David J Ylitalo

US Patent:

6555261, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/430568

Inventors:

Krzysztof A. Lewinski - Oakdale MN
Raymond Patrick Johnston - Lake Elmo MN
Thomas Herdtle - Inver Grove Heights MN
David Adrian Ylitalo - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01M 200

US Classification:

429 34, 429 12, 429 13, 429 38, 429 39

Abstract:

A flow field for an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is provided, having micro-flow channels having a width or depth of less than 800 m, a pitch of less than 800 m, or a proportion of inter-channel land area of less than 25%. The channels may further comprise micro-features within the channels. A flow field plate comprising the subject flow field is provided.

US Patent:

6559237, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Jun 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/587522

Inventors:

Shane S. Mao - Woodbury MN
Krzysztof A. Lewinski - Oakdale MN
David A. Ylitalo - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C08F 838

US Classification:

5253262, 521 27, 525344, 525354

Abstract:

Disclosed are sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane polymers meeting a condition selected from: a) the equivalent weight of the polymer is 5000 or less, and b) the proton conductivity of the polymer at 25Â C. is 0. 01 Siemens per centimeter (S/cm) or higher, and methods of making same, especially sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane polymers which comprise units according to the formula: wherein âBâ is 1,2-perfluorocyclobutylene (C F ); each âXâ is independently selected from the group consisting of: a bond, âOâ, âSâ, âSOâ, âSO â, âCOâ, âNHâ, âNR â, and âR â, wherein R is C1-C25 substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl or aryl and R is C1-C25 substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkylene or arylene; âArâ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 at least divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group; n is a non-negative integer chosen independently for each of said repeating units such that the average for the polymer is greater than 0. They are particularly useful in ion conducting membranes for use in electrochemical cells.

US Patent:

6979383, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Dec 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/322225

Inventors:

Michael Andrew Yandrasits - Hastings MN, US
David Adrian Ylitalo - Stillwater MN, US
Douglas Willard Kado - Menomonie WI, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C09J005/02

US Classification:

1563073, 429 35, 429 36

Abstract:

A method is provided for making an edge-sealed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising the steps of: i) providing a suitable membrane electrode assembly lay-up; ii) positioning a suitable annular layer of a thermoplastic; and iii) applying pressure and heat sufficient to melt impregnate the thermoplastic into the fluid transport layer or layers of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up and simultaneously bond the fluid transport layer or layers to the polymer electrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up may be perforated in its outer sealing area. Membrane electrode assemblies made according to the method of the present invention are also provided.

US Patent:

8119302, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/170456

Inventors:

Michael Andrew Yandrasits - Hastings MN, US
David Adrian Ylitalo - Stillwater MN, US
Douglas Willard Kado - Menomonie WI, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

H01M 2/20
H01M 8/24
H01M 2/08
H01M 2/14

US Classification:

429468, 429469, 429509, 429510, 427115

Abstract:

A method is provided for making an edge-sealed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising the steps of: i) providing a suitable membrane electrode assembly lay-up; ii) positioning a suitable annular layer of a thermoplastic; and iii) applying pressure and heat sufficient to melt impregnate the thermoplastic into the fluid transport layer or layers of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up and simultaneously bond the fluid transport layer or layers to the polymer electrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up may be perforated in its outer sealing area. Membrane electrode assemblies made according to the method of the present invention are also provided.

US Patent:

8276709, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Dec 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/140577

Inventors:

Ali Berker - Saint Paul MN, US
Richard W. Greger - Saint Paul MN, US
Marie Aloshyna ep Lesuffieur - Woodbury MN, US
Michael Patrick M. Mandanas - Little Canada MN, US
Sanat Mohanty - Woodbury MN, US
David A. Ylitalo - Stillwater MN, US
Patrick G. Zimmerman - Mendota Heights MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

E04B 1/82

US Classification:

181286

Abstract:

A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound insulation device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the sound insulation device between an acoustic source area and an acoustic receiving area of a transportation vehicle.

US Patent:

59766905, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Feb 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/035412

Inventors:

Jerry W. Williams - Cottage Grove MN
Gary T. Boyd - Woodbury MN
Jeanne M. Goetzke - Woodbury MN
Gerald L. Uhl - St. Paul MN
David A. Ylitalo - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01R 450

US Classification:

428345

Abstract:

A process for making an adhesive comprising allowing a carrier web coated with a thermal free-radically polymerizable mixture to remain in a heat exchange medium for a time sufficient to subdue the reaction exotherm and maintain a reaction temperature by thermal contact of the polymerizable mixture with the heat exchange medium and to affect conversion of the coating to an adhesive layer, preferably to a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the coating is a substantially solvent-free thermally initiated polymerizable mixture comprised of at least one free radical monomer, at least one thermal initiator, optionally, at least one cross-linker and optionally, at least one co-monomer.

US Patent:

57099480, Jan 20, 1998

Filed:

Dec 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/576706

Inventors:

Mario A. Perez - Burnsville MN
David A. Ylitalo - Stillwater MN
Thomas M. Clausen - Minneapolis MN
Robert J. DeVoe - Oakdale MN
Kevin E. Kinzer - Woodbury MN
Michael D. Swan - Maplewood MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 2738
C08F 800
C08F28310
G08L 6310

US Classification:

428413

Abstract:

A curable composition comprises 0. 1 to 50 weight percent of a curable epoxy resin, the weight percent being based on the total resin composition, an effective mount of a curative for the curable epoxy resin, 50 to 99. 9 weight percent of at least one of a fully prepolymerized hydrocarbon polyolefin resin and a fully prepolymerized functionalized polyolefin resin, the weight percent being based on the total resin composition, wherein said hydrocarbon polyolefin is present in the range of 25 to 99. 9 weight percent of the total resin composition and said functionalized polyolefin is present in the range of 0 to 49. 9 weight percent of the total resin composition, said composition being free of epoxidized natural and/or synthetic rubber.

US Patent:

60908955, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

May 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/084073

Inventors:

Shane S. Mao - Maplewood MN
Steven J. Hamrock - St. Paul MN
David A. Ylitalo - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Co., - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C08F 832

US Classification:

5253309

Abstract:

A method is provided for making crosslinked acidic polymers useful as ion conductive membranes, such as crosslinked sulfonated polyether ketones, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polystyrenes, and other acidic polymers, by crosslinking with a species which generates an acidic functionality. The crosslinker preferably binds to acid functions by conversion of acid groups to imide functionality, which, due to the acidity of the N-H bonds therein, compensate for the acidity lost by the occupation of the acid groups and thus preserve membrane conductivity while contributing to membrane strength and resistance to swelling.