Patents by Inventor James C. McMillen
James C. McMillen 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).
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Patent number: 11753345Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders are provided. The method for forming a ceramic powder includes: preparing a precursor mixture, wherein the preparing comprises adding at least one additive to a plurality of reagents, wherein the at least one additive includes at least one of: an oxide, a salt, a pure metal, or an alloy of elements ranging from atomic numbers 21 through 30, 39 through 51, and 57 through 77 and combinations thereof; and carbothermically reacting the precursor mixture to form a ceramic powder, wherein, due to the preparing step, the precursor mixture comprises a sufficient amount of the at least one additive to form the ceramic powder, wherein the ceramic powder comprises: (a) a morphology selected from the group consisting of irregular, equiaxed, plate-like, and combinations thereof; and (b) a particle size distribution selected from the group consisting of fine, intermediate, coarse, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
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Publication number: 20210355037Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders configured with consistent, tailored characteristics and/or properties are provided herein. In some embodiments a system for making ceramic powders, includes: a reactor body having a reaction chamber and configured with a heat source to provide a hot zone along the reaction chamber; a sweep gas inlet configured to direct a sweep gas into the reaction chamber and a sweep gas outlet configured to direct an exhaust gas from the reaction chamber; a plurality of containers, within the reactor body, configured to retain at least one preform, wherein each container is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow therethrough, wherein the preform is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow there through, such that the precursor mixture is reacted in the hot zone to form a ceramic powder product having uniform properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
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Patent number: 11078124Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders configured with consistent, tailored characteristics and/or properties are provided herein. In some embodiments a system for making ceramic powders, includes: a reactor body having a reaction chamber and configured with a heat source to provide a hot zone along the reaction chamber; a sweep gas inlet configured to direct a sweep gas into the reaction chamber and a sweep gas outlet configured to direct an exhaust gas from the reaction chamber; a plurality of containers, within the reactor body, configured to retain at least one preform, wherein each container is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow therethrough, wherein the preform is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow there through, such that the precursor mixture is reacted in the hot zone to form a ceramic powder product having uniform properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
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Publication number: 20190135703Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders configured with consistent, tailored characteristics and/or properties are provided herein. In some embodiments a system for making ceramic powders, includes: a reactor body having a reaction chamber and configured with a heat source to provide a hot zone along the reaction chamber; a sweep gas inlet configured to direct a sweep gas into the reaction chamber and a sweep gas outlet configured to direct an exhaust gas from the reaction chamber; a plurality of containers, within the reactor body, configured to retain at least one preform, wherein each container is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow therethrough, wherein the preform is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow there through, such that the precursor mixture is reacted in the hot zone to form a ceramic powder product having uniform properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
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Publication number: 20190127282Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders are provided. The method for forming a ceramic powder includes: preparing a precursor mixture, wherein the preparing comprises adding at least one additive to a plurality of reagents, wherein the at least one additive includes at least one of: an oxide, a salt, a pure metal, or an alloy of elements ranging from atomic numbers 21 through 30, 39 through 51, and 57 through 77 and combinations thereof; and carbothermically reacting the precursor mixture to form a ceramic powder, wherein, due to the preparing step, the precursor mixture comprises a sufficient amount of the at least one additive to form the ceramic powder, wherein the ceramic powder comprises: (a) a morphology selected from the group consisting of irregular, equiaxed, plate-like, and combinations thereof; and (b) a particle size distribution selected from the group consisting of fine, intermediate, coarse, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
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Publication number: 20180029886Abstract: In various embodiments set forth herein, methods of making boron nitride ceramic powder are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20180009717Abstract: In some embodiments, a ceramic armor product includes: a ceramic powder; an at least one metal-based additive; and a density of 4.3-4.7 g/cc, wherein the ceramic armor product is substantially lacking grain orientation. In some embodiments, a ceramic armor product, includes: a ceramic powder, wherein the ceramic powder is titanium diboride (TiB2); an at least one metal-based additive, wherein the at least one metal based additive comprises elements ranging from atomic numbers 21 through 30, 39 through 51, and 57 through 77; and a density of 4.3-4.7 g/cc, wherein the ceramic armor product is substantially lacking grain orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Benjamin D. Mosser, James C. McMillen, William Wolf, Lance M. Sworts, Artemas Steere
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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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Publication number: 20170036919Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20160052795Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Patent number: 9181101Abstract: 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: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20150218055Abstract: In one aspect of the instant disclosure, a setter plate assembly to sinter green titanium dioxide forms, such as aluminum smelting cathodes made by multiple forming methods is produced. The assembly is itself formed from sintered titanium diboride. The open area of the assembly and vents allow off-gassing during settering to producing a sintered product with reduced contamination. The setter plate assembly is made principally from titanium diboride, which is chemically compatible with green titanium dioxide forms.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: James C. McMillen, Jason Bick
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Publication number: 20130330256Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20130251595Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventor: James C. McMillen, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120244057Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Patent number: 8216536Abstract: 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 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20110104033Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Patent number: 4892017Abstract: A fuel system adjustment tool includes an elongated shaft and a rotatable rod disposed within the shaft. At one end of the rod is a drive that operably fits to an adjustment point on a carburetor. At the other end is a rotatable knob that produces a tactile engagement or clicking sensation at selected degrees of rotation, preferably every 180 degrees of rotation. The engagement is produced by a collar having a notch therein on the end of the shaft, and spring loaded balls in recesses on the interior of the knob. As the knob is rotated, one of the balls falls into the notch at the selected degree of rotation, but is releasable from the notch upon further rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1989Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Inventors: T. W. Kennedy, James C. McMillen