Patents by Inventor Robert Dufresne

Robert Dufresne 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).

  • Publication number: 20260125244
    Abstract: An anchor system is proposed for securing to an electrolytic vessel to render the electrolytic vessel liftable upon coupling with the lifting device. The anchor system includes a plurality of strap assemblies being secured to respective anchor sections of the vessel and each strap assembly includes a strap and at least one anchor configured to provide anchorage to a lifting accessory of the lifting device. The system can further include at least one additional strengthener that can be positioned onto respective lower strap sections of the straps, or along an inner or outer surface of a base core wall of a core of the electrolytic vessel. A lifting system including the anchor system and the lifting device, liftable assembly including the anchor system and the electrolytic vessel, and a method for lifting and displacing the electrolytic vessel are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20260002628
    Abstract: There is provided an electrolytic tank assembly facilitating alignment and levelling of an electrolytic tank with respect to adjacent electrolytic tank. A levelling assembly can include a plurality of adjustable levelling mechanisms being independently actuable to cause upward or downward movement of the electrolytic tank. A sole assembly can include friction and sliding soles for controlling transversal movement of an electrolytic tank with respect to support beams onto which the tank is supported. A strap assembly comprising a vertically extending strap and a connector provided at an end of the vertically extending strap can be connected to each adjustable levelling mechanism of the levelling assembly. Various type of connectors can be provided at the other end of the strap to provide anchorage to accessory for operation, lifting, maintenance, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2025
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Patent number: 12379062
    Abstract: There is provided an electrolytic tank assembly facilitating alignment and levelling of an electrolytic tank with respect to adjacent electrolytic tank. A levelling assembly can include a plurality of adjustable levelling mechanisms being independently actuable to cause upward or downward movement of the electrolytic tank. A sole assembly can include friction and sliding soles for controlling transversal movement of an electrolytic tank with respect to support beams onto which the tank is supported. A strap assembly comprising a vertically extending strap and a connector provided at an end of the vertically extending strap can be connected to each adjustable levelling mechanism of the levelling assembly. Various type of connectors can be provided at the other end of the strap to provide anchorage to accessory for operation, lifting, maintenance, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Patent number: 12258206
    Abstract: An anchor assembly and related system for holding an underground tank below a ground level, including a lightweight anchor base defining a slot, and a retention mechanism that is locatable at multiple locations along the slot of the anchor base to securely maintain a strap assembly in place. The system can include the anchor assembly and the strap assembly, with the retention mechanism of the anchor assembly being movable along the slot of the anchor base to facilitate placement and adjustment of the strap assembly with respect to the anchor base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20240344650
    Abstract: There is provided an electrolytic tank assembly facilitating alignment and levelling of an electrolytic tank with respect to adjacent electrolytic tank. A levelling assembly can include a plurality of adjustable levelling mechanisms being independently actuable to cause upward or downward movement of the electrolytic tank. A sole assembly can include friction and sliding soles for controlling transversal movement of an electrolytic tank with respect to support beams onto which the tank is supported. A strap assembly comprising a vertically extending strap and a connector provided at an end of the vertically extending strap can be connected to each adjustable levelling mechanism of the levelling assembly. Various type of connectors can be provided at the other end of the strap to provide anchorage to accessory for operation, lifting, maintenance, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20240262615
    Abstract: An anchor assembly and related system for holding an underground tank below a ground level, including a lightweight anchor base defining a slot, and a retention mechanism that is locatable at multiple locations along the slot of the anchor base to securely maintain a strap assembly in place. The system can include the anchor assembly and the strap assembly, with the retention mechanism of the anchor assembly being movable along the slot of the anchor base to facilitate placement and adjustment of the strap assembly with respect to the anchor base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventor: Robert DUFRESNE
  • Patent number: 12038130
    Abstract: There is provided an electrolytic tank assembly facilitating alignment and levelling of an electrolytic tank with respect to adjacent electrolytic tank. A levelling assembly can include a plurality of adjustable levelling mechanisms being independently actuable to cause upward or downward movement of the electrolytic tank. A sole assembly can include friction and sliding soles for controlling transversal movement of an electrolytic tank with respect to support beams onto which the tank is supported. A strap assembly comprising a vertically extending strap and a connector provided at an end of the vertically extending strap can be connected to each adjustable levelling mechanism of the levelling assembly. Various type of connectors can be provided at the other end of the strap to provide anchorage to accessory for operation, lifting, maintenance, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20240182236
    Abstract: An anchoring assembly and related system and method for facilitating the securing a holding strap to a storage tank and holding of the latter to the ground, comprising a base that is connectable to a top surface of the storage tank and an anchor that is reversibly secured to the base and positionable in a transverse direction of the storage tank to anchor a proximal end of the holding strap. The anchor includes a tightening mechanism being supported above the top surface of the storage tank by the base, wherein the tightening mechanism is actuable to move the anchor with respect to the top surface of the storage tank, thereby modifying a tension of the holding strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT DUFRESNE, SIMON BALIT-ACHIM, HAMID ARABZADEH, XAVIER DUFRESNE
  • Patent number: 11975916
    Abstract: An anchor assembly and related system for holding an underground tank below a ground level, including a lightweight anchor base defining a slot, and a retention mechanism that is locatable at multiple locations along the slot of the anchor base to securely maintain a strap assembly in place. The system can include the anchor assembly and the strap assembly, with the retention mechanism of the anchor assembly being movable along the slot of the anchor base to facilitate placement and adjustment of the strap assembly with respect to the anchor base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Patent number: 11926915
    Abstract: A liftable electrolytic vessel including at least one anchor assembly being at least partially embedded in each of two opposed core walls to provide anchorage to a lifting accessory of a lifting device; and related method for lifting the electrolytic vessel. Each anchor assembly comprises an anchor having a strap slot, and a strap connected to the anchor and extending from the anchor along and inside at least a portion of the corresponding core wall. The anchor further includes a connector which is sized and configured to receive a fastener or engage a lifting accessory such as a chain or a hook. The anchor assembly may include one anchor provided at each end of the strap. A plurality of anchor assemblies may extend vertically and horizontally within a core of the vessel to offer various anchorage points from an outer surface of the core. Design of the anchor of a first anchor assembly may differ from the design of a second anchor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20230348179
    Abstract: An anchor assembly and related system for holding an underground tank below a ground level, including a lightweight anchor base defining a slot, and a retention mechanism that is locatable at multiple locations along the slot of the anchor base to securely maintain a strap assembly in place. The system can include the anchor assembly and the strap assembly, with the retention mechanism of the anchor assembly being movable along the slot of the anchor base to facilitate placement and adjustment of the strap assembly with respect to the anchor base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventor: Robert DUFRESNE
  • Publication number: 20220154871
    Abstract: There is provided an electrolytic tank assembly facilitating alignment and levelling of an electrolytic tank with respect to adjacent electrolytic tank. A levelling assembly can include a plurality of adjustable levelling mechanisms being independently actuable to cause upward or downward movement of the electrolytic tank. A sole assembly can include friction and sliding soles for controlling transversal movement of an electrolytic tank with respect to support beams onto which the tank is supported. A strap assembly comprising a vertically extending strap and a connector provided at an end of the vertically extending strap can be connected to each adjustable levelling mechanism of the levelling assembly. Various type of connectors can be provided at the other end of the strap to provide anchorage to accessory for operation, lifting, maintenance, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20220106696
    Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to an article, including an electrolytic tank for refining metals, and related production techniques, wherein the article defines a channel or cavity receiving a corrosive medium including sulfuric acid. The article includes a corrosion-resistant lead coating including at least one layer of lead solidified onto at least a portion of the cavity. The corrosion-resistant coating can be combined with additional layers including fiberglass-based material for further protection against corrosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20210277532
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell assembly for hydrometallurgical refining of metal and related method for lifting thereof. The cell assembly comprises a rectangular base for contacting a floor; four walls extending upward from the rectangular base and defining an electrolysis cavity for receiving electrolyte and electrodes; anchor apertures provided through the base and/or the walls for providing anchor points for lifting the electrolytic cell assembly off of the floor; and plugs and/or protective layer for plugging and/or covering the anchor apertures to seal the electrolysis cavity during hydrometallurgical refining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: Robert DUFRESNE
  • Publication number: 20210062352
    Abstract: A liftable electrolytic vessel including at least one anchor assembly being at least partially embedded in each of two opposed core walls to provide anchorage to a lifting accessory of a lifting device; and related method for lifting the electrolytic vessel. Each anchor assembly comprises an anchor having a strap slot, and a strap connected to the anchor and extending from the anchor along and inside at least a portion of the corresponding core wall. The anchor further includes a connector which is sized and configured to receive a fastener or engage a lifting accessory such as a chain or a hook. The anchor assembly may include one anchor provided at each end of the strap. A plurality of anchor assemblies may extend vertically and horizontally within a core of the vessel to offer various anchorage points from an outer surface of the core. Design of the anchor of a first anchor assembly may differ from the design of a second anchor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventor: Robert DUFRESNE
  • Patent number: 10781968
    Abstract: Various anchors and methods for anchoring an underground storage tank are provided. The anchor includes a base and at least one retention mechanism connected to the base for retaining various configurations of hooks and straps for holding the tank. The retention mechanism includes an opening and a retention member that is configured to open or close the opening by displacing or collapsing said retention member. The anchor may include a composite base having a footing and a spine extending upwardly from the footing so as to define footing portions on either side of the spine. The footing and the spine may have a composite composition that includes a matrix material and a reinforcement structure embedded within the matrix material. The retention mechanism may be connected to the spine of the composite base for retaining a hook for anchoring the underground storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Patent number: 10689772
    Abstract: An electrolytic cells for refining metals, and more particularly components, assemblies and methods making use of conductive elements configured to enhance distribution of electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Pultrusion Technique Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Publication number: 20200103072
    Abstract: Various anchors and methods for anchoring an underground storage tank are provided. The anchor includes a base and at least one retention mechanism connected to the base for retaining various configurations of hooks and straps for holding the tank. The retention mechanism includes an opening and a retention member that is configured to open or close the opening by displacing or collapsing said retention member. The anchor may include a composite base having a footing and a spine extending upwardly from the footing so as to define footing portions on either side of the spine. The footing and the spine may have a composite composition that includes a matrix material and a reinforcement structure embedded within the matrix material. The retention mechanism may be connected to the spine of the composite base for retaining a hook for anchoring the underground storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Patent number: 10533701
    Abstract: Various anchors and methods for anchoring an underground storage tank are provided. The anchor includes a base and at least one retention mechanism connected to the base for retaining various configurations of hooks and straps for holding the tank. The retention mechanism includes an opening and a retention member that is configured to open or close the opening by displacing or collapsing said retention member. The anchor may include a composite base having a footing and a spine extending upwardly from the footing so as to define footing portions on either side of the spine. The footing and the spine may have a composite composition that includes a matrix material and a reinforcement structure embedded within the matrix material. The retention mechanism may be connected to the spine of the composite base for retaining a hook for anchoring the underground storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne
  • Patent number: 10233553
    Abstract: A contact bar and related techniques allow enhanced electrolytic refining of metals, e.g. avoiding or reducing electrical short circuits. The contact bar is adapted to rest on an insulating capping board for contacting symmetrical electrodes to provide locations for electrical contact therewith. The contact bar includes a central portion laying on the capping board and branch portions extending laterally outward from the central portion, such that the branch portions fit in between seats of the capping board. The contact bar may include a retention member enabling to reduce lateral movement of the electrodes, and may include a plurality of apertures to engage corresponding holding arms of the capping board. There may be a plurality of adjacent similar contact bar segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Pultrusion Technique Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Dufresne