Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Blackburn

Stephen R. Blackburn 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).

  • Production of nitrogen compounds
    Patent number: 5021134
    Abstract: A method for the production of a nitride of zirconium, hafnium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, boron, aluminium, gallium, indium or thallium either alone or as mixtures is claimed. Ammonia and a halide of at least one of these elements are heated by means of a direct electric current plasma in a non-oxidizing gas in a reactor in which recirculation is induced such that the defined recirculation ratio is greater than 2.5 and preferably greater than 4.0. Any titanium halide present shall be less then 40% by weight of mixed halides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Tioxide Group PLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Blackburn, Anthony G. Jones
  • Method for making titanium nitride
    Patent number: 5002646
    Abstract: A method which comprises the manufacture of black titanium nitride which comprises heating ammonia and titanium halide by means of an electric plasma formed in a stream of non-oxidizing gas generated by the discharge of direct current electricty between a pair of electrodes. The heated gases are introduced through an inlet nozzle into a reactor so constructed and operated as to induce circulation of the gases with a specifically defined recirculation ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Tioxide Group PLC
    Inventors: Terence A. Egerton, Anthony G. Jones, Stephen R. Blackburn