Patents by Inventor Nolan Earle Richards

Nolan Earle Richards 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).

  • Patent number: 6375712
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and method are described for the removal of light metals; sodium, lithium, calcium and magnesium, from virgin aluminum tapped from a Hall Heroult reduction cell using LiF-modified or LiF+MgF2 electrolyte. The method is performed in a crucible or at a station intermediate between the cells and furnaces in a cast house. Fine particulate aluminum fluoride and/or sodium aluminum tetrafluoride are transported by a gas or gas mixture into the molten aluminum in a manner such that the light metals are preferentially removed or their concentration substantially lowered through: a) the axle of a specially designed spinning impeller; b) partially through the axle of a specially designed spinning impeller and partially through one or more pipes equipped with dispersers for dispersing into the molten metal flow close to the spinning impeller; or c) through one or more pipes equipped with dispersers for dispersing into the molten metal flow close to the impeller fastened to a solid axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventors: Helge O. Forberg, Nolan Earle Richards