Patents by Inventor Lawrence Ralph Swonger
Lawrence Ralph Swonger 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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Publication number: 20220010447Abstract: A decoupled plating system is provided for producing lithium. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a feed tank configured to supply a lithium-rich aqueous electrolyte stream, a plating tank that is configured to receive an organic electrolyte and plate out lithium metal from that organic electrolyte, and one or more lithium replenishment cells configured to receive both electrolytes, keep them separated, and selectively move lithium ions from the aqueous electrolyte into the spent organic electrolyte stream. The present system and process can advantageously reduce operating costs and/or improve energy efficiency in production of lithium metal and associated products.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventor: Lawrence Ralph Swonger
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Publication number: 20210402227Abstract: A protective face shield integrated with filtering mask and retainer band is provided. Proper fit and function of the integrated system is obtained by use of anchors on the protective shield and the retainer strap. These anchors properly position the filtering mask on the users face, maintaining proper fit around the user's face. The retainer strap maintains proper tension of the filtering mask against the users face, providing proper seal and maximizing user comfort. Unbuckling the retainer strap allows the face shield with filtering mask to be tilted up out of the way when not in use, while still mounted on the head. This integrated system provides the desired protection of face shield and filtering mask while significantly improving user comfort, reducing risk of cross-contamination from handling the filtering mask, and allowing a variety of filtering masks to be donned, doffed, and stored with the face shield.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Thomas Paul Shissler
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Publication number: 20210269930Abstract: A method of forming a lithium metal film is provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a deposition cell comprising an anode and a substrate provided within the deposition cell. A lithium ion containing electrolyte is flowed across a surface of the substrate, and a voltage is applied to the substrate to deposit a lithium metal film onto the substrate from the lithium ion containing electrolyte. The voltage is controlled to be substantially constant within a range of ?3.7 to ?4 volts relative to an AgCl/Ag reference electrode or a constant current is used that stabilizes within a voltage range of ?3.7 to ?4 volts relative to an AgCl/Ag reference electrode. The present method can advantageously form a lithium metal film that has an optically smooth surface morphology and nano-rod structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Lawrence Ralph SWONGER, Naba K. KARAN
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Patent number: 11076981Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: alpha-En CorporationInventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin
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Publication number: 20200203705Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin
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Publication number: 20200149174Abstract: A electrolytic process for continuous production of lithium metal from lithium carbonate or other lithium salts by use of an aqueous acid electrolyte and a lithium producing cell structure which includes: a cell body with a cathode within the cell body; an electrolyte aqueous solution within the cell body, the solution containing lithium ion and an anion; and a composite layer intercalated between the cathode and the electrolyte aqueous solution, the composite layer comprising a lithium ion conductive glass ceramic (LI-GC) and a lithium ion conductive barrier film (LI-BF) that isolates cathode-forming lithium from the electrolyte aqueous solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventor: Lawrence Ralph Swonger
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Patent number: 10615403Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: alpha-En CorporationInventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin
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Publication number: 20190226108Abstract: A decoupled plating system is provided for producing lithium. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a feed tank configured to supply a lithium-rich aqueous electrolyte stream, a plating tank that is configured to receive an organic electrolyte and plate out lithium metal from that organic electrolyte, and one or more lithium replenishment cells configured to receive both electrolytes, keep them separated, and selectively move lithium ions from the aqueous electrolyte into the spent organic electrolyte stream. The present system and process can advantageously reduce operating costs and/or improve energy efficiency in production of lithium metal and associated products.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventor: Lawrence Ralph Swonger
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Publication number: 20190048483Abstract: A process is provided for producing lithium directly from a lithium feed solution selected from the group consisting of lithium chloride brine, lithium sulfate spodumene liquor, lithium hydroxide, and a combination thereof. The lithium feed solution is provided in an electrolysis cell comprising a cathode suitable for electrolysis of lithium, and an anode. An ionizing electric current is provided to the electrolysis cell, thereby providing lithium metal at the cathode. The present process can advantageously streamline the lithium production process, reduce operating costs, and/or improve energy efficiency in production of lithium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Steven Michael Fludder, Robert Edward Paca
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Publication number: 20190051885Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin
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Patent number: 10177366Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: ALPHA-EN CORPORATIONInventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin
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Publication number: 20180371632Abstract: A high purity lithium metal thin film and a process for controlling the morphology of the high purity lithium metal thin film are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a high purity lithium metal thin film having a controlled thickness and morphology. The high purity lithium metal thin film is produced by electrolytic deposition of lithium using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The morphology of the lithium metal thin film can be controlled by varying the current rate used for deposition. The present lithium metal films advantageously provide a high purity lithium metal film in which the thickness and/or morphology of the film can be altered depending on the desired application.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Emilie Bodoin, Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Olha Mashtalir, Minh Nguyen, Stephen O'Brien
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Publication number: 20180097221Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin
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Publication number: 20160351889Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin