Patents by Inventor Jean-François Bilodeau
Jean-François Bilodeau 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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Patent number: 10443140Abstract: Anode assembly (100) comprising an anode (3) and an anode support (4) for the production of aluminum, characterized in that the anode assembly (100) comprises an electrical connecting element (1) to electrically connect the anode support (4) with the anode (3), and at least one thermally insulating element (6) arranged to reduce heat transfer between the anode (3) and the anode support (4) during the production of aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International LimitedInventors: Sébastien Becasse, Jean-François Bilodeau, Denis Laroche, Laurent Fiot, Steve Langlois
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Publication number: 20170167039Abstract: Anode assembly (100) comprising an anode (3) and an anode support (4) for the production of aluminium, characterized in that the anode assembly (100) comprises an electrical connecting element (1) to electrically connect the anode support (4) with the anode (3), and at least one thermally insulating element (6) arranged to reduct heat transfer between the anode (3) and the anode support (4) during the production of aluminium.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: Rio Tinto Alcan International LimitedInventors: Sébastien BECASSE, Jean-François BILODEAU, Denis LAROCHE, Laurent FIOT, Steve LANGLOIS
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Publication number: 20150153368Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring levels of class VI isoprostane, an early predictive marker of pre-eclampsia (PE). The present invention also relates to an assay and diagnostic kit for performing the method of predicting PE by measuring the level of this marker and optionally establishing a ratio over other markers such as polyunstaturated fatty acids (PUFA) or beta-carotene. In particular, the method determines the level a class VI isoprostane in a blood sample from a pregnant woman prior to the appearance of symptoms of PE.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Pierre Julien
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Patent number: 7666248Abstract: A method is described for priming an in-line molten metal filtration unit having a porous ceramic or refractory filter mounted substantially horizontally in a filter box. This filter box has an inlet for molten metal and an outlet for molten metal, the outlet being a closeable outlet in an exit well connecting to the downstream side of the filter. The method of the invention comprises the steps of adding a molten metal to the filter box sufficient to entirely cover the upstream side of the filter with a depth of molten metal and temporarily sealing the outlet in the exit well. A steadily increasing vacuum is then applied to the closed exit well at a rate between 0.1 and 10 kPa per second by withdrawing a stream of air from the exit well by means of a fan or air venturi until molten metal begins to flow through the filter. At that point the vacuum is quickly released and the molten metal outlet is opened.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Luc Belley, Jean-François Bilodeau, André Gendron, Serge Munger
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Publication number: 20080053275Abstract: A method is described for priming an in-line molten metal filtration unit having a porous ceramic or refractory filter mounted substantially horizontally in a filter box. This filter box has an inlet for molten metal and an outlet for molten metal, the outlet being a closeable outlet in an exit well connecting to the downstream side of the filter. The method of the invention comprises the steps of adding a molten metal to the filter box sufficient to entirely cover the upstream side of the filter with a depth of molten metal and temporarily sealing the outlet in the exit well. A steadily increasing vacuum is then applied to the closed exit well at a rate between 0.1 and 10 kPa per second by withdrawing a stream of air from the exit well by means of a fan or air venturi until molten metal begins to flow through the filter At that point the vacuum is quickly released and the molten metal outlet is opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2005Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Luc Belley, Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Andre Gendron, Serge Munger
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Patent number: 6960239Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the treatment of molten metal, e.g. aluminum, with a particulate treatment agent and a gas. This includes a vessel for holding molten metal, a rotary device for breaking up particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal and for dispersing particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal contained in the vessel and means for supplying the particulate treatment agent and gas to the rotary device. The rotary device includes a hollow shaft having a rotor with an axial opening fixed to the discharge end of the shaft, this rotor being in the form of an annular plate with a plurality of radially mounted upwardly directed blades projecting from the top face of the annular plate and a plurality of radially mounted downwardly directed blades projecting from the bottom face of the annular plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Jean-François Bilodeau, Laszlo Istvan Kiss, Carl Lakroni
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Patent number: 6755889Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard
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Publication number: 20030205854Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the treatment of molten metal, e.g. aluminum, with a particulate treatment agent and a gas. This includes a vessel for holding molten metal, a rotary device for breaking up particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal and for dispersing particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal contained in the vessel and means for supplying the particulate treatment agent and gas to the rotary device. The rotary device includes a hollow shaft having a rotor with an axial opening fixed to the discharge end of the shaft, this rotor being in the form of an annular plate with a plurality of radially mounted upwardly directed blades projecting from the top face of the annular plate and a plurality of radially mounted downwardly directed blades projecting from the bottom face of the annular plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Laszlo Istvan Kiss, Carl Lakroni
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Publication number: 20030196518Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard
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Patent number: 6602318Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard
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Patent number: 6589313Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the treatment of molten metal, e.g. aluminum, with a particulate treatment agent and a gas. This includes a vessel for holding molten metal, a rotary device for breaking up particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal and for dispersing particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal contained in the vessel and means for supplying the particulate treatment agent and gas to the rotary device. The rotary device includes a hollow shaft having a rotor with an axial opening fixed to the discharge end of the shaft, this rotor being in the form of an annular plate with a plurality of radially mounted upwardly directed blades projecting from the top face of the annular plate and a plurality of radially mounted downwardly directed blades projecting from the bottom face of the annular plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Jean-François Bilodeau, Laszlo Istvan Kiss, Carl Lakroni
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Publication number: 20020096810Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard
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Publication number: 20020088307Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the treatment of molten metal, e.g. aluminum, with a particulate treatment agent and a gas. This includes a vessel for holding molten metal, a rotary device for breaking up particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal and for dispersing particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal contained in the vessel and means for supplying the particulate treatment agent and gas to the rotary device. The rotary device includes a hollow shaft having a rotor with an axial opening fixed to the discharge end of the shaft, this rotor being in the form of an annular plate with a plurality of radially mounted upwardly directed blades projecting from the top face of the annular plate and a plurality of radially mounted downwardly directed blades projecting from the bottom face of the annular plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Laszlo Istvan Kiss, Carl Lakroni