| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20090065981 | METHOD OF PREPARING A MOLDED ARTICLE - The present invention relates to a method of preparing a molded article, and more particularly to a method of forming a shaped thermoplastic sheet (e.g., a fluid management structure). The method includes providing a mold apparatus ( | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090183455 | LOAD BEARING ASSEMBLY - A load bearing assembly ( | 07-23-2009 |
| 20100021664 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A SHAPED MULTILAYERED MOLDED ARTICLE - The present invention provides a method and apparatae used to prepare a shaped and molded multilayered article formed from a heated thermoplastic sheet and a first plastic sheet that are driven into melt-bonding contact by a stream of gas. The method involves applying a stream of gas ( | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100147284 | PARABOLIC SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR APPARATUS - A solar energy collector apparatus includes a solar collector panel having a parabolic shape, and a base comprising a pair of spaced apart support frames. Each support frame has a parabolic shape corresponding to the parabolic shape of the solar collector panel. Spaced apart rollers are positioned along an upper surface of each support frame to support the solar collector panel. A drive mechanism is coupled to the solar collector panel for rotation thereof. The solar collector panel includes a pair of spaced apart guide channels on an underside thereof for contacting the spaced apart rollers to insure that the solar collector panel rotates squarely with respect to the base. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100269816 | STATIONARY PARABOLIC SOLAR POWER SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS FOR COLLECTING SOLAR ENERGY - A solar energy collector system includes a base, and a parabolic trough collector carried by the base for reflecting sunlight to a longitudinal focal line. The parabolic trough collector includes a center section horizontally positioned with respect to ground, and opposing end sections adjacent the center section. Each end section is angled towards the ground. A conduit is positioned along the longitudinal focal line to receive the reflected sunlight. The conduit circulates a heat transfer liquid therethrough to be heated by the reflected sunlight. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20110037198 | Method of forming a molded plastic article having at least one molded extension - A method of forming a molded plastic article having at least one molded extension extending from a second surface, and a first surface that is substantially free of sink mark defects. The method involves providing a mold (that includes a first mold portion with a recess. Part of the base of the recess is defined by the upper surface of a part ejector. A first plastic material is introduced into the recess to form a molded extension. After at least partial solidification of the molded extension, the part ejector is positioned to push the upper surface and upper portion of the molded extension out of the recess while a lower portion of the molded extension remains within the recess. A second plastic material is introduced into the mold so as to form a molded body in which the upper surface and upper portion of the molded extension are immersed and embedded. As a result the first surface of the molded body is substantially free of sink mark defects opposite the molded extension. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110045117 | Method of preparing a molded article - A method of forming a shaped thermoplastic sheet includes providing a mold apparatus that includes, a first mold portion having an interior mold surface having a plurality of perforations and a perimeter edge. The mold apparatus further includes at least one sheet retainer having an upper surface having a plurality of perforations and a longitudinal axis that is oriented along at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the first mold portion. Each sheet retainer is reversibly and controllably: positionable along an x-, y- and/or z-axis relative to the perimeter edge; and rotatable around its longitudinal axis, toward and/or away from the perimeter edge. A heated thermoplastic sheet is formed and contacted (while at a thermoformable temperature) with the interior surface of the first mold portion and the exterior surfaces of the tubular sheet retainers. Reduced pressure is drawn through the perforations of the sheet retainers thereby retaining a portion of the heated thermoplastic sheet thereon. The sheet retainers are moved along the x-, y- and/or z-axes, and optionally rotated, with the sheet retained thereon, relative to the perimeter edge. Reduced pressure is drawn through the perforations of the interior mold surface, thereby drawing the heated thermoplastic sheet into intimate contour matching contact. The heated thermoplastic sheet is allowed to cool, and a shaped thermoplastic sheet retaining the contour of interior mold surface is formed. A sheet molding apparatus is also described. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045118 | Method of preparing a molded article - A method of preparing a molded article, and more particularly to a method of forming a shaped thermoplastic sheet. The method includes providing a mold apparatus that includes a first mold portion with a contoured and perforated interior mold surface, and a perimeter edge. The mold apparatus also includes a frame that surrounds at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the first mold portion. At least one sheet retainer resides on the upper surface of the frame. Each sheet retainer includes a clamp portion that faces towards the perimeter edge of the first mold portion, and which includes a reversibly closeable clamp member which defines in part a clamp interior. Each sheet retainer is independently, reversibly and laterally attached to the upper surface of the frame, such that each clamp portion is reversibly and laterally positionable relative to the perimeter edge of the first mold portion. In the method of the present invention, each sheet retainer, with a first portion of a heated thermoplastic sheet retained within the clamp portion thereof, is independently, reversibly and laterally moved towards and/or away from the perimeter edge of the first mold portion. Independent reversible and lateral positioning of each sheet retainer provides control over the thickness of the heated thermoplastic sheet that is contacted with the interior mold surface of the first mold portion during the molding process. Accordingly, such independent lateral positioning of each sheet retainer provides control over the thickness of various portions of the final molded article. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045241 | METHOD OF FORMING A MOLDED PLASTIC ARTICLE HAVING MOLDED EXTENSIONS - A method of forming a molded plastic article with a second surface with molded extensions, and a first surface that is substantially free of sink mark defects. The method involves forming, from a first plastic material, a first molded section with at least one molded extension extending from the second surface. The molded extension is formed in a mold recess with a reversibly positionable slide. After formation of the first molded section, the slide is retracted to a second slide position thus forming within the molded extension a retainer cavity that is in fluid communication with an aperture in the first surface of the first molded section. A second plastic material is introduced into the mold over the first molded section, and a portion thereof passes through the aperture and into the retainer cavity, thereby forming a second molded section that is continuous with each retainer. The first and second molded sections, which together form the molded article, are fixedly attached to each other by at least one molded retainer, and the first surface of the second molded section, which defines the first surface of the molded article ( | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110088685 | SOLAR DISH COLLECTOR SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A solar dish collector system includes a solar dish collector panel for reflecting sunlight, and a conduit adjacent the solar dish collector panel. The conduit includes a supply tube to provide fluid to be heated by the reflected sunlight, and a return tube to return the heated fluid. A collector encloses open ends of the supply and return tubes, and is positioned to receive the reflected sunlight from the solar dish collector panel. The fluid from the supply tube at least partially fills the collector and is heated by the reflected sunlight while circulating therein. The heated fluid is then returned via the return tube. | 04-21-2011 |
