Patents Examined by Arthur P. Demers
  • Patent number: 4824533
    Abstract: Symmetrical or 2,3,5,6-tetrahalopyridine is prepared from pentahalopyridine in an electrolytic cell by forming an organic solvent-free emulsion of pentahalopyridine and tetrahalopyridine and by electrolyzing the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: George E. Ham, Robert D. Spradling, John M. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 4729824
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor capable of determining the partial pressure of various gases (e.g., CO, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, alcohol vapors, hydrocarbons, NO.sub.x, etc.) and, optionally, substantially concurrently, but independently, oxygen content in gases and liquids. The sensor measures the amount of chemisorbent species formed either electrochemically by partial reduction (such as "Reduced-CO.sub.2 " in the case of CO.sub.2) or partial oxidation (in the case of alcohol) or non-electrochemically via specific adsorption (in the case of CO and hydrocarbons) on platinum or other metals. The charge required to oxidize this chemisorbed species is proportional to the amount of adsorbate on the electrode surface which is made a reproducible and reliable function of the partial pressure of the gas to be measured. By the proper selection of the sensor construction and electrical parameters, high sensitivity, fast response time, and high selectivity can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Giner, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose D. Giner
  • Patent number: 4729821
    Abstract: A new method is described for the in situ activation of catalysts. Conductive catalysts or catalyst compositions are treated by applying a relatively high (up to 3,000 vdc), substantially electrostatic, potential to the catalyst while the surface of the catalyst is exposed to an ionizable gas. Activation is observed only when the catalyst is biased negatively with respect to a remote counter electrode. The activation persists even after the electrical potential is removed. This activation and, in some cases, catalyst regeneration is believed to arise from the production of cation radicals which react with and remove inactivating deposits on the catalytic surface. The process is demonstrated on the nickel-catalyzed hydrogenolysis of ehtane and ethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Richard B. Timmons, Sandor Kristyan
  • Patent number: 4729844
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte of an electrolytic capacitor is constituted of an ion radical complex salt of N-isoamylisoquinolinium(TCNQ).sub.2, or the N-isoamylisoquinolinium(TCNQ).sub.2 and neutral TCNQ, and the solid electrolyte has high heat fusability, high heat stability and splendid infiltration ability into an anode oxide film, and is disposed between the anode oxide film and a cathode, and therefore, a capacitance, dielectric loss and life of the capacitor are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sohji Tsuchiya, Yasuo Kudoh, Toshikuni Kojima, Susumu Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 4728405
    Abstract: A process of producing a magnetic recording medium comprises continuously circulating a magnetic coating composition prepared by dispersing a ferromagnetic powder in a solution of a high molecular binder while applying an ultrasonic treatment to the circulating magnetic coating composition, drawing out an amount of the ultrasonically treated magnetic coating composition necessary for coating from the circulating stream, and then coating the magnetic coating composition which is drawn out on to a non-magnetic support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shiro Kaneko
  • Patent number: 4725345
    Abstract: A method of forming diamond-like carbon layer which is advantageously adaptable as a coating layer on acoustic diaphragms. In the method, carbon vaporized out of solid carbon source is deposited onto the surface of the diaphragm as the coating layer in the atmosphere of catalystic gas, for instance, H.sub.2 +Ar or H.sub.2 of about 10.sup.-4 Torr. The deposited carbon layer on the surface of the diaphragm is an amorphous carbon of inclusion of hybridized orbital SP.sup.2 bond and hybridized orbital SP.sup.3 bond and crystalline carbon particles of hybridized orbital SP.sup.3 bond dispersed in the amorphous carbon, or an amorphous carbon of inclusion of hybridized orbital SP.sup.2 bond and hybridized orbital SP.sup.3 bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kenwood
    Inventors: Masakatsu Sakamoto, Shuhei Ohta, Shiro Iwakura, Kaoru Yamazaki, Yoichi Yaguchi, Hiroaki Toshima, Tsugio Sato
  • Patent number: 4724056
    Abstract: A pollution-free process for forming trialkyl phosphite by reaction of phosphorus trichloride with alcohol in the presence of a tertiary amine acid acceptor is described in which by-product hydrochloride salt of the acid acceptor is electrolyzed to regenerate the tertiary amine for recycle for further use in reacting additional phosphorus trichloride with alcohol to form additional trialkyl phosphite product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Stauffer Chemical Company
    Inventor: Elliott P. Doane
  • Patent number: 4721551
    Abstract: Microelectrodes of the art are limited to the charge density which can pass through them. The present invention discloses a method for electroplating iridium metal onto the surface of a metallic microelectrode for use in a biomedical prosthetic device, which method comprises:(a) placing the metallic microelectrode into an aqueous solution of iridium ion of between about 1 and 10 percent by weight; and(b) electroplating the microelectrode of step (a) using a current of between about 0.5 and 15 milliamps wherein said current is controlled by a current controller. In another aspect the method discloses in step (b) the current is also biased and simultaneously applied in a mode wherein the current is equivalent to an impressed voltage of between about 1.5 and 6.0 volts positive.In other aspects, the method also includes the following :A-after step (b): (c) conditioning the microelectrode after step (b) by heating at a temperature of between about ambient and 350.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Charles L. Byers, Peter Zimmerman, Paul Feinstein, Mitchell Sutter
  • Patent number: 4720332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemical stripping of nickel and nickel alloys from metallic and non-metallic substrates wherein at least one compound that is, or can form in solution, a zwitterion acts as a complexing agent for the metal being dissolved and as a buffer to control the pH of the stripping solution. The present invention discloses an electrical method for the rapid stripping of high-phosphorus electroless nickel plating. The present invention provides an electrical process for the efficient removal of the residual smut that ensues from the sulfide ion catalysis of the chemical stripping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Barry W. Coffey
  • Patent number: 4719027
    Abstract: A shapeable composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of (a) at least one particulate ferrite material having magnetic properties, (b) at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymeric material, and (c) water, in the composition the components (a), (b) and (c) being present in a proportion by volume of the composition of respectively, 40 to 90%, 2 to 25%, and not more than 60%, a product produced therefrom, and a process for producing said product by removing water from the composition. The composition optionally contains additives capable of insolubilizing the organic polymeric material with respect to water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventors: James H. Raistrick, Stephen J. Battersby
  • Patent number: 4719026
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a coating of magnetic particles deposited thereon by electrophoresis. Magnetic particles are encapsulated by dry milling in a thermoplastic binder which is insoluble at ambient or room temperatures and is softenable at temperatures higher than 70.degree. C. A charge director for producing functional sites in the higher is incorporated in the encapsulating polymer during the dry-milling step. The encapsulated mass is comminuted or pulverized and then wet-milled with a major amount of a low-boiling aliphatic hydrocarbon liquid. A suspension is then formed with additional hydrocarbon liquid. Additional charge director may be added, either during the wet-milling step or during the suspension-forming step. The suspension is then used as a bath from which the coating is deposited by electrophoresis. The magnetic particles are oriented by the application of a magnetic field, either during the depositing step or subsequent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Savin Corporation
    Inventors: Arden Sher, Karen Sabo
  • Patent number: 4717461
    Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of semiconductor wafers from a wafer cassette including a wafer transfer housing and one or more processing chambers. A wafer is removed from its cassette and transported through the transfer housing into one or more processing chambers for etching, deposition or other such operations. The processed wafer is replaced into its cassette after being transported back through the wafer transfer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Machine Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Strahl, Lawrence T. Lamont, Jr., Carl T. Peterson, Hobart A. Brown, Lonnie W. McCormick, Roderick C. Mosely
  • Patent number: 4717462
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus comprising an intermediate electrode having a plurality of openings disposed between a cathode and a substrate electrode.The directionality of the particles which are liberated from a target by the collision of ions against the target is made remarkably uniform by the presence of the intermediate electrode, and thus a thin film having a superior step coverage can be deposited on the substrate placed on the substrate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Sukeyoshi Tsunekawa, Shunji Sasabe
  • Patent number: 4715976
    Abstract: An electrolyte solution for use in an electrolytic capacitor. The solution comprises as a solute at least one quaternary ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of(a) quaternary ammonium salts of maleic acid and/or citraconic acid,(b) quaternary ammonium salts of aromatic carboxylic acids, and(c) quaternary ammonium salts of branched-chain aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 11 to 30 carbon atoms in total. This electrolyte solution has high electric conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Mori, Makoto Ue
  • Patent number: 4715943
    Abstract: This apparatus comprises a magazine (18) of moulds (10) a device (50) for grasping these moulds and allowing each mould to be brought sucessively above a support (30), then above an electrophoretic cell (40). A pipetting device (20, 23) allows each mould placed on the support (30) to be filled with an electrically conductive gel and a mixture of components to be separated by electrophoresis to be introduced thereinto.Thanks to a device (70) it is possible to decelerate and measure, during electrophoresis, the relative positions of the components of the mixture and their velocity of separation in the gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: John Place, Andre Bregnard
  • Patent number: 4715940
    Abstract: A shadow mask is provided which can provide a precise patterning to a deposit at process temperature without destruction of the shadow mask itself. The shadow mask consists of a plurality of metallic strips having a series of interconnecting small arched bridges that hold the strips of the mask together. The shadow mask is used in a process for depositing electrode structures in an electroluminescent device wherein the mask is positioned over a substrate surface to be coated and deposit electrode material is sprayed from a geometrically broad source, through the mask and onto the substrate. Deposition occurs beneath the arched bridges resulting in a pattern deposition that does not readily reveal the presence of bridges because sufficient material is coated beneath to provide cosmetic and electrical continuity between areas separated by the bridges. This invention is particularly suited for a mask designed to provide a fine pattern of closely spaced parallel lines or electrode structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Boudreau
  • Patent number: 4715941
    Abstract: A silicon-modified organic surface is roughened by treatment with an oxygen containing plasma. If necessary the organic surface may be silicon-modified by treatment with a silicon containing material prior to plasma treatment. The roughened organic surface provides improved adhesion to other organic surfaces and to deposited metals. Improvements in methods for laminating organic surfaces and for depositing metals on organic surfaces which achieve improved adhesion are disclosed. Structures comprising laminated organic layers or metal deposited on organic surfaces which provide improved adhesion between the organic layers or between the metal and the organic surface are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carol R. Jones, Robin A. Susko
  • Patent number: 4714535
    Abstract: A platable plastic product substrate assembly is disclosed. The product substrate assembly comprises a runner system having at least one runner and at least one clip for engaging the framework of a plating rack. A plurality of product substrates are removably attached to gates with clip protruding from the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Crown City Plating Co.
    Inventors: Robert L. Coombes, Jr., Merrill J. Owen, Terance C. Colwell, Donald E. Walker
  • Patent number: RE32573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a ferrofluid, and a composition thereof. More particularly, fine particles of the ferromagnetic materials such as magnetite, ferrite, iron, cobalt alloy, etc. are dispersed stably and uniformly in one dispersing medium selected out of an oil group, an ester group or an ether group, whereby a ferrofluid composition having a high magnetizing capacity is produced effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyozaburo Furumura, Shigeki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: RE32640
    Abstract: Aliphatic nitriles are converted to the corresponding amides by contacting the nitrile in the presence of water with a cupreous catalyst containing copper metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Clarence E. Habermann, Ben A. Tefertiller, Ralph E. Friedrich