Patents Examined by Ciel P Thomas
-
Patent number: 10156019Abstract: Disclosed are an electrodeposition system and method with an anode assembly comprising a capacitor comprising a first conductive plate (i.e., an anode) with a frontside having a surface exposed to a plating solution, a second conductive plate on a backside of the first conductive plate, and a dielectric layer between the two conductive plates. During a non-plating mode, a power source, having positive and negative terminals connected to the first and second conductive plates, respectively, is turned on, thereby polarizing the first conductive plate (i.e., the anode) relative to the second conductive plate to prevent degradation of the anode and/or plating solution. During an active plating mode, another power source, having positive and negative terminals connected to the first conductive plate (i.e., the anode) and a cathode, respectively, is turned on, thereby polarizing the anode relative to the cathode in order to deposit a plated layer on a workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Ancosys GmbHInventors: Charles L. Arvin, Jürg Stahl
-
Patent number: 10151040Abstract: The present description relates to an anode arrangement for use in an electrolysis production of metals comprising an anode having a hollow body comprising a cavity, the body having at least one gas outlet connected in flow communication with the cavity. A gas inlet is connected in fluid flow communication with the cavity of the anode, the gas inlet being connectable to a source of hydrogen gas for feeding hydrogen gas into the cavity of the anode. The anode arrangement also comprises an electrical connector and a hydrogen chloride (HCl) recuperator surrounding at least a portion of the anode for recovering HCl gas released through the at least one gas outlet at an outer surface of the anode during electrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: ALLIANCE MAGNÉSIUMInventors: Joël Fournier, Lionel Roué, Sébastien Helle
-
Patent number: 10153479Abstract: A fabricating method and a fabricating apparatus for a lithium-ion secondary battery having stable charge characteristics and lifetime characteristics are provided. A positive electrode is subjected to an electrochemical reaction in a large amount of electrolyte solution in advance before a secondary battery is completed. In this manner, the positive electrode can have stability. In a manner similar to that of the positive electrode, a negative electrode is also subjected to the electrochemical reaction in a large amount of the electrolyte solution in advance, whereby a high reliable secondary battery can be manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junpei Momo, Yohei Momma
-
Patent number: 10138563Abstract: A hydrogen energy supply system including 10 or more water wheel impeller type power generation devices that are supported to float in water by first floating bodies and generate electric power by using ocean currents; a second floating body on which a seawater electrolysis device, a hydrogen liquefaction device, and a liquid hydrogen tank are arranged; a hydrogen transporting ship that accommodates the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen tank and transports it by sea to land; an overland liquid hydrogen tank that stores the liquid hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen transporting ship; a small cylinder that accommodates the liquid hydrogen supplied from the overland liquid hydrogen tank; and a hydrogen transporting vehicle that transports the small cylinder to a consumer on land.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2015Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Japan System Planning Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsuyuki Kumano
-
Patent number: 10106904Abstract: In the electrolytic refining of lead in a sulfamate bath, the production of a white residue is suppressed, and a decrease in the lead concentration in the electrolytic solution is suppressed. A method for electrolytically refining lead in a sulfamate bath, comprising performing electrolytic refining at a decomposition rate of sulfamic acid controlled at 0.06%/day or less.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATIONInventors: Yujiro Tokita, Hidetoshi Sasaoka
-
Patent number: 10094032Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a HHO generating system and method for generating hydrogen, oxygen and methane. The system adopts electrolysis process to generate a HHO gas from a water-electrolyte solution. The system comprises a reaction tank filled with the water-electrolyte solution, a plurality of disks stacked one above another, a plurality of frames connecting to the disks and an external power supply. The disks comprise a plurality of negatively charged cathode disks and a plurality of positively charged anode disks. The plurality of frames comprises a plurality of conductive frames and a plurality of support frames configured to hold the disks. An electric current is supplied to the conducting frames so as to electrically charge the disks that react with the water-electrolyte solution to produce the HHO gas. The disks are copper-nickel alloy disks in a ratio of 70:30.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Inventor: Don Lee Hansen
-
Patent number: 10094030Abstract: Examples described herein include electrolysis devices for producing a disinfectant solution from a salt solution in a container and methods of using the same. The devices include an electrode assembly able to penetrate the container. The disinfectant solution may be hypochlorous acid or metal ion hypochlorite. The salt solution may be a predetermined volume of sterile saline solution.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Tipul Biotechnology, LLCInventors: Liel Rubinsky, Brian Patrick
-
Patent number: 10087538Abstract: Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: FIELD UPGRADING LIMITEDInventor: John Howard Gordon
-
Patent number: 10087544Abstract: In a processing system for electroplating semiconductor wafers and similar substrates, the contact ring of the electroplating processor is removed from the rotor of the processor and replaced with a previously deplated contact ring. This allows the contact ring to be deplated in ring service module of the system, while the processor continues to operate. Wafer throughput is improved. The contact ring may be attached to a chuck for moving the contact ring between the processors and the ring service module, with the chuck quickly attachable and releasable to the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Moore, David Silvetti, Paul Wirth, Randy Harris
-
Patent number: 10081881Abstract: An electroplating apparatus has one or more membrane tube rings which act as electric field shields, to provide advantageous plating characteristics at the perimeter of a work piece. The membrane tube rings may be filled with fluids having different conductivity, to change the shielding effect as desired for electroplating different types of substrates. The membrane tube rings may optionally be provided in or on a diffuser plate in the vessel of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Paul R. McHugh, Gregory J. Wilson, Roey Shaviv
-
Patent number: 10072346Abstract: Provided is a method for producing metal by molten salt electrolysis, by which the metal can be efficiently produced. A method for producing metal by using an apparatus for molten salt electrolysis having an electrolytic cell and an electrode pair, wherein the molten salt electrolysis in the electrolytic cell and heating of the molten salt by a Joule heat generation between a pair of electrodes for electrolysis are simultaneously performed; and wherein the apparatus for molten salt electrolysis has at least two sets of electrode pair, and at least one set of the electrode pairs is electrically opened.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: TOHO TITANIUM CO., LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Yamabe, Yuichi Ono, Koji Akiyama, Motoshige Sato, Bunji Akimoto
-
Patent number: 10071921Abstract: An upright reactor body with a perforated interior tube member which extends for the length of the reactor body. A water inlet permits water to be treated into the perforated tube member. A fibrous metal anode surrounds the perforated tube member followed by a surrounding layer of dielectric and then a surrounding metal cathode layer, wherein water from the inlet passes radially through the perforations in the tube member, through the anode, dielectric and cathode members, emerging from the reactor body through an outlet. A DC voltage is imposed on the cathode and anode.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Lean Environment Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Johnson, Edward J. Minger, Daniel C Rich, Caleb S Payne
-
Patent number: 10074864Abstract: Multiple gas inlet or outlets for a SOC unit is provided by stacked layers with cut outs for gas channels which overlap.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2013Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/SInventors: Thomas Heiredal-Clausen, Casper Buchholtz Frederiksen
-
Patent number: 10066306Abstract: A chemical reactor and method for operation. The reactor enables N pairwise fluid contacts among k chemical fluids, with k?2 and N?4 and comprises: a reaction layer extending in a plane subtended by two directions; N chemical cells, each including two circuit portions, designed for enabling circulation of two of the k chemical fluids, respectively, the two circuit portions intersecting each other, thereby enabling one pairwise fluid contact for the two of the k chemical fluids; and a fluid distribution circuit comprising: k sets of inlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to one of the two directions, for respectively dispensing k chemical fluids to the reaction layer; and k sets of outlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to the inlet orifices, for respectively collecting k chemical fluids from the reaction layer, and wherein, each circuit portion connects an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Werner Escher, Patrick Ruch
-
Patent number: 10062520Abstract: A photo-electrochemical cell of an embodiment includes: a first electrode which has a transparent conductive film provided on a first surface of a photoelectric conversion layer; a first catalyst layer provided on the first electrode; a second electrode provided on a second surface of the photoelectric conversion layer; and a second catalyst layer provided on the second electrode. The first catalyst layer has a plurality of catalyst parts disposed on the first electrode and a transparent dielectric part disposed in a gap between the plurality of catalyst parts.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Ryota Kitagawa, Yoshitsune Sugano, Chingchun Huang, Eishi Tsutsumi, Jun Tamura, Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Satoshi Mikoshiba
-
Patent number: 10047447Abstract: A process for superimposing AC over DC, which feeds a group of electrolytic cells for electrowinning or electrorefining copper and other products, characterized by (a) incorporating an inductor which is connected between the terminals of two consecutive middle cells of the group of electrolytic cells, wherein the inductor functions are to act as a filter for the AC and as conducting means for the DC; (b) incorporating a capacitor connected in parallel to the original DC source, wherein the capacitor functions are to act as conducting means for the AC and as a filter for the DC; and (c) incorporating an AC source connected to the terminals of an inductor installed in the middle point of the group of electrolytic cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: HECKER ELECTRONICA POTENCIA Y PROCESOS S.A.Inventors: Juan Pablo Bustos Robledo, Cristian Alejandro Villavicencio Araya
-
Patent number: 10040050Abstract: A process of forming an oxygen evolution catalyst includes the steps of: providing Co(NO3)4; providing Na2WO4; combining the Co(NO3)4 and Na2WO4 forming a solution; exposing the solution to a source of microwave energy and initiating a hydrothermal reaction forming hydrated CoWO4. The oxygen evolution catalyst including hydrated CoWO4 may be used to split water into oxygen and hydrogen ions.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Kenneth James McDonald
-
Patent number: 10036094Abstract: There are provided processes for preparing lithium hydroxide. The processes comprise submitting an aqueous composition comprising lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate to a first electromembrane process that comprises a two-compartment membrane process under suitable conditions for conversion of the lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate to lithium hydroxide, and obtaining a first lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a first lithium hydroxide-enriched aqueous stream; and submitting the first lithium-reduced aqueous stream to a second electromembrane process that comprises a three-compartment membrane process under suitable conditions to prepare at least a further portion of lithium hydroxide and obtaining a second lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a second lithium-hydroxide enriched aqueous stream. There are also provided systems for preparing lithium hydroxide.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Nemaska Lithium Inc.Inventors: Jean-François Magnan, Guy Bourassa, Gary Pearse, Peter Symons, David J. Genders, Geneviève Clayton
-
Patent number: 10026560Abstract: The solar fuels generator includes an ionically conductive separator between a gaseous first phase and a second phase. A photoanode uses one or more components of the first phase to generate cations during operation of the solar fuels generator. A cation conduit is positioned provides a pathway along which the cations travel from the photoanode to the separator. The separator conducts the cations. A second solid cation conduit conducts the cations from the separator to a photocathode.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Joshua M. Sprugeon, William C. West, Chengxiang Xiang
-
Patent number: 10011911Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen generating unit for producing hydrogen water, and more particularly, to a hydrogen generating unit which has a structure that is relatively small in volume and simple so as to be easily applied to a small capacity hydrogen water producing apparatus for home or business use, and particularly, in which when an upper electrode and a lower electrode are fastened, an upper cover and a lower cover, which have been used for the hydrogen generating unit in the related art devised by the applicant of the present invention, are not used, but instead, the upper electrode and the lower electrode may be positioned between a cap at the upper side and a housing at the lower side, and the upper electrode and the lower electrode may be assembled together when the cap and the housing are coupled to each other, thereby reducing the number of components used for the hydrogen generating unit, simplifying manufacturing processes, and achieving excellent assembly properties.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Solco Biomedical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seo-Kon Kim, Hyun Heo, Dong-Soo Lim