Alcoa Inc.

Aluminum Company of America

Raymond Miller

Leroy E D'Astolfo

Robert L Kozarek

Thomas R Hornack

James A Miller

Robert E Welsh

J Dean Latvaitis

James E Knepp

Steven A Czekaj

Patrick W Holmes

Leroy E D'ASTOLFO

A method of making an inert anode (') for use in an electrochemical cell first provides a hollow shaped mold () where a metal mandrel (&#x2032;) having raised male threads () at its top diameter () is inserted into the mold () and a compressible powder () added, then the powder is compressed to form recessed female grooves () matching the mandrel threads () where the mandrel (&#x2032;) is engaged and withdrawn along with the compressed powder inert anode after which the mandrel is rotated to unscrew it from the compressed powder and the compressed powder shape is then placed on a tray () and heated to sintering temperature.

Method of forming inert anodes

Insulation assemblies provide reduced heat loss from electrolytic metal production cells such as inert anode aluminum production cells. The insulation assemblies may be located at the end, side and/or center aisles of the cell, and may be supported by the anodes and deckplate of the cell. The assemblies reduce heat loss and bath vaporization losses, and permit stable operation of the inert anode cell.

Insulation assemblies for metal production cells

The invention includes apparatus and method for lubricating and cooling a workpiece, dies or ironing rings, and punch at the interface between the workpiece and such dies or ironing rings and punch in forming a workpiece into a hollow closed end cylindrical article. A lubricant liquid phase is injected into a coolant liquid phase to form a 'dispersion' prior to application to the metal-tool interface. Providing the lubricant as a dispersion in the coolant liquid phase rather than as an emulsion provides several advantages. The quantity of lubricant and the time of lubricant injection can be varied to control lubricity and, thus, friction. The invention makes it possible to achieve differential friction in the ironing process by having higher lubricity on the ironing die (low friction) and lower lubricity on the punch surface (high friction). Lubricities and cooling are controllable for the specific metal forming process employed to produce closed end hollow body containers. After applicaiton, the lubricant and coolant are separated, the lubricant filtered to remove debris, stored, and then reinjected to provide lubrication for the process.

Apparatus and method for lubricating and cooling in a draw and iron press

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Lower Burrell, PA, United States of America

Raymond Miller