Patents by Inventor Serge Despinasse

Serge Despinasse 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: 9371594
    Abstract: Extraction device designed to extract a short-circuiting wedge inserted between two conductors to take an electrolysis cell offline. The extraction device includes a means of gripping said wedge and, in conjunction with the upper horizontal face of each conductor, at least one jack directed vertically and including a body and a stem, a) stem (or said body) being interdependent with at least one horizontal support face directed downwards and laid out so that, when said extraction device is placed above said wedge to extract it, the upper horizontal face of each conductor is in line with one horizontal support face, b) said body (or said stem) being connected to said means of gripping said wedge, so that, when said jack is actuated to extract the wedge, said jack exerts opposing forces on said conductors and said wedge, tending to separate them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Fives ECL
    Inventors: Jérôme Guerin, Alain Rose, Frédéric Brun, Serge Despinasse
  • Patent number: 8961749
    Abstract: The electrical connection device connecting the cells in series comprises: a first conductor (16) connected to the cathode assembly of cell (N?1) and to the anode frame of cell (N), having a portion (19) located between said pots (N?1) and (N) in which the current (I) flows in the direction of the alignment axis (x) of the pots; a second conductor (24) connected to the cathode assembly of cell (N) and to the anode frame of cell (N+1), having a portion (23) located between said pots (N?1) and (N) in which the current flows away from the axis. short-circuiting wedges (20, 21) housed between said portions (19, 23) of said conductors (16, 24); a third conductor (27) to balance the current flowing through the wedges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Serge Despinasse, Yves Rochet, Sandra Berthe
  • Publication number: 20130168218
    Abstract: The electrical connection device connecting the cells in series comprises: a first conductor (16) connected to the cathode assembly of cell (N?1) and to the anode frame of cell (N), having a portion (19) located between said pots (N?1) and (N) in which the current (I) flows in the direction of the alignment axis (x) of the pots; a second conductor (24) connected to the cathode assembly of cell (N) and to the anode frame of cell (N+1), having a portion (23) located between said pots (N?1) and (N) in which the current flows away from the axis. short-circuiting wedges (20, 21) housed between said portions (19, 23) of said conductors (16, 24); a third conductor (27) to balance the current flowing through the wedges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: RIO TINTO ALCAN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Serge Despinasse, Yves Rochet, Sandra Berthe
  • Publication number: 20130098773
    Abstract: Extraction device designed to extract a short-circuiting wedge inserted between two conductors to take an electrolysis cell offline. The extraction device includes a means of gripping said wedge and, in conjunction with the upper horizontal face of each conductor, at least one jack directed vertically and including a body and a stem, stem (or said body) being interdependent with at least one horizontal support face directed downwards and laid out so that, when said extraction device is placed above said wedge to extract it, the upper horizontal face of each conductor is in line with one horizontal support face, b) said body (or said stem) being connected to said means of gripping said wedge, so that, when said jack is actuated to extract the wedge, said jack exerts opposing forces on said conductors and said wedge, tending to separate them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicants: RIO TINTO ALCAN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, E.C.L.
    Inventors: Jérôme Guerin, Alain Rose, Frédéric Brun, Serge Despinasse
  • Publication number: 20130098755
    Abstract: Extraction device designed to extract a short-circuiting wedge inserted between two conductors to take an electrolysis cell offline. The extraction device includes a means of gripping said wedge and at least one jack directed vertically and including a body and a piston stem. said body (or stern) being interdependent with at least one horizontal support face directed downwards and laid out so that, when said extraction device is placed above said wedge to extract it, the upper horizontal face of each conductor is in line with one horizontal support face, b) said stem (or said body) being connected to said means of gripping said wedge, so that, when said jack is actuated to extract the wedge, said jack exerts opposing forces on said conductors and said wedge, tending to separate them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: RIO TINTO ALCAN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Frédéric Brun, Serge Despinasse
  • Patent number: 8293078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (50) and a method for short-circuiting a specified electrolysis in a row of electrolysis cells intended for the production of aluminum. This device includes a bridging member (60) including at least two opposite contact arms and at least one bridging conductor electrically that electrically connects the contact arms. The contact arms are shaped like a wedge. The device further includes a clasping member (70) including a frame and a least two opposite thrust members. The clasping member (70) is fit to embrace the bridging member (60) so that each thrust member bears on each contact arm and so that, upon moving the contact arms with respect to the clasping member, each thrust member urges the corresponding contact arm towards the conductors (201, 202) inserted between the contact arms, so as to create and secure a short-circuit. The invention makes it possible to short-circuit electrolysis cells with increased amperages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Serge Despinasse, Yves Rochet, Olivier Martin
  • Publication number: 20100294635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (50) and a method for short-circuiting a specified electrolysis in a row of electrolysis cells intended for the production of aluminium. This device includes a bridging member (60) including at least two opposite contact arms and at least one bridging conductor electrically that electrically connects the contact arms. The contact arms are shaped like a wedge. The device further includes a clasping member (70) including a frame and a least two opposite thrust members. The clasping member (70) is fit to embrace the bridging member (60) so that each thrust member bears on each contact arm and so that, upon moving the contact arms with respect to the clasping member, each thrust member urges the corresponding contact arm towards the conductors (201, 202) inserted between the contact arms, so as to create and secure a short-circuit. The invention makes it possible to short-circuit electrolysis cells with increased amperages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: ALCAN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Serge Despinasse, Yves Rochet, Olivier Martin
  • Patent number: 7678244
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is a leak limiter (20) of an electrolytic cell (1) for the production of aluminum, fitted with confinement means comprising passage openings for the insertion of anode stems (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one support (21), capable of surrounding all or part of an anode stem, and at least one flexible sealing body (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) arranged around all or part of the periphery (23) of the support (21) and designed to close off all or some of the free space between the inside edge of an opening and an anode stem (3). This invention improves the leak tightness of covering means used in electrolytic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Aluminum Pechiney, E.C.L.
    Inventors: Serge Despinasse, Alain Fernandez De Grado, Patrick Delescluse
  • Publication number: 20050194249
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is a leak limiter (20) of an electrolytic cell (1) for the production of aluminum, fitted with confinement means comprising passage openings for the insertion of anode stems (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one support (21), capable of surrounding all or part of an anode stem, and at least one flexible sealing body (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) arranged around all or part of the periphery (23) of the support (21) and designed to close off all or some of the free space between the inside edge of an opening and an anode stem (3). This invention improves the leak tightness of covering means used in electrolytic cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicants: Aluminum Pechiney, E.C.L.
    Inventors: Serge Despinasse, Alain Fernandez De Grado, Patrick Delescluse