a plurality of main bearing journals. The method also includes introducing via a mechanism into the cavity a molten metal to form the plurality of crankshafts. As the molten metal flows into the cavity and around the single core, a hollow section extending through at least one of the plurality of pin bearing journals and at least one of the plurality of main bearing journals of each of the plurality of crankshafts is formed. A system for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of reduced mass crankshafts using the above method is also disclosed. | 12-18-2014 |
20150060003 | METHOD OF SIMULTANEOUSLY MANUFACTURING A PLURALITY OF CRANKSHAFTS - A method of simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of crankshafts includes positioning a core system having a plurality of individual cores within a cavity of a mold having first and second halves forming an exterior shape of the crankshafts. The crankshafts' exterior shape includes a plurality of pin bearing journals and a plurality of main bearing journals. Each of the cores passes through each of the crankshafts. At least one core passes through at least one of the pin bearing journals and at least one other core passes through at least one of the main bearing journals. The method also includes introducing into the cavity molten metal to form the crankshafts. As the metal flows into the cavity and around the plurality of cores, a hollow section extending through at least one of the pin bearing journals and at least one of the main bearing journals of each crankshaft is formed. | 03-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090230674 | Fuel Port Elbow Having a Truncated Conductive Insert Tube - A fuel port elbow composed of a plastic port body overmolding an electrically conductive, truncated insert tube such that there is no external dissimilar materials boundary. The tube has a tube first segment, a tube elbow segment and a tube second segment truncated such that the dissimilar materials boundary at the tube truncation is internal to the port body. A port body is integral with the plastic of a flange cover, and overmolds part of the tube first segment and all of the tube elbow and second segments. The port body has a port body second segment having a port body passage communicating with the tube passage and extending remotely from the tube truncation, being adapted for connecting with a fuel line. | 09-17-2009 |
20100065023 | Anti-Clogging Fuel Pump Module - A by-pass fuel system in which the plumbing of the fuel pump module is configured to ensure by-pass strained (and filtered) fuel remains separate from the reservoir fuel after by-pass such that it is not re-strained before re-entry to the fuel pump. The anti-clogging fuel pump module is plumbed such that the by-pass strained fuel is directed to the fuel pump separately with respect to the reservoir fuel, wherein it never mixes with reservoir fuel except after the reservoir fuel has passed through the strainer. Thus, the by-pass strained fuel only mixes with strained fuel from the strainer before its entry to the fuel pump. Accordingly, only reservoir fuel in the fuel pump module is passed through the strainer, whereby the clogging rate of the strainer is minimized. | 03-18-2010 |
20110041931 | Diesel Fuel Pump Module with Fuel Wax By-Pass - A by-pass fuel system configured so that in the event diesel fuel has waxed and/or ice crystals have formed such that the fuel cannot pass easily through the fuel pump fuel strainer, the diesel fuel is selectively able to pass through an auxiliary fuel port via a by-pass valve, thereby ensuring adequate fuel flow to the diesel engine. Return fuel heated by the engine is preferably directed directly onto the fuel pump fuel strainer to help dissolve the waxing and crystallization. An auxiliary coarse fuel strainer optionally provides coarse fuel straining of the by-passed fuel. | 02-24-2011 |
20120145130 | Temperature Based Fuel Management in a Vehicle Fuel System - A vehicle fuel system for use in a vehicle having an engine. The system includes a fuel tank having a fuel pump module area and a bulk area, and a fuel pump mounted in the fuel pump module area, having an inlet and an outlet. A thermostatic valve has a fuel inlet connected to a return fuel line from the engine, a first outlet and a second outlet, with the valve directing fuel through the first outlet when the temperature is below a threshold and directing fuel through the second outlet when the temperature is above the threshold. A cold fuel line connects to the first outlet of the valve and directs fuel to the fuel pump inlet, and a warm fuel line connects to the second outlet of the valve and directs fuel into the bulk area of the fuel tank away from the fuel pump. | 06-14-2012 |
20140216416 | FUEL MODULE WITH ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE MITIGATION - Methods and apparatus are provided for electrostatic discharge mitigation for a fuel module. In one embodiment, the system includes a fuel pump having a power and ground connection for pumping fuel. A fuel filter in fluid communication with the fuel pump, the fuel filter including one or more components made of a non-conductive plastic and having a sulfonated surface covered with a conductive surface formed over the sulfonated surface. The conductive surface is electrically coupled to the vehicle ground plane. A method is provided for mitigation of electrostatic discharge in a fuel module. In one embodiment, the method includes sulfonating non-conductive plastic components of the fuel module to provide a sulfonated layer on the non-conductive plastic components and forming a conductive layer over the sulfonated layer to provide an electrical discharge path for electrostatic buildup resulting from fuel moving through the fuel module. | 08-07-2014 |