Patents Assigned to Umicore
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Patent number: 7077883Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-alloyed powder and its use as a bond powder in the manufacture of powder metallurgy parts and of diamond tools in particular. A pre-alloyed powder is disclosed, based on the iron-copper dual phase system, additionally containing Co, Ni, Mo, W, oxides or carbides as reinforcing elements in the iron phase, and Sn in the copper phase.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: UmicoreInventors: Bert-Jan Kamphuis, Janneck Peersman
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Patent number: 7013677Abstract: The present invention provides devices for glass melt devlivery and methods for using these devices. In these devices, a delivery nozzle comprising at least one platinum group metal material is directly heated by electricty. To facilitate heating, a cylindrical heating ring is mounted in ceramic base. The device's construction ensures a regulatable heating of the nozzle and the melted glass flux.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventor: Rudolf Singer
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Patent number: 7007532Abstract: A process for the production of tubular structural parts fabricated from PGM materials and having circumferential undulating bulges by forming from smooth-walled tube pieces. A smooth-walled tube piece (1) is inserted into a cylindrical forming die (2) with an internal diameter that corresponds substantially to the external diameter of the tube piece and that has radial undulating recesses (3). This die is provided at both axial ends with a press tool (4,5) that tightly seals the tube ends. The space that is thus formed is completely filled with an hydraulic fluid (6), and an hydraulic internal pressure is then produced by exerting an axial compression via the press tools (4,5) in such a way that under simultaneous shortening of the tube piece bulges (7) are formed in the wall of the latter that correspond to the recesses (3) of the forming die (2).Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Rudolf Singer, Hubertus Gölitzer
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Patent number: 7005116Abstract: A process for reducing the nitrogen oxides present in a lean exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine by selective catalytic reduction on a reduction catalyst using ammonia, wherein a fraction of the nitrogen monoxide present in the exhaust gas is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide before the exhaust gas, together with ammonia, is passed over the reduction catalyst. The reduction catalyst contains a zeolite exchanged with transition metals and oxidation of the nitrogen monoxide is performed in such a way that the exhaust gas contains 30 to 70 vol. % of nitrogen dioxide before contact with the reduction catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Adolf Schäfer-Sindlinger, Marcus Pfeifer, Paul Spurk, Yvonne Demel, Thomas Kreuzer, Egbert Lox
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Patent number: 6998149Abstract: A process for producing a membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells containing a polymer electrolyte membrane having a first and a second surface parallel to each other. The first surface forms a firm composite with a first catalyst layer and a first water repellent gas distribution layer and said second surface form a firm composite with a second catalyst layer and a second water repellent gas distribution layer. The catalyst layers are prepared by using inks containing electrocatalysts, one or more solvents, proton-conducting ionomer and optionally water repelling agents and pore-forming agents. In the process the two catalyst layers are applied to or contacted with the respective surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane successively, wherein during the application or contacting process to one surface always the opposite surface of the membrane is supported.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Joachim Köhler, Karl-Anton Starz, Sandra Wittpahl, Manfred Diehl
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Patent number: 6973775Abstract: The invention relates to a method for desulfating a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst that contains stored nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides and that forms part of an exhaust gas purification system of a lean-burn engine. The method provides that, to initiate desulfation, the temperature of the catalyst is increased to the point where thermal desorption of the nitrogen oxides stored in the catalyst sets in, and the onset of thermal desorption of the nitrogen oxides is used as the signal to enrich the air/fuel mixture to perform the desulfation.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Michael Hoffmann, Harald Klein, Klaus-Ingo Prieger, Thomas Kreuzer
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Publication number: 20050272222Abstract: Methods for manufacturing electronic devices and devices produced by those methods are disclosed. One such method includes releasably bonding a first surface of a device substrate to a face of a first carrier substrate using a first bonding agent to produce a first composite substrate, where the face of the first carrier substrate includes a pattern of trenches. The method also includes processing the device substrate to manufacture an electronic device on a second surface of the device substrate. The method further includes releasing the device substrate from the first carrier substrate by a releasing agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicants: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC), UmicoreInventors: Giovanni Flamand, Wim Geens, Jef Poortmans
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Patent number: 6949683Abstract: The invention relates to a process for catalytic autothermal steam reforming of alcohols having two or more carbon atoms by directing a preheated educt or reactant mixture of the alcohols, oxygen and water or steam over a catalyst. The process is conducted in an adiabatic manner wherein the catalyst comprises at least one platinum group metal on an oxidic support selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide or mixed oxides thereof and zeolites, and that the educt or reactant mixture contains additional hydrocarbons, which are reformed at the same time as the alcohols.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Stefan Wieland, Frank Baumann
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Publication number: 20050196333Abstract: A process for reducing the nitrogen oxides present in a lean exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine by selective catalytic reduction on a reduction catalyst using ammonia, wherein a fraction of the nitrogen monoxide present in the exhaust gas is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide before the exhaust gas, together with ammonia, is passed over the reduction catalyst. The reduction catalyst contains a zeolite exchanged with transition metals and oxidation of the nitrogen monoxide is performed in such a way that the exhaust gas contains 30 to 70 vol. % of nitrogen dioxide before contact with the reduction catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2005Publication date: September 8, 2005Applicant: Umicore AG & Co., KGInventors: Adolf Schafer-Sindlinger, Marcus Pfeifer, Paul Spurk, Yvonne Demel, Thomas Kreuzer, Egbert Lox
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Patent number: 6938411Abstract: A method for removing nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from the lean exhaust gas of a combustion engine that also contains low concentrations of sulfur oxides. The exhaust gas stream is passed over a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst and a particulate filter, where nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are adsorbed by the storage catalyst under lean exhaust gas conditions and the particulate matter is deposited on the particulate filter. The storage catalyst is in a first cycle is periodically denitrated by enriching the exhaust gas regeneration of the particulate filter. Desulfurization of the nitrogen oxide storage catalyst is carried out in a second cycle by raising the temperature of the lean exhaust gas to a value at which the particulate matter combustion on the particulate filter is initiated and then the storage catalyst can be desulfurized by enriching the exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Michael Hoffmann, Harald Klein, Thomas Kreuzer, Adolf Schäfer-Sindlinger
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Patent number: 6923948Abstract: The invention provides a combined heat and power plant with an integrated gas production system. The combined heat and power plant contains a steam reformer heated with a gas burner which converts a mixture of hydrocarbons and water vapour into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The plant further contains a reactor system with several stages for removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas stream. The plant also contains a heat exchanger for removing heat energy from the reformate gas stream and a fuel cell unit for producing electrical energy by catalytic reaction of the hydrogen contained in the reformate gas with oxygen in the fuel cell, wherein the reformate gas stream is supplied to the anode in the fuel cell unit and the anode waste gas is taken to the gas burner of the steam reformer as fuel, via a gas pipe.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignees: Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG, Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Frank Baumann, Stefan Wieland, Peter Britz, Klaus Heikrodt
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Patent number: 6921474Abstract: Process for the production of ZnCl2 from a Zn bearing primary and/or secondary material comprising the steps of reacting the Zn bearing material with a chlorinating agent such as Cl2 to convert metals into chlorides and vaporising the volatile components of the reaction product at a temperature between the melting point of said reaction product and the boiling point of ZnCl2, thereby recovering a Zn rich chlorinated melt, and thereafter distilling ZnCl2 from this Zn rich chlorinated melt, thereby recovering purified ZnCl2 and a Zn-depleted chlorinated melt.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: UmicoreInventors: Joris Vandenhaute, Eric Robert
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Patent number: 6893761Abstract: The invention comprises a process for making a membrane electrode assembly comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane having two opposite faces, on each face of which is applied a catalyst layer and a gas distribution layer. The two gas distribution layers in the membrane electrode assembly are formed by hydrophobized carbon substrates which, using appropriate inks containing at least one catalyst, dissolved ionomer and solvent, are each coated with a catalyst layer and are then laid on opposite faces of the polymer electrolyte membrane with the catalyst layers still in the moist state. Afterwards, a firm bond between electrolyte membrane, catalyst layers and carbon substrates is produced by treating the membrane electrode assembly at elevated temperature under pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Joachim Köhler, Anita Krämer, Karl-Anton Starz, Knut Fehl, Armin Bayer
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Publication number: 20050101481Abstract: The invention provides a noble metal-containing supported catalyst which contains one of the noble metals from the group Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os or alloys of one or more of these noble metals in the form of noble metal particles on a powdered support material. The particles deposited on the support material have a degree of crystallinity, determined by X-ray diffraction, of more than 2 and an average particle size between 2 and 10 nm. The high crystallinity and the small particle size of the noble metal particles lead to high catalytic activity for the catalyst. It is particularly suitable for use in fuel cells and for the treatment of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2004Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Karsten Ruth, Peter Biberbach, Karl Starz
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Patent number: 6881520Abstract: There is provided a series of novel particulate stabilized lithiated compounds which can be utilized as cathodic materials in lithium ion battery cells. Each particle of the material defines an inner lithiated metal oxide core which acts as an intercalation cathode. A lithium ion conductor coating surrounds the core to stabilize the latter and to improve the electrochemical properties of the material.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1996Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: N.V. Umicore S.A.Inventor: Wu Li
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Patent number: 6878411Abstract: The invention concerns a bath for the electrochemical deposition of high-gloss white rhodium coatings and a whitening agent for the same. The brightness or degree of whiteness of the deposited coatings is significantly increased by means of compounds having the formula R—SOm—H, wherein m is the numbers 3 or 4 and R is a straight-chain or branched chain or cyclic alkyl group having up to 20 C atoms, as a whitening agent. The thickness of the coating that can be deposited without a bloom is also significantly increased.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Umicore Galvanotechnik GmbHInventor: Uwe Manz
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Patent number: 6875725Abstract: A starter catalyst for the purification of the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, which include palladium on aluminum oxide and of barium oxide, as well as a process for its production. The barium oxide and palladium are together deposited in a finely divided state on the supporting material aluminum oxide and the average particle size of the palladium crystallites is between 3 and 7 nm. The small crystallite size of palladium and the barium oxide likewise deposited in finely divided state on the supporting material impart to the catalyst a high activity and long-term stability to high temperature stresses.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Dieter Lindner, Lothar Mussmann, Martin Votsmeier, Egbert Lox, Thomas Kreuzer
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Patent number: 6861387Abstract: The invention provides a noble metal-containing supported catalyst which contains one of the noble metals from the group Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os or alloys of one or more of these noble metals in the form of noble metal particles on a powdered support material. The particles deposited on the support material have a degree of crystallinity, determined by X-ray diffraction, of more than 2 and an average particle size between 2 and 10 nm. The high crystallinity and the small particle size of the noble metal particles lead to high catalytic activity for the catalyst. It is particularly suitable for use in fuel cells and for the treatment of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Karsten Ruth, Peter Biberbach, Karl Anton Starz
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Patent number: 6858193Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for lowering the amount of NOx in the lean exhaust gas from lean burn engines, comprising active aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and at least one noble metal of the platinum group of the periodic table of the elements, as well as at least one nitrogen oxide storage material. The catalyst is characterized in that the magnesium oxide forms a homogeneous mixed oxide with aluminum oxide and is present in a concentration of about 1 to about 40 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the mixed oxide.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Lutz Marc Ruwisch, Ulrich Göbel, Juliane Theis, Rainer Domesle
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Patent number: 6844286Abstract: The present invention relates to water-based catalyst inks and their use for manufacture of catalyst-coated substrates. According to the present invention, a catalyst layer is applied to the hydrophobic surface of a substrate by using a water-based catalyst ink comprising an electrocatalyst, an ionomer and water. The catalyst ink also comprises a highly volatile surfactant having a vapor pressure at ambient temperature in the range of 1 to 600 Pa. The use of this surfactant allows applying the water-based ink to the hydrophobic surface of a variety of substrates, such as gas diffusion layers, advanced ionomer membranes and polymer substrates. The required coating deposit can be applied in one coating pass and the resulting catalyst layer exhibits improved performance due to the absence of residual surfactant in the catalyst layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Joachim Köhler, Volker Bänisch