Patents by Inventor Jean Pierre Gagné

Jean Pierre Gagné 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: 20140090984
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stereoscopic imaging and viewing of aluminum electrolysis and related operation and/or maintenance activities are disclosed. The system may produce stereoscopic images based at least in part on images obtained from two or more imaging devices. The system may display the stereoscopic images for viewing to facilitate aluminum electrolysis cell operation and/or maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Gilles Dufour, Jean-Pierre Gagne, Harold Frenette, Rene Trudel
  • Patent number: 8594417
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting anodes, and smelting management based thereon are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an imaging device configured to obtain images of at least one anode assembly, an image processor configured to producing imaging data based on the images, and a data analyzer configured to produce anode characteristic data based on the imaging data. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of obtaining at least one image of at least a portion of an anode assembly, producing imaging data based on the at least one image, and deriving anode characteristic data based, at least in part, on the imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: ALCOA Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Gagné, Gilles Dufour
  • Publication number: 20090136122
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting anodes, and smelting management based thereon are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an imaging device configured to obtain images of at least one anode assembly, an image processor configured to producing imaging data based on the images, and a data analyzer configured to produce anode characteristic data based on the imaging data. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of obtaining at least one image of at least a portion of an anode assembly, producing imaging data based on the at least one image, and deriving anode characteristic data based, at least in part, on the imaging data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Gagne, Gilles Dufour
  • Patent number: 7001497
    Abstract: A spent anode is replaced with a new anode in an electrolysis cell having an anode bus bar and an anode rod contacting the bus bar. A desired distance (D4) from the bus bar to a reference point on or adjacent to an anode rod for the new anode is calculated, the spent anode is replaced with a new anode so that the reference point on the new anode rod is spaced from the bus bar by an actual distance (D5), and the actual distance (D5) is measured at least once by means of a vision system. The actual distance (D5) is preferably adjusted using a feedback control loop in a computer so that D5 approaches the desired distance (D4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa,Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Gagné, Gilles Dufour, Bertrand St-Laurent, Claude Gauthier, Jacques Denis, Robin Boulianne, Pierre Bouchard, Jacques Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20040211663
    Abstract: A spent anode is replaced with a new anode in an electrolysis cell having an anode bus bar and an anode rod contacting the bus bar. A desired distance (D4) from the bus bar to a reference point on or adjacent to an anode rod for the new anode is calculated, the spent anode is replaced with a new anode so that the reference point on the new anode rod is spaced from the bus bar by an actual distance (D5), and the actual distance (D5) is measured at least once by means of a vision system. The actual distance (D5) is preferably adjusted using a feedback control loop in a computer so that D5 approaches the desired distance (D4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Gagne, Gilles Dufour, Bertrand St-Laurent, Claude Gauthier, Jacques Denis, Robin Boulianne, Pierre Bouchard, Jacques Pelletier