Patents Represented by Attorney Andrew Alexander
  • Patent number: 7806243
    Abstract: Vehicular brake rotor formed by powder metallurgy including metals such as titanium powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Gerald Martino
  • Patent number: 7360676
    Abstract: A method of welding age-hardenable aluminum alloys to improve strength properties in the heat affected zone and the weld zone, the method comprising the steps of providing precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy members to be welded and subjecting said members to a first aging step for times and temperatures to generated strengthening precipitates. Thereafter, the aged members are welded to provide a welded assembly having a weld zone. The welded members are subjected to a second aging step to reprecipitate strengthening precipitates dissolved in the weld zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Alloy Corporation
    Inventor: Iulian Gheorghe
  • Patent number: 7329068
    Abstract: Panel for aircraft landing strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Alloy Corporation
    Inventor: Dragos Ungurean
  • Patent number: 7214281
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy extrusion product having improved strength and fracture toughness, the aluminum base alloy comprised of 1.95 to 2.5 wt. % Cu, 1.9 to 2.5 wt. % Mg, 8.2 to 10 wt. % Zn, 0.05 to 0.25 wt. % Zr, max. 0.15 wt. % Si, max. 0.15 wt. % Fe, max. 0.1 wt. % Mn, the remainder aluminum and incidental elements and impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Alloy Corporation
    Inventors: Iulian Gheorghe, Dean C. Malejan, Rene Mächler
  • Patent number: 7077945
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising the steps of providing a molten salt electrolyte at a temperature of less than 900° C. having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell having a liner for containing the electrolyte, the liner having a bottom and walls extending upwardly from said bottom. A plurality of non-consumable Cu—Ni—Fe anodes and cathodes are disposed in a vertical direction in the electrolyte, the cathodes having a plate configuration and the anodes having a flat configuration to compliment the cathodes. The anodes contain apertures therethrough to permit flow of electrolyte through the apertures to provide alumina-enriched electrolyte between the anodes and the cathodes. Electrical current is passed through the anodes and through the electrolyte to the cathodes, depositing aluminum at the cathodes and producing gas at the anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Technologies
    Inventors: S. Craig Bergsma, Craig W. Brown, Donald R Bradford, Robert J. Barnett, Michael B. Mezner
  • Patent number: 7033538
    Abstract: A method of heating molten aluminum flowing in a heated trough member comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and providing a rough member comprised of a first side and a second side, the first and the second sides having outside surfaces, the sides formed from a ceramic material resistant to attack by molten aluminum. The first side and second side have heating element receptacles provided therein with protection tubes provided in the receptacles. The protection tubes are comprised of a refractory selected from the group consisting of mullite, boron nitride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, graphite, silicon aluminum oxynitride or a metal selected from Kovar® and titanium. Electric heating elements are positioned in the tubes. Molten aluminum is flowed along the trough member from the source and electric power is passed to the heating elements to heat the molten aluminum as it flows along the trough member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 7011133
    Abstract: A filter material for molten aluminum, the material subsequently dissolvable in molten aluminum to recover aluminum captured therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 6993868
    Abstract: An adjustable tree stand for holding a tree trunk to position a tree in a substantially vertical position, the tree stand comprised of a generally cylindrical-shaped base member having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end adapted to be supported by a floor, a generally dish-shaped member is designed to be received by and supported by the top end of the cylindrical base member, a portion of the dish-shaped member is adapted to swivel in the top end of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Albert L. Hronyetz
  • Patent number: 6959476
    Abstract: A method for producing aluminum drive shafts from molten aluminum alloy using a continuous caster to cast the alloy into a slab. The method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 0.2 to 0.8 wt. % Si, 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Cu, 0.45 to 1.2 wt. % Mg, 0.04 to 0.35 wt. % Cr, 0.7 wt. % max. Fe, 0.15 wt. % max. Mn, 0.25 wt. % max. Zn, 0.15 wt. % max. Ti, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities and providing a continuous caster such as a belt caster for continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy. The molten aluminum alloy is cast into a slab which is rolled into a sheet product. After solution heat treatment, the sheet product is formed into a tube having a seam which is welded to provide a seam welded tube. The seam welded tube is placed in a forming die and hydroformed to form the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Commonwealth Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Li, Paul Platek
  • Patent number: 6872924
    Abstract: An electric assembly using powdered media for generating heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 6866768
    Abstract: Electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a molten salt electrolyte employing inert anode and cathodes, the anode having a box shape with slots for the cathodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Donald R Bradford, Robert J. Barnett, Michael B. Mezner
  • Patent number: 6850551
    Abstract: An electric heater assembly suitable for heating molten metal, the electric heater assembly having a sleeve comprised of a closed end suitable for immersing in the molten metal. The sleeve is fabricated from a composite material comprised of titanium alloy and having an outside surface to be exposed to the molten metal coated with a refractory resistant to attack by the molten metal having a sealant metal applied thereto; and an electric heater located in the sleeve in heat transfer relationship therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 6837982
    Abstract: A method of maintaining molten salt concentration in a low temperature electrolytic cell used for production of aluminum from alumina dissolved in a molten salt electrolyte contained in a cell free of frozen crust wherein volatile material is vented from the cell and contacted and captured on alumina being added to the cell. The captured volatile material is returned with alumina to cell to maintain the concentration of the molten salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Technologies
    Inventors: Robert J. Barnett, Michael B. Mezner, Donald R Bradford
  • Patent number: 6814861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of purifying feedwater to remove impurities including suspended solids therefrom, the method suitable for using in-line water pressure to permeate water through hollow fiber membranes and to backflush the membranes to remove solids collected or deposited thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Zenon Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Andreas Draesner, Michael Blair, Henry Behmann
  • Patent number: 6811676
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for producing aluminum from alumina having a reservoir for collecting molten aluminum remote from the electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Technologies
    Inventors: Donald R Bradford, Robert J. Barnett, Michael B. Mezner
  • Patent number: 6800191
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising providing a molten salt electrolyte having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell. A plurality of anodes and cathodes having planar surfaces are disposed in a generally vertical orientation in the electrolyte, the anodes and cathodes arranged in alternating or interleaving relationship to provide anode planar surfaces disposed opposite cathode planar surfaces, the anode comprised of carbon. Electric current is passed through anodes and through the electrolyte to the cathodes depositing aluminum at the cathodes and forming carbon containing gas at the anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Technologies
    Inventors: Robert J. Barnett, Michael B. Mezner, Donald R Bradford
  • Patent number: 6789602
    Abstract: A process for producing aluminum sheet product having a controlled grain structure and texture using a continuous caster to cast molten aluminum into a slab comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and continuously casting the molten aluminum into a slab using a continuous caster; continuously rolling the slab into a sheet product and continuously annealing the sheet product in a controlled temperature range; measuring grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a grain structure and texture related signal on a continuous basis; and relaying the signal to a controller. In the controller, comparing the signal to previous signals reflecting grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a comparison; and in response to the comparison, maintaining or changing heat input to the process upwardly or downwardly to increase or decrease the temperature to produce aluminum sheet having the desired grain structure and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Commonwealth Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Li, Paul Platek
  • Patent number: 6764559
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing aluminum vehicular frame members such as frame members from molten aluminum alloy using a continuous caster to cast the alloy into a slab. The method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 2.7 to 3.6 wt. % Mg, 0.1 to 0.4 wt. % Mn, 0.02 to 0.2 wt. % Si, 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % Fe, 0.1 wt. % max. Cu, 0.1 wt. % max. Cr, 0.2 wt. % max. Zr, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities and providing a continuous caster such as a belt caster for continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy. The molten aluminum alloy is cast into a slab which is rolled into a sheet product and then annealed. The sheet has an improved distribution of intermetallic particles (Al—Fe—Mn) and improved formability. Thereafter, the sheet product is formed into a tube having a seam which is welded to provide a seam welded tube. The seam welded tube is placed in a forming die and hydroformed to form the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Commonwealth Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Li, Paul Platek
  • Patent number: 6723222
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in a low temperature electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten electrolyte having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell containing the electrolyte. A non-consumable anode and cathode is disposed in the electrolyte, the anode comprised of Cu—Ni—Fe alloys having single metallurgical phase. Electric current is passed from the anode, through the electrolyte to the cathode thereby depositing aluminum on the cathode, and molten aluminum is collected from the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Company
    Inventors: S. Craig Bergsma, Craig W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6719890
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum from alumina in an electrolytic cell including using a cathode comprised of a base material having low electrical conductivity and wettable with molten aluminum to form a reaction layer having a high electrical conductivity on said base layer and a cathode bar extending from said reaction layer through said base material to conduct electrical current from said reaction layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Technologies
    Inventor: Craig W. Brown