Patents by Inventor Alan A. Ciukowski

Alan A. Ciukowski 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).

  • Detecting and estimating shorting phenomena in hall cells and control of cell anodes in response thereto
    Patent number: 4752362
    Abstract: A method of controlling interelectrode distance when a short occurs between an anode and the cathode metal pad of an electrolytic cell. Anode current data is provided by sampling anode current at a relatively high frequency, and noting any substantial instantaneous increase in current by observing the data over a period of time. Estimates of instantaneous losses in current efficiency over a base period of time due to the shorting are then made. Current efficiency losses are reduced by repositioning the anode via a command from a cell control computer to anode positioning means or by manual adjustment of the anodes in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Vincent A. Petrelli, Charles L. Dobbs, Wayne W. Hyland, Allen J. Sharkins, Marwan Simaan, Harold A. Savage, Alan A. Ciukowski