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).

  • Publication number: 20240425378
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
  • Patent number: 12043581
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
  • Patent number: 11753345
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
  • Publication number: 20210355037
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
  • Patent number: 11078124
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
  • Publication number: 20190135703
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser, Charles Robert Shanta, III
  • Publication number: 20190127282
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Lance M. Sworts, Benjamin D. Mosser
  • Publication number: 20180029886
    Abstract: In various embodiments set forth herein, methods of making boron nitride ceramic powder are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: James C. McMillen
  • Publication number: 20180009717
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Mosser, James C. McMillen, William Wolf, Lance M. Sworts, Artemas Steere
  • Patent number: 9822016
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
  • Patent number: 9802829
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventor: James C. McMillen
  • Publication number: 20170128759
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Zonio, Jonathan C. McMillen, Kevin C. Schlosser, Thomas Spura
  • Publication number: 20170036919
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: James C. McMillen
  • Publication number: 20160052795
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
  • Patent number: 9181101
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
  • Publication number: 20150218055
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: James C. McMillen, Jason Bick
  • Publication number: 20130330256
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark L. Weaver, Andrew L. Schnitgen, Robert A. DiMilia, Frankie A. Phelps, James C. McMillen
  • Publication number: 20130251595
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: James C. McMillen, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130085816
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Barclays Bank Delaware
    Inventors: Paul WILMORE, Jared YOUNG, Glenn C. McMILLEN
  • Publication number: 20120244057
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventor: James C. McMillen