Patents Examined by Harry D. Wilkins, III
  • Patent number: 12043913
    Abstract: This handling device comprises a chassis carrying the intervention tool, and a means of displacement allowing movement of the chassis, in particular along the superstructure of the electrolytic cell. The means of displacement is adapted to rest against the superstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: RIO TINTO ALCAN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Frédéric Brun, Steeve Renaudier
  • Patent number: 12031219
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device of an embodiment includes: an electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, a gas supply flow path, a solution supply flow path, and a separator; a CO2 gas supply unit configured to supply CO2 gas to the gas supply flow path; an electrolytic solution supply unit configured to supply an electrolytic solution to the solution supply flow path; and a rinse material supply unit configured to supply a rinse material to the gas supply flow path. The gas supply flow path has a first opening, a second opening, and an auxiliary flow path provided to a part of a flow path between the first opening and the second opening, and configured to make at least the rinse material flow therethrough. A switching mechanism configured to switch a flow direction of the rinse material in the auxiliary flow path is connected to the gas supply flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Yusuke Kofuji, Ryota Kitagawa, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Patent number: 12024445
    Abstract: An asymmetric system containing a first conductive polymer modified with a redox active moiety and a second conductive polymer modified with a surfactant is used for the separation of organic compounds from aqueous solutions. The asymmetric system has complementary hydrophobicity tunability in response to electrochemical modulations. For example, both materials are hydrophobic in their respective neutral states, therefore exhibiting affinity toward organic compounds. Application of a mild potential drives the desorption of the organic compounds and regeneration of the materials. The asymmetric system can be used in a cyclic fashion, through repeated electrical discharge or shorting of the two electrodes to program the capture of organics from a feed solution, and application of a potential to stimulate the release of the adsorbed organics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Trevor Alan Hatton, Xianwen Mao, Yinying Ren
  • Patent number: 12018393
    Abstract: An electrolysis cell, includes a cathode space with a cathode, an anode space with an anode, and a salt bridge space, which is arranged between the cathode and the anode, wherein the cathode space and the salt bridge space are delimited from one another by the cathode and the salt bridge space and the anode space are delimited from one another by the anode, and the cathode and the anode are formed as a gas diffusion electrode. An electrolysis plant has a corresponding electrolysis cell and a method for carries out electrochemical reactions with the electrolysis cell or electrolysis plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Schmid, Christian Reller, Günter Schmid
  • Patent number: 12012663
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolysis device, includes: an anode configured to oxidize water or a hydroxide ion and thus generate oxygen; an anode solution flow path configured to supply an anode solution to the anode; a cathode configured to reduce carbon dioxide to generate a carbon compound; a gas flow path configured to supply a gas to the cathode, the gas containing carbon dioxide; a diaphragm provided between the anode and the cathode and including a porous film with a hydrophilic polymer supported thereon; and a protective member provided between the anode and the diaphragm and protecting the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yusuke Kofuji, Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Ryota Kitagawa, Masakazu Yamagiwa, Jun Tamura, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Patent number: 12006578
    Abstract: An electrochemical oxygen pump moves or pumps oxygen molecules with a unique anion conducting layer comprising an anion conducting polymer. These pumps can either be used as high precision oxygen flow meters or as oxygen filters. The system can be plumbed to have air as the inlet and the pump will selectively pump oxygen out, offering another way to remove oxygen from the air, along with distillation or pressure swing absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: FFI Ionix IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, Zhefei Li, Richard Sherrer, Jacob Zerby
  • Patent number: 12000057
    Abstract: A method for improving mechanical properties by changing a gradient nanotwinned structure of metallic materials is the technical field of nanostructured metallic materials. The method uses the inherent principles of microstructure and mechanical properties of metallic materials to improve materials mechanical properties. The metallic materials has a gradient nanotwinned structure. The principles of microstructure and mechanical properties of the metallic materials mean that the mechanical properties of the metallic materials are adjusted by changing the structural gradient scale of the nanotwinned structure. The method combines two strengthening methods of nanotwins and gradient structure, and can obviously improve the mechanical properties of the metallic materials. For pure copper materials of the gradient nanotwinned structure prepared by an electrodeposition technology: the yield strength is 481±15 MPa, the tensile strength is 520±12 MPa, the uniform elongation can be 7±0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF METAL RESEARCH, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Lei Lu, Zhao Cheng, Shuai Jin
  • Patent number: 11998035
    Abstract: A moisture control apparatus includes at least one electrode configured to receive at least one of an alternating current or a direct current, and to direct at least one of an electric field, a magnetic field, an electromagnetic field, an electromagnetic wave, a sonic wave, or a supersonic wave toward a substance. The moisture control apparatus further includes a controller configured to communicate with the at least one electrode, wherein the controller is configured to control a voltage applied to the at least one electrode to induce a bonded state between water molecules of moisture present in the substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: EVERTRON HOLDINGS PTE LTD
    Inventor: Hisao Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11976375
    Abstract: Systems and processes for the production of lithium metal from molten salts. Systems can include a ceramic tube affixed by or to a freeze-composite. The freeze-composite includes a matrix, of a salt and a dispersed phase. The freeze is maintained with a cooling collar to maintain a temperature below the melting point of the salt. Systems can include a molten-catholyte and a molten-anolyte each adjacent to separate surfaces of the ceramic tube. The freeze-composite forms a fluidic and non-conductive barrier between the molten-catholyte and the molten-anolyte. Processes include a freeze-composite affixed to the ceramic tube. The ceramic tube is adjacent to a composite collar which is adjacent to a cooling collar; The cooling fluid is passed through the cooling collar. A molten-catholyte is passed along a first surface of the ceramic tube. A molten-anolyte is passed along to a second surface of the ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Li-Metal Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Goodman, Hansdeep Singh, Christopher Daniel Boon, Maciej Jastrzebski
  • Patent number: 11965259
    Abstract: An integrated hydrogen gas generator with hydrogen water module comprises a water tank, an electrolytic module, an integrated flow channel device, a humidifying module, and a hydrogen water module. The electrolytic module is configured to electrolyze the water in the water tank to generate a gas comprising hydrogen. The water tank, the humidifying module, and the hydrogen water module are respectively coupled to the integrated passageway module so that the water and the gas comprising hydrogen flow in a special sequence between them. The humidifying module is configured to humidify the gas comprising hydrogen. The hydrogen water module is configured for accommodating liquid and receiving the gas comprising hydrogen into the liquid to form a liquid comprising hydrogen. The configuration of pipeline is replaced by the integrated passageway module in the integrated hydrogen gas generator of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Asclepius Meditec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Yung Lin
  • Patent number: 11946151
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell capable of simply electrolyzing carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen with low activation energy, and an electrolytic device. The carbon dioxide electrolytic cell includes a cathode, an anode, and a solid electrolyte having oxide ion conductivity. The cathode is the following (A) or (B); (A) a metal and a first mayenite-type compound are included therein or (B) a metal and a second mayenite-type compound are included therein, said second mayenite type compound including a mayenite type compound having electron conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Yoshitake Toda, Shintaro Ishiyama, Masami Taguchi, Hiroki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11940195
    Abstract: An electrochemical compressor utilizes an anion conducting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode for transporting a working fluid. The working fluid may include carbon dioxide that is dissolved in water and is partially converted to carbonic acid that is equilibrium with bicarbonate anion. An electrical potential across the anode and cathode creates a pH gradient that drives the bicarbonate anion across the anion conducting layer to the cathode, wherein it is reformed into carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is pumped across the anion conducting layer. The compressor may be part of a refrigeration system that pumps the working fluid in a closed loop through a condenser and an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FFI IONIX IP, INC.
    Inventor: Bamdad Bahar
  • Patent number: 11939689
    Abstract: An electrode system comprising: a plurality of first electrode plates (3) and a plurality of second electrode plates (5?) arranged alternatingly to form an electrode stack, each first electrode plate having a first electrode plate first busbar opening and a first electrode plate second busbar opening extending through the first electrode plate, the first electrode plate second busbar opening being larger than the first electrode plate first busbar opening, each second electrode plate (5?) having a second electrode plate first busbar opening (27a?) extending through the second electrode plate (5?), the second electrode plate first busbar opening (27a?) being dimensioned larger than each of the first electrode plate first busbar openings and aligned with the first electrode plate first busbar openings, and a second electrode plate second busbar opening (27b?) extending through the second electrode plate (5?), the second electrode plate second busbar opening (27b?) being dimensioned smaller than each of the firs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HYMETH APS
    Inventor: Sumon Bishwas
  • Patent number: 11939687
    Abstract: In an anode side electrolytic domain (130), a radial flow is formed from an outer peripheral opening (131) to an inner side opening (141) of an anode side mesh electrode (140). Flows horizontal to the electrode surface of the anode side mesh electrode 140 are formed. Gases such as ozone generated from water electrolysis in the anode side electrolytic domain (130) are dissolved in raw water in the anode side electrolytic domain (130), and anode side electrolytic water is generated. Gas such as ozone that has been atomized by the anode side mesh electrode (140) comes into contact with the raw water, and high concentration anode side electrolytic water is generated. The anode side electrolytic water generated in the anode side electrolytic domain (130) flows in the inner side opening (141) of the anode side mesh electrode (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Kogakuin University
    Inventor: Fumio Okada
  • Patent number: 11932954
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an electrolysis cell comprising: a cathode space housing a cathode; a first ion exchange membrane including an anion exchanger and adjoining the cathode space; an anode space housing an anode; a second ion exchange membrane including a cation exchanger and adjoining the anode space; and a salt bridge space disposed between the first ion exchange membrane and the second ion exchange membrane. The cathode comprises: a gas diffusion electrode having a porous bound catalyst structure of a particulate catalyst on a support; a coating of a particulate catalyst on the first and/or second ion exchange membrane; and a porous conductive support impregnated with a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Schmid, Christian Reller, Günter Schmid
  • Patent number: 11932953
    Abstract: A compression apparatus includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode on a principal surface of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode on another principal surface of the electrolyte membrane, an anode separator on the anode, a cathode separator on the cathode, and a voltage applicator. Upon the voltage applicator applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode, protons are extracted from an anode fluid fed to the anode to migrate to the cathode through the electrolyte membrane and compressed hydrogen is produced. The cathode separator has a first O-ring groove formed in a cathode-side principal surface of the cathode separator to surround a region of the cathode-side principal surface which faces the cathode. The compression apparatus includes a first O-ring held by the first O-ring groove and a face seal disposed on an outer periphery of a region of an anode-side principal surface of the anode separator which faces the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kakuwa, Hiromi Kita, Osamu Sakai
  • Patent number: 11932559
    Abstract: Electrode catalytic layers coated on outer surfaces of oxidation electrode and a reduction electrode used to generate sterile water, where the electrode catalyst layers are formed on the outer surfaces of the oxidation electrode and a reduction electrode to have predetermined thickness, and are composed of iridium (Ir), palladium (Pd), and tantalum (Ta), and wherein the palladium (Pd) has a weight ratio of 10% to 30%, and a sum of the weight ratios of the iridium (Ir) and the tantalum (Ta) is 70% to 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: COWAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Young Lee, Sunhyeok Park
  • Patent number: 11920246
    Abstract: A method for producing one or more hydroxide solids includes providing a catholyte comprising an electrolyte solution; contacting the catholyte with an electroactive mesh cathode to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions, thereby precipitating the one or more hydroxide solid(s); and removing the one or more hydroxide solids from the surface of the mesh where they may deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Xin Chen, Erika Callagon La Plante, Gaurav Sant, David Jassby, Dante Adam Simonetti, Thomas Traynor
  • Patent number: 11920249
    Abstract: Electrochemically reacting a lanthanide or actinide in solvent at a working electrode; wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent such as acetonitrile which have a dielectric constant of at least three; wherein the solvent system further comprises an electrolyte; wherein the working electrode comprises an ionically conducting or permeable film such as a fluorosulfonate film; wherein at least one ligand such as triflate distinct from the ionically conducting or permeable film is present; wherein the ligand is chemically similar to a structure in the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film; and optionally wherein the electrochemical oxidation or reduction is carried out under the influence of a magnetic field which favorably enhances the reaction. Improved electrochemical methods, identification, and separation can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Johna L. Leddy
  • Patent number: 11905606
    Abstract: A chlorine dioxide gas generating device is provided. The device includes a housing, an anode and a cathode, a first reagent and a second reagent, and a hydrophobic membrane. The housing has a cavity. The anode and the cathode are each coupled to and located within the cavity. The first reagent and the second reagent are each located within the cavity. The first reagent and the second reagent are configured to generate chlorine dioxide gas via electrolysis responsive to an electric current being passed into the anode and the cathode. The hydrophobic membrane is coupled to the housing, and is configured to allow the chlorine dioxide gas to exit the housing while preventing fluids from flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CUPOD LLC
    Inventor: Wayne Osterholm