Patents Examined by Bruce F. Bell
  • Patent number: 8052851
    Abstract: Protective edging for a cathode of an electroplating system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments a cathodes of an electroplating system, the cathodes including a sheet of metallic material that defines a front, a back and an edge, a plurality of apertures through the metallic material proximate to a portion of the edge and a plastic material that envelops the portion of the edge and the plurality of apertures. The plastic material extends through the apertures and is adhered to the metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Steen Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Richard W. Steen
  • Patent number: 8016983
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for producing a metal powder product using conventional electrowinning chemistry (i.e., oxygen evolution at an anode) in a flow-through electrowinning cell. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes and/or direct electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: Antonioni C. Stevens, Stanley R. Gilbert, Scot P. Sandoval, Timothy G. Robinson, John O. Marsden
  • Patent number: 8012318
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: John O Marsden, Robert E Brewer, Susan R Brewer, Joanna M Robertson, David R Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 8007654
    Abstract: An electrochemically activated fluid is provided, which has an anolyte and a catholyte. For example, a sparged anolyte and a sparged catholyte are provided. In another example, a combined anolyte and catholyte is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Bruce F. Field, Patrick J. Gronlund
  • Patent number: 8002956
    Abstract: A stand-off for maintaining the separation between an electrode and an object during a flow-through electroplating process is disclosed. The stand-off comprises a substantially streamlined shape that mitigates the effects of shadowing during deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Timothy J O'Connor, Frederick J Nelson
  • Patent number: 7998321
    Abstract: An improved sacrificial galvanic anode assembly for cathodic protection of a steel reinforced concrete structure. A galvanic cathodic protection device uses a multi-layered embedded sacrificial anode such as zinc covered with a flexible layer of paste to provide a continuous electrolyte to keep it active. The formulated paste is inert to cement embedment material and is pre-coated on the anode body prior to encapsulation. An integrated conductive contact band extends from within the coated anode to attachment to a reinforcement bar for establishing electrical conductively therewith in the concrete structure transferring galvanic corrosion to the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Roberto Giorgini
  • Patent number: 7993501
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides an electrolytic cell contact bar having a first pole and a pair of second poles. The second poles are opposite in charge to the first pole and each of the pair of second poles are adjacent to and parallel to the first pole. In various embodiments, the contact bar may include an electrode holder capable of holding at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: Bret Ashford, William A Ebert, Fernando D Mollo Vega, Samuel Rasmussen, Timothy G Robinson, Scot P Sandoval
  • Patent number: 7993499
    Abstract: The invention relates to membrane-electrode assemblies for the electrolysis of water (electrolysis MEAs), which contain an ion-conducting membrane having a front and rear side; a first catalyst layer on the front side; a first gas diffusion layer on the front side; a second catalyst layer on the rear side, and a second gas diffusion layer on the rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, whereas the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane (“semi-coextensive design”). The MEAs also comprise an unsupported free membrane surface that yields improved adhesion properties of the sealing material. The invention also relates to a method for producing the MEA products. Pressure-resistant, gastight and cost-effective membrane-electrode assemblies are obtained, that are used in PEM water electrolyzers, regenerative fuel cells or in other electrochemical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Zuber, Klaus Schaack, Sandra Wittpahl, Holger Dziallas, Peter Seipel, Pia Braun, Lutz Rohland
  • Patent number: 7988843
    Abstract: A method of electroplating conductive material on semiconductor wafers controls undesirable surface defects by reducing the electroplating current as the wafer is being initially immersed in a plating bath. Further defect reduction and improved bottom up plating of vias is achieved by applying a static charge on the wafer before it is immersed in the bath, in order to enhance bath accelerators used to control the plating rate. The static charge is applied to the wafer using a supplemental electrode disposed outside the plating bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Chang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 7988837
    Abstract: A vertical guide for electrodes characterized in that it includes 1) an upper portion or aligning head and a lower portion that corresponds to the guide itself, whose aligning head, designed to make it easier to introduce the cathode in the guide, has cylindrical-hexahedral perforations that permit attaching the vertical guide by means of bolts or another means to the electrolytic cell's support structure made of insulating material; 2) the head formed by a cylindrical housing having a horizontal axis and two inclined symmetrical surfaces that approach each other in a downward line until they become tangential to the interior faces of the “U” profile that continues downward, so that they are similar to a funnel open on one side; 3) a lower portion made up of the actual guide, whose space through which the electrode slides must be slightly wider than it, consists of a U-type profile with flanges, and which, on the outside, has triangular, or rectangular stiffening ribs, or both types, preferably separated at r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: New Tech Copper S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Aylwin G., Hernan Escobar C.
  • Patent number: 7988844
    Abstract: A method for measuring an iodine adsorption number of carbon black includes: (a) electrochemically reducing an unknown amount of iodine adsorbed by a predetermined amount of a carbon black sample; (b) measuring the electrical charge used for reducing the unknown amount of the iodine adsorbed by the carbon black sample; and (c) obtaining the iodine adsorption number from the measured electrical charge. An electrolytic cell and a kit for measuring an iodine adsorption number of carbon black are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
    Inventors: Jiin-Jiang Jow, Ho-Ruei Chen, Ping-Feng Lo, Zong-Sin Guo, Tzong-Rong Ling
  • Patent number: 7985327
    Abstract: An electrode for effective ozone production in an electrochemical cell uses a modified electrode design which adopts a novel catalytic component. The catalytic component has a number of elements selected from various metals and metalloids, and is applied to a substrate in multiple coatings or layers. The catalytic component forms a catalytic surface which is at least partially disrupted by the presence of an element which is relatively inactive with respect to oxygen evolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Clarizon Limited
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Christensen, Wen Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7976690
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensitive glass film for a pH electrode, which is not deteriorated in its glass strength or pH-measuring function, which is hardly stained, and from which any stain can be removed easily. Also disclosed is a pH electrode having the sensitive glass film. A microparticle comprising rutile-type or brookite-type titanium dioxide or a microparticle comprising amorphous titanium dioxide is adhered directly on the glass film surface of a sensitive glass film for a pH electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignees: HORIBA, Ltd., Mie University
    Inventors: Yuji Nishio, Yasukazu Iwamoto, Tadanori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7976687
    Abstract: Provided is a roll unit to be dipped in a surface treatment liquid of a copper foil, wherein a bearing box for housing a roil shaft is configured from two bearing boxes that are divisible, one of the bearing boxes is configured from a roll-side bearing box arranged on a roll main body-side and the other bearing box is configured from a shaft end-side bearing box arranged on the shaft end-side of the roll, a shaft sleeve covering an outer periphery of the roll shaft is provided in the roll-side bearing box and an oil seal is provided along an outer periphery of the shaft sleeve, and a bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft is disposed in the shaft end-side bearing box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Haruo Sato
  • Patent number: 7976686
    Abstract: An electrolyzer cell is disclosed which includes a cathode to reduce an oxygen-containing molecule, such as H2O, CO2, or a combination thereof, to produce an oxygen ion and a fuel molecule, such as H2, CO, or a combination thereof. An electrolyte is coupled to the cathode to transport the oxygen ion to an anode. The anode is coupled to the electrolyte to receive the oxygen ion and produce oxygen gas therewith. In one embodiment, the anode may be fabricated to include an electron-conducting phase having a perovskite crystalline structure or structure similar thereto. This perovskite may have a chemical formula of substantially (Pr(1-x)Lax)(z-y)A?yBO(3-?), wherein 0?x?0.5, 0?y?0.5, and 0.8?z?1.1. In another embodiment, the cathode includes an electron-conducting phase that contains nickel oxide intermixed with magnesium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Singaravelu Elangovan, Joseph J. Hartvigsen
  • Patent number: 7976688
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing anodes used for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis, said anodes comprising an anode stem made of a conducting metal and at least one block made of carbonaceous material called an anode block, said method including at least the following steps: a) obtain an anode stem; b) obtain a new anode block; c) fix one end of the anode stem onto the anode block, so as to give good mechanical attachment and good electrical connection between said stem and said anode block; said method being characterised in that before, during or after step c), but before placement of said anode in the electrolytic cell, a protective layer with a controlled thickness, typically between 5 and 25 cm composed of a material resistant to temperature and corrosion by the medium above the electrolytic bath is at least partially deposited on the upper surface of said anode block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: E.C.L.
    Inventors: Ludovic Demeulenaere, Alain Van Acker, Didier Lescarcelle
  • Patent number: 7972484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-diffusion electrode for chlor-alkali electrolysis cells integrated in a percolator of plastic porous material suitable for being vertically crossed by a downward flow of electrolyte. The electrode comprises a catalytic composition based on silver and/or nickel mixed to a polymeric binder, directly supported on the percolator without any interposed reticulated metal current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Industrie De Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Christian Urgeghe, Fulvio Federico
  • Patent number: 7967972
    Abstract: The connections to anodes used in impressed current electrochemical treatments of steel in concrete construction are at risk from rapid corrosion arising from induced anodic dissolution when these connections are embedded in reinforced concrete. A corrosion resistant connection that does not require any further protective insulation can be formed using titanium conductors [2,6] and connecting the conductors together at a conductor-conductor connection [5] using a clamping device comprising a non-metallic material wherein the clamping device only brings corrosion resistant material into contact with the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Nigel Davison, Adrian Charles Roberts
  • Patent number: 7967970
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the cathodic protection (KKS) of the reinforcements of ferroconcrete edifices against corrosion. According to said method, a) one side of the structural joints of the concrete supporting elements is sealed, b) the KKS anodes are introduced into the structural joints, c) an ionically conductive gel is introduced into the joints that are closed on one side, and d) the structural joints are optionally sealed as a whole. Surprisingly, the required electrical conductivity can be reliably ensured during the entire application period with the aid of the ionically conductive gel, which is a prerequisite for effectively and reliably protecting the steel reinforcements of concrete structures against corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: PCI Augsburg GmbH
    Inventor: Frits O. Gronvold
  • Patent number: 7967959
    Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use in an electrolyte includes a protected structure to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte, at least one sacrificial anode to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte and electrically connected to the protected structure, and a substantially impermeable barrier disposed between the at least one sacrificial anode and the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Paul Howard, Harris A. Reynolds, Jr.