Patents Examined by Bruce F. Bell
  • Galvanic anode system for corrosion protection of steel and method for production thereof
    Patent number: 7851022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a galvanic anode system for the corrosion protection of steel, comprised of a solid electrolyte and a galvanic anode material, preferably zinc and its alloys, glued to the solid electrolyte or embedded in the solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is characterised by a high ion conductivity and comprises at least one anionic and/or cationic polyelectrolyte and/or preferably at least one compound that forms complex compounds with the anode material, preferably with zinc. The solid electrolyte is produced by applying a coating agent, preferably as an aqueous dispersion or suspension, to the steel and/or to the mineral substructure, preferably to concrete. The anode material is characterised in that it forms a galvanic element in combination with the solid electrolyte and the steel to be protected, in which the steel forms the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schwarz
  • Metal electrowinning cell with electrolyte purifier
    Patent number: 7846309
    Abstract: A cell for electrowinning a metal, in particular aluminium, from a compound thereof dissolved in an electrolyte (30) comprises an anode (40) and a cathode (10,11) that contact the electrolyte (30), the cathode (10,11) being during use at a cathodic potential for reducing thereon species of the metal to be produced from the dissolved compound. The electrolyte (30) further contains species of at least one element that is liable to contaminate the product metal (20) and that has a cathodic reduction potential which is less negative than the cathodic potential of the metal to be produced. The cell further comprises a collector (50) for removing species of such element (s) from the electrolyte (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Thinh T. Nguyen, Frank Schnyder, Vittorio De Nora
  • Non-carbon anodes
    Patent number: 7846308
    Abstract: An anode for electrowinning of aluminium from alumina comprises a cobalt-containing metallic outer part that is covered with an integral oxide layer containing predominantly cobalt oxide CoO. The integral oxide layer can be formed by surface oxidation of cobalt from the metallic outer part before use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Riotinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Vittorio De Nora, Thinh T. Nguyen
  • Thermoelectric conversion apparatus
    Patent number: 7846602
    Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion apparatus has an evaporator for heating a working medium in liquid-phase to evaporate the working medium, an electric generator for forming a concentration cell for electric power generation when it is supplied with a reactive gas and the working medium evaporated by the evaporator, and a gas-liquid separator for being supplied with a mixed gas of the working medium and a cathode off-gas discharged from the electric generator and separating the mixed gas into the working medium and the reactive gas. The thermoelectric conversion apparatus also has an anode supply passage for supplying the reactive gas separated by the gas-liquid separator to the electric generator, and a cathode supply passage for supplying the working medium separated by the gas-liquid separator through the evaporator to the electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kamachi, Shunsuke Itami
  • Bipolar plate for electrolyser comprising a single wall
    Patent number: 7842172
    Abstract: It is described a bipolar plate consisting of a single wall and a perimetrical sealing frame obtained by folding and provided with a planar abutment surface for the frame-to-wall welding. The wall is further provided with projections on one face thereof preferably obtained by moulding, and with supports on the other face consisting of sheet strips housed in the recesses formed by the concave part of the projections. The projections substantially extend along the entire length of the bipolar plate. The projections and supports are connected to electrodes or current distributors. The projections, the supports, the single wall and the perimetrical frame are made of the same metal or alloy. The electrode or current distributor supported by the projections, the same projections and the supports are welded together by a single pass of arc-welding or preferably laser-welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Uhdenora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fulvio Federico, Leonello Carrettin, Dario Oldani, Corrado Mojana
  • Conductive coating of surfaces
    Patent number: 7837839
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for galvanically depositing an electrically conductive layer onto a carrier on which, at least in some regions, a starter layer suitable for electroplating is disposed. The apparatus has an electroplating bath in which an electrolyte for depositing conductive material is provided, at least two contact rollers which are disposed outside of the electroplating bath and which can be connected as cathode and/or anodes, and at least one deflection roller which is connected between the contact rollers, the position of the deflection roller being changeable between two contact rollers such that by changing the position of the deflection roller a distance to be covered by the carrier and which is formed between two contact points of two adjacent contact rollers corresponds to the extension of the starter layer to be coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: BCT Coating Technologies AG
    Inventors: Peter Fleissner, Johannes Fleissner
  • Solar hydrogen charger
    Patent number: 7833391
    Abstract: An apparatus for splitting water to produce hydrogen having at least one photoelectrochemical cell. The photoelectrochemical cell includes at least one water permeable photoelectrode having a light sensitive, nano-crystalline catalytic material layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a metallic substrate disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane adjacent to the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive nano-crystalline material layer and disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Qinbai Fan, William E. Liss
  • Wafer support apparatus for electroplating process and method for using the same
    Patent number: 7828951
    Abstract: A multi-layered wafer support apparatus is provided for performing an electroplating process on a semiconductor wafer (“wafer”). The multi-layered wafer support apparatus includes a bottom film layer and a top film layer. The bottom film layer includes a wafer placement area and a sacrificial anode surrounding the wafer placement area. The top film layer is defined to be placed over the bottom film layer. The top film layer includes an open region to be positioned over a surface of the wafer to be processed, i.e., electroplated. The top film layer provides a liquid seal between the top film layer and the wafer, about a periphery of the open region. The top film layer further includes first and second electrical circuits that are each defined to electrically contact a peripheral top surface of the wafer at diametrically opposed locations about the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Carl Woods
  • Anode for an apparatus for the galvanic coating of the running surfaces of cylinders
    Patent number: 7828943
    Abstract: A hollow anode for a galvanic coating apparatus of the running surfaces of cylinders is provided with a plurality of passages in its top portion. The total area of the passages reduces the surface of the anode by at least 50%, the top portion having a height between 4 and 12 mm. Thus, a decrease in the electrical field at the top of the cylinder is achieved without affecting the deposition in the rest of the cylinder and it is therefore possible to obtain a perfect coating up to the corners of a closed cylinder, while decreasing the deposition on the vault of the combustion chamber. Furthermore, it is also possible to increase the flow rate of the electrolyte through the apparatus thus decreasing coating time and exploiting a greater hydraulic pressure of the electrolyte, which provides a mechanical effect that favors deposition, especially at the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Aerotecnica Coltri S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Coltri
  • Frame for electrolyser module and electrolyser module and electrolyser incorporating same
    Patent number: 7824527
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a frame for an electrolyser module as well as to an electrolyser module and an electrolyser incorporating such frames. The frames include a variety body having at least one electrolyser chamber opening and at least one degassing chamber defined therein. The degassing chamber opening preferably has a rounded shape as does the unitary body and the electrolyser chamber opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Hugo Jan Baptist Vandenborre
  • Oxygen evolution electrode
    Patent number: 7811426
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oxygen evolution anode for evolving oxygen without chlorine evolution in electrolysis of aqueous solutions of sodium chloride having high performance and durability with decreased amount of the precious metal(s) in the intermediate layer to decrease manufacturing cost and to ease problem of the resources. The oxygen evolution anode comprises an electroconductive substrate, an intermediate layer and an electrocatalyst. The intermediate layer prepared by calcination consists of multiple oxide of the platinum group element(s), Sn and Sb, with the Sn/Sb ratio of 1-40 and with the sum of Sn and Sb of 90 cationic % or less. The electrocatalyst is prepared by anodic deposition and consists of 0.1-3 cationic % of Sn, 0.2-20 cationic % of Mo and/or W and the balance of Mn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Daiki Ataka Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hashimoto, Ahmed Abd El-Moneim, Naokazu Kumagai
  • Monolithic structures including alignment and/or retention fixtures for accepting components
    Patent number: 7811427
    Abstract: Permanent or temporary alignment and/or retention structures for receiving multiple components are provided. The structures are preferably formed monolithically via a plurality of deposition operations (e.g. electrodeposition operations). The structures typically include two or more positioning fixtures that control or aid in the positioning of components relative to one another, such features may include (1) positioning guides or stops that fix or at least partially limit the positioning of components in one or more orientations or directions, (2) retention elements that hold positioned components in desired orientations or locations, and/or (3) positioning and/or retention elements that receive and hold adjustment modules into which components can be fixed and which in turn can be used for fine adjustments of position and/or orientation of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Cohen, Daniel I. Feinberg, Christopher A. Bang
  • Non-carbon anodes with active coatings
    Patent number: 7811425
    Abstract: An anode for electrowinning aluminium comprises an electrically conductive substrate that is covered with an applied electrochemically active coating comprising a layer that contains predominantly cobalt oxide CoO. The CoO layer can be connected to the substrate through an oxygen barrier layer, in particular containing copper, nickel, tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum and/or niobium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.
    Inventors: Vittorio De Nora, Thinh T. Nguyen
  • Stainless steel electrolytic plates
    Patent number: 7807029
    Abstract: There is provided a substantially permanent stainless steel cathode plate (1) suitable for use in electrorefining of metal cathodes, the cathode being composed of a low-nickel duplex steel or a lower grade “304” steel, wherein operational adherence of an electrode-position thereon is enabled by altering various qualities of the cathode surface. There is also provided a method of producing the above duplex or Grade 304 cathode plates, such that the desired operational adherence of the deposit upon the plate is not so strong as to prevent the metal deposit being removed during subsequent handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Xstrata Queensland Limited
    Inventor: Wayne Keith Webb
  • Stainless steel electrolytic plates
    Patent number: 7807028
    Abstract: There is provided a substantially permanent stainless steel cathode plate suitable for use in electrorefining of metal cathodes, the cathode being composed of a low-nickel duplex steel or a lower grade “304” steel, wherein operational adherence of an electrodeposition thereon is enabled by altering various qualities of the cathode surface. There is also provided a method of producing the above duplex or Grade 304 cathode plates, such that the desired operational adherence of the deposit upon the plate is not so strong as to prevent the deposit being removed during subsequent handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Xstrata Queensland Limited
    Inventor: Wayne Keith Webb
  • Discrete anode for cathodic protection of reinforced concrete
    Patent number: 7807026
    Abstract: There is disclosed a cathodic protection system of reinforced concrete structures with discrete anodes obtained starting from a corrugated planar substrate welded to a longitudinal current collector. The anodes of the invention are particularly suitable for being installed rolled in cylinders, with their axis parallel to the current collectors, positioned inside holes made in the concrete of the structure to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Industrie De Nora SpA
    Inventors: Michele Tettamanti, Corrado Mojana, Giorgio Pedrinelli
  • Electro-catalysts for the oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media
    Patent number: 7803264
    Abstract: An electro-catalyst for the oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media; the electrocatalyst being a noble metal co-deposited on a support with one or more other metals that are active to ammonia oxidation. In some embodiments, the support is platinum, gold, tantalum, or iridium. In some embodiments, the support has a layer of Raney metal deposited thereon prior to the deposition of the catalyst. Also provided are electrodes having the electro-catalyst deposited thereon, ammonia electrolytic cells, ammonia fuel cells, ammonia sensors, and a method for removing ammonia contaminants from a contaminated effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventor: Gerardine G. Botte
  • Electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 7803259
    Abstract: The invention describes an electrochemical cell for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, comprising at least an anode half-cell with an anode, a cathode half-cell with a gas diffusion electrode as cathode and an ion exchange membrane arranged between the anode half-cell and the cathode half-cell, the membrane consisting of at least a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer, wherein the gas diffusion electrode and the ion exchange membrane are adjacent to each other, characterised in that the gas diffusion electrode and the ion exchange membrane, under a pressure of 250 g/cm2 and at a temperature of 60° C., have a contact area of at least 50%, with respect to the geometric area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Fritz Gestermann, Hans-Dieter Pinter, Rainer Weber, Gerd Speer, Andreas Bulan
  • Oxygen evolution electrode
    Patent number: 7803260
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oxygen evolution electrode for formation of only oxygen without formation of chlorine at anode in the performance and the durability of the anode is so high that they are, even in strong acid, at the same level as that in neutral solution. The electrode is prepared by anodic deposition of multiple oxide consisting of Mn—Mo—Sn, Mo—W—Sn or Mn—Mo—W—Sn on an IrO2-coated titanium substrate. The multiple oxide are composed of Mn as the main component, 0.1-3 cationic % of Sn and 0.2-20 cationic % of Mo and/or W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignees: Daiki Ataka Engineering Co., Ltd., Koji Hashimoto
    Inventors: Koji Hashimoto, Ahmed Abd El-Moneim, Naokazu Kumagai
  • Current-leveling electroplating/electropolishing electrode
    Patent number: 7803257
    Abstract: A current-leveling electrode for improving electroplating and electrochemical polishing uniformity in the electrochemical plating or electropolishing of metals on a substrate is disclosed. The current-leveling electrode includes a base electrode and at least one sub-electrode carried by the base electrode. The at least one sub-electrode has a width which is less than a width of the base electrode to impart a generally tapered, stepped or convex configuration to the current-leveling electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh Chang, Ying-Lang Wang, Kei-Wei Chen, Shih-Ho Lin, Chun-Chang Chen