Patents by Inventor Leroy E. D'Astolfo

Leroy E. D'Astolfo 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).

  • MECHANICAL ATTACHMENT OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONDUCTOR TO INERT ANODES
    Publication number: 20040195091
    Abstract: An inert anode (10) for use in an electrolysis process to make metals such as aluminum, contains a hollow interior with an open top portion (16), an interior closed bottom (18) and interior side walls (19) where the top interior side walls (16) have at least one interior groove (20) which helps relieve stress on the anode material and helps provide locking and support of the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Leroy E. D'Astolfo
  • Inert anode assembly
    Publication number: 20040094409
    Abstract: A solid material (12′) circumscribing an anode system (10) in an electrolysis apparatus is made from a mixture of cryolite and/or alumina (Al2O3), where the solid material (12′) contacts and surrounds the anodes (14, 14′).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: LeRoy E. D'Astolfo, Calvin Bates
  • Insulation assemblies for metal production cells
    Patent number: 6723221
    Abstract: Insulation assemblies provide reduced heat loss from electrolytic metal production cells such as inert anode aluminum production cells. The insulation assemblies may be located at the end, side and/or center aisles of the cell, and may be supported by the anodes and deckplate of the cell. The assemblies reduce heat loss and bath vaporization losses, and permit stable operation of the inert anode cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: LeRoy E. D'Astolfo, Jr., Thomas R. Hornack, Raymond Miller, Robert L. Kozarek
  • Shockproof refractory castable anode assembly
    Publication number: 20030141196
    Abstract: An anode system (10) in contact with a molten salt bath (34) in an electrolysis apparatus, contains a 50% to 95% dense refractory support (12) which comprises refractory material and from 2 wt %. to 20 wt. % of metal fibers (40), where the metal fibers are from 1 cm to 4 cm long.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Leroy E. D'Astolfo, Larry F. Wieserman, Thomas R. Hornack, Calvin Bates
  • Protecting an inert anode from thermal shock
    Publication number: 20030127339
    Abstract: A method for protecting anode assemblies in an electrolytic cell from thermal shock is disclosed. The method generally involves applying a thermal insulating layer (8, 16) to the anode (2) prior to preheating the anode assembly in a furnace, where the layer (8, 16) protects the anode (2) from thermal shock during transfer from the preheat furnace to the electrolytic cell. In a preferred embodiment the anode (2) is attached to a castable plate (4) that is also protected from thermal shock by an insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Alfred F. LaCamera, Leroy E. D'Astolfo, James T. Burg
  • Method of converting Hall-Heroult cells to inert anode cells for aluminum production
    Patent number: 6558526
    Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting conventional aluminum smelting cells with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies are pre-heated prior to introduction into the operating cell. Insulation may be installed for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: LeRoy E. D'Astolfo, Jr., Robert C. Moore
  • Retrofit aluminum smelting cells using inert anodes and method
    Patent number: 6551489
    Abstract: Conventional aluminum smelting cells are retrofitted with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies may include multiple inert anodes, and may also include insulation for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: LeRoy E. D'Astolfo, Jr., Giuseppe Lazzaro
  • Cermet inert anode assembly thermal insulating layer
    Publication number: 20030038039
    Abstract: A method for protecting anode assemblies in an electrolytic cell from thermal shock is disclosed. The method generally involves applying a thermal insulating layer (8, 16) to the anode (2) and the castable plate (4) prior to preheating the anode assembly in a furnace, where the layer (8, 16) protects the anode (2) and the plate (4) from thermal shock during transfer from the preheat furnace to the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Alfred F. LaCamera, Leroy E. D'Astolfo, James T. Burg
  • Insulation assemblies for metal production cells
    Publication number: 20020074235
    Abstract: Insulation assemblies provide reduced heat loss from electrolytic metal production cells such as inert anode aluminum production cells. The insulation assemblies may be located at the end, side and/or center aisles of the cell, and may be supported by the anodes and deckplate of the cell. The assemblies reduce heat loss and bath vaporization losses, and permit stable operation of the inert anode cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: LeRoy E. D'Astolfo, Thomas R. Hornack, Raymond Miller, Robert L. Kozarek
  • Method of converting Hall-Haroult cells to inert anode cells for aluminum production
    Publication number: 20010037946
    Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting conventional aluminum smelting cells with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies are pre-heated prior to introduction into the operating cell. Insulation may be installed for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: LeRoy E. D'Astolfo, Robert C. Moore
  • Retrofit aluminum smelting cells using inert anodes
    Publication number: 20010035344
    Abstract: Conventional aluminum smelting cells are retrofitted with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies may include multiple inert anodes, and may also include insulation for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: LeRoy E. D'Astolfo, Giuseppe Lazzaro