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US 7,070,850 B2Granted
Drag reduction article and method of use
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsTimothy M. Dietz, Daniel R. Fronek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An article for reducing the drag caused by a fluid flowing over a surface comprises a backing layer having an outer, exposed patterned surface that reduces drag, and an adhesive bonding layer for bonding the backing layer to the surface of a substrate, the article being free of a reinforcing layer.
Claims6
A drag reduction article comprising:
- (a) a fluoropolymer backing layer having an outer, exposed patterned surface that reduces the drag caused by a fluid flowing over the surface, wherein the backing layer comprises a blend of first and second polymers, the first polymer comprising at least 70% by weight of a fluoropolymer, and the second polymer comprising as much as 30% by weight of an acrylic polymer;
- (b) a pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding layer adjacent to the backing layer;
- and
- (c) an intermediate layer between the backing and adhesive bonding layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a blend of first and second polymers, the first polymer comprising as much as 30% by weight of a fluoropolymer, and the second polymer comprising at least 70% by weight of an acrylic polymer, and wherein the article is free of a reinforcing layer.
1 more element
A drag reduction article comprising:
- (a) an outer layer having an exposed, patterned surface that reduces the drag caused by a fluid flowing over the surface, wherein:
- (1) the outer layer comprises a blend of first and second polymers, the first polymer comprising polymerized units of vinylidene fluoride, and the second polymer comprising the polymerization product of a monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof;
- and
- (2) the exposed, patterned surface is a series of essentially parallel peaks separated by a series of essentially parallel valleys;
- (b) an adhesive bonding layer for bonding the drag reduction article to a surface;
- and
- (c) an intermediate layer between the outer layer and the adhesive bonding layer;
- wherein:
- the intermediate layer comprises:
- a blend of first and second polymers, the first polymer comprising polymerized units of vinylidene fluoride, and the second polymer comprising the polymerization product of a monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof;
- and
- wherein the article is free of a reinforcing layer.
9 more elements
An article that is capable of reducing the drag caused by a fluid flowing over a substrate to which the article is attached, the drag reduction article comprising:
- (a) an outer layer having an exposed, patterned surface that reduces the drag caused by the fluid flowing over the surface, wherein:
- (1) the outer layer comprises a blend of first and second polymers, the first polymer comprising at least 70% by weight of a polymer that is selected from the group consisting of:
- (A) poly(vinylidene fluoride), (B) copolymers derived from polymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof, and (C) combinations of (A) and (B), and the second polymer comprising as much as 30% by weight poly(methyl methacrylate);
- and
- (2) the exposed, patterned surface is a series of essentially parallel peaks separated by a series of essentially parallel valleys;
- (b) an adhesive bonding layer for bonding the drag reduction article to the substrate;
- and
- (c) an intermediate layer between the outer layer and the adhesive bonding layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a blend of first and second polymers, the first polymer comprising as much as 30% by weight of a polymer that is selected from the group consisting of:
- (1) poly(vinylidene fluoride), (2) copolymers derived from polymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof, and (3) combinations of (1) and (2), and the second polymer comprising at least 70% by weight poly(methyl methacrylate);
- wherein the article is free of a reinforcing layer.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.