Patents by Inventor C. McMillen
C. McMillen 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).
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Publication number: 20240425378Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of making electrodes for use in electrolysis cells. The method may include forming a TiB2 feedstock into a predetermined shaped product to realize an appropriate density. The method may also include producing a final shaped product from the predetermined shaped product by exposing the predetermined shaped product to elevated temperature. Due to the exposing step, the final shaped product may have a plurality of pores and may realize one or more properties and/or characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2024Publication date: December 26, 2024Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
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Patent number: 12043581Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders configured with consistent, tailored characteristics and/or properties are provided herein. In some embodiments a system for making ceramic powders, includes: a reactor body having a reaction chamber and configured with a heat source to provide a hot zone along the reaction chamber; a sweep gas inlet configured to direct a sweep gas into the reaction chamber and a sweep gas outlet configured to direct an exhaust gas from the reaction chamber; a plurality of containers, within the reactor body, configured to retain at least one preform, wherein each container is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow therethrough, wherein the preform is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow there through, such that the precursor mixture is reacted in the hot zone to form a ceramic powder product having uniform properties.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: ALCOA USA CORPInventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
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Patent number: 11753345Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders are provided. The method for forming a ceramic powder includes: preparing a precursor mixture, wherein the preparing comprises adding at least one additive to a plurality of reagents, wherein the at least one additive includes at least one of: an oxide, a salt, a pure metal, or an alloy of elements ranging from atomic numbers 21 through 30, 39 through 51, and 57 through 77 and combinations thereof; and carbothermically reacting the precursor mixture to form a ceramic powder, wherein, due to the preparing step, the precursor mixture comprises a sufficient amount of the at least one additive to form the ceramic powder, wherein the ceramic powder comprises: (a) a morphology selected from the group consisting of irregular, equiaxed, plate-like, and combinations thereof; and (b) a particle size distribution selected from the group consisting of fine, intermediate, coarse, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
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Publication number: 20210355037Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders configured with consistent, tailored characteristics and/or properties are provided herein. In some embodiments a system for making ceramic powders, includes: a reactor body having a reaction chamber and configured with a heat source to provide a hot zone along the reaction chamber; a sweep gas inlet configured to direct a sweep gas into the reaction chamber and a sweep gas outlet configured to direct an exhaust gas from the reaction chamber; a plurality of containers, within the reactor body, configured to retain at least one preform, wherein each container is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow therethrough, wherein the preform is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow there through, such that the precursor mixture is reacted in the hot zone to form a ceramic powder product having uniform properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
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Patent number: 11078124Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders configured with consistent, tailored characteristics and/or properties are provided herein. In some embodiments a system for making ceramic powders, includes: a reactor body having a reaction chamber and configured with a heat source to provide a hot zone along the reaction chamber; a sweep gas inlet configured to direct a sweep gas into the reaction chamber and a sweep gas outlet configured to direct an exhaust gas from the reaction chamber; a plurality of containers, within the reactor body, configured to retain at least one preform, wherein each container is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow therethrough, wherein the preform is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow there through, such that the precursor mixture is reacted in the hot zone to form a ceramic powder product having uniform properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
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Publication number: 20190135703Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders configured with consistent, tailored characteristics and/or properties are provided herein. In some embodiments a system for making ceramic powders, includes: a reactor body having a reaction chamber and configured with a heat source to provide a hot zone along the reaction chamber; a sweep gas inlet configured to direct a sweep gas into the reaction chamber and a sweep gas outlet configured to direct an exhaust gas from the reaction chamber; a plurality of containers, within the reactor body, configured to retain at least one preform, wherein each container is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow therethrough, wherein the preform is configured to permit the sweep gas to flow there through, such that the precursor mixture is reacted in the hot zone to form a ceramic powder product having uniform properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
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Publication number: 20190127282Abstract: Systems and methods for making ceramic powders are provided. The method for forming a ceramic powder includes: preparing a precursor mixture, wherein the preparing comprises adding at least one additive to a plurality of reagents, wherein the at least one additive includes at least one of: an oxide, a salt, a pure metal, or an alloy of elements ranging from atomic numbers 21 through 30, 39 through 51, and 57 through 77 and combinations thereof; and carbothermically reacting the precursor mixture to form a ceramic powder, wherein, due to the preparing step, the precursor mixture comprises a sufficient amount of the at least one additive to form the ceramic powder, wherein the ceramic powder comprises: (a) a morphology selected from the group consisting of irregular, equiaxed, plate-like, and combinations thereof; and (b) a particle size distribution selected from the group consisting of fine, intermediate, coarse, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
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Publication number: 20180029886Abstract: In various embodiments set forth herein, methods of making boron nitride ceramic powder are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20180009717Abstract: In some embodiments, a ceramic armor product includes: a ceramic powder; an at least one metal-based additive; and a density of 4.3-4.7 g/cc, wherein the ceramic armor product is substantially lacking grain orientation. In some embodiments, a ceramic armor product, includes: a ceramic powder, wherein the ceramic powder is titanium diboride (TiB2); an at least one metal-based additive, wherein the at least one metal based additive comprises elements ranging from atomic numbers 21 through 30, 39 through 51, and 57 through 77; and a density of 4.3-4.7 g/cc, wherein the ceramic armor product is substantially lacking grain orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Benjamin D. Mosser, James C. McMillen, William Wolf, Lance M. Sworts, Artemas Steere
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Patent number: 9822016Abstract: A method to recycle TiB2 articles, and in particular, a method to recycle a TiB2 feedstock including TiB2 articles and Ti-ore and/or Ti-slag by chlorination.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Patent number: 9802829Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods of making titanium diboride products in various sizes. An aspect of the method provides (a) selecting a target average particle size for a target titanium diboride product; (b) selecting at least one processing variable from the group consisting of: an amount of sulfur, an inert gas flow rate, a soak time, and a reaction temperature; (c) selecting a condition of the processing variable based upon the target average particle size; and (d) producing an actual titanium diboride product having an actual average particle size using the at least one processing variable, wherein due to the at least one processing variable, the actual average particle size corresponds to the target average particle size.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20170128759Abstract: The disclosure is directed to systems and methods for applying fire retardant using aerial vehicles. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to systems and methods for applying fire retardant using onboard sensing and decision making processes with application of the fire retardant using aerial vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Christopher Zonio, Jonathan C. McMillen, Kevin C. Schlosser, Thomas Spura
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Publication number: 20170036919Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods of making titanium diboride products in various sizes. An aspect of the method provides (a) selecting a target average particle size for a target titanium diboride product; (b) selecting at least one processing variable from the group consisting of: an amount of sulfur, an inert gas flow rate, a soak time, and a reaction temperature; (c) selecting a condition of the processing variable based upon the target average particle size; and (d) producing an actual titanium diboride product having an actual average particle size using the at least one processing variable, wherein due to the at least one processing variable, the actual average particle size corresponds to the target average particle size.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20160052795Abstract: A method to recycle TiB2 articles, and in particular, a method to recycle a TiB2 feedstock including TiB2 articles and Ti-ore and/or Ti-slag by chlorination.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Patent number: 9181101Abstract: A method to recycle TiB2 articles, and in particular, a method to recycle a TiB2 feedstock including TiB2 articles and Ti-ore and/or Ti-slag by chlorination.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20150218055Abstract: In one aspect of the instant disclosure, a setter plate assembly to sinter green titanium dioxide forms, such as aluminum smelting cathodes made by multiple forming methods is produced. The assembly is itself formed from sintered titanium diboride. The open area of the assembly and vents allow off-gassing during settering to producing a sintered product with reduced contamination. The setter plate assembly is made principally from titanium diboride, which is chemically compatible with green titanium dioxide forms.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: James C. McMillen, Jason Bick
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Publication number: 20130330256Abstract: A method to recycle TiB2 articles, and in particular, a method to recycle a TiB2 feedstock including TiB2 articles and Ti-ore and/or Ti-slag by chlorination.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
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Publication number: 20130251595Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods of making titanium diboride products in various sizes. An aspect of the method provides (a) selecting a target average particle size for a target titanium diboride product; (b) selecting at least one processing variable from the group consisting of: an amount of sulfur, an inert gas flow rate, a soak time, and a reaction temperature; (c) selecting a condition of the processing variable based upon the target average particle size; and (d) producing an actual titanium diboride product having an actual average particle size using the at least one processing variable, wherein due to the at least one processing variable, the actual average particle size corresponds to the target average particle size.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventor: James C. McMillen, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130085816Abstract: An online community for users of a financial services product, such as credit card users, and various features of such communities. For example, the members can share profits based on community performance, provide feedback and vote on ways to improve the financial services product experience, and help one other when possible. The online community can provide status indicators corresponding to members' engagement within the online community, publish the profit and loss statement of the financial services product associated with the community, provide a decline process that facilitates approval to the community for customers with improving credit, link members' deposits to provide a higher interest rate, automatically transfer balances between banks, and pay referral fees to the community.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: Barclays Bank DelawareInventors: Paul WILMORE, Jared YOUNG, Glenn C. McMILLEN
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Publication number: 20120244057Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods of making titanium diboride products in various sizes. An aspect of the method provides (a) selecting a target average particle size for a target titanium diboride product; (b) selecting at least one processing variable from the group consisting of: an amount of sulfur, an inert gas flow rate, a soak time, and a reaction temperature; (c) selecting a condition of the processing variable based upon the target average particle size; and (d) producing an actual titanium diboride product having an actual average particle size using the at least one processing variable, wherein due to the at least one processing variable, the actual average particle size corresponds to the target average particle size.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventor: James C. McMillen