Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Schue

Thomas J. Schue 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: 6352622
    Abstract: A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jeries I. Bishara, Lynne M. Ernes, Andy W. Getsy, Kenneth L. Hardee, Barry L. Martin, Gerald R. Pohto, Thomas J. Schue, Thomas R. Turk
  • Patent number: 6139705
    Abstract: A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a mesh member, e.g., a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure as by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jr., Jeries I. Bishara, Lynne M. Ernes, Andy W. Getsy, Kenneth L. Hardee, Barry L. Martin, Gerald R. Pohto, Thomas J. Schue, Thomas R. Turk
  • Patent number: 5952055
    Abstract: A method of protecting reinforced concrete structures comprising of applying a protective cathodic coating containing a non-corroding metal and an electrochemically active material on concrete wherein the protective coating is formed by thermally spraying a mixture of said non-corroding metal such as a valve metal and said electrochemically active material. The coating may also be formed by applying a precursor of the electrochemically active material and a metal-containing layer to concrete, then anodically polarizing said metal layer to convert the precursor into an electrochemically active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jr., John E. Bennett, John J. Bartholomew, Barry L. Martin, Thomas J. Schue
  • Patent number: 5879817
    Abstract: A metal coating of typically a valve metal, especially a titanium metal coating, is applied by thermal spraying to the surface of concrete, most particularly steel-reinforced concrete. The metal such as titanium may be sprayed by any one of several thermal spraying techniques including flame spray, electric-arc spray, plasma spray, high-velocity oxyfuel spray, or detonation gun spray. The metal coating should be tightly adhered to the concrete and desirably will have a porosity to facilitate extensive coating of the metal itself, as well as facilitate any activation that may be needed for the metal. Such activation can be in the form of an electrochemically active material which allows the coating to function in electrochemically active form. One coating option is to apply a solution onto the spray-applied metal, then polarize the metal anodically to effect deposition of active material on the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jr., John E. Bennett, John J. Bartholomew, Barry L. Martin, Thomas J. Schue
  • Patent number: 5296120
    Abstract: The present invention resides in an apparatus for removing chloride ions from a reinforced concrete structure. The apparatus comprises an integrated anode assembly which includes an anode and an electrolyte, the anode being immersed in the electrolyte. The integrated anode assembly is flexible and conformable to the surface configuration of the concrete structure to which it is applied. Means are provided for removably adhering the integrated anode assembly to the concrete structure, conformed to said surface configuration, and for establishing an electric current between said anode and the reinforcement of said concrete structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Bennett, Jacob R. Blasius, Thomas A. Mitchell, Thomas R. Turk, Thomas J. Schue
  • Patent number: 4911993
    Abstract: A bipolar battery having a consumable metal anode and being of the filter-press type is described. Internal battery contact is obtained by pressure connection transmitted virtually all, to completely, by end bulkheads. A multitude of adjoning cells can be placed together in a bipolar assembly cell stack. Yet the battery is compact and lightweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: ELTECH Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Homer L. Turley, Marilyn J. Niksa, Richard J. Coin, Thomas J. Schue
  • Patent number: 4788764
    Abstract: A battery assembly of the consumable metal anode type has now been constructed for ready assembly as well as disassembly. In a non-conductive and at least substantially inert cell body, space is provided for receiving an open-structured, non-consumable anode cage. The cage has an open top for facilitating insertion of an anode. A modular cathode is used, comprising a peripheral current conductor frame clamped about a grid reinforced air cathode in sheet form. The air cathode may be double gridded. The cathode frame can be sealed, during assembly, with electrolyte-resistant-sealant as well as with adhesive. The resulting cathode module can be assembled outside the cell body and readily inserted therein, or can later be easily removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Marilyn J. Niksa, Gerald R. Pohto, Leslie K. Lakatos, Douglas J. Wheeler, Frank Solomon, Andrew J. Niksa, Thomas J. Schue, Yury Genodman, Thomas R. Turk, Daniel P. Hagel
  • Patent number: 4756980
    Abstract: A battery assembly of the consumable metal anode type has now been constructed for ready assembly as well as disassembly. In a non-conductive and at least substantially inert cell body, space is provided for receiving an open-structured, non-consumable anode cage. The cage has an open top for facilitating insertion of an anode. A modular cathode is used, comprising a peripheral current conductor frame clamped about a grid reinforced air cathode in sheet form. The air cathode may be double gridded. The cathode frame can be sealed, during assembly, with electrolyte-resistant-sealant as well as with adhesive. The resulting cathode module can be assembled outside the cell body and readily inserted therein, or can later be easily removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Marilyn J. Niksa, Gerald R. Pohto, Leslie K. Lakatos, Douglas J. Wheeler, Andrew J. Niksa, Thomas J. Schue, Thomas R. Turk
  • Patent number: 4693946
    Abstract: A battery assembly of the consumable metal anode type has now been constructed for ready assembly as well as disassembly. In a non-conductive and at least substantially inert cell body, space is provided for receiving an open-structured, non-consumable anode cage. The cage has an open top for facilitating insertion of an anode. A modular cathode is used, comprising a peripheral current conductor frame clamped about a grid reinforced air cathode in sheet form. The air cathode may be double gridded. The cathode frame can be sealed, during assembly, with electrolyte-resistant-sealant as well as with adhesive. The resulting cathode module can be assembled outside the cell body and readily inserted therein, or can later be easily removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: ELTECH Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Marilyn J. Niksa, Gerald R. Pohto, Leslie K. Lakatos, Douglas J. Wheeler, Andrew J. Niksa, Thomas J. Schue