Patents by Inventor Robert W. Balliett

Robert W. Balliett 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: 6730279
    Abstract: High purity ammonium dimolybdate or molybdenum oxide is produced by the pressure oxidation of low grade molybdenite concentrates or molybdenum intermediates. The process entails nearly complete oxidation of the sulfide minerals while optimizing the process chemistry and autoclave conditions to solubilize as little of the molybdenum values as possible. The autoclave discharge 12 is then subjected to a leaching step, either an alkaline leach 50, 400 or ammonium leach 250 process, before or after a liquid/solid separation step 20, 220, 410. The solution is then subjected to (a) filtration 60, 410, solvent extraction 70, 440, crystallization 90,450, and calcination 120, 480 or (b) filtration 260, 280, crystallization 290, and calcination 320 to produce a product suitable for chemical-grade molybdenum oxide 125, 325, 485.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: H. C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Balliett, Wolfgang Kummer, John E. Litz, Lawrence F. McHugh, Harry H. K. Nauta, Paul B. Queneau, Rong-Chien Wu
  • Publication number: 20030086864
    Abstract: High purity ammonium dimolybdate or molybdenum oxide is produced by the pressure oxidation of low grade molybdenite concentrates or molybdenum intermediates. The process entails nearly complete oxidation of the sulfide minerals while optimizing the process chemistry and autoclave conditions to solubilize as little of the molybdenum values as possible. The autoclave discharge 12 is then subjected to a leaching step, either an alkaline leach 50, 400 or ammonium leach 250 process, before or after a liquid/solid separation step 20, 220, 410. The solution is then subjected to (a) filtration 60, 410, solvent extraction 70, 440, crystallization 90,450, and calcination 120, 480 or (b) filtration 260, 280, crystallization 290, and calcination 320 to produce a product suitable for chemical-grade molybdenum oxide 125, 325, 485.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Robert W. Balliett, Wolfgang Kummer, John E. Litz, Lawrence F. McHugh, Harry H. K. Nauta, Paul B. Queneau, Rong-Chien Wu
  • Publication number: 20030056619
    Abstract: A method of making sheet bar and other precursors of formed products to be made by extensive working. The method includes providing a powder metal, preferably under 100 PPM oxygen content of non-spherical particles, compacting the powder into a coherent precursor form of at least 100 pounds, whereby a precursor is provided enabling extended fabrication to a finished product form. The finished product is resistant to breakup in fabrication due to oxide inclusion effect and produces a low oxygen end product. The method can process multiple species of metals that include at least one higher melting metal and one lower melting metal to produce an alloy or micro-composite of the metals as worked, where one metal is preferably a refractory metal (Ta, Nb, W, Wo, Zr, Hf, V and Re). The process is controlled to cause powder of the higher melting metal to be extended into a fibrous form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Prabhat Kumar, Paul Aimone, Robert W. Balliett, Anthony V. Parise, Thomas M. Ramlow, Henning Uhlenhut
  • Patent number: 6521173
    Abstract: A method of making sheet bar and other precursors of formed products to be made by extensive working. The method includes providing a powder metal, preferably under 100 PPM oxygen content of non-spherical particles, compacting the powder into a coherent precursor form of at least 100 pounds, whereby a precursor is provided enabling extended fabrication to a finished product form. The finished product is resistant to breakup in fabrication due to oxide inclusion effect and produces a low oxygen end product. The method can process multiple species of metals that include at least one higher melting metal and one lower melting metal to produce an alloy or micro-composite of the metals as worked, where one metal is preferably a refractory metal (Ta, Nb, W, Wo, Zr, Hf, V and Re). The process is controlled to cause powder of the higher melting metal to be extended into a fibrous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhat Kumar, Paul Aimone, Robert W. Balliett, Anthony V. Parise, Thomas M. Ramlow, Henning Uhlenhut
  • Publication number: 20020041819
    Abstract: A method of making sheet bar and other precursors of formed products to be made by extensive working. The method includes providing a powder metal, preferably under 100 PPM oxygen content of non-spherical particles, compacting the powder into a coherent precursor form of at least 100 pounds, whereby a precursor is provided enabling extended fabrication to a finished product form. The finished product is resistant to breakup in fabrication due to oxide inclusion effect and produces a low oxygen end product. The method can process multiple species of metals that include at least one higher melting metal and one lower melting metal to produce an alloy or micro-composite of the metals as worked, where one metal is preferably a refractory metal (Ta, Nb, W, Wo, Zr, Hf, V and Re). The process is controlled to cause powder of the higher melting metal to be extended into a fibrous form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhat Kumar, Paul Aimone, Robert W. Balliett, Peter R. Jepson, Anthony V. Parise, Thomas M. Ramlow, Henning Uhlenhut
  • Publication number: 20020019321
    Abstract: Processes for working of refractory metals and other metals employing a lubricant comprising perfluorocarbon compounds (PFCs), including aliphatic perfluorocarbon compounds (&agr;-PFCs) having the general formula: CnF2n+2, perfluoromorpholines having the general formula: CnF2n+1ON, perfluoroamines (PFAs) and highly fluorinated amines (HFAs), and perfluoroethers (PFEs) and highly fluorinated ethers (HFEs), and their polymerization products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: ROBERT W. BALLIETT
  • Patent number: 6269536
    Abstract: Production of low oxygen forms of tantalum and other refractory metals providing hydrided powder of the metal, forming a tube (10), pouring the metal into the tube, dehydriding the powder in the tube and sealing the tube and extruding to form a rod encased in the tube and further fabricating the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Balliett
  • Patent number: 5940675
    Abstract: Powder metallurgy production of T222 alloy affording properties comparable to melt derived T222, but at higher yields and lower costs, is enabled by blending component powders of minus 325 mesh and sintering at 2,400.degree. C. in three sinter steps and utilizing a slow ramp up in the first sinter step and cold isostatic pressing prior to the first sinter step and isostatic press densification in conjunction with at least the first sinter step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: H. C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Balliett, Trung Luong
  • Patent number: 5918104
    Abstract: Powder metallurgy production of Ta10W alloy affording properties comparable to melt derived Ta10W, but at higher yields and lower costs, is enabled by blending component powders of minus 325 mesh and sintering at 2,400.degree. C. in three sinter steps and utilizing a slow ramp up in the first sinter step and cold isostatic pressing prior to the first sinter step and isostatic press densification in conjunction with at least the first sinter step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Balliett, Trung Luong
  • Patent number: 5743120
    Abstract: A process for drawing wire employing a lubricant composed of perfluorocarbon compounds having the general formula C.sub.n F.sub.2n+2. Such fully fluorinated carbon compounds exhibit a very high degree of thermal and chemical stability, due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond. Further, because the compounds are fully fluorinated, and therefore do not contain chlorine and bromine, they have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). Further, because the PFCs are photochemically non-reactive in the atmosphere, they are not precursors to photochemical smog and are exempt from the federal volatile organic compound (VOC) definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Balliett
  • Patent number: 5676005
    Abstract: A process for drawing wire employing a lubricant comprising perfluorocarbon compounds (PFCs), including aliphatic perfluorocarbon compounds (.alpha.-PFCs) having the general formula C.sub.n F.sub.2n+2, perfluoromorpholines having the general formula C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 ON, perfluoroamines (PFAs) and highly fluorinated amines (HFAs), and perfluoroethers (PFEs). Such fully and highly fluorinated carbon compounds exhibit a very high degree of thermal and chemical stability due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond. Further, because the compounds are fully fluorinated, and therefore do not contain chlorine and bromine, they have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). Further, because the compounds are photochemically non-reactive in the atmosphere, they are not precursors to photochemical smog and are exempt from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) volatile organic compound (VOC) definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: H. C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Balliett
  • Patent number: 4408985
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for fixing certain dangerous substances into recyclable waste foundry sand so that they are less likely to leach out into the environment. The method uses a roasting process which causes the dangerous substances to form insoluble compounds with the sand. One example is shown where hazardous waste foundry sand which contains acetic acid soluble lead contamination is treated by this method. In this example the lead is believed to react with the sand during the roasting process forming compounds such as lead silicate which are insoluble to acetic acid. The amount of lead which may be leached out into the environment is reduced to a safe level according to the currently accepted test methods promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The method may be applied to the conversion of waste foundry sand into reusable sand or landfill which are less likely to leach dangerous substances into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Inventors: Mark A. Anderson, Robert W. Balliett, Paul E. Link, Donald P. Satchell
  • Patent number: H2087
    Abstract: Refractory metal pickling bath of HF/H2O2 aqueous solution with recovery of the etched metal as a salt thereof and separation of dissolved impurities taken from the refractory metal, with avoidance of drawbacks of state of the art HF/HNO3 pickling solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: H. C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Balliett, Arthur H. Bronstein, Thomas J. Ryan, Michael Greengart, Daniel J. Moynihan, Douglas A. Ryan, Paul Queneau, Mark Berggren, Brandon Hagen