Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10022678-B2
Publication Date
2018-07-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
The technology encompassed by the current disclosure generally relates to membrane composites that can be used in acoustic venting assemblies. In one embodiment of the technology disclosed herein, a venting media composite has a microporous membrane layer and a coating on the microporous membrane layer to form a composite. The basis weight of the composite is at least about 0.5% higher than a basis weight of the microporous membrane layer without the coating. In some embodiments the composite has a decreased insertion loss than its membrane-only counterpart.
Core Innovation
The invention is a venting media composite that includes a microporous membrane layer and a coating on the microporous membrane layer, where the coating comprises a colorant and does not include carbon black. The microporous membrane layer and the coating define the composite, and the composite has an average insertion loss based on average H1 frequency response from about 0.1 dB to about 3 dB in the frequency range of 300 Hz to 4000 Hz.
The composite is described in the context of acoustic venting performance, using an H1 frequency response function to characterize insertion loss behavior across 300 Hz to 4000 Hz. Microporous membrane composite examples are presented to support smoother insertion-loss behavior and reduced average insertion loss relative to an uncoated membrane, while maintaining improved or not-worsened acoustic transmission or insertion loss.
The document further describes composite performance targets and structural and filtration-related features for acoustic venting assemblies, including filtering efficiency, pressure-drop reduction, porosity and pore size ranges, and tensile-strength increases. In some configurations, the composite is implemented in a venting assembly having a perimeter region with an adhesive and an adhesive-free inner region, and the composite materials include microporous membranes such as ePTFE combined with coatings using specified colorants and polymeric components.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a venting media composite with inventive features centered on a microporous membrane layer plus a specific coating composition (colorant without carbon black) and a constrained acoustic performance metric (average insertion loss from about 0.1 dB to about 3 dB based on average H1 frequency response over 300 Hz to 4000 Hz). Dependent claims add quantitative constraints for filtering efficiency and pressure drop, narrow the microporous membrane pore size range, and specify structural and coating-material refinements.
Microporous membrane layer and coating colorant without carbon black
A venting media composite comprising a microporous membrane layer and a coating on the microporous membrane layer, wherein the coating comprises a colorant and the colorant does not include carbon black, and the microporous membrane layer and the coating define the composite.
Average insertion loss based on average H1 frequency response in 300 Hz to 4000 Hz
The composite has an average insertion loss based on average H1 frequency response from about 0.1 dB to about 3 dB in the frequency range of 300 Hz to 4000 Hz.
Filtering efficiency for particle size 0.3 microns at 10.5 ft/min
The composite has a filtering efficiency no less than 99.0% for particle size ≤0.3 microns traveling at 10.5 ft/min.
Pressure drop less than about 10 mbar at 50 ccm for a 0.75-inch diameter flow path
The composite has a pressure drop of less than about 10 mbar at 50 ccm for a 0.75-inch diameter flow path.
Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene with an average pore size between 0.001 and 2.0 microns
The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene has an average pore size between 0.001 and 2.0 microns.
Perimeter region and inner region with adhesive layer disposed in the perimeter region
The composite has a perimeter region and an inner region with an adhesive layer disposed in the perimeter region.
Coating comprises fluorochemicals
The coating comprises fluorochemicals.
Overall, claim coverage focuses on combining a microporous membrane layer with a coating that contains a carbon-black-free colorant and achieves an average insertion loss of about 0.1 dB to about 3 dB based on average H1 frequency response over 300 Hz to 4000 Hz. Refinements in dependent claims add filtering efficiency and pressure-drop thresholds, define microporous pore size range for expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and include structural regional adhesive placement and coating-material constraints such as fluorochemicals.
Stated Advantages
Achieves improved or not-worsened acoustic transmission or insertion loss while increasing basis weight.
Reduced average insertion loss versus an uncoated membrane across 300–4000 Hz based on H1 frequency response.
Provides filtering efficiency no less than 99.0% for particle size ≤0.3 microns at 10.5 ft/min.
Provides pressure drop of less than about 10 mbar at 50 ccm for a 0.75-inch diameter flow path.
Increases tensile strength.
Documented Applications
Microporous membrane composite used in acoustic venting assemblies.
Venting media composite implemented in a venting assembly configuration having a perimeter region with an adhesive and an adhesive-free inner region.
Interested in licensing this patent?