Patents by Inventor Donnie J. Duke

Donnie J. Duke 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).

  • Apparatus and method for improving magneto-hydrodynamics stability and reducing energy consumption for aluminum reduction cells
    Patent number: 8795507
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for smelting has a smelting pot for containing electrolyte, alumina and a layer of liquid aluminum. A wall in the form of one or more TiB2 or alumina plates extends from the bottom of the pot to a height exceeding the height of the liquid aluminum layer formed in the bottom of the smelting pot during smelting. The wall partitions the bottom of the pot and impedes movement of the aluminum under the influence of MHD forces, diminishing the maximum crest height of waves in the aluminum and allowing a reduction in the ACD to reduce electrical resistance and power consumption. The wall may equal or exceed the height of the anode and may, when conductive, act as a cathode, drawing a horizontal current. The wall may be composed of alumina, e.g., in the form of blocks, undergoing electrolytic reduction and being replaced periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Ruan, Edwin A. Kuhn, J. Stephen Ubelhor, Donnie J. Duke
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING MAGNETO-HYDRODYNAMICS STABILITY AND REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR ALUMINUM REDUCTION CELLS
    Publication number: 20130032486
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for smelting has a smelting pot for containing electrolyte, alumina and a layer of liquid aluminum. A wall in the form of one or more TiB2 or alumina plates extends from the bottom of the pot to a height exceeding the height of the liquid aluminum layer formed in the bottom of the smelting pot during smelting. The wall partitions the bottom of the pot and impedes movement of the aluminum under the influence of MHD forces, diminishing the maximum crest height of waves in the aluminum and allowing a reduction in the ACD to reduce electrical resistance and power consumption. The wall may equal or exceed the height of the anode and may, when conductive, act as a cathode, drawing a horizontal current. The wall may be composed of alumina, e.g., in the form of blocks, undergoing electrolytic reduction and being replaced periodically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Ruan, Edwin A. Kuhn, J. Stephen Ubelhor, Donnie J. Duke