Cyclics Corporation

Other

E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

Tpi Composites, Inc.

Tpi Technology Inc.

Cyclis Corporation

Steven J Winckler

Tohru Takekoshi

Peter David Phelps

Timothy A Thompson

Steven R Bahr

Yi-Feng Wang

George C Tunis, Iii

Paul Willey

Jason M Winckler

Sunita S Baghel

The vehicle () includes a frame () having at least three non-circular wheels () secured to a frame (), wherein the wheels are mechanically secured to each other so that whenever one non-circular wheel moves, the other wheels () move. An offset arm () powered by a motor () rotates a weight () around a geometric center adjacent the wheels to sequentially tip them so that their sequential tipping moves the vehicle (). The non-circular wheels () are sequentially aligned with respect to each other so that whenever one wheel is tipped from a collapse alignment () into a contact alignment (), sequentially the next non-circular wheel () is moved into a collapse alignment (). Any driving force may be used to sequentially tip the non-circular wheels (), instead of the rotating weight ().

Vehicle having non-circular wheels propelled by a moving weight

Processes for isolating, formulating, and shaping macrocyclic oligoesters were developed which allow efficient production of macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from solvent, which may include additives, fillers, and catalysts.

Isolation, formulation, and shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters

In one aspect, the invention relates to processes for producing substantially free-flowing shapes of macrocyclic oligoester, wherein the freshly-shaped macrocyclic oligoester is maintained at elevated temperature for a sufficient time. In certain embodiments, the shapes are heated in water, thereby avoiding agglomeration during the heating process itself. In another aspect, the invention relates to processes for removing solvent from a solution of macrocyclic oligoester using elevated temperature, reduced pressure, or both, thereby obviating the need for an anti-solvent to precipitate the macrocyclic oligoester from the solution. Other aspects of the invention related to shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters are presented as well.

Processes for shaping macrocyclic oligoesters

The invention provides methods and formulations involving the use of promoters that accelerate the polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers (MPOs). For example, in certain embodiments, the invention provides blends of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO), catalyst, and promoter that are substantially stable at ambient temperature for a period of time. The blend material may be stored without premature polymerization of MPO or deactivation of catalyst. The invention also provides processes employing one-part, ready-to-polymerize blends that contain MPO, catalyst, and promoter, as well as processes in which the catalyst and promoter are used in separate streams and are contacted when it is desired to accelerate polymerization of MPO. Methods of the invention offer advantages in the manufacture of thermoplastic parts and composites, due at least in part to the unique properties of MPO.

Methods for polymerizing macrocyclic polyester oligomers using catalyst promoters

The invention provides intimate physical mixtures of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) and filler, as well as methods for their preparation and use. Improved dispersion of filler in a polymer matrix is achieved upon polymerization, and larger amounts of filler with high aspect ratio can be used. In one aspect, the invention provides mixtures of MPO with magnesium silicate. In another aspect, the invention provides a mixture of MPO, filler, and polymerization catalyst as a one-part, ready-to-polymerize material with a long shelf life. The one-part material can be used, for example, in the manufacture of parts without modification of existing processing equipment.

Intimate physical mixtures containing macrocyclic polyester oligomer and filler

The invention provides blends of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) with high-molecular-weight polymer and polymerization catalyst as friable, one-component, ready-to-polymerize materials with long shelf life. The invention also provides methods for preparation and use of the blend materials. The blends are used, for example, in the production of thermoplastics via low-pressure processes, such as rotational molding and powder coating, without modification of existing equipment. The blends are particularly useful where it is desired to exploit the ability to polymerize and crystallize MPO isothermally, but where the melt viscosity of unfilled MPO is too low for use in existing equipment.

Blends containing macrocyclic polyester oligomer and high molecular weight polymer

Processes for isolating, formulating, and shaping macrocyclic oligesters were developed which allow efficient production of macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from solvent, which may include additives, fillers, and catalysts.

Isolation, formulation and shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters

A water slurry process is used to prepare a prepreg and to manufacture articles from macrocyclic polyester oligomers. In one embodiment, a process for preparing a water suspension of macrocyclic polyester oligomers includes the steps of contacting a macrocyclic polyester oligomer and a polymerization catalyst with water and a surfactant, and mixing the macrocyclic polyester oligomer and polymerization catalyst with water and the surfactant thereby forming a suspension. In another embodiment, a process for impregnating macrocyclic polyester oligomers for polymerization includes the steps of providing a suspension of a macrocyclic polyester oligomer and a polymerization catalyst in water, applying the suspension to a base material, drying to remove water from the suspension, and pressing the dried suspension to a desired form. In yet another embodiment, a composition of macrocyclic polyester oligomer includes a macrocyclic polyester oligomer, a polymerization catalyst, and water. In yet another embodiment, a process for polymerizing macrocyclic polyester oligomers includes the steps of mixing a blend material having a macrocyclic polyester oligomer and a polymerization catalyst with water to form a mixture, applying the mixture to a base material, drying to remove water, heating to polymerize the macrocyclic polyester oligomer, and pressing the polymerized macrocyclic polyester oligomer to a desired form.

Macrocyclic polyester oligomers and processes for polymerizing the same

A blend of a macrocyclic polyester oligomer and a polymerization catalyst as a one component ready-to-use material with a long shelf life enables production of parts from macrocyclic polyester oligomers without the modification of existing equipment, thereby reducing time and cost of manufacture while expanding the application of macrocyclic polyester oligomers. In this blend material, the macrocyclic polyester oligomer remains intact in solid state at ambient conditions. Upon melting, the blend material initially forms low viscosity fluid, and then rapidly polymerizes to form high molecular weight polyesters which subsequently solidify to form crystalline polymers. In the case of certain macrocyclic polyester oligomers, for example, poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), demolding can take place at the polymerization temperature, e.g., at about 180&deg; C. to 200&deg; C., because the resulting polyester polymer solidifies fairly rapidly at that temperature without cooling. In one aspect, the invention generally features a blend material that includes a macrocyclic polyester oligomer, a polymerization catalyst, and optionally, a filler. In another aspect, the invention generally features a process for preparing a blend material. In yet another aspect, the invention features processes such as rotational molding, resin film infusion, pultrusion, resin transfer molding, filament winding, making and using powder-coated or hot melt prepreg, compression molding, and roll wrapping, which use the blend material.

Blend material including macrocyclic polyester oligomers and processes for polymerizing the same

Large composite structures are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. The structures incorporate cores, which may be hollow cells or foam blocks. A plurality of cores, each of which may be wrapped with a fiber material, is arranged in a layer on a mold with a fiber material arranged to form face skins. The assembly is sealed under a vacuum bag to a mold surface. One or more main feeder conduits are provided in communication with a resin distribution network of smaller channels which facilitates flow of uncured resin into and through the fiber material. The resin distribution network may comprise a network of grooves formed in the surfaces or the cores and/or rounded corners of the cores. The network of smaller channels may also be provided between the vacuum bag and the fiber material, either integrally in the vacuum bag or via a separate distribution medium. Resin, introduced under vacuum, travels relatively quickly through the main feeder channel(s) and the network of smaller channels. After penetrating the fiber material to reach the surface of the cores, the resin again travels relatively quickly along the cores via the grooves in the cores or the spaces provided by the rounded corners to penetrate the fiber material between the cores, if present, and between the cores and the mold.

Large composite core structures formed by vacuum assisted resin transfer

A method for reducing broken fibers on the surface of a carbon fiber bundle involves passing the yarn past a suction nozzle having an extended trailing edge which impacts the broken fibers as they pass the slot breaking off the fibers. The broken fibers are transported to a disposal station. The differential in elevation of the leading and trailing edges of the intake slot of the nozzle provide an exposed impacting edge.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, NY, United States of America

Steven J Winckler