Patents by Inventor Paul Thoen

Paul Thoen 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: 9044715
    Abstract: The invention provides support-free palladium membranes and methods of making these membranes. Single-gas testing of the unsupported foils produced hydrogen permeabilities equivalent to thicker membranes produced by cold-rolling. Defect-free films as thin as 7.2 microns can be fabricated, with ideal H2/N2 selectivities as high as 40,000. Homogeneous membrane compositions may also be produced using these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: J. Douglas Way, Paul Thoen, Sabina K. Gade
  • Publication number: 20120128999
    Abstract: The invention provides thin, hydrogen-permeable, sulfur-resistant membranes formed from palladium or palladium-alloy coatings on porous, ceramic or metal supports. Also disclosed are methods of making these membranes via sequential electroless plating techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: J. DOUGLAS WAY, Mark Lusk, Paul Thoen
  • Patent number: 8101243
    Abstract: The invention provides thin, hydrogen-permeable, sulfur-resistant membranes formed from palladium or palladium-alloy coatings on porous, ceramic or metal supports. Also disclosed are methods of making these membranes via sequential electroless plating techniques, wherein the method of making the membrane includes decomposing any organic ligands present on the substrate, reducing the palladium crystallites on the substrate to reduced palladium crystallites, depositing a film of palladium metal on the substrate and then depositing a second, gold film on the palladium film. These two metal films are then annealed at a temperature between about 200° C. and about 1200° C. to form a sulfur-resistant, composite PdAu alloy membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: J. Douglas Way, Mark Lusk, Paul Thoen
  • Publication number: 20090176012
    Abstract: The invention provides support-free palladium membranes and methods of making these membranes. Single-gas testing of the unsupported foils produced hydrogen permeabilities equivalent to thicker membranes produced by cold-rolling. Defect-free films as thin as 7.2 microns can be fabricated, with ideal H2/N2 selectivities as high as 40,000. Homogeneous membrane compositions may also be produced using these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: J. Douglas Way, Paul Thoen, Sabina K. Gade
  • Publication number: 20080038567
    Abstract: The invention provides thin, hydrogen-permeable, sulfur-resistant membranes formed from palladium or palladium-alloy coatings on porous, ceramic or metal supports. Also disclosed are methods of making these membranes via sequential electroless plating techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: J. Way, Mark Lusk, Paul Thoen
  • Patent number: 6394281
    Abstract: A process for sealing a ceramic filter by infiltrating a metal into an end of the filter is disclosed. The process includes the steps of contacting the end of a porous ceramic filter with a molten metal, whereby the metal enters into the ceramic matrix to substantially fill the void space. The ceramic filter is cooled to form a filter having a ceramic-metal composite portion. The present invention also provides a filter having an infiltrated metal seal. Methods for joining infiltrated ends are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Coors Tek Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus A. Ritland, Dennis W. Readey, Richard N. Kleiner, Jack D. Sibold, Kyle Knudson, Steven Landin, Paul Thoen
  • Publication number: 20010044999
    Abstract: A process for sealing a ceramic filter by infiltrating a metal into an end of the filter. The process includes the steps of contacting the end of a porous ceramic filter with a molten metal, whereby the metal enters into the ceramic matrix to substantially fill the void space. The ceramic filter is cooled to form a filter having a ceramic-metal composite portion. The present invention also provides a filter having an infiltrated metal seal. Methods for joining infiltrated ends are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: CoorsTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus A. Ritland, Dennis W. Readey, Richard N. Kleiner, Jack D. Sibold, Kyle Knudson, Steven Landin, Paul Thoen
  • Patent number: 6247221
    Abstract: A process for sealing a ceramic filter by infiltrating a metal into an end of the filter. The process includes the steps of contacting the end of a porous ceramic filter with a molten metal, whereby the metal enters into the ceramic matrix to substantially fill the void space. The ceramic filter is cooled to form a filter having a ceramic-metal composite portion. The present invention also provides a filter having an infiltrated metal seal. Methods for joining infiltrated ends are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Coors Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus A. Ritland, Dennis W. Readey, Richard N. Kleiner, Jack D. Sibold, Kyle Knudson, Steven Landin, Paul Thoen