Patents Examined by Bruce F. Bell
  • 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: 7964084
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for activation of a low reactivity, non-polar chemical compound. In one example embodiment, the method comprises introducing the low reactivity chemical compound to a catalyst. At least one of (a) an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent and (b) a polar compound is provided to the catalyst and the chemical compound. An alternating current is applied to the catalyst to produce an activation reaction in the chemical compound. This activation reaction produces a useful product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Catelectric Corp., The University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Victor Stancovski, Steven Lawrence Suib, Boxun Hu
  • Patent number: 7964067
    Abstract: A corrosion control system for an above-ground storage tank having a steel bottom plate comprises a sacrificial anode disposed under and spaced apart from the steel bottom plate in a backfill material, and wherein the backfill material has a pH high enough to cause a substantial passivation of the surface of the steel plate facing the sacrificial anode while substantially preventing the passivation of the sacrificial anode. In the preferred embodiment the backfill material has a pH of 10 or greater and the sacrificial anode is in the form of a plate or mesh composed of aluminum or an alloy thereof. Alternatively the sacrificial anode may be composed of zinc or an alloy thereof. The backfill material further includes soda ash, trisodium phosphate or other high alkaline chemicals to raise the pH. The backfill material also preferably includes a moisture retention material such as zeolite to maintain a minimum of moisture content of 10 percent or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Miki Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7964071
    Abstract: A ?-conjugated metal complex immobilized substrate, in which ?-conjugated metal complex molecules are connected to a substrate via a ?-conjugated molecular structure, is adapted for observing an electron transfer (redox reaction) of the ?-conjugated metal complex molecules in aqueous electrolytes. An electrochemical device including this ?-conjugated metal complex immobilized substrate and an aqueous electrolyte with cations having an ion radius of r (m) that is not less than a radius of a sphere inscribed in a clearance formed between the ?-conjugated metal complex molecules. The device utilizes an electron transfer (redox reaction) of the ?-conjugated metal complex molecules in the aqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wataru Kubo
  • Patent number: 7964068
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a membrane-electrode assembly having a first electrode having a shape of a rod-form or a cylindrical-form, a strip-form diaphragm covering the periphery of the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on a surface of the strip-form diaphragm; an electrolytic unit containing the membrane-electrode assembly; an electrolytic water ejecting apparatus containing the electrolytic unit; and a method of sterilization using the membrane-electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Permelec Electrode Ltd., Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kitaori, Kota Sekido, Genzo Yamane, Katsumi Hamaguchi, Hozumi Tanaka, Yoshinori Nishiki, Tsuneto Furuta
  • Patent number: 7959786
    Abstract: Cathodic protection of a structure including a steel member at least partly buried in a covering layer, such as steel rebar in a concrete structure, is provided by embedding sacrificial anodes into the concrete layer at spaced positions over the layer and connecting the anodes to the rebar. The anode body is formed, by pressing together finely divided powder, flakes or fibers of a sacrificial anode material such as zinc to define a porous body having pores therein. The sacrificial anode material of the anode member is directly in contact with the covering material by being buried or inserted as a tight fit into a drilled hole so that any expansion forces therefrom would be applied to the concrete with the potential of causing cracking. The pores are arranged however such that corrosion products from corrosion of the anode body are received into the pores sufficiently to prevent expansion of the anode body to an extent which would cause cracking of the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: David Whitmore
  • Patent number: 7959773
    Abstract: An electroactivated film that includes: a first electrode that is spaced apart from a second electrode, a water insoluble electrically conductive medium which is permeable to moisture and oxygen and which contacts both electrodes, an electrocatalyst which can be reversibly oxidized and reduced and which facilitates the production of a peroxide when an electrical potential is imposed across the electrodes, and optionally a peroxide-activating catalyst which converts the peroxide to an activated peroxide, wherein one or both electrodes have electrocatalyst immobilized thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Lumimove, Inc.
    Inventors: Shifeng Hou, Von Howard M. Ebron, Yevgenia V. Ulyanova, Sriram Viswanathan, Patrick J. Kinlen
  • Patent number: 7961452
    Abstract: The semiconductor photoelectrode of the present invention includes a metallic substrate having irregularities in a surface and a semiconductor layer which is formed on the surface of the metallic substrate and composed of a photocatalytic material. This can increase the light absorption efficiency and, furthermore, prevent recombination of charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Oi, Yasukazu Iwasaki, Kazuhiro Sayama
  • Patent number: 7959774
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode for hydrogen generation comprising a cathode substrate having provided thereon a catalytic layer, wherein the catalytic layer contains at least three components of platinum, cerium and lanthanum in amounts of 50 to 98 mol %, 1 to 49 mol % and 1 to 49 mol %, respectively, in the form of metal, metal oxide or metal hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Miwako Nara, Tomohisa Suzuki, Masashi Tanaka, Yoshinori Nishiki
  • Patent number: 7955490
    Abstract: A process for the production of sodium hydroxide, hydrogen gas and chlorine gas which comprises (1) forming an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, (2) placing the sodium chloride solution in a cell having two compartments separated by a separator, (3) subjecting the cell to a direct electrical current of about 3-24 volts and 0.1-500 K amperes; thereby generating hydrogen gas, chlorine gas and an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and wherein the electrical current is generated by a solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventors: James Fang, John Fang
  • Patent number: 7955488
    Abstract: An electrodeposition process of platinum and platinum-based alloy nano-particles with addition of ethylene glycol is disclosed. An acidic solution which contains metal chloride includes at least one platinum-based chloride and the alloy thereof, and ethylene glycol are introduced into a reactor as an electrodeposition solution. By applying an external negative potential, platinum particles or platinum-based alloy particles are deposited on the substrate. The above acidic solution is able to provide ionic conductivity during electrodeposition. The added ethylene glycol effectively enhances the removal of chlorine from metal chlorides. Meanwhile, ethylene glycol is used as stabilizer to prevent the particles from aggregation onto the substrate, thereby increasing the dispersion of deposited particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Ming-Chi Tsai, Chuen-Horng Tsai, Tsung-Kuang Yeh
  • Patent number: 7955481
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling two phase flow in electrolytic cells. The present invention is directed to any electrolytic cell, including but not limited to upflow electrolytic cells that comprise parallel electrodes in a vertical orientation. Fluid control strips are preferably added between the anode and cathode electrodes to control flow of fluid and gas bubbles generated between the electrodes in order to avoid the detrimental effects of gas bubbles on the conductivity of the fluid solution, and thereby increase production and operational efficiency of the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 7951286
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system that supplies an electrical current such that a metallic structure (10) has a negative voltage of between 0.5 and 1.5 Volt relative to earth to power one or more electrical appliances (5), the method comprising: —providing one or more electrical appliances (5) which each have a pair of electrical contacts (1,2); —connecting one electrical contact (1) of each electrical appliance to the structure; and —connecting the other electrical contact (2) of each electrical appliance to earth, thereby providing electrical power to each of the electrical appliances. It is preferred that the electrical appliances (5) are equipped with one or more DC-DC power converters (6) which are configured to enhance an electrical input voltage of between 0.5 and 1.5 Volt to an electrical output voltage of between 3 and 5 Volt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Sicco Dwars, Christopher Ozemoya Ubuane
  • Patent number: 7951274
    Abstract: A diamond electrode includes a conductive silicon substrate having a plurality of pores. The diamond electrode also includes a conductive diamond covering the conductive silicon substrate. The inner wall surfaces of the plurality of pores are at an angle of 60° to 85° with respect to a substrate of the conductive silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp.
    Inventors: Shigeru Yoshida, Katsuhito Yoshida, Toshiya Takahashi, Takahisa Iguchi, Fuminori Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7951501
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided, which includes a first plenum around an anode for receiving fuel, and a second plenum around a cathode for receiving oxygen. A fluid controller controls the supply of fuel to the first plenum or oxygen to the second plenum. A sensor detects the load on the fuel cell, and a controller controls the fluid controller in response to the load detected by the sensor. A method for controlling the output of a fuel cell is also provided, which includes the step of providing a fuel cell having a reaction area with an effective area where reactions may occur. The demand on the fuel cell is detected and the effective area of the reaction area is varied in response to the demand. Alternatively, the fuel cell may have an internal resistance, and the method may include varying the internal resistance in response to the demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Jay B Benziger, Claire H. Woo
  • Patent number: 7951281
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for diminishing or preventing in electrochemical operating systems the deposition of a metal oxide on an electrode surface. The metal oxide is formed by electrochemically assisted reduction of volatile metal oxides formed from a metallic component exposed to oxidative environments. In one example, described herein are methods for diminishing or preventing poisoning of a cathode by applying a negative protection potential to the metallic component. In another example, described herein are methods for diminishing or preventing the deposition of a metal oxide on a cathode surface by removing oxygen from the metallic component itself and thereby decreasing the amount of released volatile oxide from the metallic component by use of an auxiliary oxygen pump cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Monika Backhaus-Ricoult
  • Patent number: 7947159
    Abstract: A NOx-decomposing electrode is provided having a certain or a high NOx-decomposing/reducing ability, which is formed on a third solid electrolyte layer for decomposing a NOx to produce oxygen. The detecting electrode contains a noble metal Pt, a material ZrO2 of the third solid electrolyte layer, and a mixture containing silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3). Specifically, the detecting electrode contains 80% to 90% by weight of the Pt, 9.5% to 19.8% by weight of the ZrO2, and 0.2% to 0.5% by weight of the mixture containing silica and alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Suzuki, Hideyuki Suzuki, Kunihiko Nakagaki
  • Patent number: 7943019
    Abstract: Provided is an economical long-life insoluble anode capable of maintaining an anode function stably for a long time even if it is used in a part where severe consumption occurs to generate a cathodizing phenomenon, and also capable of reducing the amount of an electrocatalyst used as much as possible. To realize this, on the surface of a metal substrate 10 composed of a titanium plate, a porous layer 20 including a sintered body of a spherical titanium powder is formed as a base layer. An electrocatalyst layer 30 is formed from the surface of the porous layer 20 to its inside. A part of the electrocatalyst penetrates into the porous layer 20, which provides an incomparably stronger anchor effect than the case of a blast treatment. Even when parts exposed from the porous layer 20 are peeled off and dropped off, the anode function is maintained by the electrocatalyst left in the porous layer 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Daiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Otogawa, Kumiko Ohara, Takashi Onishi
  • Patent number: 7943020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cathode for electrolytic processes, particularly suitable for hydrogen evolution in chlor-alkali electrolysis, consisting of a nickel substrate provided with a coating comprising a protective zone containing palladium and a physically distinct catalytic activation containing platinum or ruthenium optionally mixed with a highly oxidizing metal oxide, preferably chromium or praseodymium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Industries de Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Lorenzo Antozzi, Claudia Jennifer Bargioni, Alice Calderara, Luciano Iacopetti, Gian Nicola Martelli, Christian Urgeghe
  • Patent number: 7943033
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 ?m or less or 60 ?m or more. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion of particles to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe, Junnosuke Sekiguchi