Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of infiltrating a sheet of porous fibrous carbon with pyrolytic graphite comprising the steps of traversing an elongated sheet of porous fibrous carbon in a longitudinal path of travel, drawing a subatmospheric pressure in a treating zone in said path to reduce sooting, heating the sheet in the treating zone to a pyrolytic carbon-deposition temperature, impinging relatively narrow flow streams of hydrocarbon gas upon the heated sheet in the treating zone through a number of substantially restricted flow channels directed at the sheet to cause the gas to flow at a velocity of from about 20 to about 200 (STP) feet per minute whereby a deposit of pyrolytic graphite is infiltrated on the sheet without substantially obstructing the flow channels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of infiltrating a sheet of porous fibrous carbon with pyrolytic graphite comprising the steps of traversing an elongated sheet of porous fibrous carbon in a longitudinal path of travel, drawing a subatmospheric pressure in a treating zone in said path to reduce sooting, heating the sheet in the treating zone to a pyrolytic carbon-deposition temperature, impinging relatively narrow flow streams of hydrocarbon gas upon the heated sheet in the treating zone through a number of substantially restricted flow channels directed at the sheet to cause the gas to flow at a velocity of from about 20 to about 200 (STP) feet per minute whereby a deposit of pyrolytic graphite is infiltrated on the sheet without substantially obstructing the flow channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sheet is traversed at a speed of from about 60 to 3600 feet per hour.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the subatmospheric pressure ranges from about 3 to 20 mm. of Hg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the deposition temperature ranges from about 2000° to 2400°C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the deposition temperature is about 2200°C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a density of deposit from about 10 to 30 grams of pyrolytic carbon per square mater is infiltrated on the sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated sheet is cut up into smaller sheets after passing through the treating zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet of porous fibrous carbon is treated while it is passed through a slot between a pair of blocks of polycrystalline carbon and an electrical current is passed through one of the blocks to heat it and the porous sheet of fibrous carbon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the subatmospheric pressure in the zone is approximately 4 to 8 mm. of Hg.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein auxiliary subatmospheric zones are disposed on both ends of the treating zone, and a subatmospheric pressure of from about 760-5 mm. of Hg. is maintained in the auxiliary zones.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of the auxiliary zones are comprised of a pair of tandem auxiliary zones, the outer of the tandem auxiliary zones being maintained at a subatmospheric pressure of from about 760-70 mm. of Hg., and the inner of the tandem auxiliary zones being maintained at a subatmospheric pressure of from about 70-5 mm. of Hg.