Patents by Inventor Wesley D. Stevens

Wesley D. Stevens 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).

  • Method and apparatus for recovery of non-ferrous metals from dross
    Patent number: 5421850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating non-ferrous metal drosses in order to recover the free metal contained therein. The dross is heated by a plasma torch in a rotary furnace, preferably to a temperature above 800.degree. C. The plasma heating and rotary motion make it possible to recover metal from the dross without employing the conventional salt bath. This means that the gases exiting the furnace can be treated more easily to remove pollutants and the solid residues can be discarded without risk of causing environmental pollution. By controlling the speed of rotation of the furnace, large dross lumps can be accommodated and so the conventional grinding and screening procedure of the dross can advantageously be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Ghyslain Dube, Jean-Paul Huni, Serge Lavoie, Wesley D. Stevens
  • Recovery of non-ferrous metals from dross using plasma torch
    Patent number: 4960460
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating non-ferrous metal drosses in order to recover the free metal contained therein. The dross is heated by a plasma torch in a rotary furnace, preferably to a temperature above 800.degree. C. The plasma heating and rotary motion make it possible to recover metal from the dross without employing the conventional salt bath. This means that the gases exiting the furnace can be treated more easily to remove pollutants and the soild residues can be discarded without risk of causing environmental pollution. By controlling the speed of rotation of the furnace, large dross lumps can be accommodated and so the conventional grinding and screening procedure of the dross can advantageously be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Ghyslain Dube, Jean-Paul Huni, Serge Lavoie, Wesley D. Stevens
  • Recovery of non-ferrous metals from dross
    Patent number: 4959100
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating non-ferrous metal drosses in order to recover the free metal contained therein. The dross is heated by a plasma torch in a rotary furnace, preferably to a temperature above 800.degree. C. The plasma heating and rotary motion make it possible to recover metal from the dross without employing the conventional salt bath. This means that the gases exiting the furnace can be treated more easily to remove pollutants and the solid residues can be discarded without risk of causing environmental pollution. By controlling the speed of rotation of the furnace, large dross lumps can be accommodated and so the conventional grinding and screening procedure of the dross can advantageously be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Ghyslain Dube, Jean-Paul Huni, Serge Lavoie, Wesley D. Stevens
  • Method and apparatus for recovery of non-ferrous metals from dross
    Patent number: 4952237
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating non-ferrous metal drosses in order to recover the free metal contained therein. The dross is heated by a plasma torch in a rotary furnace, preferably to a temperature above 800.degree. C. The plasma heating and rotary motion make it possible to recover metal from the dross without employing the conventional salt bath. This means that the gases exiting the furnance can be treated more easily to remove pollutants and the solid residues can be discarded without risk of causing environmental pollution. By controlling the speed of rotation of the furnace, large dross lumps can be accommodated and so the conventional grinding and screening procedure of the dross can advantageously be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Ghyslain Dube, Jean-Paul Huni, Serge Lavoie, Wesley D. Stevens