Patents by Inventor Felix Prado

Felix Prado 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: 20240113308
    Abstract: An electrodeposition installation with active intercell bars that has at least three cells connected or capable of being connected in series between the positive pole and the negative pole of a rectifier is disclosed. Several active intercell bars installed between the cells and at the ends of the installation, each having a common conductive body with multiple busbar segments, one for each electrode electrically insulated, but independently electrically connectable to the common conductive body or to an extension cable by switches controlled from a microcomputer with remote communication capacity. The invention affords the advantage of providing a conventional plant with secure protection of electrodes against short circuits with complete management of production by complete monitoring of the process in real time, and with a greater production capacity by the internal depolarisation of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventor: Felix PRADO PUEO
  • Patent number: 10655236
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode structure which can detect the electric current and optionally activate alarm signals in electrolytic cells for the electrodeposition of non-ferrous metals, for example for electrowinning of metals, in particular for the electrolytic production of copper and other non-ferrous metals proceeding from ionic solutions. The present invention further relates to a data acquisition system to be used in connection with said electrode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felix Prado Pueo
  • Patent number: 10590554
    Abstract: Safe anode for electrochemical cells, of the type of vertical anodes constituted of a hanging structure based on a first horizontal bar, second vertical distribution bars defined by a copper or aluminum core with a titanium exterior layer, and coated or uncoated titanium anode plates attached to the second distribution bars, on both sides, such that the safe anode incorporates an adapter element that comprises, at least, one current limiter assembly, arranged between, at least, one of the second vertical distribution bars, and, at least, one coated or uncoated titanium anode plate, connecting the vertical distribution bar to the coated or uncoated titanium anode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felix Prado Pueo
  • Patent number: 10309023
    Abstract: An anodic structure for electrowinning cells having an anode hanger bar, a support structure of insulating material, at least one anode mesh having a valve metal substrate provided with a catalytic coating, said at least one anode being subdivided into at least two reciprocally insulated sub-meshes, said sub-meshes being individually supplied with electrical current through conductive means connected with said anode hanger bar, the anodic structure being further provided with at least one electronic system having at least one current probe and at least one actuator for individually measuring and controlling current supply to each of said sub-meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felix Prado Pueo
  • Publication number: 20190048485
    Abstract: Safe anode for electrochemical cells, of the type of vertical anodes constituted of a hanging structure based on a first horizontal bar, second vertical distribution bars defined by a copper or aluminum core with a titanium exterior layer, and coated or uncoated titanium anode plates attached to the second distribution bars, on both sides, such that the safe anode incorporates an adapter element that comprises, at least, one current limiter assembly, arranged between, at least, one of the second vertical distribution bars, and, at least, one coated or uncoated titanium anode plate, connecting the vertical distribution bar to the coated or uncoated titanium anode plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felix PRADO PUEO
  • Publication number: 20180179652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode structure which can detect the electric current and optionally activate alarm signals in electrolytic cells for the electrodeposition of non-ferrous metals, for example for electrowinning of metals, in particular for the electrolytic production of copper and other non-ferrous metals proceeding from ionic solutions. The present invention further relates to a data acquisition system to be used in connection with said electrode structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventor: Felix PRADO PUEO
  • Patent number: 9957628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for direct detection of current supplied to the electrodes of electrolytic cells, particularly useful in non-ferrous metal electrowinning or electrorefining plants. The current distribution on a practically unlimited number of electrodes can be obtained through direct measurement on the electrode hanging bars without requiring the manual intervention of plant staff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felix Prado Pueo
  • Patent number: 9663866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cathode for electrolytic processes provided with a catalytic coating based on ruthenium crystallites with highly controlled size falling in a range of 1-10 nm. The coating can be produced by physical vapor deposition of a ruthenium or ruthenium oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Meneghini, Corrado Mojana, Felix Prado
  • Publication number: 20170009359
    Abstract: An anodic structure for electrowinning cells having an anode hanger bar, a support structure of insulating material, at least one anode mesh having a valve metal substrate provided with a catalytic coating, said at least one anode being subdivided into at least two reciprocally insulated sub-meshes, said sub-meshes being individually supplied with electrical current through conductive means connected with said anode hanger bar, the anodic structure being further provided with at least one electronic system having at least one current probe and at least one actuator for individually measuring and controlling current supply to each of said sub-meshes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Felix PRADO PUEO
  • Patent number: 9422632
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the continuous monitoring of current distribution in the cathodes and anodes of an electrolyzer comprised of at least two adjacent electrolytic cells, each containing a multiplicity of said cathodes and anodes. The device according to the invention is composed essentially of at least one current-collecting bus-bar having housings suitable for supporting the electrodes and a base of insulating material whereon the bus-bar abuts. The base has integrated probes for measuring voltage. The invention also relates to a permanent monitoring system allowing to evaluate in continuous current distribution on each electrode in cells used in particular in metal electrowinning or electrorefining. The invention also relates to a method for retrofitting of an electrolyzer comprising the replacement of an existing insulating base with a new base element having integrated probes for measuring voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felix Prado
  • Publication number: 20160115608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for direct detection of current supplied to the electrodes of electrolytic cells, particularly useful in non-ferrous metal electrowinning or electrorefining plants. The current distribution on a practically unlimited number of electrodes can be obtained through direct measurement on the electrode hanging bars without requiring the manual intervention of plant staff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: Felix PRADO PUEO
  • Patent number: 9255338
    Abstract: The invention relates to a current collecting bus-bar comprising electrode housings for accommodating a multiplicity of electrodes in electrical contact therewith. Probes for measuring the electric potential locally established in correspondence of the electrical contacts during the passage of electric current are also connected to the bus-bar. The invention further relates to a permanent monitoring system allowing the continuous evaluation of current distribution on each electrode of electrolysis cells of metal electrowinning or electrorefining plants, connected to an alerting system and to means for disconnecting individual electrodes in case on non-compliance with preset values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felix Prado
  • Publication number: 20160002800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the continuous monitoring of current distribution in the cathodes and anodes of an electrolyser comprised of at least two adjacent electrolytic cells, each containing a multiplicity of said cathodes and anodes. The device according to the invention is composed essentially of at least one current-collecting bus-bar having housings suitable for supporting the electrodes and a base of insulating material whereon the bus-bar abuts. The base has integrated probes for measuring voltage. The invention also relates to a permanent monitoring system allowing to evaluate in continuous current distribution on each electrode in cells used in particular in metal electrowinning or electrorefining. The invention also relates to a method for retrofitting of an electrolyser comprising the replacement of an existing insulating base with a new base element having integrated probes for measuring voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Felix PRADO
  • Publication number: 20140209455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a current collecting bus-bar comprising electrode housings for accommodating a multiplicity of electrodes in electrical contact therewith. Probes for measuring the electric potential locally established in correspondence of the electrical contacts during the passage of electric current are also connected to the bus-bar. The invention further relates to a permanent monitoring system allowing the continuous evaluation of current distribution on each electrode of electrolysis cells of metal electrowinning or electrorefining plants, connected to an alerting system and to means for disconnecting individual electrodes in case on non-compliance with preset values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Felix Prado
  • Publication number: 20120234676
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cathode for electrolytic processes provided with a catalytic coating based on ruthenium crystallites with highly controlled size falling in a range of 1-10 nm. The coating can be produced by physical vapour deposition of a ruthenium or ruthenium oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Industrie De Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Meneghini, Corrado Mojana, Felix Prado