David A Colvin

US Patent:

6418832, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Apr 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/558496

Inventors:

David P. Colvin - Cary NC

Assignee:

Pyramid Technologies International, Inc. - Cary NC

International Classification:

F41H 504

US Classification:

89 3602, 89 3605, 2 25

Abstract:

A body armor system having improved impact energy absorbing characteristics includes a projectile penetrant inhibiting layer and an impact energy absorbing layer positioned in overlying relation to one side of the projectile penetrant inhibiting layer such that the impact energy absorbing layer is adapted to absorb the impact energy from an incoming projectile. The impact energy absorbing layer spreads at least a portion of the impact energy in the plane of the impact energy absorbing layer. An anti-spalling layer is positioned on the opposite side of the projectile impact inhibiting layer. In another aspect of the invention, the impact energy absorbing layer contains a foam to further enhance impact energy absorption. Additionally, a temperature stabilizing means such as a phase change material is placed within the impact energy absorbing layer and provides thermal regulation. The phase change material may be bulk, microencapsulated or macroencapsulated and may be placed directly within the impact energy absorbing layer or within the foam as desired.

US Patent:

50305018, Jul 9, 1991

Filed:

May 31, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/359105

Inventors:

David P. Colvin - Apex NC
Craig S. Potter - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Raven Marketing, Inc. - Westerville OH

International Classification:

B32B 330

US Classification:

428178

Abstract:

A cushioning structure for dampening shocks useful as a packing material to protect shipments of goods and as a protective shield or garment to prevent injury from falls including one or more planar sheets of pliable material bonded to a matrix of polygon shape cells containing a fluid such as air or other gas. In one aspect the cells are in fluid communication with each other to provide a valved fluid transfer from one cell to the next.

US Patent:

49059890, Mar 6, 1990

Filed:

Jan 27, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/303489

Inventors:

David P. Colvin - Apex NC
Virginia S. Colvin - Apex NC

Assignee:

Triangle Research and Development Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

A63B 100
A63B 300

US Classification:

272 70

Abstract:

A fall intervention garment adapted to secure a person to a tethered supporting structure is disclosed. The garment is generally in the form of a vest and includes an upper section and a lower section. The lower section is formed so as to be responsive to a load being placed on the upper section for generating an inwardly directed holding force about the person's torso area. Attachment ring are connected to the upper section for detachably connecting the vest to a support structure.

US Patent:

54994608, Mar 19, 1996

Filed:

Jul 13, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/275226

Inventors:

Yvonne G. Bryant - Raleigh NC
David P. Colvin - Apex NC

International Classification:

A43B 1338
A43B 702
B32B 516/3/26

US Classification:

36 43

Abstract:

A thermal barrier in the form of a base material with a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material forms an insulative pad, such as a shoe insole. The microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material. In addition, substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing a phase change material. The microcapsules may be anisotropically distributed to further reduce thermal conductivity of heat through the thermal barrier.

US Patent:

48076961, Feb 28, 1989

Filed:

Dec 10, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/131189

Inventors:

David P. Colvin - Apex NC
James C. Mulligan - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Triangle Research and Development Corp. - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

F28D 2000

US Classification:

165 10

Abstract:

The invention relates to a thermal energy storage apparatus wherein a housing defines a chamber and wherein inlet and outlet means communicate with the chamber. A channelling means is positioned within the chamber for dividing the flow stream of a heat exchange fluid into a plurality of separate flow streams and for directing the heat exchange fluid to flow therethrough. Positioned within the channelling means is means for storing and releasing the thermal energy by heat transfer to and from the exchange fluid as the fluid passes in contacting relation with the thermal energy storing and releasing means as the fluid passes through the housing.

US Patent:

51410796, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

Jul 26, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/736388

Inventors:

Raymond A. Whitney - Raleigh NC
Virginia S. Colvin - Apex NC
David P. Colvin - Apex NC
James C. Mulligan - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Triangle Research and Development Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

F01M 500

US Classification:

184 614

Abstract:

A method of obtaining enhanced thermal energy between a material forming apparatus and a cooling fluid is disclosed. A two component heat transfer fluid of the type including a carrier fluid and a plurality of discrete particles that undergo a reversible latent energy transition upon the transfer of thermal energy thereto. The temperature of the particles is adjusted (heated or cooled as necessary) to the point of the beginning of latent energy transition of the particles. The fluid is then brought into contact with a heat source such as a metal forming apparatus and a workpiece, proximate the interface therebetween. The slurry may then be collected, adjusted to the point of the beginning of latent energy transition and re-circulated to the heat source.

US Patent:

51488612, Sep 22, 1992

Filed:

Jul 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/738849

Inventors:

David P. Colvin - Apex NC
James C. Mulligan - Raleigh NC
Benjamin T. Gravely - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Triangle Research and Development Corporation - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

F28F 500

US Classification:

165 78

Abstract:

A quick disconnect heat exchanger is disclosed wherein male and corresponding female members are adapted to be slidably interconnected. Each of the respective male and female members includes a discrete fluid flow so that fluids are not mixed during heat exchange and the coupler may be disconnected without fluid loss or mixing.

US Patent:

62989073, Oct 9, 2001

Filed:

Apr 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/558718

Inventors:

Virginia S. Colvin - Cary NC
David P. Colvin - Cary NC

Assignee:

Delta Thermal Systems, Inc. - Cary NC

International Classification:

F28F 700

US Classification:

165 46

Abstract:

A support means or pad which is adapted to overlie an area to be thermally regulated. A plurality of microcapsules are dispersed within the support pad. The support means may be a porous pad or overlying layers of a mesh-type fabric. The fabric sheets include a series of channels which may be zig-zag in shape and are filled with a temperature stabilizing means, for example, a macroencapsulated phase change material. Suitable phase change materials are paraffinic hydrocarbons and water. In another aspect of the invention, the temperature stabilizing means is distributed within the support means in proportion to the underlying thermal load.