Patents Assigned to Umicore
  • Patent number: 8778831
    Abstract: There is described a base metal modified Cerium containing oxide materials and their application as catalysts for the oxidation of CO and HC emissions from a compression ignition/diesel engine. These materials provide effective promotion of CO and HC oxidation function in the presence or absence of PGM and are based upon OIC/OS materials having a stable cubic crystal structure, and most especially to promoted OIC/OS materials wherein the promotion is achieved by the post-synthetic introduction of non-precious metals via a basic (alkaline) exchange process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Barry W. L. Southward, Curt Ellis
  • Patent number: 8771624
    Abstract: An Object of the patent is to remove highly reducing hydrocarbon exhausted during acceleration period, and to remove efficiently hydrocarbon even after contacting with highly reducing hydrocarbon. By using a catalyst having a higher proportion of palladium having surface charge of 2-valence or 4-valence supported than that of 0-valence by supporting palladium together with magnesium oxide, hydrocarbon exhausted from an internal combustion engine especially during acceleration period can be efficiently removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Umicore Shokubai Japan Co., Ltd, Umicore Shokubai USA Inc.
    Inventors: Masanori Ikeda, Hideki Goto, Kosuke Mikita
  • Publication number: 20140187803
    Abstract: The invention provides a new method for the preparation of the dimeric Pd(l) tri-tert.-butylphosphine bromide complex, characterized by the chemical formula [Pd(?-Br)(PtBu3)]2. The method is based on a comproportionation reaction in which a Pd(ll) compound (=PdBr2) is reacted with a Pd(0) compound (=Pd(PtBu3)2) in organic solvents to yield the [Pd(?-Br)(PtBu3)]2 compound having the Pd atoms in the formal oxidation state +1. Unreacted PdBr2 may be reused in the process. The method is straightforward and applicable for industrial scale production and provides high product yields. Further, a new process for the isomerization of allyl ethers of the general type R1—C(O)—O—CH(R2)—C(R3)?CH2 employing the compound Pd?-Br)(PtBu3)]2 as a catalyst is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lukas Goossen, Matthias Arndt, Patrizia Mamone, Matthias Gruenberg
  • Patent number: 8753596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for removal of nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas of diesel engines, and to a process for reducing the level of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of diesel engines. The catalyst consists of a support body of length L and of a catalytically active coating which in turn may be formed from one or more material zones. The material zones comprise a copper-containing zeolite or a zeolite-like compound. The materials used include chabazite, SAPO-34, ALPO-34 and zeolite ?. In addition, the material zones comprise at least one compound selected from the group consisting of barium oxide, barium hydroxide, barium carbonate, strontium oxide, strontium hydroxide, strontium carbonate, praseodymium oxide, lanthanum oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium/aluminum mixed oxide, alkali metal oxide, alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate and mixtures thereof. Noble metal may optionally also be present in the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Paul Spurk, Nicola Soeger, Elena Mueller, Stephan Malmberg
  • Patent number: 8753532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a LiaNixCoyMny?M?zO2 composite oxide for use as a cathode material in a rechargeable battery, with a non-homogenous Ni/M? ratio in the particles, allowing excellent power and safety properties when used as positive electrode material in Li battery. More particularly, in the formula 0.9<a<1.1, 0.3?x?0.9, 0<y?0.4, 0<y??0.4, 0<z?0.35, e<0.02, 0?f?0.05 and 0.9<(x+y+y?+z+f)<1.1; M? consists of either one or more elements from the group Al, Mg, Ti, Cr, V, Fe, Mn and Ga; N consists of either one or more elements from the group F, Cl, S, Zr, Ba, Y, Ca, B, Sn, Sb, Na and Zn. The powder has a particle size distribution defining a D10, D50 and D90; and the x and z parameters varying with the particles size of the powder, and is characterized in that either one or both of: x1?x2?0.005 and z2?z1?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Stephane Levasseur, Philippe Carlach, Randy De Palma, Michèle Van Thournout
  • Patent number: 8749330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an electric contact element from a semifinished product and to the electric contact element and the corresponding semifinished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Umicore AG & Co. KG, Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Heinrich, Ralf Hoffmann, Peter Sandeck, Martin Wieberger, Peter Braumann, Andreas Koffler, Bernd Kempf, Allen Molvar
  • Patent number: 8722001
    Abstract: A catalyst for the purification of exhaust gas that can be used to highly efficiently treat an exhaust gas which has moisture and fluctuates between an oxidizing atmosphere and a reducing atmosphere even after the catalyst is exposed to a high temperature is provided. The present invention relates to a catalyst for the purification of exhaust gas having a catalyst layer of catalyst components comprising a noble metal, magnesium oxide, and a refractory inorganic oxide formed on a three-dimensional structure, wherein the catalyst layer has two peaks originated from the magnesium oxide in a pore distribution obtained by mercury intrusion technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Umicore Shokubai Japan Co., Ltd., Umicore Shokubai USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mariko Ono, Akihisa Okumura
  • Patent number: 8716509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ruthenium(0)-olefin complexes of the (arene)(diene)Ru(0) type by reacting a ruthenium starting compound of the formula Ru(+II)(X)p(Y)q (in which X=an anionic group, Y=an uncharged two-electron donor ligand, p=1 or 2, q=an integer from 1 to 6), with a cyclohexadiene derivative or a diene mixture comprising a cyclohexadiene derivative, in the presence of a base. In this process, the arene bound in the (arene)(diene)Ru(0) complex is formed from this cyclohexadiene derivative by oxidation. Suitable ruthenium(II) starting compounds are, for example, RuCl2(acetonitrile)4, RuCl2(pyridine)4 or RuCl2(DMSO)4. The bases used are inorganic or organic bases. The ruthenium(0)-olefin complexes prepared by the process according to the invention have a high purity and can be used as precursors for homogeneous catalysts, for preparation of functional ruthenium- or ruthenium oxide-containing layers and for therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Angelino Doppiu, Andreas Rivas-Nass, Ralf Karch, Roland Winde, Eileen Woerner
  • Patent number: 8709365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytically active particulate filter which, in addition to the properties typical of particulate filters, has hydrogen sulphide block function, and to a process for removing nitrogen oxides and particulates from the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines operated predominantly under lean conditions (so-called “lean-burn engines”) using the inventive catalytically active particulate filter. This particulate filter comprises a filter body, a copper compound and an oxidation-catalytic active coating which comprises at least one catalytically active platinum group metal. The copper compound is in a second coating applied to the filter body. The two functional coatings may be applied to the filter body consecutive in the direction of flow, i.e. zoned, or layered one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Dornhaus, Stephanie Frantz, Ina Grisstede
  • Publication number: 20140112849
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of supported transition metals with high dispersion. The latter are deposited onto refractory oxides without using a further liquid solvent. Hence, according to this dry procedure no solvent is involved which obviates certain drawbacks connected with wet ion exchange, impregnation or other metal addition processes known in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Umicore AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Fei Wen, Barry W.L. Southward, Liesbet Jongen, Alexander Hoffmann, Juergen Gieshoff
  • Patent number: 8703337
    Abstract: A lithium cobalt oxide powder for use as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the lithium cobalt oxide powder having a Ti content of between 0.1 and 0.25 mol %, and the lithium cobalt oxide powder having a density PD in g/cm3 dependent on the powder particle size expressed by the D50 value in ?m, wherein PD?3.63+[0.0153*(D50?17)].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Robert Ellenwood, Jens Martin Paulsen, JaeRyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 8703985
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the preparation of ruthenium indenylidene carbene catalysts of the type (L)(L?)X2Ru(II)(aryl-indenylidene). The method comprises the steps of reacting the precursor compound Ru(PPh3)nX2 (n=3-4) with a propargyl alcohol derivative in an cyclic diether solvent such as 1,4-dioxane at temperatures in the range of 80 to 130° C. and reaction times of 1 to 60 minutes. Optionally, additional neutral electron donor ligands such as PCy3, phobane ligands or NHC ligands are added to the reaction mixture for ligand exchange. The method includes a precipitation step for purification, after which the product is isolated. The ruthenium-indenylidene carbene catalysts are obtained in high purity and are used as catalysts for metathesis reactions (RCM, ROMP and CM) and as precursors for the synthesis of modified ruthenium carbene catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Winde, Ralf Karch, Andreas Rivas-Nass, Angelino Doppiu, Gerhard Peter, Eileen Woerner
  • Patent number: 8695307
    Abstract: The invention falls within the field of the securing of protective strips covering the ridge or hip regions of a metal roof with standing seams. More specifically, the invention relates to a double tab metal fastener for securing a ridge strap or hip strap on a metal roof covering of the type with a standing seam, comprising:—a first tab (1) forming at one of its ends a hook (2) intended to be secured to the standing seam;—a second tab (3) forming at one of its ends a hook (4) intended to accept an edge of the ridge or hip strap; the two tabs being articulated about an axis (5) allowing their respective rotation in a plane intended to lie substantially parallel to the plane of the roof. This double tab represents a retaining system that can be used for ridging and hipping, which is easy to fit, without any through-fasteners, thus guaranteeing perfect sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Christophe Bissery, Frédéric Marcon
  • Patent number: 8691717
    Abstract: The invention discloses core/shell, type catalyst particles comprising a Mcore/Mshell structure with Mcore=inner particle core and Mshell=outer particle shell, wherein the medium diameter of the catalyst particle (dcore+shell) is in the range of 20 to 100 nm, preferably in the range of 20 to 50 nm. The thickness of the outer shell (tshell) is about 5 to 20% of the diameter of the inner particle core of said catalyst particle, preferably comprising at least 3 atomic layers. The core/shell type catalyst particles, particularly the particles comprising a Pt˜based shell reveal a high specific activity. The catalyst particles are preferably supported on suitable support materials such as carbon black and are used as electrocatalysts for fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Lopez, Michael Lennartz, Dan V. Goia, Carsten Becker, Stéphanie Chevalliot
  • Patent number: 8685200
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of electrochemical cells and fuel cells, and more specifically to polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). It is directed to catalyst-coated ionomer membranes (“CCMs”) and membrane-electrode-assemblies (“MEAs”) that contain one or more protective film layers for protection, sealing and better handling purposes. The one or more protective film layers are attached to the surface of said catalyst-coated membranes in such a way that they overlap with a region of the passive non-coated ionomer area, and with a region of the active area that is coated with a catalyst layer. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a process for manufacture of CCMs and MEAs that contain protective film layers. The materials may be used as components for the manufacture of low temperature fuel cell stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Zuber, Klaus Schaack, Sandra Wittpahl, Alexander Kabza, Markus Maier
  • Patent number: 8678813
    Abstract: A stream of exhaust gases from the combustion of hydrocarbon-containing fuels with a variable temperature can be produced by dividing the exhaust gases into two separate part-streams, cooling one part-stream and then combining the two part-streams again. The temperature of the exhaust-gas stream which has been combined again can be set to between the temperature of the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing fuels and the temperature of the cooled exhaust-gas part-stream by corresponding throttling of the two part-streams before they are brought together again. The exhaust-gas stream produced in this way is preferably used for the defined ageing of automotive exhaust catalysts. In this context, it is particularly advantageous that the change in the temperature of the exhaust-gas stream has no influence on its air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Gieshoff, Hartmut Finkbeiner, Thomas Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 8673170
    Abstract: The invention relates to a LiaNixCoyMzO2±eAf composite oxide for use as a cathode material in a rechargeable battery, with a non-homogenous Ni/Al ratio in the particles, allowing excellent power and safety properties when used as positive electrode material in Li battery. More particularly, in the formula 0.9<a<1.1, 0.3?x?0.9, 0?y?0.4, 0<z?0.35, e=0, 0?f?0.05 and 0.9<(x+y+z+f)<1.1; M consists of either one or more elements from the group Al, Mg and Ti; A consists of either one or more elements from the group S and C. The powder has a particle size distribution defining a D10, D50 and D90; and said x and z parameters varying with the particles size of said powder, and is characterized in that either one or both of: x1?x2?0.010 and z2?z1?0.010; x1 and z1 being the parameters corresponding to particles having a particle size D90; and x2 and z2 being the parameters corresponding to particles having a particle size D10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Stephane Levasseur, Philippe Carlach, Randy De Palma, Michèle Van Thournout
  • Patent number: 8663588
    Abstract: A double-layer three-way catalyst for purification of the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines which has excellent activity and thermal stability is described. The catalyst contains active aluminum oxide and a first cerium/zirconium mixed oxide which are both catalytically activated with palladium in the first layer applied to a catalyst support. In the second layer which is in direct contact with the exhaust gas, the catalyst likewise contains an active aluminum oxide and a second cerium/zirconium mixed oxide which are both catalytically activated with rhodium. The second cerium/zirconium mixed oxide has a higher zirconium oxide content than the first mixed oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Lindner, Martin Roesch, Raoul Klingmann, Anke Wolf, Joerg-Michael Richter
  • Patent number: 8664525
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a surface of a germanium substrate. A passivation layer of amorphous silicon material is formed on the germanium surface. A contact layer of metal, e.g., aluminum, is then formed on the passivation layer. The structure is heated so that the germanium surface makes contact with the contact layer. The aluminum contact layer can be configured for use as a mirroring surface for the back surface of the device. Thus, a passivated germanium surface is disclosed, as well as a solar cell comprising such a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: IMEC, Umicore, N.V.
    Inventors: Niels Posthuma, Giovanni Flamand, Jef Poortmans, Johan van der Heide
  • Patent number: 8658796
    Abstract: The present invention provides ruthenium complexes of the formula wherein: X and X? denote an anionic ligand selected independently from the group consisting of anions of halogens, the phenolate anion (C6H5O?) the perfluorophenolate anion (C6F5O?), and residues of arylcarboxylic, alkylcarboxylic, perfluoroalkylcarboxylic, alkylsulphonic, arylsulphonic, or perfluoroalkylsulphonic acids; A denotes either nitrogen or carbon with an R5 group; R1 denotes hydrogen, C1-C5 alkyl, C2-C5 alkene or C3-C7 cycloalkyl; and R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 denote independently hydrogen, C1-C25 alkyl, C1-C25 perfluoroalkyl, C5-C24 aryl, C2-C25 alkene, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, nitro (—NO2), cyano (—CN), formyl (—CHO), carboxyl (—COOH), or an ester (—COOR?), sulphone (—SO2R?), sulphonamide (—SO2NR?2), or ketone (—COR?) group, in which R? is a C1-C5 alkyl, C1-C5 perfluoroalkyl, or C5-C24 aryl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karol Grela, Michal Barbasiewicz, Anna Szadkowska