Patents by Inventor Michael H. Barker
Michael H. Barker 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: 10400344Abstract: Provided is an electrode assembly for electrolytic processing in an electrolysis cell comprising an electrode blade comprising a metallic hanger bar portion, a first lug for supporting the metallic hanger bar portion on a first power supply bar, an insulating piece connecting the metallic hanger bar portion to the first lug. The electrode assembly also comprises an electrical switch unit controlling electrical current supply between the first lug and the metallic hanger bar based on a control signal transmitted to a terminal of the electrical switch unit, a control unit configured to transmit the control signal to the terminal of the electrical switch unit, and a power storage unit configured to supply power to the control unit, the power storage unit being charged from the first lug and the hanger bar when the electrical switch unit switches off electrical current supply between the first lug and the metallic hanger bar.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OYInventors: Duncan Grant, Michael H. Barker, Henri K. Virtanen, Sönke Schmachtel, Ari Rantala, Lauri Nordlund
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Patent number: 9932683Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electrowinning a metal from an electrolyte in an electrowinning cell that comprises an electrolysis tank, one or more anodes, and one or more cathodes, which anodes and cathodes are housed in the electrolysis tank. The method comprises supplying sulfur dioxide to the anode to depolarize the anode process and to reduce the energy consumption of the electrowinning cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OYInventors: Michael H. Barker, Henri K. Virtanen
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Patent number: 9695520Abstract: The invention relates to a method and current measuring arrangement for measuring electric current flowing in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system. The electrolysis system comprises a plurality of interleaved electrodes (1, 2), cathodes (1) and anodes (2), arranged in an electrolysis cell (3) and immersed in electrolyte, said electrolysis system having a busbar (4) disposed on a separating cell wall (5) between each of the two adjacent cells to conduct electric current to the electrodes via a contact point (6) between the busbar and a hanger bar (7) of the electrode, and the current sensing arrangement comprises a magnetic field sensing means (8; 81, 82; 10) for measuring the magnetic field induced by said current. The magnetic field sensing means (8; 81, 82; 10) are arranged to sense the magnetic field substantially at the level of the contact point (6).Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Outotec (Finland) OyInventors: Duncan Grant, Michael H. Barker, Lauri Nordlund, Ari Rantala, Henri K. Virtanen
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Patent number: 9677184Abstract: The invention relates to a method and current measuring arrangement for measuring electric current flowing in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system. The electrolysis system comprises a plurality of interleaved electrodes (1, 2), cathodes (1) and anodes (2), arranged in an electrolysis cell (3) and immersed in electrolyte, said electrolysis system having a busbar arrangement (4) disposed on a separating cell wall (5) between each of the two adjacent cells. The busbar arrangement comprises an equalizer busbar (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) to electrically connect anodes in one cell to cathodes in a next cell providing the current with multiple electrical pathways between electrodes, said electrical connection being formed by contact points (12) between the equalizer busbar (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) and hanger bars (13) of the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Outotec (Finland) OyInventors: Duncan Grant, Michael H. Barker, Lauri Nordlund, Ari Rantala, Henri K. Virtanen
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Publication number: 20160138177Abstract: Provided is an electrode assembly for electrolytic processing in an electrolysis cell comprising an electrode blade comprising a metallic hanger bar portion, a first lug for supporting the metallic hanger bar portion on a first power supply bar, an insulating piece connecting the metallic hanger bar portion to the first lug. The electrode assembly also comprises an electrical switch unit controlling electrical current supply between the first lug and the metallic hanger bar based on a control signal transmitted to a terminal of the electrical switch unit, a control unit configured to transmit the control signal to the terminal of the electrical switch unit, and a power storage unit configured to supply power to the control unit, the power storage unit being charged from the first lug and the hanger bar when the electrical switch unit switches off electrical current supply between the first lug and the metallic hanger bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OYInventors: Duncan GRANT, Michael H. BARKER, Henri K. VIRTANEN, Sönke SCHMACHTEL, Ari RANTALA, Lauri NORDLUND
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Publication number: 20160115609Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electrowinning a metal from an electrolyte in an electrowinning cell that comprises an electrolysis tank, one or more anodes, and one or more cathodes, which anodes and cathodes are housed in the electrolysis tank. The method comprises supplying sulfur dioxide to the anode to depolarize the anode process and to reduce the energy consumption of the electrowinning cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OYInventors: Michael H. BARKER, Henri K. VIRTANEN
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Publication number: 20160010233Abstract: Disclosed is a system for electrolytic processing or recovery of a metal from an electrolyte solution. The system may comprise electrolysis cells and a rectifier. The cells may comprise interleaved anodes and cathodes. The anodes or the cathodes of a first cell may have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier, respectively, via a first electrical path having a first resistance. The anodes or the cathodes of a second cell may have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier, respectively, via a second electrical path having a second resistance. The second resistance is configured to be higher than the first resistance. The system may further comprise a channel for electrolyte from the first cell to the second cell, the electrolyte containing the metal in a dissolved ionic form, metal concentration in the first cell being higher than in the second cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2012Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Duncan GRANT, Michael H. BARKER, Henry K. VIRTANEN
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Publication number: 20160002802Abstract: The invention relates to a method and current measuring arrangement for measuring electric current flowing in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system. The electrolysis system comprises a plurality of interleaved electrodes (1, 2), cathodes (1) and anodes (2), arranged in an electrolysis cell (3) and immersed in electrolyte, said electrolysis system having a busbar arrangement (4) disposed on a separating cell wall (5) between each of the two adjacent cells. The busbar arrangement comprises an equaliser busbar (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) to electrically connect anodes in one cell to cathodes in a next cell providing the current with multiple electrical pathways between electrodes, said electrical connection being formed by contact points (12) between the equaliser busbar (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) and hanger bars (13) of the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OYInventors: Duncan GRANT, Michael H. BARKER, Lauri NORDLUND, Ari RANTALA, Henri K. VIRTANEN
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Publication number: 20160002801Abstract: The invention relates to a method and current measuring arrangement for measuring electric current flowing in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system. The electrolysis system comprises a plurality of interleaved electrodes (1, 2), cathodes (1) and anodes (2), arranged in an electrolysis cell (3) and immersed in electrolyte, said electrolysis system having a busbar (4) disposed on a separating cell wall (5) between each of the two adjacent cells to conduct electric current to the electrodes via a contact point (6) between the busbar and a hanger bar (7) of the electrode, and the current sensing arrangement comprises a magnetic field sensing means (8; 81, 82; 10) for measuring the magnetic field induced by said current. The magnetic field sensing means (8; 81, 82; 10) are arranged to sense the magnetic field substantially at the level of the contact point (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Duncan GRANT, Michael H. BARKER, Lauri NORDLUND, Ari RANTALA, Henri K. VIRTANEN
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Publication number: 20150034491Abstract: The invention relates to an anode for electrowinning process in an electrolytic cell, and the method of operation thereof, having cell walls and a cell bottom for holding an electrolyte and electrolyte feeding means, which anode comprises a hanger bar for supporting the anode, a conducting rod for distributing the current, an anode body having at least partly conductive structure. The anode body allows electrolyte penetration and is at least partly covered by electrocatalytic coating, when in connection with the anode there is arranged a non-conductive element, which is restricted to the conductive structure of the anode body, at least from its one side, and which non-conductive element is arranged at a distance A from the electrolyte surface level, when the non-conductive element provides a means for attaching the anode to the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OyInventors: Ville Nieminen, Michael H. Barker, Henri Virtanen
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Patent number: 4148437Abstract: A nozzle for injecting fuel oil into a fluidized bed combustor has a pair of co-axial tubes, each of which is connected to an air supply and each having internal outlets. The inner co-axial tube projects beyond and has its outlet beyond the outer co-axial tube outlet. The oil is supplied from a further tube within the inner co-axial tube and having its outlet near the outlet of the inner tube. Air passing down the inner tube entrains the oil emerging from the oil supply tube and the oil/air mixture then passes into and is reacted in the fluidized bed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1977Date of Patent: April 10, 1979Assignee: The British Petroleum Company LimitedInventors: Michael H. Barker, Alan G. Roberts