Patents Assigned to Norsk Hydro ASA
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Patent number: 9840761Abstract: Extrudeable Al—Mg—Si aluminum alloy with improved strength, corrosion resistance, crush properties and temperature stability, in particular useful in or close to the front part of vehicles. The composition of the alloy is defined within the following coordinate points of an Mg—Si diagram: a1-a2-a3-a4, where in wt % a1=0.60 Mg, 0.65Si, a2=0.90Mg, 1.0Si, a3=1.05Mg, 0.75Si and a4=0.70Mg, 0.50Si and where the alloy has a non-recrystallized grain structure in the extruded profile containing in addition the following alloy components in wt %: Fe up to 0.30 Cu 0.1-0.4 Mn 0.4-1.0 Cr up to 0.25 Zr up to 0.25 and Ti 0.005-0.15 incidental impurities up to 0.1 each and including Zn up to 0.5 with balance Al.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Ulf Tundal, Oddvin Reiso, Svein Roger Skjervold, Angela Dawne Kubiak
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Publication number: 20170350028Abstract: A method for optimizing stability in an electrolysis cell of the Hall-Héroult type where the cell has suspended prebaked anodes and a cathode panel. The panel comprises several cathode blocks or cathode block sections. A metal pad and an electrolytic bath are located between said anodes and the cathode panel. The force field acting on the metal pad is calculated and monitored in a computer based model of the cell, whereby the local current paths and correspondingly the local forces in the metal above the cathode panel are modified by influencing selectively the current distribution in individual cathode blocks or block sections in the computer based model. At least one modification is implemented in the cell. The invention also relates to a correspondingly modified cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Jørund HOP, Anders LILLEBY, Asgeir BARDAL, Nils-Håvard GISKEØDEGÅRD, Sipke PAULIDES, Robert JØRGENSEN
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Patent number: 9732981Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and equipment for recovering heat from exhaust gas removed from an industrial process, such as an electrolysis process for the production of aluminum. Heat is recovered by means of an extraction/suction system, where the exhaust gas contains dust and/or particles. The heat is recovered as the exhaust gas being brought into contact with heat-recovery elements. Flow conditions and the design of the heat recovery elements are such that the deposits of the dust and/or particles on the surfaces stated are kept at a stable, limited level. In preferred embodiments, the heat-recovery elements have a circular or an extended, elliptical cross-section and may be equipped with fins or ribs.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignees: NORSK HYDRO ASA, NTNU TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ASInventors: Erling Naess, Otto Kristian Sonju, Torbjorn Slungaard, Bjorn Petter Moxnes
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Patent number: 9616633Abstract: A screw extruder for the continuous extrusion of materials with high viscosity, in particular metals such as aluminum and its alloys. The extruder includes an Archimedes screw (1) rotationally provided within a liner (2) of a screw housing (4) having an inlet (11) for the feeding of the material to be extruded, a compacting or extrusion chamber (5) and an extrusion die assembly with a die (6) which forms the shape of the extruded product (7). The required compaction takes place at the down-stream end of the screw towards the extrusion chamber (5) corresponding to up to 540° of the rotation of the screw, or up to 1.5 turns of the screw flight length. The solid plug of metal formed at the end of the screw and extrusion chamber (5) is restricted from rigid rotation to obtain the required compaction and extrusion pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Jens Christofer Werenskiold, Lars Auran, Lillian Krakeli, Hans Jørgen Roven, Nils Ryum, Oddvin Reiso
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Publication number: 20170009322Abstract: Method for the manufacturing of products with anodized high gloss surfaces from extruded profiles of Al—Mg—Si or AS-Mg—Si—Cu, where the alloys initially are cast to extrusion billets), containing in wt. % Si: 0.25-1.00 Mg. 0.25-1.00 Fe: 0.00-0.15 Cu: 0.00-0.30 Mn: 0.00-0.20 Cr: 0.00-0.10 Zr: 0.00-0.10 Se: 0.00 -0.10 Zn: 0.00-0.10 Ti: 0.00-0.05., and including incidental impurities and balance A.L a) where the billet is homogenised at a holding temperature between 480° C. and 620° C. and soaked at this temperature for 0-12 hours, where after the billet is subjected to cooling from the homogenisation temperature at a rate of 150° C./h or faster, b) the billet is preheated to a temperature between 400 and 540° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Ulf TUNDAL, Oddvin REISO
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Publication number: 20160222499Abstract: Method for the manufacturing of an Al—Mg—Si(—Cu) extrusion alloy, the alloy initially being cast to extrusion billet(s), containing in wt. % Si: 0.20-1.50 Mg: 0.25-1.50 Fe: 0.05-0.50 Cu: 0.00-1.00 Mn: 0.00-1.00 Cr: 0.00-0.50 Zn: 0.00-0.50 Ti: 0.00-0.20, and including incidental impurities and balance Al.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2014Publication date: August 4, 2016Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Ulf TUNDAL, Jostein RØYSET, Oddvin REISO, Øystein BAUGER
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Patent number: 9217204Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for operating and controlling the temperature of inert electrodes during production of molten aluminum by electrolysis of an aluminous ore, preferably alumina, dissolved in molten salts, preferably a fluoride based electrolyte, in an electrolysis cell with vertical or essentially vertical electrode configuration. The invention describes methods of designing and operating inert electrodes in a vertical and/or inclined position for production of aluminum metal, where said electrodes have an operating temperature that may deviate from the electrolyte temperature, thereby controlling the dissolution of electrode materials and preventing solid deposit formation on the electrodes. The present invention is also applicable to aluminum production cells utilizing inert electrodes in a horizontal configuration, and traditional Hall-Hèroult cells retrofitted with inert anodes.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Ole-Jacob Siljan, Stein Julsrud
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Patent number: 9163302Abstract: The present invention relates to a castable heat resistant aluminum alloy for high temperature applications such as components in combustion engines, in particular for the manufacturing of highly loaded cylinder heads, the alloy comprises the following composition: .Si: 6.5-10 wt %.Mg: 0.25-0.35 wt %.Cu: 0.3-0.7 wt %.Hf: 0.025-0.55 wt % Optionally with the addition of: .Ti: 0-0.2 wt %.Zr: 0-0.3 wt %, the balance being made of Al and unavoidable impurities including Fe.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignees: NORSK HYDRO ASA, MONTUPET S.A.Inventors: Terje Iveland, Stig Brusethaug, Petter Åsholt, Bruno Barlas, Denis Massinon, Philippe Meyer
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Patent number: 9068107Abstract: A process for stimulating microbial methane production in a petroleum-bearing subterranean formation, comprising: (a) analyzing one or more components of the formation to determine characteristics of the formation environment; (b) detecting the presence of a microbial consortium, comprising at least one methanogenic microorganism, within the formation; (c) assessing whether the formation microorganisms are currently active; (d) determining whether the microbial consortium comprises one or more methanotrophic microorganism; (e) characterization of one or more microorganisms of the consortium, at least one of the members of the consortium being a methanogenic microorganism, and comparing the members of the consortium with at least one known microorganism having one or more known physiological and ecological characteristics; (f) characterization of one or more methanotrophic microorganisms of the consortium (if present), and comparing the members of the consortium with at least one known microorganism having oneType: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignees: The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Stephen Richard Larter, Ian McCutcheon Head, David Martin Jones, Michael Erdmann, Arnd Wilhelms
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Publication number: 20150129090Abstract: Extrudeable Al—Mg—Si aluminium alloy with improved strength, corrosion resistance, crush properties and temperature stability, in particular useful in or close to the front part of vehicles. The composition of the alloy is defined within the following coordinate points of an Mg—Si diagram: a1-a2-a3-a4, where in wt % a1=0.60 Mg, 0.65Si, a2=0.90Mg, 1.0Si, a3=1.05Mg, 0.75Si and a4=0.70Mg, 0.50Si and where the alloy has a non-recrystallised grain structure in the extruded profile containing in addition the following alloy components in wt %: Fe up to 0.30 Cu 0.1-0.4 Mn 0.4-1.0 Cr up to 0.25 Zr up to 0.25 and Ti 0.005-0.15 incidental impurities up to 0.1 each and including Zn up to 0.5 with balance Al.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Ulf Tundal, Oddvin Reiso, Svein Roger Skjervold, Angela Dawne Kubiak
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Patent number: 8905119Abstract: Equipment for the semi-continuous direct chill (DC) casting of sheet ingot or slabs of different dimensions, in particular for rolling purposes. The equipment includes a mold frame (2) with a pair of facing long side walls (3) and a pair of facing short end walls (4) where the walls define an upwardly open inlet for the supply of metal and a downwardly facing outlet. The outlet is provided with a starter block (6) on a movable support, which prior to each casting, closes the opening. The equipment includes a device for changing the mold dimensions where at least one end wall can be displaced to enable casting of different size ingots. The equipment further includes an arrangement for indirect and direct cooling of the metal during casting. The starter block is provided with short end walls (11) and long side walls (9). At least one short end wall is movable relative to the mold.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Muhammad Umar Farooq Chandia, Harald Næss, Jr., Geir Atle Røen
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Publication number: 20140298653Abstract: Method for manufacturing tube fm heat exchangers, (TFP), by brazing metal components of mainly aluminium or aluminium alloys including the following steps:—making the components of the TFP heat exchanger including the tubes (2) and plate fins (6) with collars (7),—providing a pre-braze coating with filler material on the tubes (2), or providing a (welded) clad tube (2) with a flux coating,—assembling the components including attaching the fins (6) to the tubes (2),—heating the assembled components forming the brazed connection between the tubes (2) and fins (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Jan Halvor Nordlien, Hartmut Janssen, Thierry Guillaume
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Patent number: 8800636Abstract: Equipment for the removal of billets (5) of aluminum after casting. The equipment lifts billets out of a casting pit (2) after the end of the casting cycle and transfers the billets to desired transport equipment (20) for transport on to a store or further treatment/processing. The equipment includes a lifting device (6) with a gripping device (21) to retain a number of billets. The lifting device is arranged so that it can move over the casting pit and lift and move the stated number of billets. A ramp (18) extends from the casting pit to transport equipment (20). The lifting device includes preferably a lifting frame that is U-shaped with legs (7, 8) that are connected to a step (11) and are arranged upright. Each leg is supported on its own wheeled chassis or wheeled bogie, while the step in the U-shaped frame connects the legs in a structure that is connected for strength.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Geir Mæland, Rune Fjærvik
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Patent number: 8690207Abstract: A method for manufacturing an impact absorbing member, starting with a closed or substantially closed hollow section with a mid section and two end sections, wherein at least one the end sections is bent to form a supporting member, whereby at least one imprint is made in the part of the section to be deformed by the bending operation. The invention also relates to an improved impact absorbing member formed by a manufacturing process including bending.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Denis Gaisne, Olivier Grandsire, Jean-Philippe Leclerq, Odd-Perry Sovik, Alejandro Velasquez
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Publication number: 20140069625Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and equipment for recovering heat from exhaust gas removed from an industrial process, such as an electrolysis process for the production of aluminium. Heat is recovered by means of an extraction/suction system, where the exhaust gas contains dust and/or particles. The heat is recovered as the exhaust gas being brought into contact with heat-recovery elements. Flow conditions and the design of the heat recovery elements are such that the deposits of the dust and/or particles on the surfaces stated are kept at a stable, limited level. In preferred embodiments, the heat-recovery elements have a circular or an extended, elliptical cross-section and may be equipped with fins or ribs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicants: NTNU TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AS, NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Erling NAESS, Otto Kristian SONJU, Torbjorn SLUNGAARD, Bjorn Petter MOXNES
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Publication number: 20130282175Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for handling long objects, in particular packing extruded profiles. It comprises two robots with one arm each, said arm having a pair of grippers, and a control unit that coordinates and controls the movement of the robots. In the handling operation the mutual distance between the two said pair of grippers are held constant, to counteract misalignment of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: NORSK HYDRO ASAInventors: Tomas Lindheim, Ralf Liedtke
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Patent number: 8561669Abstract: Equipment for the semi-continuous direct chill (DC) casting of sheet ingot or slabs of different dimensions, in particular for rolling purposes, including a mold frame (2) with a pair of facing long side walls (3) and a pair of facing short end walls (4). The walls of the mold define an upwardly open inlet for the supply of metal and a downwardly facing outlet provided with a starter block (5) on a movable support which prior to each casting closes the opening. The equipment includes a device for changing the mold dimensions where at least one end wall can be displaced to enable casting of ingots with different sizes, and it further includes a device for indirect and direct cooling of the metal during casting. The equipment also includes apparatus for flexing the long side walls (3) of the mold, thereby enabling adjustment of the flexible middle part of the long side walls (3) inwardly or outwardly to adapt to the desired sheet ingot size, the desired casting speed and/or alloy composition.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Harald Næss, Jr., Terje Iveland, Arild Håkonsen, Tore Strandheim, Ulf Bersås
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Patent number: 8413711Abstract: A device in connection with equipment for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal, in particular direct mold (DC) casting of aluminum in the form of a billet or wire billet. The device includes a mold with a cavity or a mold (3) that is provided with an inlet connected, via supply channels (6, 18) and a distribution chamber (5), to a metal reservoir (13) and an outlet arranged in the mold with a support and devices for cooling the metal. In connection with the supply channels (6, 18) between the metal reservoir (13) and the molds (3), a metal lifting container (15) is arranged at an inlet (16) to the metal reservoir (13) via a channel (18) and to the distribution chamber (5) and the molds (3) via an outlet (17) via another channel (6).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Bjørn Vaagland, John Olav Fagerlie, John Erik Hafsås, Arild Håkonsen, Geir Øyen, Terje Iveland
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Patent number: 8299794Abstract: A method for electromagnetic geophysical surveying of rock formations (1) under a sea-floor (3) comprising the following steps: *—towing first and second alternating field (E1, E2) emitting sources (s1, S2) in first and second depths below the sea surface, said first field (E1) having a first phase (?1);—said second alternating field (E2) given a second phase (?2) different from said first phase (?1), said sources (S1, S2) constituting a phased array emitter antenna with directivity for transmitting a major proportion of the combined electromagnetic energy downwards;—said first and second fields (E1, E2) for propagating partly down through the sea-floor (3) and being reflected and/or refracted through said rock formations (1) and partly propagating back through the seafloor (3);—said first and said second fields (E1, E2) for merging to a total field and being measured by electromagnetic receivers (r1, r2, . . . , rn) recording corresponding field registrations (Er1(t), Er2(t), Er3(t), . . . , Ern(t)).Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Brian Anthony Farrelly, Svein Erling Johnstad
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Patent number: 8196647Abstract: A method and equipment for distribution of two fluids into and out of channels in a multi-channel monolithic structure (monolith) where the channel openings are spread over an entire cross-sectional area of the monolithic structure. The equipment consists of a manifold head, a monolith unit or a monolith stack, a row of monolith units or monolith stacks, or a monolith block. In addition a method and a reactor for mass and/or heat transfer between two fluids transfers the two fluids using one or more of the manifold heads and monolith units, the monolith stack, the row of monolith units or monolith stacks, or the monolith block.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Tor Bruun, Bjørnar Werswick