Patents Assigned to Alcoa Inc.
  • Patent number: 9267215
    Abstract: System, method and apparatus for measuring electrolysis cell operating conditions and communicating the same are disclosed. The system includes a selectively positionable member coupled to an analytical apparatus, wherein the selectively positionable is configured to move the analytical apparatus into and out of physical communication with a bath. The system may also include a crust breaker for breaking the surface of a bath and an electronic device for measuring bath level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Xiangwen Wang, Robert Hosler, Gary Tarcy
  • Patent number: 9266164
    Abstract: A nose assembly for a fastener installation tool including an anvil, a collet, and a drawbar having a primary bearing. A secondary bearing is positioned within the collet and located intermediate the primary bearing and jaws of the collet. The secondary bearing is offset from the fastener centerline by a first distance and from a pulling tool centerline axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the drawbar by a second distance. In a pull position, the primary bearing remains engaged with the anvil during a loaded stroke and limits anvil deflection relative to the fastener centerline, while the secondary bearing remains engaged with the collet during the loaded stroke and limits deflection of the collet relative to the fastener centerline. In a return position, the primary bearing remains engaged with the anvil during a return stroke, while the secondary bearing remains engaged with the collet during the return stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wilcox, Nicholas Gougoutris
  • Patent number: 9249484
    Abstract: New 7xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
  • Patent number: 9249487
    Abstract: New methods for aging aluminum alloys having zinc and magnesium are disclosed. The methods may include first aging the aluminum alloy at a first temperature of from about 330° F. to 530° F. and for a first aging time of from 1 minute to 6 hours, and then second aging the aluminum alloy at a second temperature for a second aging time of at least 30 minutes, with the second temperature being lower than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Xinyan Yan, Wenping Zhang, Dana Clark, James Daniel Bryant, Jen Lin
  • Patent number: 9234266
    Abstract: Aluminum alloys having an improved combination of properties are provided. In one aspect, a method for producing the alloy includes preparing an aluminum alloy for artificial aging and artificially aging the alloy. In one embodiment, the artificially aging step includes aging the aluminum alloy at a temperature of at least about 250° F., and final aging the aluminum alloy at a temperature of not greater than about 225° F. and for at least about 20 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Cindie Giummarra, Roberto J. Rioja, Gary H. Bray, Paul E. Magnusen
  • Patent number: 9222183
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell anode, including an encasing conductive material configured to encase a dense conductive material and define the electrolytic cell anode, wherein the dense conductive material has an electrical conductivity greater than that of the encasing conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Leroy E. D'Astolfo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9217622
    Abstract: Improved 5xxx aluminum alloys and products made therefrom are disclosed. The new 5xxx aluminum alloy products may achieve an improved combination of properties due to, for example, the presence of copper. In one embodiment, the new 5xxx aluminum alloy products are able to achieve an improved combination of properties by solution heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk C. Mooy, Roberto J. Rioja, Ralph R. Sawtell, Francine S. Bovard, Gregory B. Venema, David A. Linde
  • Patent number: 9206518
    Abstract: In accordance with the instant disclosure, aluminum electrolysis cells having reduced cathode voltage drop and methods of operating the same are provided. More particularly, the instant disclosure provides a compression device for applying a force to an end of the current collector subassembly to improve the contact, thereby reducing the joint resistance across the interface between the cathode block and the current collector subassembly. The compression device is used in conjunction with the systems and methods of the instant disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Beeler
  • Patent number: 9192982
    Abstract: A fastener installation tool including a cylinder assembly having a housing and a handle/sleeve assembly attached to the housing. The handle/sleeve assembly includes a handle having a bore and an inner wall defined by the bore. The handle/sleeve assembly further includes an outer sleeve having an outer wall and an inner wall, and an inner sleeve having an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer sleeve is positioned within the bore of the handle, while the inner sleeve is positioned concentrically within the outer sleeve to form an annular space between the outer wall of the inner sleeve and the inner wall of the outer sleeve. The annular space is utilized to conduct hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9194028
    Abstract: New 2xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 2xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 2xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
  • Patent number: 9194412
    Abstract: A lock bolt collar comprises a shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a through-bore extending from the first end to the second end, an inner wall having an internal bead located proximate to the first end of the shank and extending circumferentially and inwardly into the through-bore. The bead includes a first inner diameter and an extended portion extending from the bead and to a point proximate to the second end, the extended portion including a second inner diameter, where the second inner diameter is greater than the first inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Donald William Haines, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9187342
    Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for polishing wastewater (i.e. non-potable water) using filtration media. More particularly, the instant disclosure relates to wastewater polishing using a bed of mixed metal oxides under certain operating conditions to remove a plurality of contaminants from a wastewater stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon L. Isovitsch Parks, David Iwig, John R. Smith, Jaw K. Fu, Rajat Ghosh
  • Patent number: 9181101
    Abstract: A method to recycle TiB2 articles, and in particular, a method to recycle a TiB2 feedstock including TiB2 articles and Ti-ore and/or Ti-slag by chlorination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
  • Publication number: 20150308479
    Abstract: A fastener includes a pin member, a swage collar, and an insert. The pin member includes an elongated shank portion, a head, a threaded portion having an external thread and a plurality of lock grooves, and a pull portion. The swage collar includes a shank having a flange and a through bore with a first interior portion extending from a first end of the collar to a stepped portion and forming a first inner wall having a first inner diameter, and a second interior portion extending from the stepped portion to a second end of the collar and forming a second inner wall having a second inner diameter. The insert includes a through bore forming an inner wall that has an internal thread adapted to engage the external thread of the pin member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventor: Robert Brown
  • Patent number: 9163304
    Abstract: High strength forged aluminum alloys and methods for producing the same are disclosed. The forged aluminum alloy products may have grains having a high aspect ratio in at least two planes, generally the L-ST and the LT-ST planes. The forged aluminum alloy products may also have a high amount of texture. The forged products may realize increased strength relative to conventionally prepared forged products of comparable product form, composition and temper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin M. Bush, Edward L. Colvin, Roberto J. Rioja, Ralph R. Sawtell
  • Publication number: 20150292096
    Abstract: An analysis system for determining one or more operating conditions of a metal electrolysis cell and for facilitating a response is provided. The analysis system comprises a bath probe electrically interconnected to a portable computing device. The bath probe generates signals associated with temperature measurements produced from thermal communication with an electrolysis cell bath. The portable computing device may receive these signals and generate data based thereon. The data may be transformed into operating condition information relating to the electrolysis cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: XIANGWEN WANG, ROBERT HOSLER, GARY TARCY
  • Patent number: 9144764
    Abstract: Horizontal duct scrubbing systems for removing particulate matter from a gas are disclosed. The horizontal scrubbing systems may receive a particulate-containing gas stream (e.g., containing PM10 and/or PM2.5 particulate matter), and remove at least some of such particulates by spraying liquid droplets co-current to the flow of the gas stream, where the liquid droplets have a volume median droplet diameter (DV0.5) of from 240 microns to 600 microns. The scrubbing system may be substantially free of flow deflection members between a liquid inlet manifold and a demister. The system may be remove at least 50 wt. % PM10 and/or PM2.5 particulate matter from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Rajat S. Ghosh, Neal Richard Dando, Jay N. Bruggeman
  • Publication number: 20150259774
    Abstract: New methods for aging aluminum alloys having zinc and magnesium are disclosed. The methods may include first aging the aluminum alloy at a first temperature of from about 310° F. to 530° F. and for a first aging time of from 1 minute to 6 hours, and then second aging the aluminum alloy at a second temperature for a second aging time of at least 30 minutes, with the second temperature being lower than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Xinyan Yan, Wenping Zhang, Dana Clark, James Daniel Bryant, Jen Lin
  • Patent number: 9121104
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus relating to evaluation of alumina feedstocks are disclosed. A system may include an alumina storage unit comprising an alumina feedstock, an alumina supply member in communication with the alumina storage unit and an aluminum electrolysis cell. The alumina feedstock of the alumina storage unit may periodically flow through the alumina supply member and to the aluminum electrolysis cell. A measurement device may be in communication with the alumina supply member, and may be configured to measure a supply member property and transmit a first signal to a processor. The processor may be configured to receive the first signal and produce supply member property data based, at least in part, on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Jayson Tessier, Gary P. Tarcy, Eliezer Batista, Xiangwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20150239035
    Abstract: A fastener installation tool including a cylinder assembly having a housing and a handle/sleeve assembly attached to the housing. The handle/sleeve assembly includes a handle having a bore and an inner wall defined by the bore. The handle/sleeve assembly further includes an outer sleeve having an outer wall and an inner wall, and an inner sleeve having an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer sleeve is positioned within the bore of the handle, while the inner sleeve is positioned concentrically within the outer sleeve to form an annular space between the outer wall of the inner sleeve and the inner wall of the outer sleeve. The annular space is utilized to conduct hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventor: Robert Wilcox