Kenneth J Kuenzel

US Patent:

6517657, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Aug 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/638472

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Grass Lake MI
Edward K. Krause - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B29C 4706

US Classification:

15624417, 15624423, 1562722, 1562726, 1562728

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite comprising the steps of activating the fluoropolymer substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a different polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The activation step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. Also described herein are other methods of surface activation including exposure to excimer laser, gamma rays, x-ray flux, electron beam, sodium naphthalate bath, coupling or curing agents, and others. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance chemically bonded to an outer layer of a cross-linked polyethylene polymer. There is no need for additional adhesives. Fluoropolymer layers have excellent chemical resistance.

US Patent:

8550287, Oct 8, 2013

Filed:

Dec 13, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/324159

Inventors:

Russell R. Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Daniel F. Cragel - Livonia MI, US
Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B65D 6/40
F16J 15/10

US Classification:

220661, 277649, 220678

Abstract:

A tank connection includes a tank formed with a plastic wall having multiple thicknesses, a first thickness being substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, the wall having an opening surrounded by an edge of the wall, a component secured by a weld to an outer surface of the wall, and seal substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, contacting a surface of the component, and biased into elastic contact with said edge.

US Patent:

20030168157, Sep 11, 2003

Filed:

Jan 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/354374

Inventors:

Kenneth Kuenzel - Grass Lake MI, US
Jerry Smith - Jackson MI, US
Edward Krause - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

B29C047/06

US Classification:

156/244170, 156/244230, 156/272600

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite comprising the steps of activating the fluoropolymer substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a different polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The activation step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. Also described herein are other methods of surface activation including exposure to excimer laser, gamma rays, x-ray flux, electron beam, sodium naphthalate bath, coupling or curing agents, and others. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance chemically bonded to an outer layer of a cross-linked polyethylene polymer. There is no need for additional adhesives. Fluoropolymer layers have excellent chemical resistance.

US Patent:

55002579, Mar 19, 1996

Filed:

Jul 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/499207

Inventors:

Edward K. Krause - Ann Arbor MI
Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Grass Lake MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

C08F 246

US Classification:

427487

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of activating a formed fluoropolymer substrate by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a thermoplastic polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The ionizing step can be described as a corona discharge or an electrically formed plasma. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance and on top of and integral with, the fluorocarbon layer an outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer. Fluoropolymer layers have excellent chemical resistance.

US Patent:

59164042, Jun 29, 1999

Filed:

Sep 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/707663

Inventors:

Edward K. Krause - Ann Arbor MI
Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Grass Lake MI
Jerry J. Smith - Jackson MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B29C 4706

US Classification:

15624423

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite comprising the steps of exposing a formed fluoropolymer substrate to a flame, then activating the fluoropolymer substrate by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. Also described herein are other methods of surface activation including exposure to excimer laser, gamma rays, x-ray flux, electron beam, sodium naphthalate bath, and others. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance chemically bonded to an outer layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. There is no need for additional adhesives.

US Patent:

55544258, Sep 10, 1996

Filed:

Mar 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/403499

Inventors:

Edward K. Krause - Ann Arbor MI
Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Grass Lake MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B29D 2200
B29D 2300
B32B 108

US Classification:

428 3691

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of activating a formed fluoropolymer substrate by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a thermoplastic polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The ionizing step can be described as a corona discharge or an electrically formed plasma. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance and on top of and integral with, the fluorocarbon layer an outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer. Fluoropolymer layers have excellent chemical resistance.

US Patent:

57593299, Jun 2, 1998

Filed:

Jun 24, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/265679

Inventors:

Edward Krause - Ann Arbor MI
Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Grass Lake MI
Frederick Woodward - Dexter MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B29C 4706

US Classification:

15624413

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent. In particular, this invention describes a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance, and on top of and integral with the fluorocarbon layer, an outer layer of a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer chemically bonded to the fluorocarbon layer.

US Patent:

59585323, Sep 28, 1999

Filed:

Mar 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/403303

Inventors:

Edward Krause - Ann Arbor MI
Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Grass Lake MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B29D 2200
F16L 912

US Classification:

428 363

Abstract:

Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent. In particular, this invention describes a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance, and on top of and integral with the fluorocarbon layer, an outer layer of a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer chemically bonded to the fluorocarbon layer.