| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 6551489 |
Retrofit aluminum smelting cells using inert anodes and method |
April 22, 2003 |
| Conventional aluminum smelting cells are retrofitted with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies may include multiple inert anodes, and may also include insulation for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit |
| 6543122 |
Process for producing thick sheet from direct chill cast cold rolled aluminum alloy |
April 8, 2003 |
| A process for producing thick aluminum/aluminum alloy sheet useful for truck parts and the like includes the steps of feeding molten aluminum/aluminum alloy (10) into a direct casting apparatus (12) to provide an ingot that is subjected to a cooling (15) and optional scalping step (1 |
| 6540008 |
Molten metal injector system and method |
April 1, 2003 |
| Disclosed is a molten metal injector system including a holder furnace, a casting mold supported above the holder furnace, and a molten metal injector supported from a bottom side of the mold. The holder furnace contains a supply of molten metal having a metal oxide film surface. The |
| 6537438 |
Method for protecting electrodes during electrolysis cell start-up |
March 25, 2003 |
| The present invention is directed to methods for applying a protective layer (42) to the cathode (40) of an electrolysis cell (10), where the cell also contains inert anodes (50) and the protective layer (42) can comprise a plurality of layers (70, 72, 74) with an inner layer (70) of |
| 6537392 |
Corrosion resistant 6000 series alloy suitable for aerospace applications |
March 25, 2003 |
| There is claimed an aerospace alloy having improved corrosion resistance performance, particularly intergranular corrosion resistance. The alloy consisting essentially of: about 0.6-1.15 wt. % silicon, about 0.6-1.0 wt. % copper, about 0.8-1.2 wt. % magnesium, about 0.55-0.86 wt. % zinc, |
| 6536508 |
Continuous pressure molten metal supply system and method |
March 25, 2003 |
| A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movabl |
| 6531052 |
Regenerable adsorbent for removing sulfur species from hydrocarbon fluids |
March 11, 2003 |
| Sulfur species are removed from hydrocarbon fluids by a process that includes contacting the fluid with a solid adsorbent having a porous substrate impregnated with silver oxide. The solid adsorbent preferably comprises activated alumina. The solid adsorbent may be regenerated with a |
| 6531013 |
Adhesive bonding process for aluminum alloy bodies including hypophosphorous acid anodizing |
March 11, 2003 |
| An adhesive bonding process for making vehicle structures wherein a surface portion of an aluminum alloy body is anodized in an aqueous solution of hypophosphorous acid (H.sub.3 PO.sub.2) to form an anodic oxide coating. A layer of adhesive is applied onto the surface portion and the adh |
| 6530970 |
Method for recovering aluminum vapor and aluminum suboxide from off-gases during production of a |
March 11, 2003 |
| A method for aluminum recovery during the carbothermic production of aluminum in a smelting furnace (1,2) is disclosed, where during carbothermic reduction of alumina, aluminum and aluminum suboxide vapors are produced (3, 4), which are reacting with carbon. Reactive carbon is genera |
| 6527134 |
Container module for intermodal transportation and storage of dry flowable product |
March 4, 2003 |
| A container module for intermodal transportation and temporary storage of dry flowable product includes a pressure tank supported by hanger plates welded to end frames of a support frame defining a standardized container envelope. The pressure tank has a wall with a flat top center secti |
| 6523873 |
Taper and flare energy absorption system |
February 25, 2003 |
| An energy absorption system and method comprised of a crush tube, a taper component, and a flare component. The crush tube is inserted into a matching hole in the taper component. As the taper and flare components are moved down over the crush tube, the taper component decreases the |
| 6521391 |
Printing plate |
February 18, 2003 |
| A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiati |
| 6517790 |
Converting fluorgyp to calcium sulfate |
February 11, 2003 |
| Fluorgyp is converted to calcium sulfate by reacting sulfuric acid in the fluorgyp with calcium carbonate having a small particle size. The resulting product is useful as a set retarding agent for cement. |
| 6516868 |
Molten metal holder furnace and casting system incorporating the molten metal holder furnace |
February 11, 2003 |
| A bottom heated holder furnace (12) for containing a supply of molten metal includes a storage vessel (30) having sidewalls (32) and a bottom wall (34) defining a molten metal receiving chamber (36). A furnace insulating layer (42) lines the molten metal receiving chamber (36). A thermal |
| 6514342 |
Linear nozzle with tailored gas plumes |
February 4, 2003 |
| There is claimed a method for depositing fluid material from a linear nozzle in a substantially uniform manner across and along a surface. The method includes directing gaseous medium through said nozzle to provide a gaseous stream at the nozzle exit that entrains fluid material supplied |
| 6511590 |
Alumina distribution in electrolysis cells including inert anodes using bubble-driven bath circu |
January 28, 2003 |
| This invention relates to the use of bubble-driven flow to enhance the dissolution and distribution of alumina in an aluminum electrolysis cell operating with inert anodes. By harnessing the driving force of bubbles rising along the sides of a sloped anode to induce circulation in a cell |
| 6508035 |
Ultra-lightweight thin sliding door for a vehicle |
January 21, 2003 |
| A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame comprising a U-shaped extruded aluminum tube and a crossbeam to which inner and outer aluminum door panels are attached. Hardware for operation of the door is mounted on the exposed inside surface of the door. The overall weight of the |
| 6506998 |
Projection welding of an aluminum sheet |
January 14, 2003 |
| A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a secon |
| 6505674 |
Injector for molten metal supply system |
January 14, 2003 |
| An injector (100) for a molten metal supply system includes an injector housing (102) configured to contain molten metal. A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102). A piston (104) extends into the housing (102). The piston (102) is movable throug |
| 6503292 |
Molten metal treatment furnace with level control and method |
January 7, 2003 |
| A molten metal treatment furnace (10) with metal treatment and level control includes a heating chamber (12) for containing and heating a supply of molten metal (60), a pump (22) connected to the heating chamber (12), a molten metal treatment chamber (16, 18) located at the outlet of |
| 6500228 |
Molten metal dosing furnace with metal treatment and level control and method |
December 31, 2002 |
| A dosing furnace (10) with metal treatment and level control includes a holding chamber (12) for containing a supply of molten metal (50), a pump (22) connected to the holding chamber (12), a molten metal treatment chamber (16, 18) located at an outlet (26) of the pump (22), and a dosing |
| 6475260 |
Carbothermic aluminum production using scrap aluminum as a coolant |
November 5, 2002 |
| 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 |
| 6474397 |
Fluxing agent for metal cast joining |
November 5, 2002 |
| A method of joining an aluminum cast member to an aluminum component. The method includes the steps of coating a surface of an aluminum component with flux comprising cesium fluoride, placing the flux coated component in a mold, filling the mold with molten aluminum alloy, and allowing t |
| 6464240 |
Trailer hitch |
October 15, 2002 |
| A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle. |
| 6461451 |
Treatment of ingots or spacer blocks in stacked aluminum ingots |
October 8, 2002 |
| A method of treating a surface of a stacked aluminum alloy ingot during a heating process. Spacer blocks are positioned adjacent aluminum alloy ingots to form a stack, wherein the spacer block has a support surface contacting a contact surface of the aluminum alloy ingot, and at least on |
| 6453712 |
Method for reducing crop losses during ingot rolling |
September 24, 2002 |
| A method and apparatus for reducing crop losses during slab and ingot rolling concerns the formation of a slab ingot having a specially configured or shaped butt end and optionally a head end as well. A special shape is formed by machining, forging or preferably by casting. The speci |
| 6451248 |
Pressurized molten metal holder furnace |
September 17, 2002 |
| A bottom heated holder furnace (10) for containing a supply of molten metal includes a storage vessel (20) having sidewalls (22) and a bottom wall (24) defining a molten metal receiving chamber (26). A furnace insulating layer (32) lines the molten metal receiving chamber (26). A thermal |
| 6447667 |
Thermal shock protection for electrolysis cells |
September 10, 2002 |
| A cermet anode of an electrolytic cell is protected from thermal shock during cell start-up by coating an outer surface portion of the anode with a coating composition comprising carbon or aluminum or a mixture thereof. A particularly preferred coating composition includes an aluminum |
| 6444058 |
High toughness plate alloy for aerospace applications |
September 3, 2002 |
| The present invention is directed to highly controlled alloy composition relationship of a high purity Al--Mg--Cu alloy within the 2000 series aluminum alloys as defined by the Aluminum Association, wherein significant improvements are revealed in fracture toughness through plane str |
| 6440294 |
Crust hole repair for electrolytic cells |
August 27, 2002 |
| A process for repairing a hole in the crust of an electrolytic cell. The hole is repaired by covering it with a receptacle containing solid particles.The receptacle comprises a polymeric material. More preferably, the receptacle comprises a cellulosic material, such as paper, polymer |
| 6440290 |
Method for surface treating aluminum products |
August 27, 2002 |
| There is disclosed a method for surface treating aluminum products, especially vehicle wheels, to improve their brightness. The method comprises: (a) applying a chemical brightening composition to these products; (b) deoxidizing the surface of these wheel products in a nitric acid-ba |
| 6440279 |
Chemical milling process for inert anodes |
August 27, 2002 |
| A cermet inert anode having a reduced level of contaminating surface metal is disclosed. Methods for preparing cermet inert anodes and methods for treating cermet inert anodes are also disclosed. The methods generally use an oxidizing agent to convert metals on the surface of the anode t |
| 6440193 |
Method and reactor for production of aluminum by carbothermic reduction of alumina |
August 27, 2002 |
| The present invention relates to a process for carbothermic production of aluminum where molten bath aluminum carbide and aluminum oxide are produced in a low temperature compartment (2), and continuously flow into a high temperature compartment (3) where the aluminum carbide is reacted |
| 6428675 |
Low temperature aluminum production |
August 6, 2002 |
| A process for electrolyzing Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 to produce aluminum in a low temperature bath containing AlCl.sub.3 and an alkali metal chloride. The bath is maintained at a temperature of less than about 300 .degree. C. Solid aluminum is produced at the cathode in a frozen layer of the alk |
| 6423204 |
For cermet inert anode containing oxide and metal phases useful for the electrolytic production |
July 23, 2002 |
| 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, |
| 6423195 |
Inert anode containing oxides of nickel, iron and zinc useful for the electrolytic production of |
July 23, 2002 |
| An inert anode for the electrolytic production of metals such as aluminum is disclosed. The inert anode includes a ceramic oxide material preferably made from NiO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and ZnO. The inert anode composition may comprise the following mole fractions of NiO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and |
| 6421975 |
Molded plastic siding panel |
July 23, 2002 |
| A molded plastic panel for covering an exterior building wall includes a laterally directed lead fin, a laterally extending groove below the lead fin, and a rearwardly directed middle wall between rows of simulated shingles, all for joining laterally adjacent panels. A side flange ex |
| 6419755 |
Chemical delacquering process |
July 16, 2002 |
| A chemical delacquering composition, process and system for delacquering substrates such as aluminum scrap in which an aqueous solution containing at least one short-chain organic acid, preferably a mixture of two short-chain organic acids, and optional components such as surfactants, |
| 6416649 |
Electrolytic production of high purity aluminum using ceramic inert anodes |
July 9, 2002 |
| A method of producing commercial purity aluminum in an electrolytic reduction cell comprising ceramic inert anodes is disclosed. The method produces aluminum having acceptable levels of Fe, Cu and Ni impurities. The ceramic inert anodes used in the process may comprise oxides contain |
| 6412164 |
Aluminum alloys having improved cast surface quality |
July 2, 2002 |
| Aluminum alloy compositions are disclosed, which include small amounts of calcium that result in improved surface properties of the cast aluminum. The calcium, and up to 0.25% grain refiners, are added along with alkaline earth metals, transition metals and/or rare earth metals to the al |
| 6405651 |
Electrocoating process for making lithographic sheet material |
June 18, 2002 |
| A process for making lithographic sheet material suitable for imaging by laser radiation. A metal substrate is electrocoated in a bath containing a polymeric resin and laser-sensitive particles, thereby depositing a laser ablatable layer on a principal surface of the metal substrate. In |
| 6403913 |
Electrode geometry design for optimized aluminum resistance spot welding |
June 11, 2002 |
| A modification of the electrode geometry for resistance spot welding of aluminum. A ratio of the surface area of the weld nugget to the surface area of the electrode face is about 0.75 to about 1. The diameter of the electrode face is smaller than the industry recommended size and which |
| 6398882 |
Uniformly dispersed, finely sized ceramic particles in metals and alloys |
June 4, 2002 |
| A novel product composed of a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal, including uniformly distributed, finely sized carbide phase particles formed in situ in a molten metal and a novel method for producing such a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal are disclosed. A salt-based |
| 6391127 |
Method of manufacturing aluminum alloy sheet |
May 21, 2002 |
| A method for manufacturing aluminum sheet stock which includes hot rolling an aluminum alloy sheet stock, quenching and coiling the feedstock. Then, in a second sequence, the feedstock is uncoiled, annealed and quenched to a temperature for cold rolling. |
| 6387237 |
Cathode collector bar with spacer for improved heat balance and method |
May 14, 2002 |
| An electrolytic cell for aluminum production, including a cell wall, a bus bar, a carbonaceous cathode block, and a collector bar connecting the bus bar with the cathode block. The collector bar comprises a ferrous metal body including a solid spacer and a sheath defining a cavity contai |
| 6386266 |
Substrate system for spray forming |
May 14, 2002 |
| A substrate system for receiving a deposit of sprayed metal droplets including a movable outer substrate on which the sprayed metal droplets are deposited. The substrate system also includes an inner substrate disposed adjacent the outer substrate where the sprayed metal droplets are |
| 6382446 |
Container module for intermodal transportation and storage of dry flowable product |
May 7, 2002 |
| A container module for intermodal transportation and temporary storage of dry flowable product includes a pressure tank supported by hanger plates welded to end frames of a support frame defining a standardized container envelope. The pressure tank has a wall with a flat top center secti |
| 6375029 |
Easy-open misting container |
April 23, 2002 |
| An improved can end, and method for making a can end, for pressurized beverage containers with a stay on tab. The tab incorporates a raised region with a hole. The raised region is positioned to receive the vapor vented from the can upon initial lifting of the tab. The raised region and |
| 6374737 |
Printing plate material with electrocoated layer |
April 23, 2002 |
| A process for making printing plate material suitable for imaging by laser radiation. A metal substrate is electrocoated in a bath containing a polymeric resin and laser-sensitive particles, thereby depositing a laser ablatable layer on a principal surface of the metal substrate. In one |
| 6372119 |
Inert anode containing oxides of nickel iron and cobalt useful for the electrolytic production o |
April 16, 2002 |
| An inert anode for the electrolytic production of metals such as aluminum is disclosed. The inert anode includes a ceramic oxide material preferably made from NiO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CoO. The inert anode composition may comprise the following mole fractions of NiO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and |
