Appeal No. 2004-1043
Application No. 09/960,907
(b) Providing a plurality of non-consumable anodes
and cathodes disposed vertically in the electrolyte;
(c) Heating the cell up to operating
temperature and completely melting the
electrolyte; and
(d) Passing an electric current through the anodes
and through the electrolyte to the cathodes, depositing
aluminum on the cathodes and generating oxygen bubbles that
stir the electrolyte.
Regarding claim 36, Beck discloses the use of an
electrolyte temperature of 750°C (abstract).
Regarding claim 37, Beck discloses the use of alkali
metal fluorides in the bath including NaF (introduction).
Regarding claim 40, Beck uses anodes and an anodic
liner made of Cu-Ni-Fe alloy (p. 359, col.1).
Regarding claim 41, Beck provides an example of a cell
operated at 0.5 A/cm2 (p. 359, col. 2).
Regarding claim 42, Beck discloses the use of titanium
diboride cathodes (abstract).
Regarding claim 43, the anodes and cathode are
disposed in an alternating relationship (fig. 10).
The method of Beck differs from the instant invention
because Beck does not disclose the following:
a. Adding solid electrolyte and alumina
to the cell, as recited in claim 35;
b. Placing a heater adjacent to the
bottom of the liner and adding heat to the
bottom until the electrolyte until it is
melted, as recited in claim 35; and
c. A plurality of anodes and a
plurality of cathodes, as recited in~clairn
43;
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