Patents by Inventor Alain J. Belda

Alain J. Belda has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for reducing cell voltage and increasing cell stability by in-situ formation of slots in a Soderberg anode
    Patent number: 7384521
    Abstract: A self-baking, Soderberg type carbon anode (40) for use in an aluminum electrolyses cell (1) to form product aluminum (11), where the anode (40) is consumable in molten electrolyte (12) in the cell, the anode having top, bottom and side surfaces and at least four layers of vertically disposed plate inserts (48) meltable in the molten electrolyte, the plate inserts (48) preferably made of aluminum and are capable of melting to create hollow vertical slots (52) at the bottom of the anode facilitating any gas bubbles (60) generated to channel to the side of the anode into the electrolyte (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangwen Wang, Alton T. Tabereaux, Jerry L. Roddy, Alain J. Belda