Thomas S Hinkle

US Patent:

20020003322, Jan 10, 2002

Filed:

Apr 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/550747

Inventors:

Alan Dull - Elmira NY, US
Tudor Gheorghiu - Painted Post NY, US
Thomas Hinkle - Wellsboro PA, US
David Oliver - Campbell NY, US
Mark Spetseris - Pine City NY, US
Christopher Witte - Beaver Dams NY, US

International Classification:

C04B033/32
C04B035/64

US Classification:

264/630000, 264/631000, 264/669000, 264/670000, 264/676000, 264/652000

Abstract:

A method of firing a green cordierite-ceramic honeycomb structural body containing a carbonaceous material, for example, an organic binder, comprising a two phase process. The first phase comprises firing the green honeycomb structural body in a firing atmosphere to a temperature and for a time sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve release of the carbonaceous material while introducing into the firing atmosphere a fluorine-free low-oxygen gas comprising less than about 20% O, by volume. Once the carbonaceous material is sufficiently released, the second phase involves conventionally firing the green body for a time and a temperature sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve the conversion of the green ceramic honeycomb structural body into a fired honeycomb body.

US Patent:

6325963, Dec 4, 2001

Filed:

Jul 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/612769

Inventors:

Alan T. Dull - Elmira NY
Thomas S. Hinkle - Wellsboro PA
Christopher S. Witte - Beaver Dams NY
Edward F. Zunic - Dublin VA

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

C04B 3332

US Classification:

264631

Abstract:

The invention relates to a method of firing a green ceramic honeycomb structural body containing an organic or carbonaceous material which is characterized by removing at least a portion of the carbonaceous material released prior to reacting within the firing atmosphere during the initial firing of the green honeycomb structural body. The invention also relates to a tunnel kiln, which includes a vestibule region, a carbonaceous material release region, having a plurality of removal zones, located downstream of the vestibule region and a sintering region located downstream of the carbonaceous material release region. The tunnel kiln further includes an exhaust removal system which operatively communicates, via offtake openings located in each removal zone, with the release region for removing released carbonaceous material.

US Patent:

60898607, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Dec 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/203614

Inventors:

Alan T. Dull - Elmira NY
Thomas S. Hinkle - Wellsboro PA
Christopher S. Witte - Beaver Dams NY
Edward F. Zunic - Dublin VA

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

F23J 1500

US Classification:

432 72

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of firing a green ceramic honeycomb structural body containing an organic or carbonaceous material which is characterized by removing at least a portion of the carbonaceous material released prior to reacting within the firing atmosphere during the initial firing of the green honeycomb structural body. A tunnel kiln is also disclosed, which comprises a vestibule region, a carbonaceous material release region, having a plurality of removal zones, located downstream of the vestibule region and a sintering region located downstream of the carbonaceous material release region. The tunnel kiln further includes an exhaust removal system which operatively communicates, via offtake openings located in each removal zone, with the release region for removing released carbonaceous material.

US Patent:

60997931, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

Nov 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/199027

Inventors:

Alan T. Dull - Elmira NY
Tudor C. Gheorghiu - Painted Post NY
Thomas S. Hinkle - Wellsboro PA
David L. Oliver - Campbell NY
Mark A. Spetseris - Pine City NY
Christopher S. Witte - Beaver Dams NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

C04B 3564

US Classification:

264631

Abstract:

A method of firing a green cordierite-ceramic honeycomb structural body containing a carbonaceous material, for example, an organic binder, comprising a two phase process. The first phase comprises firing the green honeycomb structural body in a firing atmosphere to a temperature and for a time sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve release of the carbonaceous material while introducing into the firing atmosphere a fluorine-free low-oxygen gas comprising less than about 20% O. sub. 2, by volume. Once the carbonaceous material is sufficiently released, the second phase involves conventionally firing the green body for a time and a temperature sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve the conversion of the green ceramic honeycomb structural body into a fired honeycomb body.

US Patent:

60481994, Apr 11, 2000

Filed:

Nov 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/198863

Inventors:

Alan T. Dull - Elmira NY
Thomas S. Hinkle - Wellsboro PA

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

F27B 1902

US Classification:

432128

Abstract:

A tunnel kiln for firing ceramic honeycomb structural body comprising a vestibule region, a carbonaceous material release region located downstream of the vestibule region and a sintering region located downstream of the carbonaceous material release region and having a multiplicity of kiln cars adapted to convey materials to be fired through the kiln. A gas distribution system is provided which includes a series of conduits each which operatively communicates with an injection site which operatively communicates with the interior of the release region for introducing a gas into the carbonaceous release region. The injection sites include a combustion burner located site, a vestibule located site, an undercar located site, a rooftop located site, and a sidewall located site or combinations thereof.