Patents by Inventor Hans Friedli

Hans Friedli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4574019
    Abstract: Carbon anode blocks for use in the fused salt electrolytic process for producing aluminum, are attached to the studs or spades of an anode suspension means by an adhesive mass which is mechanically strong and a good electrical conductor at least at temperatures between 900.degree. and 1000.degree. C. The studs or spades are preheated to 30.degree.-60.degree. C. and/or the anode blocks at least in the region of the holes for the said studs or spades to 25.degree.-40.degree. C. At the latest 60 seconds after inserting the anode suspension means i.e. after immersion of the studs or spades in the cold-poured adhesive mass, the adhesive mass exceeds a temperature of 25.degree. C. The lowering of the studs or the spades is achieved in the shortest possible time by vibrating the anode blocks and/or the anode suspension means. The stabilizing of this arrangement, at least until the adhesive mix has partly hardened, is achieved preferably by spiking or wedging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Friedli, Edwin Gut
  • Patent number: 4450053
    Abstract: Device and process for automatic, process-controlled feeding of electrolytic cells for producing aluminum. Besides a low degree of wear on the feed pipes, a fast and accurate feeding of fluxing agents to a particular cell is assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter Merz, Hans Friedli
  • Patent number: 4416489
    Abstract: A chisel for a crust breaking facility for breaking through the solidified crust of electrolyte on an electrolytic cell, in particular a cell for producing aluminum, is such that at least a part of the edge region on the bottom face of the chisel projects out beyond the other regions and is in the form of cutting edges. The bottom face of the chisel features no faces which are inclined outwards and would create outward directed forces as the chisel is forced through the crust.The chisel of the invention allows energy and investment costs to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Haggenmacher, Edwin Gut, Hans Friedli, Gottfried Maugweiler
  • Patent number: 4380492
    Abstract: Device and method for breaking open the solidified crust of electrolyte on an electrolytic cell, in particular a cell for producing aluminum. At least one projection is provided on the lower part of the shaft of a chisel used on a crust breaker. After breaking through the crust, the chisel is lowered further at least until the lowest projection or projections reaches the lower half of the crust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Edwin Gut, Erwin Arnold, Hans Friedli
  • Patent number: 4349231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chisel alignment unit for a facility for breaking the crust of solidified electrolyte on an electrolytic cell, in particular on a cell for producing aluminum. A mechanically stable alignment box extends from the under side of the chisel in its non-working position to the piston rod. The chisel features at least one vertical alignment surface which is in contact with at least one alignment roll mounted on the alignment box by means of roller bearings. A wiper for removing electrolyte from the chisel is mounted below the alignment rolls and extends over the full width of the alignment surface or surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Edwin Gut, Erwin Arnold, Gottfried Maugweiler, Hans Friedli
  • Patent number: 4332660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage bunker for a facility which breaks open the solidified crust on an electrolytic cell. The bunker is subdivided into a large container for alumina and a small container for additives. Below the containers are provided a closing-off plate, a dosing facility and a common outlet pipe leading to the break in the crust. When additives are required, these can be fed directly to the small container via the pipe line for supplying alumina. These are then fed to the cell in measured amounts, if desired, mixed with alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Friedli, Erwin Arnold
  • Patent number: 4328085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for point feeding an electrolytic cell, in particular a cell for producing aluminum. A point feeder unit comprising a raw materials feeding device and a crust breaking facility releasably mounted on a storage bunker is mounted on a beam, can be freely displaced along and/or across the cell and can be removed in the vertical direction with a crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Friedli, Edwin Gut, Peter Aeschbach
  • Patent number: 4317595
    Abstract: Device and method for breaking open the solidified crust of electrolyte on an electrolytic cell, in particular a cell for producing aluminum. At least one projection is provided on the lower part of the shaft of a chisel used on a crust breaker. After breaking through the crust, the chisel is lowered further at least until the lowest projection or projections reaches the lower half of the crust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Edwin Gut, Erwin Arnold, Hans Friedli
  • Patent number: 4196067
    Abstract: The vertical magnetic force lines in electrolytic reduction cells, in particular in cells for the production of aluminum, are absorbed by a device comprising the steel pot shell and a covering which covers the upper part of the cell and is magnetically connected to the steel shell. The effect of this covering is uniform over the whole of the cell. The covering is made of a magnetic material which conducts well, and it can for example be in the form of a hood, frame or cross bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Friedli
  • Patent number: 4172023
    Abstract: A sleeve or collar for protecting the iron pin of an anode connecting rod set in the carbon anode block used in the electrolytic production of aluminum is made out of aluminum or aluminum alloy sheet. Parts of at least two facing sides of the rectangular or square shaped sleeve project inwards in such a manner that they clamp onto the iron anode pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Friedli, Robert Moser