Electrothermic Processes (e.g., Microwave, Induction, Resistance, Electric Arc, Plasma, Etc.) Patents (Class 75/10.1)
  • Patent number: 11628499
    Abstract: Implementations provide gas atomized metal matrix composite (“GAMMC”)-based feedstock for cold spray additive manufacturing (“CSAM”) enabling complex structural repairs. The feedstock is prepared by arranging a metal matrix composite (MMC) material in a gas atomization system, wherein the MMC material includes metal particles and ceramic particles. The feedstock is further prepared by performing gas atomization of the MMC material using the gas atomization system to atomize the MMC material, and producing a feedstock powder comprised of metal particles that are embedded with the ceramic particles from the atomized MMC material. The GAMMC-based feedstock comprises metallic (for binding to the substrate of the damaged part) and ceramic (for reinforcement) particles bonded together such that the ceramic particles bond directly to and within the metallic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bruno Zamorano Senderos, Ali Yousefiani, Michael B. Nicholas, Rogie I. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9708676
    Abstract: A method for preparing low-cost clean steel includes steps of: preliminarily desulfurizing iron melt: preliminarily desulfurizing in an iron melt channel during blast furnace tapping and during iron folding in an iron folding room, adding a desulfurizing ball into the iron melt during the blast furnace tapping or the iron folding; dephosphorizing and controlling sulfur: dephosphorizing and controlling sulfur during converter steelmaking, in such a manner that P?0.014% and S?0.004% during tapping; rapidly dephosphorizing by slag-forming: rapidly dephosphorizing by slag-forming during converter tapping, at a converter end point, controlling a C content at 0.02˜0.10%, adding a dephosphorizing ball through an alloy chute during the converter tapping, blowing argon and stirring at the same time; purifying steel melt during RH refining: adding a purifying ball at a late stage of the RH refining when a vacuum degree is at 66.7˜500 Pa; and continuously casting with whole-process protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventors: Fuping Tang, Zhen Li, Xiaofeng Wang, Peng Fei, Jinsong Meng, Yue Zhang, Yong Ma, Wenzhong Wang, Zhiwen Zhang, Xiaoshan Wang, Meng Guo, Zhigang Zhao, Yang Lin, Guoqiang Xin, Weizhi Yao
  • Publication number: 20150075326
    Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel J. Despen, James A. Mennell, Steve Filips
  • Patent number: 8883047
    Abstract: Compositions related to skutterudite-based thermoelectric materials are disclosed. Such compositions can result in materials that have enhanced ZT values relative to one or more bulk materials from which the compositions are derived. Thermoelectric materials such as n-type and p-type skutterudites with high thermoelectric figures-of-merit can include materials with filler atoms and/or materials formed by compacting particles (e.g., nanoparticles) into a material with a plurality of grains each having a portion having a skutterudite-based structure. Methods of forming thermoelectric skutterudites, which can include the use of hot press processes to consolidate particles, are also disclosed. The particles to be consolidated can be derived from (e.g., grinded from), skutterudite-based bulk materials, elemental materials, other non-Skutterudite-based materials, or combinations of such materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Trustees of Boston College
    Inventors: Zhifeng Ren, Jian Yang, Xiao Yan, Qinyu He, Gang Chen, Qing Hao
  • Patent number: 8852460
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the deposition of a film on a substrate. In general, the disclosed compositions and methods utilize a precursor containing calcium or strontium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP, American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Letessier, Christian Dussarrat, Benjamin J. Feist, Vincent M. Omarjee
  • Patent number: 8753559
    Abstract: A fabrication method of nanoparticles is provided. A substrate having a plurality of pillar structures is provided and then a plurality of ring structures is formed to surround the plurality of the pillar structures. The inner wall of each ring structure surrounds the sidewall of each pillar structure. A portion of each pillar structure is removed to reduce the height of each pillar structure and to expose the inner wall of each ring structure. The ring structures are separated from the pillar structures to form a plurality of nanoparticles. Surface modifications are applied to the ring structures before the ring structures are separated from the pillar structures on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Yang, Hung-Yu Tseng, Wei-Fang Chen, Che-Hao Liao, Yu-Feng Yao
  • Publication number: 20130309127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tailored materials, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such materials. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTROMAGNETICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20130108525
    Abstract: A method for separating an amount of osmium from a mixture containing the osmium and at least one other additional metal is provided. In particular, method for forming and trapping OsO4 to separate the osmium from a mixture containing the osmium and at least one other additional metal is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
    Inventors: Hendrik P. Engelbrecht, Cathy S. Cutler, Leonard Manson, Stacy Lynn Wilder
  • Patent number: 8409318
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wires, such as wires used as feedstock in welding, brazing, and coating deposition processes. The process and apparatus generally entail feeding through a passage a quantity of powder particles of a size and composition that render the particles susceptible to microwave radiation. As the particles travel through the passage, the particles within the passage are subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to melt at least a radially outermost quantity of particles within the passage. The particles are then cooled so that the radially outermost quantity of particles solidifies to yield a wire having a consolidated outermost region surrounding an interior region of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Reid Thyssen, Laurent Cretegny, Daniel Joseph Lewis, Stephen Francis Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20130019714
    Abstract: In order to carry out foaming of a slag having a high ratio of chromium oxide having values of often above 20% of a non-corrosive melt in an AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburization) or MRP (Metallurgical Refining Process) converter or CONARC SSt for stainless steel by adding a foam material, according to the invention a previously defined mixture (5) of a metal oxide, iron carrier, carbon and binding material in the form of pellets or briquettes (4) is introduced into the converter, which reacts in a chemically reducing manner under the slag layer (2) due to the high ambient temperature, wherein gaseous carbon monoxide formed in particular by means of the reduction process of the metal oxide with the carbon within the pellets or briquettes (4) induces the slag foaming with the gas bubbles (7) thereof and wherein the specific density of the pellets or briquettes (4) and the resolve time of the reduction process are selected so that optimal bubble formation in respect of size and duration is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Johann Reichel, Lutz Rose
  • Publication number: 20120285080
    Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. High carbon biogenic reagents are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: BIOGENIC REAGENTS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Despen, James A. Mennell, Steve Filips
  • Patent number: 8287804
    Abstract: In the method for recovering a metal from a target that contains a metal and a metal oxide, the target contains a sintered body of the metal oxide after being heated under a condition of melting the metal without melting or decomposing the metal oxide. The target is heated in an upper crucible of a two-level crucible that includes the upper crucible with a through hole-formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a lower crucible disposed below the through hole, the size of the through hole being set such that it does not allow the sintered body of the metal oxide contained in the target to pass therethrough, and the melted metal is caused to flow into the lower crucible, so that the metal is separated from the metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Tanaka Holdings Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshiya Yamamoto, Takanobu Miyashita, Kiyoshi Higuchi, Yasuyuki Goto
  • Publication number: 20120198964
    Abstract: This invention relates to a waste treatment furnace and method comprising: Generating a molten metal bed, which moves in a forward direction, such as to define a closed circuit in a cyclical and continuous manner, the surface of said bed comprising at least one essentially-slag-free segment. Loading waste onto the aforementioned essentially-slag-free segment, the waste being dragged by the molten metal bed such that it floats in the mentioned forward direction. Retaining the waste on the surface of the molten metal bed as it moves in the mentioned forward direction. Treating the waste under the effect of the constant and continuous heat exchange generated by the movement of the molten metal bed beneath the waste retained thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: FUNDACION INASMET
    Inventor: Luis Cobos Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20120167714
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sludge from a fume scrubbing system that scrubs fumes from a steelmaking converter in a manner that separates/isolates a significant portion of the metallic iron particles in the sludge and prepares these particles for convenient handling. In an exemplary system, the system includes separating equipment that isolates metallic iron particles in the sludge and forming equipment that forms the isolated particles into briquettes that have relatively high mechanical resistance that allow the briquettes to maintain their integrity during handling and storage. The high-metallic-iron-content briquettes can be recycled in the steelmaking process, for example, as charging material for a basic oxygen converter or an electric arc furnace. Water used in the system can be recycled and reused within the system, thereby making the system environmentally friendly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Guilherme Santana Lopes Gomes, Victor Loureiro Dos Santos
  • Publication number: 20120042748
    Abstract: An alteration of the traditional zinc/zinc-amalgam reduction procedure which eliminates both the hazardous mercury and dangerous hydrogen gas generation. In order to avoid the presence of water and hydrated protons in the working solution, which can oxidize Eu2+ and cause hydrogen gas production, a process utilizing methanol as the process solvent is described. While methanol presents some flammability hazard in a radiological hot cell, it can be better managed and is less of a flammability hazard than hydrogen gas generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Amanda M. Johnsen, Chuck Z. Soderquist, Bruce K. McNamara, Darrell K. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20110243784
    Abstract: In the method for recovering a metal from a target that contains a metal and a metal oxide, the target contains a sintered body of the metal oxide after being heated under a condition of melting the metal without melting or decomposing the metal oxide. The target is heated in an upper crucible of a two-level crucible that includes the upper crucible with a through hole-formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a lower crucible disposed below the through hole, the size of the through hole being set such that it does not allow the sintered body of the metal oxide contained in the target to pass therethrough, and the melted metal is caused to flow into the lower crucible, so that the metal is separated from the metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: TANAKA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiya Yamamoto, Takanobu Miyashita, Kiyoshi Higuchi, Yasuyuki Goto
  • Publication number: 20110005351
    Abstract: A method for treating spheroidal graphite iron includes the step: pouring molten spheroidal graphite iron into a pouring electrical furnace (1); covering the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with alkali slag (6) which is melted at high temperature and rich in alkali earth metal ion, rare earth metal ion, or mixture of them; connecting the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the negative pole of the direct current source by one pole (7); connecting the alkali slag (6) with the positive pole of the direct current source by another pole (4), treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the alkali slag (6) which is used as electrolyte. The method can prevent the spheroidized fading velocity of the spheroidal graphite iron. The pouring electrical furnace can be used for treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Yuxin Wang, Juren Liu
  • Publication number: 20110005350
    Abstract: A method for recovering thallium in a cement production facility according to the present invention includes: a collecting process of collecting dust from combustion gas at a passage of the combustion gas, which is downstream of a gas outlet of a suspension preheater or a gas outlet of a demineralizer of a cement kiln of the cement production facility; a water-cleaning process of producing slurry or a water solution by cleaning the collected dust using water; and a filtering process of separating the slurry or water solution into a solid and a liquid and recovering thallium, wherein thallium is recovered from the combustion gas exhausted from the cement production facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Konishi
  • Patent number: 7842118
    Abstract: Scrap silicon from which a profit can be obtained taking into consideration the purchase price and refining cost of scrap silicon and the expected sale price of silicon products is selectively recovered, the recovered scrap silicon is refined, and silicon which can be sold as a silicon product is manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: IIS Materials Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norichika Yamauchi, Takehiko Shimada
  • Patent number: 7632329
    Abstract: A method of refining scrap silicon using an electron beam includes a step of selectively preparing lumps of n-type scrap silicon containing a specific impurity element as a dopant, a step of crushing the prepared lumps of scrap silicon, a step of placing the crushed silicon into a vacuum vessel, a step of irradiating the crushed silicon which was placed into the vacuum vessel with an electron beam to melt it and vaporize at least a portion of the impurity element, and a step of solidifying the resulting silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: IIS Materials Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norichika Yamauchi, Takehiko Shimada
  • Patent number: 7632425
    Abstract: A composition includes a metal precursor. The metal precursor may include an inorganic ligand and a metal cation. The inorganic ligand may include a carbamate group. An associated method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Davide Louis Simone, Thomas Martin Angeliu, Jian Zhang, Christopher Michael Carter, David Alexander Gibson, III, Larry Neil Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090199679
    Abstract: A carbothermic process for producing an aluminium carbide containing mass by injecting carbon and alumina into molten aluminium superheated above 1400° C. The carbon reacts with molten aluminium to produce an aluminium carbide and alumina mass. The mass can be heated in the range of 1700° C. to 2000° C. to produce aluminium metal and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Yaghoub Sayad-Yaghoubi
  • Publication number: 20090162278
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an universal method for the large scale production of high-purity carrier free or non carrier added radioisotopes by applying a number of “unit operations” which are derived from physics and material science and hitherto not used for isotope production. A required number of said unit operations is combined, selected and optimised individually for each radioisotope production scheme. The use of said unit operations allows a batch wise operation or a fully automated continuous production scheme. The radioisotopes produced by the inventive method are especially suitable for producing radioisotope-labelled bioconjugates as well as particles, in particular nanoparticles and microparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Helge Leif Ravn, Gerd Juergen Beyer, Ulli Koester, Jacques Lettry, Richard Catherall, Alexander Hohn, Joerg Neuhausen, Luca Zanini, Andreas Tuerler
  • Publication number: 20090049955
    Abstract: A method for the recovery of the secondary metallurgy (LF) slag from a plant for the production of steel comprises a cooling step of the slag, by means of the passage of air and/or other gas, a breakdown step, i.e. transformation of several phases present in the mass into powder and a step of drawing the powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Francesco Memoli, Osvaldo Brioni, Mauro Bianchi Ferri
  • Publication number: 20090000425
    Abstract: A graphite electrode for an electrothermic reduction furnace is formed from anode grade coke and graphitized at a graphitization temperature below 2700° C. The resulting electrode is particularly suited for carbothermal reduction of alumina. It has an iron content of about 0.05% by weight, a specific electrical resistivity of above 5 ?Ohm·m, and a thermal conductivity of less than 150 W/m·K. The graphite electrode is manufactured by first mixing calcined anode coke with a coal-tar pitch binder, and a green electrode is formed from the mixture at a temperature close to the softening point of the pitch binder. The green electrode is then baked to carbonize the pitch binder to solid coke. The resultant carbonized electrode, after further optional processing is then graphitized at a temperature below 2700° C. for a time sufficient to cause the carbon atoms in the carbonized electrode to organize into the crystalline structure of graphite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventor: JOHANN DAIMER
  • Publication number: 20080141825
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wires, such as wires used as feedstock in welding, brazing, and coating deposition processes. The process and apparatus generally entail feeding through a passage a quantity of powder particles of a size and composition that render the particles susceptible to microwave radiation. As the particles travel through the passage, the particles within the passage are subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to melt at least a radially outermost quantity of particles within the passage. The particles are then cooled so that the radially outermost quantity of particles solidifies to yield a wire having a consolidated outermost region surrounding an interior region of the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Reid Thyssen, Laurent Cretegny, Daniel Joseph Lewis, Stephen Francis Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7029513
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery apparatus is used to deliver an aerosol into a reaction chamber for chemical reaction to produce reaction products such as nanoparticles. A variety of improved aerosol delivery approaches provide for the production of more uniform reaction products. In preferred embodiments, a reaction chamber is used that has a cross section perpendicular to the flow of reactant having a dimension along a major axis greater than a dimension along a minor axis. The aerosol preferably is elongated along the major axis of the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: NanoGram Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Gardner, Sujeet Kumar, Ronald M. Cornell, Ronald J. Mosso, Xiangxin Bi
  • Patent number: 6592648
    Abstract: A process of reduction of iron ore and/or waste oxides in the form of agglomerate containing carbonaceous reductant on the hearth of a furnace includes providing a bed of agglomerates on the hearth of a furnace, the bed having a height of at least about 40 mm and having at least four layers of agglomerates. The carbonaceous reductant contains sufficient volatile matter, the volatile matter having a weight of at least about 10% of the weight of the reductant. The bed of agglomerates is heated with a radiant heat source having a temperature of at least about 1450° C. to cause the top of the bed to reach a temperature in the range of 1350° C. to 1530° C. to 1500° C. to reduce iron oxides in the iron ore and/or waste oxides to metallic iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Wei-kao Lu, Dianbing Huang
  • Patent number: 6508855
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery apparatus is used to deliver an aerosol into a reaction chamber for chemical reaction to produce reaction products such as nanoparticles. A variety of improved aerosol delivery approaches provide for the production of more uniform reaction products. In preferred embodiments, a reaction chamber is used that has a cross section perpendicular to the flow of reactant having a dimension along a major axis greater than a dimension along a minor axis. The aerosol preferably is elongated along the major axis of the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: NanoGram Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Gardner, Sujeet Kumar, Ronald M. Cornell, Ronald J. Mosso, Xiangxin Bi
  • Patent number: 6425934
    Abstract: A gas generator disposal method capable of disposing of large quantities of gas generators safely, efficiently and without contamination of environments, and a system therefor, the method comprising releasing an air bag deploying gas from an unused gas generator (X) by applying a YAG laser beam (R) to an igniter (P) of the gas generator (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aoki, Tetuo Saitou, Kenjiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6387494
    Abstract: A method for producing ultra microparticles including steps: dissolving or dispersing at least one of metallic salts into a solvent to form a solution, and irradiating a microwave to the solution to produce the ultra microparticles made of a metal in the metallic salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Osaka University
    Inventors: Shozo Yanagida, Yuji Wada
  • Publication number: 20020029656
    Abstract: A process for producing aluminum metal by carbothermic reduction of alumina ore. Alumina ore is heated in the presence of carbon at an elevated temperature to produce an aluminum metal body contaminated with about 10-30% by wt. aluminum carbide. Aluminum metal or aluminum alloy scrap then is added to bring the temperature to about 900-1000° C. and precipitate out aluminum carbide. The precipitated aluminum carbide is filtered, decanted, or fluxed with salt to form a molten body having reduced aluminum carbide content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Alfred F. LaCamera
  • Publication number: 20010018851
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal structures in which minute drops of a liquid metal are emitted from an acoustic device through an inert gas. The presence of the inert gas at the surface of the liquid metal prevent the formation of an oxide skin which would absorb acoustic energy and hinder droplet formation and emission. The droplets are then emitted towards a substrate, which may form as a carrier, where they may be used to form solder bumps, circuit traces, or accreted to form a three dimensional device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Horine
  • Patent number: 6217631
    Abstract: A method of heating a body of molten metal passing through a treatment bay. The method comprises providing a body of molten metal in a treatment bay and providing a baffle heater in the treatment bay to contact the molten metal. The baffle heater is comprised of a member fabricated from a material substantially inert to the molten metal, the member containing at least one heating element receptacle. An electric heating element is positioned in the receptacle for heating the member, the element protected from the molten metal by the material constituting the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert