Alloys Patents (Class 204/293)
  • Patent number: 6723222
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in a low temperature electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten electrolyte having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell containing the electrolyte. A non-consumable anode and cathode is disposed in the electrolyte, the anode comprised of Cu—Ni—Fe alloys having single metallurgical phase. Electric current is passed from the anode, through the electrolyte to the cathode thereby depositing aluminum on the cathode, and molten aluminum is collected from the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Company
    Inventors: S. Craig Bergsma, Craig W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20040071585
    Abstract: A Ti alloy for a positive electrode for electrocoagulation printing contains, as a weight percentage, 28.0 to 35.0% of Al, 0.1% or less of C, 0.05% or less of N, 0.3% or less of O, and Ti. The Ti alloy may further contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of 0.5 to 15.0% of Nb, 0.5 to 15.0% of Ta, 0.1 to 1.0% of Hf, 0.1 to 1.0% of Zr, 1.0 to 6.0% of W, 1.0 to 6.0% of Mo, 0.5 to 6.0% of Cr, 0.5 to 6.0% of Mn, 0.5 to 6.0% of V, 0.1 to 1.0% of Si, and 0.005 to 0.10% of B, by weight. A positive electrode for electrocoagulation printing has a surface composed of a Ti alloy containing Al.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicants: Toyo Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd., ELCORSY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Shigeto Hashimoto, Toshio Ohyama, Hisao Kamiya, Michio Okabe, Takayoshi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20040045820
    Abstract: Liquid mercury and liquid diluted mercury amalgams have been the major electrode systems employed in voltammetry and related methods. This is mainly due to their high overvoltage to hydrogen, which enables the determination of heavy metals (zinc, nickel and cobalt etc.) and other species with high negative half wave potentials. The toxicity of mercury and liquid diluted mercury leads to ever increasing restrictions in the their use. The use of such system may even be forbidden in the future at least in online systems for work in the field. Recent work, carried out in our laboratory, has demonstrated that a non-toxic solid dental amalgam may be used as the electrode material, conveniently replacing mercury. An extension of this work has shown that electrode materials comprising a metal or a compound with low hydrogen overvoltage change their hydrogen overvoltage properties substantially when contaminated with even small amounts of metals or compounds which show high hydrogen overvoltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Knut H. Schroder, Oyvind Mikkelsen
  • Publication number: 20040045819
    Abstract: An anode structure comprising a ruthenium catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst consists essentially of ruthenium deposited on a conducting support wherein the ruthenium is in metallic form or in a form that is readily reducible to the metallic form at temperatures of 25° C. to 150° C. The anode structure is particularly of use in proton exchange membrane fuel cell to prevent poisoning of the electrocatalyst by impurities in the fuel stream to the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Sarah Ball, David Thompsett
  • Patent number: 6699336
    Abstract: An electrode composition that includes an electrode material consisting essentially of at least one electrochemically inactive elemental metal and at least one electrochemically active elemental metal in the form of an amorphous mixture at ambient temperature. The mixture remains amorphous when the electrode composition is incorporated into a lithium battery and cycled through at least one full charge-discharge cycle at ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Turner, Brian D. Fredericksen, Larry J. Krause, Jeffrey R. Dahn, Dominique C. Larcher, Ian A. Courtney, Ou Mao
  • Publication number: 20040020792
    Abstract: The properties of dental amalgam as an electrode material in voltammetry are presented. It was found that dental amalgam has a very high overpotential to hydrogen, allowing one to carry out trace analyses at potentials sufficiently negative to allow determination of e.g. zinc, cobalt, nickel and iron at trace levels. This has not previously been possible except from using a mercury or a mercury film electrode. Such determinations are very important for field and online analyses of pollutants in soil and groundwater, and the electrode can be used repeatedly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Knut Schroder, Oyvind Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: 6673309
    Abstract: An alloy for a sacrificial anode according to a first preferred aspect of the present invention includes about 10% to about 50% of Zn, about 0.03% to about 0.6% of In, and about 0.0005% to about 0.05% of Zr. The balance may be Al and any unavoidable impurities. An alloy according to a second preferred aspect of the present application includes about 10% to about 50% of Zn, about 0.03% to about 0.6% of In, and about 0.05% to about 0.3% of Si. The balance may be Al and any unavoidable impurities. An alloy according to a third preferred aspect of the present invention includes about 10% to about 50% of Zn, about 0.03% to about 0.6% of In, and about 0.02% to about 0.2% of Ce. The balance may be Al and any unavoidable impurities. An alloy according to a fourth preferred aspect of the present invention includes about 10% to about 50% of Zn, about 0.03% to about 0.6% of In, about 0.005% to about 0.1% of Ti, and about 0.001% to about 0.02% of B. The balance may be Al and any unavoidable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Corrpro Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunio Watanabe, Shozo Takeya
  • Patent number: 6673223
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas sensing device, an oxygen pumping cell, and a gas detection apparatus using the same for detecting lower ranges of gas concentration with high accuracy and stability. An under layer made of oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte was formed between an electrolyte substrate and a sensing electrode, a conversion electrode or a gas treatment electrode. This allows the physical and chemical adhesion between these electrodes and the electrolyte substrate, thereby improving the sensing properties and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventors: Akira Kunimoto, Yongtie Yan, Takashi Ono
  • Patent number: 6669828
    Abstract: A cathode is made of an electrically conducting support with a coating of electrochemically deposited lead with a density between 0.001 and 2 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Consortium für Elektrochemische Industrie GmbH
    Inventor: Elke Fritz-Langhals
  • Patent number: 6638406
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon sensor of the present invention includes a substrate made of a solid electrolyte that conducts protons, and a pair of electrodes formed on the substrate, and at least one electrode of the pair of electrodes contains Au and Al. Assuming that a content of an Al simple substance in one of the pair of electrodes is “a” mol %, and a content of aluminum oxide therein is “b” mol %, “a” and “b” satisfy a relationship: a+2b≦7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6638401
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved cathode material comprised of electrolytic manganese dioxide having high discharge capacity at high discharge rates and methods of producing such electrolytic manganese dioxide by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell. The methods are basically comprised of maintaining a heated high purity aqueous electrolyte solution comprising sulfuric acid and manganese sulfate in the electrolytic cell, the manganese sulfate being present in the solution whereby it contains in the range of from about 5 to about 50 grams of manganese per liter of solution. An electric current is applied to the electrodes of the electrolytic cell whereby the anodic electrode current density is in the range of from about 2.5 to about 6 amperes per square foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC
    Inventors: Terrell Neils Andersen, Samuel Faust Burkhardt, Wilmont Frederick Howard, Jr., Richard F. Wohletz, Vahid Kazerooni, Mohammad Reza Moumenzadeh, Amy Wren Unsell
  • Patent number: 6632337
    Abstract: An electrode for the electrochemical fine-boring of workpieces includes an electrode tube for an electrolyte to pass through to reach a workpiece which is to be machined, and an electrical conductor which is connected to the electrolyte, in which electrode the tube, for the purpose of boring bores with the smallest possible diameter, consists of a metal with a substantially amorphous structure, is electrically conductive and is provided on its outer surface, at least in sections, with a nonconductive insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Konrad Rager
  • Patent number: 6627055
    Abstract: A continuously cast copper ingot is made by a procedure in which turbulence is imparted to the metal/solid interface during the casting operation. The ingot is then hot worked to form a billet having a smaller average grain size and a larger diameter than possible in the past. The billet is especially useful for making electroplating anodes used in the damascene process for making copper interconnects in silicon wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Brush Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Bishop, David Krus, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6623611
    Abstract: An electrochemical corrosion potential sensor electrode is formed with a zircalloy electrode tip having a closed end and an open end, the open end secured to a ceramic insulator, with a conductor wire extending through the insulator into the electrode tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Jett, Lucas Clarke
  • Patent number: 6616826
    Abstract: The present invention includes uranium-bearing ceramic phase electrodes and electrolysis apparatus and electrolysis methods featuring same, including methods of metal production and the like by the electrolytic reduction of oxides or salts of the respective metals. More particularly, the invention relates to an inert type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, useful in the electrolytic production of such metals. The present invention also includes an inert-type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, used in processes for generating energy from fossil fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Sandhage, Robert L. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20030159924
    Abstract: To provide a Pt/Au electrode which is used to electrochemically pump O2 out of an O2-containing gas mixture selectively in the presence of other oxygen-containing gas constituents and to provide a simple method of producing such a Pt/Au electrode, a Pt/Au electrode for electrochemically pumping out O2 is described, its surface being impregnated with at least one compound of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a rare earth metal. A method of producing such a Pt/Au electrode in particular is also described, where the Pt/Au electrode is brought in contact with a solution containing at least one compound of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a rare earth metal, and the excess solvent is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Dieter Lehmann, Gudrun Oehler, Sabine Thiemann-Handler
  • Publication number: 20030155253
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in a low temperature electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten electrolyte having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell containing the electrolyte. A non-consumable anode and cathode is disposed in the electrolyte, the anode comprised of Cu—Ni—Fe alloys containing 0.1 to 5 wt. % carbon and incidental elements and impurities. Electric current is passed from the anode, through the electrolyte to the cathode thereby depositing aluminum on the cathode, and molten aluminum is collected from the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: S. Craig Bergsma
  • Patent number: 6607643
    Abstract: A NOx gas detecting apparatus including an oxygen pumping cell for removing oxygen from a measurement gas, and a NOx detecting cell positioned downstream from the oxygen pumping cell to detect concentration of NOx in the measurement gas, the NOx detecting cell being configured to measure current which flows when oxygen generated from reducing NOx is pumped, wherein the NOx detecting cell has a NOx detecting cathode made of an electrode material including at least one alloy selected from the group consisting of a Pt-Pd alloy, a Pt-Au-Pd alloy, and a Pt-Pd-Rh alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Takahashi, Keiichi Saji, Jiro Sakata, Tadashi Inaba, Tadashi Nakamura, Yumi Masuoka, Toshitaka Saito, Akio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6599404
    Abstract: Described are preferred multilayer, thin-film electrodes (11) that have improved resistance to flaking or cracking under conditions of operation. Also described are electrolytic cells (17) incorporating such electrodes (11), and methods for selecting electrode materials to facilitate reaction rates, energy production, and/or to shift the average mass number of transmuted products to lighter or heavier values. Preferred electrodes (11) have a plurality of thin-film conductive layers (14) supported on generally concave surfaces (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: George H. Miley
  • Patent number: 6599408
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymer thick film conductor compositions comprising conductive metal particles selected from the group consisting of finely divided powders of platinum group metals and mixtures thereof or metallized graphite particles; in combination with a thermoplastic polymer and optionally, graphite conductive filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Man-Sheung Chan, Donald W. Kuty
  • Publication number: 20030121775
    Abstract: An inert anode 50, for use in an electrolytic cell 12 for producing metals such as aluminum, is made by providing chemical source materials 100 such as at least two of metal salts, metal particles, or metal oxides and dissolving them to form a solution or a slurry 110, followed by adding a base 120 and adjusting the pH so that a gel 130 is formed which is dried and calcined 150, 160, 190 to provide a blend of metal oxide powder 200 which can be pressed and sintered 220 to form an inert anode 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Xinghua Liu, Siba P. Ray, Alfred F. LaCamera, Douglas A. Weirauch, Mark L. Weaver, Robert A. DiMilia, Kirk J. Malmquist, Frankie E. Phelps, Joseph M. Dynys
  • Publication number: 20030121801
    Abstract: Electrode having high activity to oxygen gas and low activity to flammable gas is provided. An oxygen pump includes oxide-ion conductive solid electrolyte 2, electrode 8 which is an inactive electrode, and active electrode 10. Electrode 8 is an electrode that includes Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-&agr;. Electrode 8 is disposed on the gas detection chamber 12 side of solid electrolyte 2. Active electrode 10 is disposed on the open space side of solid electrolyte 2. Gas detection chamber 12 is an enclosed space defined by solid electrolyte 2, insulation layers 6, and diffusion control layer 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Tadashi Inaba, Keiichi Saji, Tadashi Nakamura, Yumi Masuoka, Jiro Sakata
  • Patent number: 6572740
    Abstract: Improved electrolytic cells are described. The cells comprise the novel electrolyte K2HPO4, or a less alkaline phosphate buffer solution, electrodes having a modified composition, or a combination of the new electrolyte and a modified composition electrode. The K2HPO4 electrolyte, or less alkaline phosphate buffer solution, and modified electrodes can be used in liquid delivery devices which deliver a liquid agent at a constant rate or a controlled variable rate over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Elan Pharma International Limited
    Inventors: Maya Rosenblum, Gilad Lavi, Gil Yigal
  • Patent number: 6562206
    Abstract: A propeller attachment is disclosed including a body, the body including an anodic material, at least one projection projecting from the body, and a fastener coupled to the body. An anode is also disclosed including an annular body constructed from an anodic material, a fastener disposed centrally in the annular body, and at least one extension coupled to the annular body, the at least one extension is configured to allow for gripping of the anode. A fastener for coupling a propeller to a drive shaft of a lower unit is disclosed including a fastening portion configured to threadably engage the drive shaft and retain the propeller. The fastener further includes an anodic portion disposed around the fastening portion. The anodic portion is shaped to form at least one grip, and the anodic portion preferentially corrodes to prevent corrosion of the lower unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn Showcatally
  • Patent number: 6558525
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising the steps of providing a molten salt electrolyte at a temperature of less than 900° C. having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell having a liner for containing the electrolyte, the liner having a bottom and walls extending upwardly from said bottom. A plurality of non-consumable anodes and cathodes are disposed in a vertical direction in the electrolyte, the cathodes having a plate configuration and the anodes having a flat configuration to compliment the cathodes. The anodes contain apertures therethrough to permit flow of electrolyte through the apertures to provide alumina-enriched electrolyte between the anodes and the cathodes. Electrical current is passed through the anodes and through the electrolyte to the cathodes, depositing aluminum at the cathodes and producing gas at the anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Technologies
    Inventors: Donald R. Bradford, Robert J. Barnett, Michael B. Mezner
  • Publication number: 20030081432
    Abstract: A method to electrolytically polymerize aromatic hydrocarbons and oxidize cyclopentane structures within the hydrocarbons into cyclopentanone structures is disclosed including a method to electrolyse fluorene in the presence of an ester to produce poly(9-fluorenone). A method to electrolytically oxidize polymers having cyclopentane structures to polymers having cycloppentanone structures is also disclosed including a method to electrolyze poly(fluorene) to produce poly(9-fluorenone). In addition, a method to chemically oxidize polymers containing cyclopentane structures into polymers containing cyclopentanone structures is disclosed, including a method to oxidize poly(fluorene), with a chemically prepared oxidizing agent, to produce poly(9-fluorenone).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: IM&T Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Teruo Umemoto
  • Publication number: 20030079992
    Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus and method of use includes an expanded conductive mesh electrode. The expanded conductive mesh electrode may be formed from any conductive material that is dimensionally stable and may be coated with conductive coating suitable for use in anode or cathode service. The expanded conductive mesh electrodes are formed by slitting a sheet of metal and pulling its sides in a direction perpendicular to the slits. The fabricated mesh may be flattened after stretching. The expanded conductive mesh electrodes typically have a diamond-shaped pattern of any size that provides support for an adjacent ion-permeable membrane while allowing an electrode or fluid stream to flow through. The mesh size typically has a long-wise dimension and a short-wise dimension. The conductive mesh electrode may also be placed against an endblock having fluid channels. These channels may be serpentine or parallel channels, which allow fluid flow to wash away any accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Li-Shiang Liang, Anthony Giuffrida
  • Patent number: 6554984
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas sensor, including a substrate electrode layer forming step, and a surface electrode layer forming step. The gas sensor includes first and second processing spaces, an oxygen concentration detection element, an oxygen pumping element, an oxidation catalyst and a combustible gas component concentration detection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Inoue, Shoji Kitanoya, Kenji Kato, Tomohiro Fuma, Takafumi Oshima
  • Patent number: 6551476
    Abstract: This invention is an inert, non-consumed, anode for use in electrolytic production of aluminum from the ore, consisting of a plurality of parallel vertical wires, or rods, attached to a suspended support structure which is also connected to an electrical power source. The wires are made of a high-temperature corrosion-resistant alloy and are durably surface-coated with a noble metal such as platinum, typically deposited by the SCX sputter coating process. In operation the coated wires are immersed in a fused fluoride electrolyte bath at 900 C., but remain structurally intact at that temperature. Moreover, the catalytic noble-metal surface dissociates the oxides formed in the electrolysis, avoiding generation of greenhouse gases. To suit the dimensions of the electrolytic furnace, the inert anode can be expanded in the form of linear or circular modules of the coated wires or rods. The power consumption with the inert anode of the invention is half that with a carbon anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Emil S. Scherba
  • Publication number: 20030070937
    Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprising one or more anodes (10), each having a metal-based anode substrate, for instance comprising a metal core (11) covered with an metal layer 12, an oxygen barrier layer (13), one or more intermediate layers (14; 14A, 14B) and an iron layer (15). The anode substrate is covered with an electrochemically active transition metal oxide layer, in particular an iron oxide-based outside layer (16) such as a hematite-based layer, which remains dimensionally stable during operation in a cell by maintaining in the electrolyte a sufficient concentration of iron species and dissolved alumina. The cell operating temperature is sufficiently low so that the required concentration of iron species in the electrolyte (5) is limited by the reduced solubility of iron species in the electrolyte at the operating temperature, which consequently limits the contamination of the product aluminium by iron to an acceptable level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Duruz, Vittorio De Nora, Olivier Crottaz
  • Publication number: 20030066755
    Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises a nickel-iron alloy substrate having an openly porous nickel metal rich outer portion whose surface is electrochemically active. The outer portion is optionally covered with an external integral nickel-iron oxide containing surface layer which adheres to the nickel metal rich outer portion of the nickel-iron alloy and which in use is pervious to molten electrolyte. During use, the nickel metal rich outer portion contains cavities some or all of which are partly or completely filled with iron and nickel compounds, in particular oxides, fluorides and oxyfluorides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Duruz, Thinh T. Nguyen, Vittorio De Nora
  • Patent number: 6531039
    Abstract: An anode for use in electroplating semiconductor wafers, comprising a metal plate formed from a generally continuous casting process that is essentially free of voids or cracks, the casting being thermo-mechanically worked until the anode has an average grain size of less than 100 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nikko Materials USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Kohut
  • Publication number: 20030042136
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell with an anode and cathode for the electrolysis of hydrochloric acid and brine is provided. The anodes and cathodes of the present invention are made of a bulk ceramic or intermetallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Jovic, Michel Barsoum
  • Patent number: 6521115
    Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises an iron-nickel alloy body or layer whose surface is oxidised to form a coherent and adherent outer iron oxide-based layer, in particular hematite, the surface of which is electrochemically active for the oxidation of oxygen ions and which reduces diffusion of oxygen from the electrochemically active surface into the iron-nickel alloy body or layer. The anode may be kept dimensionally stable during cell operation by maintaining a sufficient amount of dissolved alumina and iron species in the electrolyte to prevent dissolution of the outer oxide layer of the or each anode and by reducing the electrolyte operating temperature to limit dissolution of iron and by reducing the electrolyte operating temperature to limit dissolution of iron species in the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Moltech Invent S. A.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Duruz, Vittorio de Nora, Olivier Crottaz
  • Patent number: 6517713
    Abstract: A water purification system for a swimming pool, pond, aquatic mammal tank, spa or fountain, which is simple to operate, low in maintenance, and highly reliable. The system comprises at least an ozonator and an electrolytic chlorinator. The system preferably comprises, in sequence, a vortex separator for initial separation of particulates; optionally an absorption or adsorption filter which may be a conventional pool filter using sand, diatomaceous earth, or paper cartridge as filtering medium; an ozone injector; an ozone contact chamber having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said water stream injected with ozone enters at or near said top end and is withdrawn from at or near said bottom end; and an electrolytic chlorinator for production of chlorine which is then oxidized to oxychlorine species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Gargas
  • Publication number: 20030010631
    Abstract: There is provided a non-aqueous electrolyte cell having a high capacity and superior in cyclic characteristics. Specifically, there is provided a non-aqueous electrolyte cell including a cathode 2 containing a cathode/positive active material, an anode 3 containing an anode/negative active material and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the cathode/positive active material contains a lithium nickel composite oxide represented by the general formula LiANi1−ZMZO2, where A is such that 0.95≦A<1, Z is such that 0.01≦Z≦0.5 and M is at least one of Fe, Co, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Sn, B, Ga, Cr, V, Ti, Mg, Ca and Sr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Masanori Anzai
  • Publication number: 20030000604
    Abstract: A continuously cast copper ingot is made by a procedure in which turbulence is imparted to the metal/solid interface during the casting operation. The ingot is then hot worked to form a billet having a smaller average grain size and a larger diameter than possible in the past. The billet is especially useful for making electroplating anodes used in the damascene process for making copper interconnects in silicon wafers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Bishop, David Krus
  • Publication number: 20020182508
    Abstract: Batteries including a lithium anode stabilized with a metal-lithium alloy and battery cells comprising such anodes are provided. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell having an anode and a sulfur electrode including at least one of elemental sulfur, lithium sulfide, and a lithium polysulfide is provided. The anode includes a lithium core and a ternary alloy layer over the lithium core where the ternary alloy comprises lithium and two other metals. The ternary alloy layer is effective to increase cycle life and storageability of the electrochemical cell. In a more particular embodiment, the ternary alloy layer is comprised of lithium, copper and tin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Yevgeniy S. Nimon, May-Ying Chu, Steven J. Visco
  • Patent number: 6482327
    Abstract: In a liquid treating process according to the present invention, colloidal particles in stable hydrated states or in meta-stable hydrophobic colloidal states in a liquid are rendered hydrophobic and separated from liquid molecules by an electric field formed by a microwave. The separated colloidal particles are allowed to collide against one another to become flocculated under a cavitation effect by a ultrasonic wave having a frequency in a low frequency range, and the liquid is deodorized by an electromagnetic ultrasonic wave having a frequency in a high frequency range. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably remove the colloidal particles dissolved in the liquid and to deodorize the liquid without need for a large-scaled equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Proudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Mori, Mitsuo Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20020157944
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode for the electrochemical fine-boring of workpieces, comprising an (electrode) tube (6) for an electrolyte (4) to pass through to reach a workpiece (5) which is to be machined, and an electrical conductor which is connected to the electrolyte (4), in which electrode the tube (6), for the purpose of boring bores with the smallest possible diameter, consists of a metal with a substantially amorphous structure, is electrically conductive and is provided on its outer surface, at least in sections, with a nonconductive insulating layer (10) (FIG. 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Albin Platz, Konrad Rager
  • Publication number: 20020134689
    Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous electrochemical process for preparing zinc powder which involves: providing to an electrochemical cell a solution or suspension in an aqueous 1.25 Molar to 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Clariant Finance (BVI) Limited
    Inventors: Baldev K. Bandlish, Vincent Wise Martin
  • Publication number: 20020130051
    Abstract: The invention concerns a bipolar electrode with a semiconductor coating and a cathode, as well as a procedure for the electrolytic dissociation of water, especially for the recovery of hydrogen. The body material of the cathode and/or the anode in this procedure is preferably comprised of titanium or platinum coated titanium, whereby, on the anode an additional semiconductor coating is applied, said coating being preferentially titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is dosed with iron (Fe). The advantage of the bipolar electrode is that an increased volume of hydrogen per time unit can be recovered and further, with these bipolar electrodes a simple procedure at ambient surroundings and conditions is achieved without expensive equipment for hydrogen production. In addition the anode of the invented bipolar electrodes can also be radiated with UV-radiation for the purpose of an increase in efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: PROVERA GmbH
    Inventors: Helmar Haug, Rene Nikolai Janicke
  • Publication number: 20020112953
    Abstract: An anode for use in electroplating semiconductor wafers, comprising a metal plate formed from a generally continuous casting process that is essentially free of voids or cracks, the casting being thermo-mechanically worked until the anode has an average grain size of less than 100 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 6436274
    Abstract: A non-carbon, metal-based slow-consumable anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium self-forms during normal electrolysis an electrochemically-active oxide-based surface layer (20). The rate of formation (35) of the layer (20) is substantially equal to its rate of dissolution (30) at the surface layer/electrolyte interface (25) thereby maintaining its thickness substantially constant, forming a limited barrier controlling the oxidation rate (35). The anode (10) usually comprises an alloy of iron with at least one of nickel, copper, cobalt or zinc which during use forms an oxide surface layer (20) mainly containing ferrite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Vittorio De Nora, Jean-Jacques Duruz
  • Patent number: 6423204
    Abstract: A cermet inert anode for the electrolytic production of metals such as aluminum is disclosed. The inert anode comprises a ceramic phase including an oxide of Ni, Fe and M, where M is at least one metal selected from Zn, Co, Al, Li, Cu, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Ta, W, Mo, Hf and rare earths, preferably Zn and/or Co. Preferred ceramic compositions comprise Fe2O3, NiO and ZnO or CoO. The cermet inert anode also comprises a metal phase such as Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, Au, Rh, Ru, Ir and/or Os. A preferred metal phase comprises Cu and Ag. The cermet inert anodes may be used in electrolytic reduction cells for the production of commercial purity aluminum as well as other metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Siba P. Ray, Xinghua Liu, Douglas A. Weirauch
  • Patent number: 6419808
    Abstract: A limiting-current-type hydrocarbon sensor of the present invention comprises a solid electrolyte formed of a barium-cerium-based oxide, capable of detecting hydrocarbon stably and accurately regardless of whether no oxygen is present or a high concentration of oxygen is present. The cathode on the surface of the solid electrolyte is formed of an alloyed layer including Au and Al. In particular, an alloyed layer including an Al—Au intermediate phase is suited for the alloyed layer of the cathode. The alloyed layer comprises a first layer including an Al—Au intermediate phase that is in contact with the surface of the solid electrolyte, and a second layer including a metal Al phase that covers the first layer. The Al phase of the alloyed layer blocks oxygen, and the Al—Au intermediate phase smoothens hydrogen association and reduces the resistance of the electrode. The hydrocarbon sensor can thus detect hydrocarbon accurately even when oxygen is included in an atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6413397
    Abstract: A nitrogen oxide gas sensor wherein an alloy electrode of platinum and rhodium or a cermet electrode of platinum, rhodium, and zirconia or of a rhodium alloy and zirconia is used as the gas sensing electrode. The electrode of the sensor is suitable for measuring nitrogen oxide such as NO and NO2 in an exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventors: Masaharu Hasei, Yongtie Yan, Akira Kunimoto
  • Publication number: 20020074223
    Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprising one or more anodes (10), each having a metal-based anode substrate, for instance comprising a metal core (11) covered with an metal layer 12, an oxygen barrier layer (13), one or more intermediate layers (14, 14A, 14B) and an iron layer (15). The anode substrate is covered with an electrochemically active iron oxide-based outside layer (16), in particular a hematite-based layer, which remains dimensionally stable during operation in a cell by maintaining in the electrolyte a sufficient concentration of iron species. The cell operating temperature is sufficiently low so that the required concentration of iron species in the electrolyte (5) is limited by the reduced solubility of iron species in the electrolyte at the operating temperature, which consequently limits the contamination of the product aluminium by iron to an acceptable level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Duruz, Vittorio de Nora
  • Patent number: 6406744
    Abstract: A method of forming an electrode is characterized in that the method comprising forming a porous coating of an alloy by gas atomisation on a substrate. The porosity of the coating is provided by controlling one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of the height and duration of deposition of the spray onto the substrate, the rate deposition, the speed of the atomized particles impacting on the substrate size distribution of the spray droplets, the temperature above melting, the substrate temperature, the substrate thermal conductivity, the conductivity of the gas, and the temperature of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: British Ceramic Research Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Elsworth Adkins, Stephen Michael Andrew Sillitto, George Yiasemides
  • Patent number: 6402928
    Abstract: A cell of advanced design for production aluminum by the electrolysis of an aluminum compound dissolve in a molten ectrolyte, has a cathode (30) of drained configuration, and at least one non-carbon anode (10) facing the cathode both covered by the electrolyte (54). The upper part of the cell contains a removable thermic insulating cover (60) placed just above the level of the electrolyte (54). Preferably, the cathode (30) comprises a cathode mass (32) supported by a cathode carrier (31) made of electrically conductive material which serves also for the uniform distribution of electric current feeders (42) which connect the cathode carrier (31) to the negative busbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.
    Inventors: Vittorio de Nora, Jainagesh A. Sekhar