Patents Assigned to Alcoa USA Corp.
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Publication number: 20180318907Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Christopher R. Miller
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Patent number: 10066310Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Xiangwen Wang, Robert Hosler, Gary Tarcy
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Patent number: 10022773Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Christopher R. Miller
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Patent number: 9982355Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Leroy E. D'Astolfo, William J. Steiner, Eric C. Moreland, Robert L. Kozarek, Yimin Ruan
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Patent number: 9957627Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Robert A. DiMilia, Joseph M. Dynys, Jeffrey S. Martello
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Patent number: 9945041Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Susan M. Reed, William Steiner, Glenn Artman, Jerry LaSalle
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Publication number: 20180056347Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Samuel Combs, Christopher L. Walters
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Publication number: 20180009022Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Jean F. Capps, Christopher R. Miller
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Patent number: 9822016Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Patent number: 9802829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Patent number: 9771659Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr., Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys, Jonell Kerkhoff, Robert A. DiMilia
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Patent number: 9765419Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.Inventors: Xinyan Yan, Wenping Zhang, Dana Clark, James Daniel Bryant, Jen Lin
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Patent number: 9718738Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9707615Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers
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Patent number: 9700929Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers, Gary L. Hunker, Robert E. Dick
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Patent number: 9630886Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9527779Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: 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