Kang M Lee

US Patent:

6670402, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Oct 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/693390

Inventors:

Kang P. Lee - Sudbury MA
Redouane Begag - Marlboro MA
Zlatko Altiparmakov - Shrewsbury MA

Assignee:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

B01J 1300

US Classification:

516111, 34405, 34413, 423338, 501 12, 516 99, 516102, 516104

Abstract:

Methods of more rapidly producing aerogel products by means of a rapid solvent exchange of solvent inside wet gels with supercritical CO by injecting supercritical, rather than liquid, CO into an extractor that has been pre-heated and pre-pressurized to substantially supercritical conditions or above. Preferably, pressure waves are applied to the supercritical CO to enhance the solvent exchange. The rapid solvent exchange process is followed by depressurization, optionally with a gas exchange. Preferably, pressure waves are used to speed up the depressurization. The process greatly reduces the time for forming aerogel products.

US Patent:

6729042, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Apr 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124433

Inventors:

Kang P. Lee - Sudbury MA

Assignee:

Aspen Systems, Inc. - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

F26B 300

US Classification:

34444, 34492, 34337, 34339, 516104

Abstract:

A method is described for enhancing mass and heat transport of fluids in a fine pore structure through an appropriate modulation of the fluid pressure. For example, in an air drying process for a porous material that contains liquid, the air pressure is modulated throughout the volume of the drying chamber. Alternatively, the fluid pressure is modulated in a process stream. As an example, this method can be used for rapid drying of any open porous substances ranging from small pored materials such as aerogels and xerogels, to larger pored substances or articles such as industrial articles, agricultural articles (e. g. , densely stacked vegetables, coffee beans, hops and other grains), paper-based products, thin films, pharmaceuticals, cloth, and clothing.

US Patent:

6989123, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Feb 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/061037

Inventors:

Kang P. Lee - Sudbury MA, US
George L. Gould - Mendon MA, US
William Gronemeyer - Wilmington MA, US
Christopher John Stepanian - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. - Northborough MA

International Classification:

B29C 39/00
B29C 39/18

US Classification:

264299, 264308, 264212

Abstract:

The present invention provides various methods for producing gel sheets in a continuous fashion. The embodiments of the present invention help reduce the time of producing gel sheets that is suitable for industrial manufacturing. Such gel sheets are used in manufacturing aerogel blankets used in a variety of applications including thermal and acoustic insulation.

US Patent:

6994842, Feb 7, 2006

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/034444

Inventors:

Kang P. Lee - Sudbury MA, US
George L. Gould - Mendon MA, US

Assignee:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

A61K 9/12
A61K 9/14
A61K 9/16

US Classification:

424 45, 424 46, 424489, 424450, 514 2

Abstract:

Drugs in the form of very fine highly porous aerogel particles are delivered to a patient via inhalation. The aerogel particles are either an aerogelized form of a pharmaceutical or deposited upon aerogel particles produced from a non-inorganic oxide carrier matrix material, e. g. a sugar or carbohydrate. The aerogel particles are readily dissolvable by the pulmonary surfactant present in the lungs of a mammal.

US Patent:

7226243, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

May 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/840209

Inventors:

Kang Lee - Sudbury MA, US
Daniel Louis Leeser - Framingham MA, US
Mark Krajewski - West Newton MA, US

Assignee:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. - Northborough MA

International Classification:

F16L 59/12
F16L 59/125
F16L 59/14
F16L 9/18

US Classification:

4051541, 405157, 138113, 138114, 138178, 1662421

Abstract:

A lightweight and compact super-insulation system that is also capable of supporting a high level of compressive load. The system utilizes spacers to provide structural support and utilize controlled buckling of a thin protective outer skin supported by spacers to form strong catenary surfaces to protect insulation material underneath. The spacers may comprise an aerogel, or an aerogel may provide insulation separate from the spacer yet contained within the thin outer skin.

US Patent:

7309416, Dec 18, 2007

Filed:

Jul 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/617912

Inventors:

Mark D. Fokema - Framingham MA, US
Wendell E. Rhine - Belmont MA, US
Neng Ye - Boxborough MA, US
Kang P. Lee - Sudbury MA, US
Jennifer P. Gordon - Brighton MA, US

Assignee:

Aspen Products Group, Inc. - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

C10G 29/00

US Classification:

208243, 208 67, 20812001, 208208 R, 208211, 208299, 208303

Abstract:

Sulfur is removed from a hydrocarbon fuel via contact with a desulfurization agent; the desulfurization agent is then regenerated (wherein sulfur is released) by exposing it to oxygen. The sulfur removal and regeneration processes each can be carried out at relatively moderate temperatures, e. g. , from 300 to 600 C. , and pressure, e. g. , about 0. 79 to about 3. 5 MPa; and the desulfurization agent can include a transition metal oxide, such as molybdenum oxide. The process can also include the additional steps of cracking the hydrocarbon, separating high-boiling and low-boiling fractions from the reaction product and contacting the lower-boiling fraction with a secondary desulfurization agent.

US Patent:

7399439, Jul 15, 2008

Filed:

Jun 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/876103

Inventors:

Kang P. Lee - Sudbury MA, US
George L. Gould - Mendon MA, US
William Gronemeyer - Wilmington MA, US
Christopher John Stepanian - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. - North Borough MA

International Classification:

B29C 39/14

US Classification:

264212, 264299

Abstract:

The present invention provides various methods for producing gel sheets in a continuous fashion. The embodiments of the present invention help reduce the time of producing gel sheets that is suitable for industrial manufacturing. Such gel sheets are used in manufacturing aerogel blankets used in a variety of applications including thermal and acoustic insulation.

US Patent:

7560062, Jul 14, 2009

Filed:

Jul 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/180038

Inventors:

George L. Gould - Mendon MA, US
Je Kyun Lee - Brookline MA, US
Christopher J. Stepanian - Somerville MA, US
Kang P. Lee - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. - Northborough MA

International Classification:

C01B 33/152

US Classification:

264321, 516111, 516112

Abstract:

This invention discloses improvements that can be achieved in thermal or mechanical performance of aerogel composites via densification. Densified aerogels and aerogel composites can display higher compressive strength, modulus, flexural strength, and maintains or insubstantially increases the thermal conductivity relative to the pre-densified form. In the special case of fiber reinforced aerogel composites densification via mechanical compression can prove highly beneficial.