W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Other

Gordon L McGregor

Raymond B Minor

Gregory E Hannon

Donald L Hollenbaugh, Jr

John W Dolan

William P Mortimer, Jr

Brad F Abrams

William G Hardie

Daniel E Hubis

Michael Earl Kennedy

Huey Shen Wu

Robert L Henn

Edwin G Dauber

Richard Winkelmayer

William T Connors

Anders B Karlstrom

Daniel J Lash

The present invention is an improved gasket for use in a wide variety of sealing applications. The gasket comprises a sheet of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that is helically wrapped around itself and sealed in that orientation. This construction produces a gasket that has significant tensile strength in both its longitudinal and transverse axes. As such, the gasket of the present invention retains all of the operational advantages of PTFE while being quite resistant to creep.

Low creep polytetrafluoroethylene gasketing element

The present invention provides and employs a very thin yet highly light reflective material for use in providing diffuse reflectivity of light, especially in tightly confined applications such as in laptop computer displays. The present invention uses an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a microstructure of polymeric nodes and fibrils combined with a coating or filler of material having a high index of refraction, such as titanium dioxide. The material of the present invention demonstrates exceptional diffuse reflectivity across a wide spectrum of visible and infrared light. Additionally, the material of the present invention provides many properties that have been previously unavailable in thin, highly diffuse reflective material, including a high degree of malleability, moldability and flexibility, and effective reflectivity even at very thin cross-sections.

Very thin highly light reflectant surface and method for making and

The present invention is an improved material and method for use for providing diffuse transflectance of light. By employing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a microstructure of polymeric nodes and fibrils, the material of the present invention demonstrates exceptional diffuse reflectivity and transmission of light across a wide spectrum of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. Additionally, the material of the present invention provides many properties that have been previously unavailable in highly diffuse transflective material, including a high degree of malleability, moldability and flexibility, and effective reflectivity even at relatively thin cross-sections.

High light diffusive and low light absorbent material and method for

The present invention is an improved material and method for use for providing diffuse reflectivity of light. It has been determined that by employing a polymer having an index of refraction of greater than or equal to 1.42 and a porosity of greater than 10%, improved reflectivity can be achieved over existing reflectant materials having only one of these properties. Suitable materials for use in the present invention include nylon, polyvinylidene (PVDF), and cellulose acetate.

Thin light reflectant surface and method for making and using same

An improved gasket particularly suitable for use in sensitive environments is disclosed. The preferred gasket of the present invention comprises at least one layer of a composite material of porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer and resilient expandable microspheres. The composite material provides a number of significant advantages over existing PTFE and similar clean gaskets, including better seal under less compressive pressure, sufficient resilience to permit reuse, and retained porosity--allowing pressure equalization in the equipment to occur through the gasket itself.

Reusable resilient gasket and method of using same

The present invention is an improved reflector for use in a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) luminaire and a luminaire incorporating such a reflector. The present invention achieves significantly improved light output from a CFL by employing a reflector of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Not only is light output improved over presently employed CFL luminaire reflectors, providing more light and/or allowing for less energy usage, but the luminaire of the present invention also produces a more pleasing light output.

Light reflectant surface in a recessed cavity substantially surrounding

The present invention relates to surfaces used to reflect light, and particularly to highly light reflectant surfaces that provide even diffusion of light for the purpose of maximizing light efficiency and/or uniformity in a luminaire. By employing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a microstructure of polymeric nodes and fibrils, the material of the present invention demonstrates exceptional diffuse reflectivity across a wide spectrum of visible light. Additionally, the material of the present invention provides many properties that have been previously unavailable in highly diffuse reflective material, including a high degree of malleability, moldability and flexibility, and effective reflectivity even at relatively thin cross-sections.

Light reflectant surface for luminaires

The present invention is an improved material and method for use for providing diffuse reflectivity of light in backlighted visual displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD) employed in a wide variety of applications. By employing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a microstructure of polymeric nodes and fibrils, the material of the present invention demonstrates exceptional diffuse reflectivity across a wide spectrum of visible light. Additionally, the material of the present invention provides many properties that have been previously unavailable in highly diffuse reflective material, including a high degree of malleability, moldability and flexibility, and effective reflectivity even at relatively thin cross-sections.

Light reflectant surface of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene with nodes

A retrofit recessed compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) system that delivers quality aesthetics, glare control, and high efficiency light output. The system comprises a reflector unit adapted to be installed into an existing light fixture to provide an improved environment for distribution of light from a CFL. The system is compatible with a range of existing light fixture heights and styles.

Retrofit compact fluorescent lamp

Improved insulative cable assemblies and methods for producing them are disclosed. The insulative cable assemblies have a conductor housed within a polymeric insulation layer expanded with expandable thermoplastic microspheres. The use of a relatively inelastic outside sheath controls the expansion of the insulative layer and assures a snug fit between the insulation and the conductor. The insulation layer is highly resilient and resistant to dielectric changes due to compression or damage from mechanical manipulation of the cable. Additionally, the ability to expand the insulative layer after cable assembly is completed provides far greater freedom in cable processing without compromising low dielectric constant.

Electrical cable with improved insulation and process for making same

Improved material and method for reflecting light in a photoinduction chamber is provided. The material comprises one or more layers of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane. Employing an ePTFE membrane as a reflective surfaces is demonstrated as providing excellent diffuse reflective properties, especially in the ultraviolet and visible ranges of light. Additionally, the material of the present invention has many other properties that make it particularly desirable for use in various photoinduction chamber applications, including inertness, flexibility, ease in shaping and installation, etc.

Light reflectant surface for photoinduction chambers

The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE fibers, the fiber of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the fiber is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a fiber that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and when woven into a fabric, the fabric is more easily processed, is of higher quality, and is more uniform.

Method of making an improved expanded PTFE fiber

The present invention is an improved material and method for use for providing diffuse reflectivity of light. By employing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a microstructure of polymeric nodes and fibrils, the material of the present invention demonstrates exceptional diffuse reflectivity across a wide spectrum of visible and infrared light. Additionally, the material of the present invention provides many properties that have been previously unavailable in highly diffuse reflective material, including a high degree of malleability, moldability and flexibility, and effective reflectivity even at relatively thin cross-sections.

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Landenberg, PA, United States of America

Gordon L McGregor