Patents by Inventor Robert J. Hanson

Robert J. Hanson 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: 11866589
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Monolith Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230357021
    Abstract: Carbonaceous product may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. Carbon dioxide may be sequestered. The carbonaceous product may include carbon black.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert J. Hanson, Ned J. Hardman, Thomas R. Maier
  • Publication number: 20230279234
    Abstract: A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230154640
    Abstract: Disk shaped fine carbon particles. A fine carbon particle having a diameter of less than 3 microns and a height of less than 0.05 micron substantially in disk form are described. Admixtures with other fine particles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Roscoe W. Taylor, Peter L. Johnson, Robert J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 11591477
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 11492496
    Abstract: A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, Christopher J.-P. Cardinal, Peter L. Johnson, Ned J. Hardman, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20220274046
    Abstract: The integration of plasma processes with combined cycle power plant, simple cycle power plant, and steam reforming processes. A method of producing purified hydrogen gas and fuel is described including compressing a feed stream of hydrogen, adding tail gas from a plasma process to the feed stream, passing the tail gas modified feed stream into a pressure swing adsorption system generating a purified hydrogen product and a pressure swing adsorption tail gas, separating and compressing the purified hydrogen product, and separating and compressing the pressure swing adsorption tail gas for use as fuel. A method of generating and recapturing electricity from a single or combined cycle power plant is also described including flowing natural gas into a plasma process and hydrogen generating plant, flowing the hydrogen produced into the power plant, flowing natural gas into the power plant, resulting in the production of electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Robert J. Hanson, Roscoe W. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20210375670
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure including an upper insulating material overlying a lower insulating material, a conductive element underlying the lower insulating material, and a conductive material comprising a metal line and a contact. The conductive material extends from an upper surface of the upper insulating material to an upper surface of the conductive element. The structure also comprises a liner material adjacent the metal line. A width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the metal line external to the contact is relatively less than a width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the contact. Related methods, memory devices, and electronic systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Xiaosong Zhang, Yongjun J. Hu, David A. Kewley, Md Zahid Hossain, Michael J. Irwin, Daniel Billingsley, Suresh Ramarajan, Robert J. Hanson, Biow Hiem Ong, Keen Wah Chow
  • Patent number: 11149148
    Abstract: Secondary heat may be added to a particle production process. The particles may be, for example, carbon particles. Among other things, the secondary heat addition may result in change in surface area of the carbon particle(s), change in structure of the carbon particle(s), reduced wall fouling, reduced energy consumption and/or increased throughput. Apparatus for performing the process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Robert J. Hanson, Aaron S. Hampton
  • Patent number: 11101171
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure including an upper insulating material overlying a lower insulating material, a conductive element underlying the lower insulating material, and a conductive material comprising a metal line and a contact. The conductive material extends from an upper surface of the upper insulating material to an upper surface of the conductive element. The structure also comprises a liner material adjacent the metal line. A width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the metal line external to the contact is relatively less than a width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the contact. Related methods, memory devices, and electronic systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaosong Zhang, Yongjun J. Hu, David A. Kewley, Md Zahid Hossain, Michael J. Irwin, Daniel Billingsley, Suresh Ramarajan, Robert J. Hanson, Biow Hiem Ong, Keen Wah Chow
  • Publication number: 20210050252
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure including an upper insulating material overlying a lower insulating material, a conductive element underlying the lower insulating material, and a conductive material comprising a metal line and a contact. The conductive material extends from an upper surface of the upper insulating material to an upper surface of the conductive element. The structure also comprises a liner material adjacent the metal line. A width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the metal line external to the contact is relatively less than a width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the contact. Related methods, memory devices, and electronic systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Xiaosong Zhang, Yongjun J. Hu, David A. Kewley, Md Zahid Hossain, Michael J. Irwin, Daniel Billingsley, Suresh Ramarajan, Robert J. Hanson, Biow Hiem Ong, Keen Wah Chow
  • Patent number: 10808097
    Abstract: Carbon nanoparticles made in a one step process. A method of making carbon black nanoparticles is described, including adding a hydrocarbon to a heated gas to produce carbon nanoparticles that are less than 1 micron volume equivalent sphere and have an Lc greater than 3.0 nm. Elastomer composites containing such particles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ned J. Hardman, Roscoe W. Taylor, Alexander F. Hoermann, Peter L. Johnson, Christopher J. -P. Cardinal, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20200140691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 10453673
    Abstract: Methods of removing metal from a portion of a substrate include exposing the substrate to a reducing environment comprising at least one reducing agent and at least one oxidizing agent, determining whether metal remaining on the portion of the substrate is less than or equal to a particular level, and exposing the substrate to an oxidizing environment comprising at least one oxidizing agent and at least one reducing agent if the metal remaining on the portion of the substrate is deemed to be greater than the particular level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Dolan, Robert J. Hanson, Chan Lim
  • Patent number: 10370539
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Alexander F. Hoermann, Roscoe W. Taylor, John J. Moss, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20190153234
    Abstract: A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Monolith Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander F. HOERMANN, Roscoe W. TAYLOR, Christopher J.-P. CARDINAL, Peter L. JOHNSON, Ned J. HARDMAN, Robert J. HANSON
  • Publication number: 20190100658
    Abstract: Secondary heat may be added to a particle production process. The particles may be, for example, carbon particles. Among other things, the secondary heat addition may result in change in surface area of the carbon particle(s), change in structure of the carbon particle(s), reduced wall fouling, reduced energy consumption and/or increased throughput. Apparatus for performing the process is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Roscoe W. TAYLOR, Alexander F. HOERMANN, Peter L. JOHNSON, Robert J. HANSON, Aaron S. HAMPTON
  • Publication number: 20190048200
    Abstract: A method of making carbon black. A method of making carbon black is described including combusting feedstock with plasma in an apparatus having a series of unit operations with individual capacities. The individual capacities of the unit operations are substantially balanced by replacing at least part of the feedstock with a feedstock having a molecular weight heavier than methane. This results, among other things, in increased utilization of the individual capacities of the unit operations and increased overall throughput.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter L. JOHNSON, Robert J. HANSON, Roscoe W. TAYLOR, James PREMKUMAR
  • Patent number: 10100200
    Abstract: A method of making carbon black. A method of making carbon black is described including combusting feedstock with plasma in an apparatus having a series of unit operations with individual capacities. The individual capacities of the unit operations are substantially balanced by replacing at least part of the feedstock with a feedstock having a molecular weight heavier than methane. This results, among other things, in increased utilization of the individual capacities of the unit operations and increased overall throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MONOLITH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter L. Johnson, Robert J. Hanson, Roscoe W. Taylor, James Premkumar
  • Publication number: 20180138033
    Abstract: Methods of removing metal from a portion of a substrate include exposing the substrate to a reducing environment comprising at least one reducing agent and at least one oxidizing agent, determining whether metal remaining on the portion of the substrate is less than or equal to a particular level, and exposing the substrate to an oxidizing environment comprising at least one oxidizing agent and at least one reducing agent if the metal remaining on the portion of the substrate is deemed to be greater than the particular level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Dolan, Robert J. Hanson, Chan Lim