Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.

Carrier Corporation

William F Oehler

Philip J Birbara

John W Steele

Timothy N Obee

Tony Rector

Wayne J Caillouette

The sublimation capability of a porous metal plate used in a sublimator is maintained by heating the porous metal plate at an elevated temperature in a flowing stream of oxygen for an extended period of time to form an oxidized surface. A short chain molecule, such as citric acid, is attached to the oxidized surface having multiple functional carboxylate groups and no hydrophobic tail.

Surface treatment to passivate sublimation surfaces to hydrophobic contaminants

A method of making a reinforced resin structure is disclosed. A volume of uncured resin compound is placed on a first outer surface of a carrier structure comprising a plurality of fibers. The uncured resin compound and the carrier structure are pressed between two cooperating plates to disperse the resin compound into and through a plurality of passages between the plurality of fibers. The dispersed resin compound is cured to fix the resin within the plurality of passages and around the plurality of fibers.

Method of making a reinforced resin structure

An open-pore polyurethane foam support body (20) is impregnated in a single step with a solution of a thermoplastic adhesive dissolved in a solvent that is also a foam expander, or in two sequential steps first with a foam expanding solution and then, after the foam has expanded, with a solution of a thermoplastic adhesive, to form an adhesive layer (40) on the surfaces (25) within the pores (22) and passages (24) of the foam body (20). Sorbent particles (30) of activated carbon are introduced into the expanded pores until the expanded foam is packed to the desired density of carbon particle loading. The impregnated and loaded foam is then air dried at room temperature to evaporate the foam expanding solution until the foam body contracts to substantially its original volume. Following air drying, the foam body may be heated in an inert atmosphere at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to remove any solvent that still may be coating the exposed surfaces of the activated carbon particles and also to soften the adhesive layer to further strengthen the resultant bonding of the activated carbon particles to the foam support body. The foam filter material 10 is unique in that at least a portion of the activated carbon particles 30 are mechanically bonded to the foam support body 20 by a mechanical locking resulting from the shrinkage of the expanded foam body about the particles 30, while at least portion of the activated carbon particles 30 are adhesively bonded to the foam support body 20 by the adhesive layer 40. A significant portion of the activated carbon particles 30 are both mechanically and adhesively bonded to the foam support body.

Filter material

An open-pore polyurethane foam support body (20) is impregnated in a single step with a solution of a thermoplastic adhesive dissolved in a solvent that is also a foam expander, or in two sequential steps first with a foam expanding solution and then, after the foam has expanded, with a solution of a thermoplastic adhesive, to form an adhesive layer (40) on the surfaces (25) within the pores (22) and passages (24) of the foam body (20). Sorbent particles (30) of activated carbon are introduced into the expanded pores until the expanded foam is packed to the desired density of carbon particle loading. The impregnated and loaded foam is then air dried at room temperature to evaporate the foam expanding solution until the foam body contracts to substantially its original volume. Following air drying, the foam body may be heated in an inert atmosphere at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to remove any solvent that still may be coating the exposed surfaces of the activated carbon particles and also to soften the adhesive layer to further strengthen the resultant bonding of the activated carbon particles to the foam support body. The foam filter material 10 is unique in that at least a portion of the activated carbon particles 30 are mechanically bonded to the foam support body 20 by a mechanical locking resulting from the shrinkage of the expanded foam body about the particles 30, while at least portion of the activated 30 are adhesively bonded to the foam support body 20 by the adhesive layer 40. A significant portion of the activated carbon particles 30 are both mechanically and adhesively bonded to the foam support body.

Growing community of inventors

Coventry, CT, United States of America

William F Oehler