Patents Assigned to Alcoa USA Corp.
  • Publication number: 20180318907
    Abstract: In some embodiments of present disclosure, a method includes: obtaining an aluminum sheet comprising a 3xxx or a 5xxx alloy having a tensile yield strength as measured in the longitudinal direction of 27-33 ksi and an ultimate tensile strength; wherein the ultimate tensile strength minus the tensile yield strength is less than 3.30 ksi (UTS?TYS<3.30 ksi); and forming a container having a dome from the aluminum sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Christopher R. Miller
  • Patent number: 10066310
    Abstract: System, method and apparatus for measuring electrolysis cell operating conditions and communicating the same are disclosed. The system includes a selectively positionable member coupled to an analytical apparatus, wherein the selectively positionable is configured to move the analytical apparatus into and out of physical communication with a bath. The system may also include a crust breaker for breaking the surface of a bath and an electronic device for measuring bath level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Xiangwen Wang, Robert Hosler, Gary Tarcy
  • Patent number: 10022773
    Abstract: In some embodiments of present disclosure, a method includes: obtaining an aluminum sheet comprising a 3xxx or a 5xxx alloy having a tensile yield strength as measured in the longitudinal direction of 27-33 ksi and an ultimate tensile strength; wherein the ultimate tensile strength minus the tensile yield strength is less than 3.30 ksi (UTS-TYS<3.30 ksi); and forming a container having a dome from the aluminum sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Christopher R. Miller
  • Patent number: 9982355
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an electrolytic cell including detecting information indicative of a thermite reaction, comparing the information indicative of a thermite reaction to a threshold, generating a thermite response signal according to the comparison, and reacting to the thermite response signal by adjusting the operation of the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Leroy E. D'Astolfo, William J. Steiner, Eric C. Moreland, Robert L. Kozarek, Yimin Ruan
  • Patent number: 9957627
    Abstract: Broadly, the present disclosure relates to sidewall features (e.g. inner sidewall or hot face) of an electrolysis cell, which protect the sidewall from the electrolytic bath while the cell is in operation (e.g. producing metal in the electrolytic cell).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Robert A. DiMilia, Joseph M. Dynys, Jeffrey S. Martello
  • Patent number: 9945041
    Abstract: The present disclosure related to an inert anode which is electrically connected to the electrolytic cell, such that a conductor rod is connected to the inert anode in order to supply current from a current supply to the inert anode, where the inert anode directs current into the electrolytic bath to produce nonferrous metal (where current exits the cell via a cathode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Susan M. Reed, William Steiner, Glenn Artman, Jerry LaSalle
  • Publication number: 20180056347
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention a method includes: obtaining a first aluminum alloy sheet formed from rolling a first ingot of a 3xxx or a 5xxx series aluminum alloy, wherein, prior to rolling, the first ingot has been heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to achieve a first dispersoid f/r of less than 7.65; and forming a container precursor from the first aluminum alloy sheet, wherein when the first aluminum alloy sheet is formed into the container precursor, the container precursor has less observed surface striations and ridges as compared to a container precursor formed from a second aluminum alloy sheet rolled from a second ingot having a second dispersoid f/r value of 7.65 or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Samuel Combs, Christopher L. Walters
  • Publication number: 20180009022
    Abstract: In some embodiments of present disclosure, a method includes: obtaining an aluminum sheet comprising a 3xxx or a 5xxx alloy having a tensile yield strength as measured in the longitudinal direction of 27-33 ksi and an ultimate tensile strength; wherein the ultimate tensile strength minus the tensile yield strength is less than 3.30 ksi (UTS-TYS<3.30 ksi); and forming a container having a dome from the aluminum sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Christopher R. Miller
  • Patent number: 9822016
    Abstract: A method to recycle TiB2 articles, and in particular, a method to recycle a TiB2 feedstock including TiB2 articles and Ti-ore and/or Ti-slag by chlorination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
  • Patent number: 9802829
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods of making titanium diboride products in various sizes. An aspect of the method provides (a) selecting a target average particle size for a target titanium diboride product; (b) selecting at least one processing variable from the group consisting of: an amount of sulfur, an inert gas flow rate, a soak time, and a reaction temperature; (c) selecting a condition of the processing variable based upon the target average particle size; and (d) producing an actual titanium diboride product having an actual average particle size using the at least one processing variable, wherein due to the at least one processing variable, the actual average particle size corresponds to the target average particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventor: James C. McMillen
  • Patent number: 9771659
    Abstract: A system is provided including an electrolysis cell configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath, the bath including at least one bath component, the electrolysis cell including: a bottom, and a sidewall consisting essentially of the at least one bath component; and a feeder system, configured to provide a feed material including the least one bath component to the molten electrolyte bath such that the at least one bath component is within 2% of saturation, wherein, via the feed material, the sidewall is stable in the molten electrolyte bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr., Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys, Jonell Kerkhoff, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Patent number: 9765419
    Abstract: New methods for aging aluminum alloys having zinc and magnesium are disclosed. The methods may include first aging the aluminum alloy at a first temperature of from about 310° F. to 530° F. and for a first aging time of from 1 minute to 6 hours, and then second aging the aluminum alloy at a second temperature for a second aging time of at least 30 minutes, with the second temperature being lower than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.
    Inventors: Xinyan Yan, Wenping Zhang, Dana Clark, James Daniel Bryant, Jen Lin
  • Patent number: 9718738
    Abstract: Fertilizer compositions are provided, where a fertilizer composition includes: an inner portion including a nitrogen containing material; and an outer portion covering the inner portion, the outer portion including a release agent (e.g. HTC, BR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.
    Inventors: David F. Iwig, Raymond J. Kilmer, Charles L. Dobbs, Judodine Nichols, John R. Smith, Mark L. Weaver, Shannon L. I. Parks, Mikhail Gershenzon
  • Patent number: 9707615
    Abstract: A shaped metal container having less metal than prior art shaped metal containers while still able to handle sufficient axial load and undergo shaping processes, including necking, without wrinkling, buckling, collapsing or other physical defect is disclosed. Processes for shaping a metal container having a sidewall of variable thickness, wherein a portion of the sidewall having a variable thickness is shaped using a die or dies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 9700929
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal container comprises: curling outward a top edge of the metal container to form a curl and expanding a diameter of a first section of the metal container to form a first expanded section; wherein at least part of the first expanded section is below the curl. In some embodiments, the steps of curling outward a top edge of the metal container to form a curl and expanding a diameter of a first section of the metal container to form a first expanded section are performed in a single stroke of a single die. In some embodiments, the step of expanding a diameter of a first section of the metal container to form an expanded section is performed after the step of curling outward a top edge of the metal container to form a curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers, Gary L. Hunker, Robert E. Dick
  • Patent number: 9630886
    Abstract: Generally, the instant disclosure relates to fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using the same. More specifically, the instant disclosure relates to blast suppressant and/or blast resistant ammonium nitrate fertilizer compositions, as well as methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Mark Weaver, Kyle Crum, Judodine Nichols, David Iwig, Steven Orkis, Gerry Carkin, Orhan D. Gencaga, Stephen Sunday, Ian Ross Harrison, John Smith, Shannon Parks, Mikhail Gershenzon
  • Patent number: 9527779
    Abstract: Generally, the instant disclosure relates to fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using the same. More specifically, the instant disclosure relates to blast suppressant and/or blast resistant ammonium nitrate fertilizer compositions, as well as methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Kyle A. Crum, Judodine Nichols, David F. Iwig, Steven C. Orkis, Gerald E. Carkin, Orhan D. Gencaga, Stephen P. Sunday, Ian Ross Harrison, John R. Smith, Shannon I. Parks, Mikhail Gershenzon