Mark B Gruber

US Patent:

7404868, Jul 29, 2008

Filed:

Oct 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/548002

Inventors:

Ralph D. Cope - Elkton MD, US
Steve B. Funck - Hartly DE, US
Mark B. Gruber - Landenberg PA, US
Mark A. Lamontia - Landenberg PA, US
Anthony D. Johnson - Conowingo MD, US

Assignee:

Accudyne Systems, Inc. - Nework DE

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156 71, 156 82, 156212, 156468, 156497, 156498, 156577

Abstract:

A tape placement head for applying thermoplastic tape to an object includes a heated feeder which guides the tape/tow to a heated zone. The heated zone has a line compactor having a single row of at least one movable heated member. An area compactor is located in the heated zone downstream from the line compactor. The area compactor includes a plurality of rows of movable feet which are extendable toward the tape/tow different distances with respect to each other to conform to the shape of the object. A shim is located between the heated compactors and the tape/tow. A chilled compactor is in a chilled zone downstream from the heated zone. The chilled zone includes a line chilled compactor and an area chilled compactor. A chilled shim is mounted between the chilled compactor and the tape/tow.

US Patent:

7790841, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Feb 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/079089

Inventors:

Gregory R. Yandek - Boron CA, US
Darrell Marchant - Lancaster CA, US
Joseph M. Mabry - Lancaster CA, US
Mark B. Gruber - Landenberg PA, US
Mark A. Lamontia - Landenberg PA, US

Assignee:

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

C08F 6/00
C08G 64/00

US Classification:

528480, 428402, 428404, 524394, 524413, 524423, 524424, 525425, 525452, 525474, 525479, 528502 R

Abstract:

Method for enhancing the crystallization rates of engineering thermoplastics through the use and incorporation of particulate additives with dimensions on the order of 10-1000 nm is described. The presence of nanoparticles at concentrations of, e. g. , less than 10 weight percent of the composition, reduces the viscosity of the thermoplastics as compared to the respective homopolymer, thereby increasing polymer chain transport and diffusion to the crystallizing growth front. The prescription of this technology has been shown to reduce crystallization half times of some engineering thermoplastics by as much as 40 percent at optimal crystallization temperatures, an effect that is magnified as the temperature is reduced towards the glassy state of the amorphous phase. Nano-modified engineering thermoplastics with rapid crystallization kinetics and relatively low viscosities can be utilized in component fabrication processes that require rapid processing times, e. g. , for the sake of cost efficiency.

US Patent:

20090004460, Jan 1, 2009

Filed:

Jun 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/144105

Inventors:

Mark B. Gruber - Landenberg PA, US
Mark A. Lamontia - Landenberg PA, US
Brian J. Jensen - Williamsburg VA, US
Roberto J. Cano - Yorktown VA, US

Assignee:

U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

B32B 5/16
C08G 73/10
C08K 3/04

US Classification:

428323, 524592, 524606, 524445, 524496, 156 60

Abstract:

High quality thermoplastic composites and composite laminates containing nanoparticles and/or nanofibers, and methods of producing such composites and laminates are disclosed. The composites comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles, and may include a fibrous structural reinforcement. The composite laminates are formed from a plurality of nanoparticle-containing composite layers and may be fused to one another via an automated process.

US Patent:

20100218890, Sep 2, 2010

Filed:

Dec 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/641603

Inventors:

Mark B. Gruber - Landenberg PA, US
Brian J. Jensen - Williamsburg VA, US
Roberto J. Cano - Yorktown VA, US

Assignee:

U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

B29C 70/02
B29C 65/02

US Classification:

156278, 156 60

Abstract:

High quality thermoplastic composites and composite laminates containing nanoparticles and/or nanofibers, and methods of producing such composites and laminates are disclosed. The composites comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles, and may include a fibrous structural reinforcement. The composite laminates are formed from a plurality of nanoparticle-containing composite layers and may be fused to one another via an automated process.

US Patent:

51605686, Nov 3, 1992

Filed:

Feb 1, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/649354

Inventors:

Mark B. Gruber - New Castle DE

Assignee:

E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B65H 8100

US Classification:

156430

Abstract:

A consolidated structure with less than 6 percent void content is formed from a plurality of thermoplastic impregnated yarns traverse wound on a rotating mandrel by feeding the yarns under tension simultaneously from a source of supply to a traversing carriage as adjoining flat tapes. The tapes then move successively through a preheating section, a heated circular guide and a contact portion heating source, all on the carriage, before being laid down in a predetermined path on the mandrel.

US Patent:

51605619, Nov 3, 1992

Filed:

Feb 1, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/649353

Inventors:

Mark B. Gruber - New Castle DE

Assignee:

E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B65H 8100

US Classification:

156175

Abstract:

A consolidated structure with less than 6 percent void content is formed from a plurality of thermoplastic impregnated yarns traverse wound on a rotating mandrel by feeding the yarns under tension simultaneously from a source of supply to a traversing carriage as adjoining flat tapes. The tapes then move successively through a preheating section, a heated circular guide and a contact point heating source, all on the carriage, before being laid down in a predetermined path on the mandrel.

US Patent:

47145099, Dec 22, 1987

Filed:

Jul 2, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/626907

Inventors:

Mark B. Gruber - New Castle DE

Assignee:

E. I. DuPont De Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B32B 3126

US Classification:

1562722

Abstract:

An advancing, reinforced, thermoplastic tape is pressed on a partially built, composite structure as the mating surfaces are heated to the melting point by a beam of high temperature, radiant energy. The center of the beam is directed at the structure, in advance of the nip between the tape and structure.