Patents Assigned to Tekna
  • Patent number: 11951549
    Abstract: The present disclosure related to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tekna Plasma Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Publication number: 20240097110
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jiayin GUO, Richard DOLBEC, Maher BOULOS, Dominic LEBLANC, Abdelbast GUERFI, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 11749798
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jiayin Guo, Richard Dolbec, Maher Boulos, Dominic Leblanc, Abdelbast Guerfi, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 11638958
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Tekna Plasma Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Publication number: 20220265876
    Abstract: A sanitation device is disclosed. The sanitation device includes a housing, one or more reflective panels, one or more bulb assemblies, and an access door. The one or more reflective panels and the access door define a chamber. The one or more bulb assemblies are positioned within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Tekna, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Wayne Dudycha, Kyle Stephen Spieker, Joseph Richard Regimbald, Michael Rex Gruizinga, Joseph Quentin Marietta, Timothy James LaRoy, Aaron Michael Betker, Robert Aaron Feeman, Benjamin John Purrenhage, Lars Robert Chrisman
  • Patent number: 11127530
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to metallic powders for use in multilayer ceramic capacitors, to multilayer ceramic capacitors containing same and to methods of manufacturing such powders and capacitors. The disclosure addresses the problem of having better controlled smaller particle size distribution, with minimal contaminant contents which can be implemented at an industrial scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Tekna Plasma Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Guo Jiayin, Eric Bouchard, Richard Dolbec
  • Patent number: 11059099
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Tekna Plasma Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Publication number: 20200298313
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Patent number: 10688564
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Publication number: 20200171580
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a, process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Publication number: 20200047569
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and checking defects on a tire at the end of a production process, the apparatus comprising a workstation comprising a workbench comprising a rotating table for supporting a tire; a profilometer; a high-resolution color linear camera for scanning outer surfaces of tire tread and tire shoulders; mechanical supports for the profilometer and color linear camera; a data processor for for storing and processing data detected by the profilometer and the color linear camera means, for providing a three-dimensional model of a tire, and for management of a database including parameters referring to surface characteristics of defect-free tires; an interface for facilitating interaction between an operator and the apparatus; wherein the profilometer and the color linear camera are configured to operate simultaneously and perform a full scan of all the profiles of inner and outer surfaces of a tire while the tire is in rotation at a controlled speed on the rotating table; and wherein the data p
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: TEKNA AUTOMAZIONE E CONTROLLO SRL
    Inventors: Michele De Stasio, Salvatore Romano, Angelo Pagliuso
  • Publication number: 20190381572
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jiayin GUO, Richard DOLBEC, Maher BOULOS, Dominic LEBLANC, Abdelbast GUERFI, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 10028368
    Abstract: An induction plasma torch comprises a tubular torch body, a tubular insert, a plasma confinement tube and an annular channel. The tubular torch body has upstream and downstream sections defining respective inner surfaces. The tubular insert is mounted to the inner surface of the downstream section of the tubular torch body. The plasma confinement tube is disposed in the tubular torch body, coaxial therewith. The plasma confinement tube has a tubular wall having a thickness tapering off in an axial direction of plasma flow. The annular channel is defined between, on one hand, the inner surface of the upstream section of the tubular torch body and an inner surface of the insert and, on the other hand, an outer surface of the tubular wall of the plasma confinement tube. The cooling channel carries a fluid for cooling the plasma confinement tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Tekna Plasma Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Nicolas Dignard, Alexandre Auger, Sébastien Thellend
  • Publication number: 20170326649
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Patent number: 9751129
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Alexandre Auger, Jerzy W. Jurewicz
  • Patent number: 9718131
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy W. Jurewicz, Alexandre Auger
  • Publication number: 20170106448
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. BOULOS, Jerzy W. JUREWICZ, Alexandre AUGER
  • Publication number: 20160381777
    Abstract: An induction plasma torch comprises a tubular torch body, a tubular insert, a plasma confinement tube and an annular channel. The tubular torch body has upstream and downstream sections defining respective inner surfaces. The tubular insert is mounted to the inner surface of the downstream section of the tubular torch body. The plasma confinement tube is disposed in the tubular torch body, coaxial therewith. The plasma confinement tube has a tubular wall having a thickness tapering off in an axial direction of plasma flow. The annular channel is defined between, on one hand, the inner surface of the upstream section of the tubular torch body and an inner surface of the insert and, on the other hand, an outer surface of the tubular wall of the plasma confinement tube. The cooling channel carries a fluid for cooling the plasma confinement tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. BOULOS, Jerzy W. JUREWICZ, Nicolas DIGNARD, Alexandre AUGER, Sébastien THELLEND
  • Patent number: 9516734
    Abstract: A plasma reactor comprises a torch body comprising a plasma torch for generating plasma, a reactor section in fluid communication with the torch body for receiving the plasma from the plasma torch, and a quench section in fluid communication with the reactor section. The quench section comprises an inner wall defining a quench chamber, the inner wall has a serrated configuration, and the quench chamber has an upstream end adjacent the reactor section and an opposite downstream end. The plasma reactor also comprises at least one heating element in thermal communication with the reactor section, wherein the at least one heating element provides for selectively modulating a temperature within the reactor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Jerzy Jurewicz, Jiayin Guo
  • Publication number: 20160323987
    Abstract: An induction plasma torch comprises a tubular torch body, a plasma confinement tube disposed in the tubular torch body coaxial therewith, a gas distributor head disposed at one end of the plasma confinement tube and structured to supply at least one gaseous substance into the plasma confinement tube; an inductive coupling member embedded within the tubular torch body for applying energy to the gaseous substance to produce and sustain plasma in the plasma confinement tube, and an electrically conductive capacitive shield on an inner surface of the tubular torch body. The capacitive shield is segmented into axial strips interconnected at one end. Axial grooves are machined in the inner surface of the tubular torch body, the axial grooves being interposed between the axial strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Nicolas Dignard, Alexandre Auger, Jerzy Jurewicz, Sebastien Thellend