Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michele M. Tyrpak
  • Patent number: 6802948
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for cooper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Lynne M. Ernes, Carl W. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6582571
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprising a walled enclosure including a cathode sidewall has busbar structure external to the cell. The busbar structure can include a gird bar releasably secured at the sidewall. It also may include a foraminous interface member between the gird bar and the sidewall, as well as have a small cathode busbar member on the sidewall. The small busbar member is typically located above and adjacent to the gird bar. Particularly when the gird bar and foraminous interface member are present, there can be internal support members for the cathodes directly secured to the inside face of the cathode sidewall. Furthermore, intercell connection may be handled directly to the outside face of the cathode sidewall. The overall structure can provide reduced potential for sidewall stress corrosion cracking, reduced cathode manufacturing cost, and accommodation of stress relief for the cathode weldment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Romine, Thomas F. Florkiewicz, John J. Jahn, Gerald R. Pohto
  • Patent number: 6579099
    Abstract: The invention relates to freehand drawing tools and, specifically, to an improved device for training and guiding aspirant and accomplished artists to produce accurate freehand drawings. The device facilitates using the technique of correlating a visual image to a reference grid and drawing a representation of the image on a drawing surface with a proportionally identical grid. The device comprises a series of sighting grid plates through which a subject to be drawn is viewed, a series of grid transfer stencils used to set a similar grid on a drawing surface, a means for supporting the sighting grid plates in position to be looked through by an artist viewing a subject, and a means for applying a color contrasting substance to the drawing surface through the holes in the grid transfer stencils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Lewis Pipes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6527939
    Abstract: A method of producing copper foil, and more particularly, in an electrochemical cell containing organic substituents, is provided herein. The metal may be deposited on an electrode that comprises an electrode base having at least one undercoating layer of an active coating and at least one topcoating layer of no significant activity. The copper electrodeposition cell can operate without an adverse affect on electrode potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth L Hardee
  • Patent number: 6437044
    Abstract: A graft copolymer composition and the preparation of the composition by living radical polymerization is disclosed. The polymerization reaction can be initiated at active chlorine sites on the poly(vinyl chloride) backbone in conjunction with a transition metal catalyst and an optional ligand. The graft copolymers are useful as, among others, compatibilizers for blends and alloys, as high heat distortion temperature poly(vinyl chloride) materials, as impact modifiers, and permanently plasticized materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Virgil Percec, Firouz Asgarzadeh
  • Patent number: 6395153
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to electrolytic diaphragm cells, particularly for the electrolysis of brine to produce chlorine and caustic. The innovation resides generally in the discovery that electrolytic cell operation can be desirably enhanced by compressing the diaphragm between anode and cathode. This compression of the diaphragm reduces the diaphragm thickness from an original thickness, e.g., from an original thickness of a diaphragm freshly deposited on a cathode. The reduced thickness of the diaphragm provides for cell operation that is less than zero gap operation. By maintaining the diaphragm under compression and in a reduced thickness, the cell operates with a narrower interelectrode gap and consequently at a desirably reduced cell voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolf C. Matousek, Mark L. Arnold, Barry L. Martin, Eric J. Rudd, Lynne M. Ernes, Zoilo J. Colon, Gary F. Wyman, Joseph J. Chance
  • Patent number: 6383687
    Abstract: A porous product, typically a foam sheet, can be produced by peeling of a foam supply. By peeling the foam supply along its z axis, a product is produced having pores with a uniform pore aspect ratio in the longitudinal direction. Such a porous product, when containing an active filler, can be used as a battery electrode. The electrode can have enhanced electrical and mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Stork Screens, B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Gibbons, Michael F. Cahill
  • Patent number: 6368489
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for copper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Lynne M. Ernes, Carl W. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6352622
    Abstract: A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jeries I. Bishara, Lynne M. Ernes, Andy W. Getsy, Kenneth L. Hardee, Barry L. Martin, Gerald R. Pohto, Thomas J. Schue, Thomas R. Turk
  • Patent number: 6328860
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprising a walled enclosure including a cathode sidewall has busbar structure external to the cell. The busbar structure can include a gird bar releasably secured at the sidewall. It also may include a small cathode busbar member on the sidewall. The small busbar member is typically located above and adjacent to the gird bar. there can be internal support members for the cathodes directly secured to the inside face of the cathode sidewall. Furthermore, intercell connection may be handled directly to the outside face of the cathode sidewall. The overall structure can provide reduced potential for sidewall stress corrosion cracking, reduced cathode manufacturing cost, and accommodation of stress relief for the cathode weldment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Romine, Thomas F. Florkiewicz, John J. Jahn, Gerald R. Pohto
  • Patent number: 6309523
    Abstract: An electrode is disclosed having a coating on part of the electrode, e.g., a front face, comprising the oxides of tin, antimony, at least one platinum group metal and at least one valve metal. Another part of the electrode, such as a back face, has a coating comprising the oxides of at least one valve metal and at least one platinum group metal. The electrode can be generally plate-shaped and most desirably has at least one chamfered corner. The electrode is particularly useful in a cell wherein brine electrolyte is electrolyzed to prepare a disinfectant solution containing hypochlorite. The disinfectant solution can be especially serviceable, such as in maritime application, for treating water, e.g., freshwater as represented by desalinated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Albert R. Prasnikar, Richard C. Carlson, Richard J. Coin, Lynne M. Ernes, Catherine M. Lezan
  • Patent number: 6254743
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to an electrically conductive valve metal mesh of extreme void fraction. More particularly the invention relates in a most important aspect to an application thereof for an electrode structure in such a way as to prevent the corrosion of steel, including reinforcing steel in concrete, by cathodic protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Bennett, Gerald R. Pohto, Thomas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6238819
    Abstract: A metal foam support, plus an electrode comprising same, as well as methods of making both, are disclosed, in which there is provided for both the support and the electrode a metal foam member with at least one stacked edge. The stacked edge has a plurality of layers to which a metal connection tab member can be secured. Such an electrode can serve as a negative electrode for a secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Stork, N.V.
    Inventors: Michael F. Cahill, Greg S. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6071570
    Abstract: A method of preparing electrodes is now described, which electrodes have enhanced adhesion of subsequently applied coatings combined with excellent coating service life. In the method, a substrate metal, such as a valve metal as represented by titanium, is provided with a highly desirable rough surface characteristic for subsequent coating application. This can be achieved by various operations including etching to ensure a roughened surface morphology. In subsequent operations, a barrier layer is provided on the surface of enhanced morphology. This may be achieved by operations including heating, as well as including thermal decomposition of a layer precursor. Subsequent coatings provide enhanced lifetime even in the most rugged commercial environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Lynne M. Ernes, Richard C. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6051117
    Abstract: An apertured and porous metal article can find use, for example, in diaphragm or membrane electrolysis cells. The article may comprise a thin and flexible metal foam of small pores which, typically, has been perforated with large apertures. The article may also be provided with an electrocatalytic coating. It can be in substantial physical contact with a membrane or diaphragm separator used in the cell for separating anode and cathode members or compartments. There is also disclosed the preparation of the article and an electrolysis cell utilizing the resulting apertured and porous metal article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Eltech Systems, Corp.
    Inventors: Donald S. Novak, Douglas J. Waskovich, Mark L. Arnold, Kevin J. O'Leary, Eric J. Rudd, Thomas J. Gilligan, III, Timothy M. Hambor
  • Patent number: 5989396
    Abstract: An electrode is disclosed having a coating on part of the electrode, e.g., a front face, comprising the oxides of tin, antimony, at least one platinum group metal and at least one valve metal. Another part of the electrode, such as a back face, has a coating comprising the oxides of at least one valve metal and at least one platinum group metal. The electrode can be generally plate-shaped and most desirably has at least one chamfered corner. The electrode is particularly useful in a cell wherein brine electrolyte is electrolyzed to prepare a disinfectant solution containing hypochlorite. The disinfectant solution can be especially serviceable, such as in maritime application, for treating water, e.g., freshwater as represented by desalinated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: ELTECH Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Albert R. Prasnikar, Richard C. Carlson, Richard J. Coin, Lynne M. Ernes, Thomas A. Mitchell, Catherine M. Lezan
  • Patent number: 5972181
    Abstract: An electrode, electrochemical cell, and electrochemical processes are disclosed. The electrode is a porous, multi-layered electrode which can have an element in flexible, strip form wound around a central, usually flat plate core, which core may serve as a current distributor. In any form, each layer can be represented by a very thin, highly flexible metal mesh. This can be a fine, as opposed to a coarse, mesh which has extremely thin strands and small voids. The electrode will have an active coating. For utilizing this electrode, the cell in one form will be a monopolar cell providing upward, parallel electrolyte flow through the porous, multi-layered electrode. A representative cell can have such electrode at least substantially filling an electrode chamber. The cells can be contained in a cell box that will provide the desired flow-through relationship for the electrolyte to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Eltech Systems, Corp.
    Inventors: Richard J. Coin, Lynne M. Ernes, Andy W. Getsy, Kenneth L. Hardee, Marilyn J. Niksa
  • Patent number: 5952055
    Abstract: A method of protecting reinforced concrete structures comprising of applying a protective cathodic coating containing a non-corroding metal and an electrochemically active material on concrete wherein the protective coating is formed by thermally spraying a mixture of said non-corroding metal such as a valve metal and said electrochemically active material. The coating may also be formed by applying a precursor of the electrochemically active material and a metal-containing layer to concrete, then anodically polarizing said metal layer to convert the precursor into an electrochemically active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jr., John E. Bennett, John J. Bartholomew, Barry L. Martin, Thomas J. Schue
  • Patent number: 5942091
    Abstract: There is disclosed a cell sealing mean particularly for a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell. The sealing means will usually be contained along a rim portion at the outer edge of an electrode assembly of the diaphragm cell. The sealing means comprises a pneumatic gasket system. In one embodiment, the system can have an outer gasket member comprising a solid and thick, elongated elastomeric strip element. The strip element will generally have front and back major faces, with the front face containing a channel, and with a side face typically having a flange. Combined with the outer gasket member in this embodiment is an inner gasket member that is a thin, elongated elastomeric strip member. It has an inflatable hollow and flexible tube element forming at least a portion of the inner gasket member. It is desirable that the element be a laminate of differing laminate materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: OxyTech Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Romine
  • Patent number: 5849164
    Abstract: A cell, particularly a membrane cell, that will generally be oriented in an at least substantially vertical positioning, is provided with an array of blade electrodes. The blade electrodes are Delta shape in cross-section, having a flat back face and forwardly sloping sides meeting at a forward edge. Such electrodes can be secured to a current distributor bar, typically on a flat front face of the bar. The forward edge of an electrode blade may be placed opposite a counter electrode of the same or different structure, with a membrane separator usually interposed therebetween. Electrical connection can be made to the electrode blades from the distributor bar, and to the distributor bar through boss electrical connectors. Baffles, which may also be secured to the distributor bar, help establish a front chamber, containing the electrode blades, in front of the baffles, and a back chamber behind the baffles. Electrolyte circulates through the front chamber and recirculates through the back chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald R. Pohto