Patents by Inventor Patrick M. Curran

Patrick M. Curran 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: 10122052
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the production of new lead-acid batteries. The system includes a first phase separation device configured to: receive the first mixture from the basic lead stream digestion device, isolate a liquid component from one or more insoluble components of the first mixture, and output the liquid component. The system also includes a lead salt precipitation device configured to: receive and mix the liquid component and a carboxylate source to form a second mixture including a lead salt precipitate, and output the second mixture. The system further includes a second phase separation device configured to: receive the second mixture from the lead salt precipitation device, isolate the liquid component from the lead salt precipitate of the second mixture, and output the lead salt precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran
  • Publication number: 20170338531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the production of new lead-acid batteries. The system includes a first phase separation device configured to: receive the first mixture from the basic lead stream digestion device, isolate a liquid component from one or more insoluble components of the first mixture, and output the liquid component. The system also includes a lead salt precipitation device configured to: receive and mix the liquid component and a carboxylate source to form a second mixture including a lead salt precipitate, and output the second mixture. The system further includes a second phase separation device configured to: receive the second mixture from the lead salt precipitation device, isolate the liquid component from the lead salt precipitate of the second mixture, and output the lead salt precipitate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran
  • Patent number: 9757702
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the production of new lead-acid batteries. The system includes a first phase separation device configured to: receive the first mixture from the basic lead stream digestion device, isolate a liquid component from one or more insoluble components of the first mixture, and output the liquid component. The system also includes a lead salt precipitation device configured to: receive and mix the liquid component and a carboxylate source to form a second mixture including a lead salt precipitate, and output the second mixture. The system further includes a second phase separation device configured to: receive the second mixture from the lead salt precipitation device, isolate the liquid component from the lead salt precipitate of the second mixture, and output the lead salt precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran
  • Patent number: 9660306
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for recycling lead-acid batteries, and more specifically, relates to systems and methods for selectively separating and separately processing portions of lead-acid batteries to improve efficiency and reduce costs. A lead-acid battery processing system includes an imaging system configured to perform imaging of a lead-acid battery and perform image analysis to determine a break point that divides top lead from a remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery. The system also includes a battery breaking device configured to break the lead-acid battery at the determined break point and separate the lead-acid battery into a first portion, which includes the top lead, from a second portion, which includes the remainder of the lead content, for separate processing of the first and second portions of the lead-acid battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran, Eberhard Meissner
  • Patent number: 9533273
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the construction of new lead-acid batteries. A method includes forming a first mixture in a first vessel, wherein the first mixture includes a lead-bearing material and a carboxylate source, which react to precipitate lead salt particles. The method includes separating a portion of the first mixture from a remainder of the first mixture, wherein the portion includes lead salt particles having specific densities below a specific density threshold value and/or having particle sizes below a particle size threshold value. The method includes forming a second mixture in a second vessel, wherein the second mixture includes the lead salt particles from the separated portion of the first mixture. The method further includes separating the lead salt particles of the second mixture from a liquid component of the second mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Eberhard Meissner, Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran
  • Publication number: 20160079636
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for recycling lead-acid batteries, and more specifically, relates to systems and methods for selectively separating and separately processing portions of lead-acid batteries to improve efficiency and reduce costs. A lead-acid battery processing system includes an imaging system configured to perform imaging of a lead-acid battery and perform image analysis to determine a break point that divides top lead from a remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery. The system also includes a battery breaking device configured to break the lead-acid battery at the determined break point and separate the lead-acid battery into a first portion, which includes the top lead, from a second portion, which includes the remainder of the lead content, for separate processing of the first and second portions of the lead-acid battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran, Eberhard Meissner
  • Publication number: 20150367311
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the production of new lead-acid batteries. The system includes a first phase separation device configured to: receive the first mixture from the basic lead stream digestion device, isolate a liquid component from one or more insoluble components of the first mixture, and output the liquid component. The system also includes a lead salt precipitation device configured to: receive and mix the liquid component and a carboxylate source to form a second mixture including a lead salt precipitate, and output the second mixture. The system further includes a second phase separation device configured to: receive the second mixture from the lead salt precipitation device, isolate the liquid component from the lead salt precipitate of the second mixture, and output the lead salt precipitate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran
  • Publication number: 20150368749
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the construction of new lead-acid batteries. A method includes forming a first mixture in a first vessel, wherein the first mixture includes a lead-bearing material and a carboxylate source, which react to precipitate lead salt particles. The method includes separating a portion of the first mixture from a remainder of the first mixture, wherein the portion includes lead salt particles having specific densities below a specific density threshold value and/or having particle sizes below a particle size threshold value. The method includes forming a second mixture in a second vessel, wherein the second mixture includes the lead salt particles from the separated portion of the first mixture. The method further includes separating the lead salt particles of the second mixture from a liquid component of the second mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Eberhard Meissner, Matthew A. Spence, Patrick M. Curran
  • Patent number: 4184900
    Abstract: This invention concerns a method for controlling the microstructure of directionally solidified eutectic articles and the article produced thereby. The method is particularly appropriate for the production of articles such as turbine blades which require different mechanical properties in different areas of the article. The microstructure is controlled by varying the directional solidification conditions during the casting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Erickson, Earl R. Thompson, Patrick M. Curran