Patents by Inventor Sebastien Fafard

Sebastien Fafard 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: 6755889
    Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard
  • Publication number: 20030196518
    Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard
  • Patent number: 6602318
    Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard
  • Publication number: 20020096810
    Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Ghyslain Dube, Claude Dupuis, Sebastien Fafard