Craig G Brown

US Patent:

6379512, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Nov 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721846

Inventors:

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Richard J. Brooks - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Lynnwood WA
Drago D. Juric - Bulleen, AU

Assignee:

Northwest Aluminum Technology - The Dalles OR

International Classification:

C25C 300

US Classification:

204245, 204291, 204292, 204294

Abstract:

An electrolytic bath for use during the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum. The bath comprises molten electrolyte having the following ingredients: AlF and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF, and LiF; and about 0. 004 wt. % to about 0. 2 wt. %, based on total weight of the molten electrolyte, of at least one transition metal or at least one compound of the metal or both. The compound is, a fluoride; oxide, or carbonate. The metal is nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, or molybdenum. The bath is employed in a combination including a vessel for containing the bath and at least one non-consumable anode and at least one dimensionally stable cathode in the bath. Employing the instant bath during electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum improves the wetting of aluminum on a cathode by reducing or eliminating the formation of non-metallic deposits on the cathode.

US Patent:

6419812, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721723

Inventors:

Theodore R. Beck - Seattle WA
Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Northwest Aluminum Technologies - Seattle WA

International Classification:

C25C 316

US Classification:

205374, 205376, 205378, 205380, 205386, 205387, 205394, 205395, 205396

Abstract:

A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten salt electrolyte in an electrolytic cell having an anodic liner for containing the electrolyte, the liner having an anodic bottom and walls including at least one end wall extending upwardly from the anodic bottom, the anodic liner being substantially inert with respect to the molten electrolyte. A plurality of non-consumable anodes is provided and disposed vertically in the electrolyte. A plurality of cathodes is disposed vertically in the electrolyte in alternating relationship with the anodes. The anodes are electrically connected to the anodic liner. An electric current is passed through the anodic liner to the anodes, through the electrolyte to the cathodes, and aluminum is deposited on said cathodes. Oxygen bubbles are generated at the anodes and the anodic liner, the bubbles stirring the electrolyte.

US Patent:

6419813, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Nov 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721847

Inventors:

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Theodore R. Beck - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Northwest Aluminum Technologies - Seattle WA

International Classification:

C25C 316

US Classification:

205374, 205376, 205378, 205380, 205386, 205387, 205394, 205395, 205396

Abstract:

Cathode connector means for low temperature aluminum smelting cell for connecting titanium diboride cathode or the like to bus bars.

US Patent:

6436272, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Oct 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/678238

Inventors:

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Northwest Aluminum Technologies - Seattle WA

International Classification:

C25C 316

US Classification:

205374, 205376, 205378, 205380, 205386, 205387, 205394, 205395, 205396, 2042431, 204244, 204245, 2042473, 2042474, 204280

Abstract:

A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. A plurality of non-consumable anodes are disposed substantially vertically in the electrolyte along with a plurality of monolithic hollow cathodes. Each cathode has a top and bottom and the cathodes are disposed vertically in the electrolyte and the anodes and the cathodes are arranged in alternating relationship. Each of the cathodes is comprised of a first side facing a first opposing anode and a second side facing a second opposing anode. The first and second sides are joined by ends to form a reservoir in the hollow cathode for collecting aluminum therein deposited at the cathode.

US Patent:

6485628, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

Nov 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721836

Inventors:

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Richard J. Brooks - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Lynnwood WA
Drago D. Juric - Bulleen, AU

Assignee:

Northwest Aluminum Technology - The Dalles OR

International Classification:

C25C 306

US Classification:

205381, 205384, 205392, 205393, 205394, 205396

Abstract:

An electrolytic bath for use during the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum. The bath comprises a molten electrolyte having the following ingredients: (a) AlF and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF, and LiF; and (b) about 0. 004 wt. % to about 0. 2 wt. %, based on total weight of the molten electrolyte, of at least one transition metal or at least one compound of the metal or both. The compound may be, for example, a fluoride, oxide, or carbonate. The metal can be nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, or molybdenum. The bath can be employed in a combination that includes a vessel for containing the bath and at least one non-consumable anode and at least one dimensionally stable cathode in the bath. Employing the bath of the present invention during electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum can improve the wetting of aluminum on a cathode by reducing or eliminating the formation of non-metallic deposits on the cathode. Removing sulfur from the bath can also minimize cathode deposits.

US Patent:

6497807, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Nov 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721845

Inventors:

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Richard J. Brooks - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Seattle WA
Drago D. Juric - Bulleen, AU

Assignee:

Northwest Aluminum Technologies - Seattle WA

International Classification:

C25C 306

US Classification:

205372, 205394, 205392, 205233, 205385, 205386, 205387

Abstract:

A method of treating an electrolyte for use in the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum employing an anode and a cathode, the alumina dissolved in the electrolyte, the treating improving wetting of the cathode with molten aluminum during electrolysis. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten electrolyte comprised of ALF and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF and LiF, and treating the electrolyte by providing therein 0. 004 to 0. 2 wt. % of a transition metal or transition metal compound for improved wettability of the cathode with molten aluminum during subsequent electrolysis to reduce alumina to aluminum.

US Patent:

6560368, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Jun 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/344431

Inventors:

Craig S. Brown - Bothell WA
Thomas A. Grate - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06K 936

US Classification:

382239, 382232, 341 51, 341107

Abstract:

Arithmetic coding and decoding, and compressing and decompressing methods and systems are described. In one embodiment, occurrence values are calculated that represent the number of times individual component values appear in an input stream that is to be encoded. The occurrence values are first normalized to ensure that they are all powers of 2. The occurrence values are then second normalized to ensure that the sum of all of the occurrence values is a power of 2. After normalization, encoding or compressing takes place through arithmetic techniques that utilize a range having a length equal to the normalized sum of the occurrence values. Various sub-ranges within the range are assigned to individual component values that are to be encoded. A position is defined within the range and a determination is made as to whether the position is within a sub-range that is necessary to encode an individual component value. If the position is not within the appropriate sub-range, then the position is moved, one or more encoding bits are emitted, and the new position is checked.

US Patent:

6754696, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Mar 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/535058

Inventors:

Vivek P. Kamath - Redmond WA
Craig S. Brown - Bothell WA
John B. Pence - Renton WA
M. Chandra Shekaran - Woodinville WA
Thomas G. Lorimor - Redmond WA
Thomas R. Firman - Bellevue WA
Elizabeth J. Gentile - Seattle WA
Keith M. Toussaint - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Micosoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15167

US Classification:

709213, 709218, 709219, 709203, 707 3

Abstract:

A method and system for transparently combining remote and local storage to provide an extended file system such as a virtual local drive for a computer system client/user, e. g. , a user of a pocket sized personal computer or a cable set-top box. A client device may load file system object data, storing the directories and files remotely, and retrieving the files only when required. Via its local storage, the extended file system handles unreliable connections and delays. When a connection to an extended file system server is present, the extended file system provides automatic downloading of information that is not locally cached, and automatically uploading of information that has been modified on the client. Extended file system attributes are employed to determine the actual location of file system data, and a lightweight protocol is defined to download or upload remote data by low-level components that make the remote source transparent from the perspective of the application. The system scales to large networks as it employs the lightweight protocol and establishes a connection only to retrieve and submit data.