Patents by Inventor Dominic Leblanc

Dominic Leblanc 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: 20240097110
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jiayin GUO, Richard DOLBEC, Maher BOULOS, Dominic LEBLANC, Abdelbast GUERFI, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 11918865
    Abstract: A golf club head with a channel sized to receive one or more adjustable weights and an external support structure that bridges, and thereby supports, the channel without unduly interfering with weight adjustment is disclosed herein. The support structure, which includes one or more stiffening members on the exterior of the golf club head, improves the sound quality of the golf club head, and is particularly useful to attenuate the lower frequency mode shapes associated with slider channel geometry in golf club heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Dominic LeBlanc, Christopher A. G. Nunez, Brandon D. DeMille
  • Patent number: 11873430
    Abstract: The technology described relates to a process for the safe dissolution of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and alloys predominantly comprising at least one thereof. The process comprises contacting the metal with a reaction inhibitor and water. In this process, the reaction inhibitor is selected from a hydrocarbon, a hydroxylated compound, and a mixture thereof. The uses of this process for the quantitative dissolution of metals and their analysis, for the destruction and stabilization of metallic residues, and for the recycling of batteries are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Patrick Bouchard, Josée Pronovost, Christiane Cossette, Serge Verreault, Chantal Baril, Dominic Leblanc, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20240001464
    Abstract: Method for cutting soft metals, comprising the use of a cutting tool capable of being set in motion by ultrasonic vibration. The method is employed for cutting components used in the manufacture of an electrochemical storage device, for example, a lithium battery. These components include the anodes, the cathodes, the solid electrolytes, the current collectors and the separators. The method is also employed in a system for manufacturing and/or characterizing an electrochemical storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Kamyab AMOUZEGAR, Patrick BOUCHARD, Nancy TURCOTTE, Frédéric PERRON, Dominic LEBLANC, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 11786784
    Abstract: A golf club head with a central body component is disclosed herein. The central body component includes a crown portion and a sole portion. The crown portion is composed of a continuous carbon fiber reinforced epoxy material. The sole portion is composed of a chopped carbon fiber reinforced vinyl ester sheet molding compound material. The central body component has a front opening and a rear opening with a hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Brandon D. DeMille, William C. Watson, Dominic LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 11749798
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jiayin Guo, Richard Dolbec, Maher Boulos, Dominic Leblanc, Abdelbast Guerfi, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20230223546
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing an anode for lithium batteries. The method comprises: providing a current collector, forming a layer of protective material thereon, depositing a lithiophilic material on the layer of protective material, and depositing a molten lithium material on the layer of lithiophilic material. The lithiophilic material and the molten lithium material subsequently react to form the anode active material. The current collector and/or at least one other layer of the anode may comprise a continuous 3D structure on a surface thereof. The protective material deposited on the current collector constitutes a barrier between the current collector and lithium in the anode active material, therefore formation of cracks in the current collector is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Kamyab AMOUZEGAR, Dominic LEBLANC, Andrea PAOLELLA, Abdelbast GUERFI, Shirin KABOLI, Patrick BOUCHARD, François LAROUCHE, Nicolas DELAPORTE
  • Publication number: 20230050855
    Abstract: A golf club head with a channel sized to receive one or more adjustable weights and an external support structure that bridges, and thereby supports, the channel without unduly interfering with weight adjustment is disclosed herein. The support structure, which includes one or more stiffening members on the exterior of the golf club head, improves the sound quality of the golf club head, and is particularly useful to attenuate the lower frequency mode shapes associated with slider channel geometry in golf club heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Dominic LeBlanc, Christopher A.G. Nunez, Brandon D. DeMille
  • Publication number: 20220401799
    Abstract: Golf club components with complex structures such as lattice structures, beam structures, and complex surface-based structures, are described herein. A binder jet machine is used create complex structures within these golf club components to optimize weighting, sound, and performance of golf club heads. These components may be manufactured using a method that includes the steps of designing a golf club head component in CAD using optimization software, printing the component from a powdered material, and then removing excess powder from the component via port holes that extend into an external surface of the component and communicate with interior voids within the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Brandon D. DeMille, Brian Hoffarth, Dominic LeBlanc, William C. Watson, Irina Ivanova
  • Patent number: 11504586
    Abstract: A golf club head with a channel sized to receive one or more adjustable weights and an external support structure that bridges, and thereby supports, the channel without unduly interfering with weight adjustment is disclosed herein. The support structure, which includes one or more stiffening members on the exterior of the golf club head, improves the sound quality of the golf club head, and is particularly useful to attenuate the lower frequency mode shapes associated with slider channel geometry in golf club heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Dominic LeBlanc, Christopher A. G. Nunez, Brandon D. DeMille
  • Patent number: 11417878
    Abstract: The present technology described relates to lithium-based alloy electrode materials used for the production of anode in lithium accumulators and processes for obtaining same. The alloy comprises metallic lithium, a metallic component X1 selected from magnesium and aluminum and a metallic component X2 selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, rare earths, zirconium, copper, silver, bismuth, cobalt, zinc, aluminum, silicon, tin, antimony, cadmium, mercury, lead, manganese, boron, indium, thallium, nickel, germanium, molybdenum and iron. Processes for preparing electrode materials thus obtained and their uses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Michel Armand, Patrick Bouchard, Serge Verreault, Nancy Turcotte, Dominic Leblanc, Kamyab Amouzegar
  • Publication number: 20220184467
    Abstract: A golf club head with a channel sized to receive one or more adjustable weights and an external support structure that bridges, and thereby supports, the channel without unduly interfering with weight adjustment is disclosed herein. The support structure, which includes one or more stiffening members on the exterior of the golf club head, improves the sound quality of the golf club head, and is particularly useful to attenuate the lower frequency mode shapes associated with slider channel geometry in golf club heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Dominic LeBlanc, Christopher A.G. Nunez, Brandon D. DeMille
  • Patent number: 11311783
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising at least one structural support member is disclosed herein. The structural support member has a smooth, organic-looking aesthetic and connects unsupported portions of the golf club head to improve the acoustics of the golf club head upon impact with a golf ball. Where the support member connects to other portions of the golf club head, the surfaces of the member have a curvature that changes smoothly and continuously, lacking any sharp corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Brandon D. DeMille, William C. Watson, Dominic LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20220048122
    Abstract: Method for cutting soft metals, comprising the use of a cutting tool capable of being set in motion by ultrasonic vibration. The method is employed for cutting components used in the manufacture of an electrochemical storage device, for example, a lithium battery. These components include the anodes, the cathodes, the solid electrolytes, the current collectors and the separators. The method is also employed in a system for manufacturing and/or characterizing an electrochemical storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Kamyab AMOUZEGAR, Patrick BOUCHARD, Nancy TURCOTTE, Frédéric PERRON, Dominic LEBLANC, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Publication number: 20210285073
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for chemically marking metal products such as metal ingots and other rough or processed metal materials. More specifically, the aim of the present invention is the use of tracers during the method for casting or other methods for manufacturing metal products. These tracers in turn can be identified by physico-chemical methods for confirming the specification of the product, the source of the products or of other similar elements and to assist anti-counterfeiting measures or the identification of production batches or cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Dominic LEBLANC, Patrick BOUCHARD, Karim ZAGHIB, Réal LAPORTE
  • Publication number: 20200407637
    Abstract: The technology described relates to a process for the safe dissolution of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and alloys predominantly comprising at least one thereof. The process comprises contacting the metal with a reaction inhibitor and water. In this process, the reaction inhibitor is selected from a hydrocarbon, a hydroxylated compound, and a mixture thereof. The uses of this process for the quantitative dissolution of metals and their analysis, for the destruction and stabilization of metallic residues, and for the recycling of batteries are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Patrick BOUCHARD, Josée PRONOVOST, Christiane COSSETTE, Serge VERREAULT, Chantal BARIL, Dominic LEBLANC, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Publication number: 20200365887
    Abstract: The present technology described relates to lithium-based alloy electrode materials used for the production of anode in lithium accumulators and processes for obtaining same. The alloy comprises metallic lithium, a metallic component X1 selected from magnesium and aluminum and a metallic component X2 selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, rare earths, zirconium, copper, silver, bismuth, cobalt, zinc, aluminum, silicon, tin, antimony, cadmium, mercury, lead, manganese, boron, indium, thallium, nickel, germanium, molybdenum and iron. Processes for preparing electrode materials thus obtained and their uses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Michel ARMAND, Patrick BOUCHARD, Serge VERREAULT, Nancy TURCOTTE, Dominic LEBLANC, Kamyab AMOUZEGAR
  • Patent number: 10702749
    Abstract: A multiple-material golf club head with an improved scarf joint between the crown and the body, and a method of finishing said golf club head is disclosed herein. The golf club preferably has a metal body comprising a striking face, a sole, a return portion, a bond flange, and a rear flange, and a composite crown having a scarf region, a step portion, and a constant thickness region directly behind the scarf region. The golf club is manufactured by providing a club head with a bond flange, providing a composite crown with a scarf region delineated by a front edge and a step portion and/or groove, bonding the scarf region to the bond flange to form an upper golf club head surface, and grinding the upper golf club head surface only from a location proximate the front edge to a location proximate the step portion and/or groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Brian Webb, Brandon D. DeMille, Dominic LeBlanc, Patrick Dawson, William C. Watson, Bradley C. Rice
  • Publication number: 20200063036
    Abstract: Anode comprising an anode material, a protective material and a current collector is provided. The anode material is a mixture comprising an active material, at least one electronically conductive agent and at least one binder. The active material may be an alloy of silicon and lithium or an alloy of silicon oxide and lithium. There is provided a process for the preparation of the anode. Also, there is provided use of the anode in the fabrication of a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Dominic LEBLANC, Abdelbast GUERFI, Julie TROTTIER, Patrick CHAREST
  • Publication number: 20190381572
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, TEKNA PLASMA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jiayin GUO, Richard DOLBEC, Maher BOULOS, Dominic LEBLANC, Abdelbast GUERFI, Karim ZAGHIB