Topic leaderboard
Manufacture of iron or steel
Ranked by the PatentIndex Score — a 1–99 percentile within C21B · public-visibility date · generated 2026
top 25 per window · public-visibility date
Rising· last 2 yrs
Inventors whose newest C21B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199James A. Mennell30 patents · 575 citations
- 296Daniel J. Despen26 patents · 535 citations
- 392Steve Filips12 patents · 142 citations
- 488Adolfredo Alvarez5 patents · 14 citations
- 583Ai Quoc Pham5 patents · 14 citations
- 679Steven Fatur5 patents · 14 citations
- 775Jonathan Hale Perkins12 patents · 25 citations
- 871John Francis Quanci12 patents · 25 citations
- 967DESPEN DANIEL J5 patents · 0 citations
- 1063MENNELL JAMES A5 patents · 0 citations
- 1158John Michael Richardson10 patents · 12 citations
- 1254Andrew Michael Butor6 patents · 0 citations
- 1350Chun Wai Choi6 patents · 0 citations
- 1446David James Schwake6 patents · 0 citations
- 1542Patrick J. Mullarkey6 patents · 0 citations
- 1638Romain Clesen5 patents · 6 citations
- 1733Alessandra Primavera3 patents · 2 citations
- 1829Chunyuan Ma2 patents · 2 citations
- 1925Jingcai Chang2 patents · 2 citations
- 2021Shusheng Li2 patents · 2 citations
- 2117Andrew Zigang Zhao2 patents · 1 citations
- 2213Olivia Faye Dippo2 patents · 1 citations
- 238Gangfeng Sun1 patents · 2 citations
- 244Huanfeng Feng1 patents · 2 citations
- 251Zhongzhan Zhang1 patents · 2 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained C21B output across the last 5 years
- 199James A. Mennell30 patents · 575 citations
- 296Daniel J. Despen26 patents · 535 citations
- 392Steve Filips12 patents · 142 citations
- 488Gerald Rosenfellner21 patents · 104 citations
- 583Hendrikus Koenraad Albertus Meijer15 patents · 69 citations
- 679Kyle James Shoop5 patents · 119 citations
- 775Myoung-Kyun Shin15 patents · 67 citations
- 871Franz Hauzenberger11 patents · 59 citations
- 967James Saville5 patents · 40 citations
- 1063Brian Voelker8 patents · 54 citations
- 1158Adolfredo Alvarez5 patents · 14 citations
- 1254Ai Quoc Pham5 patents · 14 citations
- 1350Steven Fatur5 patents · 14 citations
- 1446Jonathan Hale Perkins12 patents · 25 citations
- 1542John Francis Quanci12 patents · 25 citations
- 1638Michael Andrew Gibson4 patents · 77 citations
- 1733Alessandro Martinis9 patents · 33 citations
- 1829Edward W. Albrecht6 patents · 11 citations
- 1925Steven Daryl Mccullough6 patents · 11 citations
- 2021Mark Hayton8 patents · 50 citations
- 2117Paul Tockert22 patents · 28 citations
- 2213Natsuo Ishiwata7 patents · 22 citations
- 238DESPEN DANIEL J5 patents · 0 citations
- 244MENNELL JAMES A5 patents · 0 citations
- 251Jacques Pilote15 patents · 15 citations
All-time canon
Career PatentIndex Score in C21B
- 199James A. Mennell30 patents · 575 citations
- 296Daniel J. Despen26 patents · 535 citations
- 392Cheryl Vanessa Rogerson5 patents · 362 citations
- 488Patrick Di Giovanni5 patents · 362 citations
- 583Gregory M. Gitman7 patents · 315 citations
- 679Grigori Galperine6 patents · 256 citations
- 775Stanislav I. Zhigach6 patents · 256 citations
- 871Shuzo Ito21 patents · 559 citations
- 967Yoshimichi Takenaka10 patents · 437 citations
- 1063David C. Meissner32 patents · 850 citations
- 1158Akira Uragami11 patents · 450 citations
- 1254Shoji Shirouchi9 patents · 336 citations
- 1350Shoichi Kikuchi25 patents · 541 citations
- 1446Roy Hubert Whipp, Jr.18 patents · 472 citations
- 1542Yasuhiro Tanigaki8 patents · 302 citations
- 1638Takuya Negami6 patents · 259 citations
- 1733Peter Damian Burke10 patents · 325 citations
- 1829Glenn E. Hoffman13 patents · 329 citations
- 1925Steve Filips12 patents · 142 citations
- 2021Frank M. Stephens, Jr.12 patents · 305 citations
- 2117Cecil Peter Bates7 patents · 244 citations
- 2213Charles W. Sanzenbacher19 patents · 415 citations
- 238Pierre Mailliet60 patents · 876 citations
- 244Kazuya Miyagawa5 patents · 253 citations
- 251Edouard Legille35 patents · 611 citations
Rising· last 2 yrs
The top-scoring C21B patents made public in the last 2 years
- 199US12215289B2✦ AIHigh-quality coke products2 cites · 202461% earned
- 296US11940216B1✦ AIHigh-temperature flue gas recovery apparatus for melting furnace2 cites · 202476% earned
- 392US12258640B2✦ AISystems and methods for improved carbon capture associated with molten metal production1 cites · 202456% earned
- 488US11898798B1High-efficiency photonic furnaces for metal production1 cites · 202456% earned
- 583US12577488B2Systems and apparatus for production of high-carbon biogenic reagents0 cites · 20240% earned
- 679US12397346B2Low-sulfur granulated metallic units0 cites · 20250% earned
- 775US12577696B2Ore dissolution and iron conversion system0 cites · 20240% earned
- 871US12331367B2Foundry coke products, and associated systems, devices, and methods0 cites · 20250% earned
- 967US12552666B2Process for producing hydrogen and graphitic carbon from hydrocarbons0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1063US12252753B2Systems and methods for self-reduction of iron ore0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1158US12258671B2Reactors and methods for production of sustainable chemicals using carbon emissions of met0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1254US11969786B1Chemical looping carrier compositions, binders, and related methods0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1350US12378619B2Process for manufacturing a slag conditioning agent for steel desulfurization0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1446US12416055B1Carbon dioxide emission reduction system for electric arc furnaces utilizing algae for car0 cites · 20250% earned
- 1542US12104224B2Process for transition metal oxide reduction0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1638US12259186B2Single mounting cast iron or copper stave cooler0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1733US12139774B2Suspension roasting system and method for industrial processing of iron and manganese ores0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1829US12503737B2Sustainable steel production with co-generation of hydrogen0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1925US11898212B1Method and device for monitoring blast furnace state based on multi-modes fusion0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2021US12503736B1Thermal energy recovery systems for non-contact temperature detection of molten steel in s0 cites · 20250% earned
- 2117US12054795B2System and method for delivering fluidized powder based on flue gas carrying waste slag an0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2213US12398034B2Systems and methods for producing syngas from bio-oil0 cites · 20250% earned
- 238US12584690B2Liquid level detection method and detection apparatus for the same, molten material liquid0 cites · 20240% earned
- 244US12577629B2Residual liquid amount detection method and detection apparatus for the same, residual mol0 cites · 20240% earned
- 251US12566029B2Method of producing molten iron using electric furnace including video device0 cites · 20240% earned
Active· last 5 yrs
The top-scoring C21B patents of the last 5 years
- 199US11851723B2✦ AICarbon-negative metallurgical products22 cites · 202280% earned
- 296US11753698B2✦ AIBio-reduction of metal ores integrated with biomass pyrolysis18 cites · 202284% earned
- 392US11767482B2✦ AIHigh-quality coke products11 cites · 202178% earned
- 488US11851724B2Foundry coke products, and associated systems, devices, and methods8 cites · 202373% earned
- 583US11767604B22-step iron conversion system5 cites · 202262% earned
- 679US11946108B2Foundry coke products and associated processing methods via cupolas4 cites · 202375% earned
- 775US11499957B1Evaluation method for residual hydrocarbon of post- to over-mature marine source rocks5 cites · 202284% earned
- 871US11359154B2Systems and apparatus for production of high-carbon biogenic reagents4 cites · 202147% earned
- 967US11940216B1High-temperature flue gas recovery apparatus for melting furnace2 cites · 202476% earned
- 1063US11959153B2Production of iron2 cites · 202361% earned
- 1158US12258640B2Systems and methods for improved carbon capture associated with molten metal production1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1254US12116643B2Formation method for slag flow, production method for organic compound, production method 2 cites · 202276% earned
- 1350US11572307B1Process for modifying steel slag through acidification and carbonization coupling2 cites · 202376% earned
- 1446US11591662B2Method for operating a metallurgical furnace3 cites · 202280% earned
- 1542US12180554B2Method for carburization of HDRI produced in H2 based direct reduction process3 cites · 202180% earned
- 1638US11898798B1High-efficiency photonic furnaces for metal production1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1733US11680748B2Method for charging raw materials into blast furnace2 cites · 202176% earned
- 1829US11512899B2Blast furnace apparatus and operation method for blast furnace2 cites · 202176% earned
- 1925US11859907B2Vessel for containing direct reduced iron2 cites · 202176% earned
- 2021US11926884B2Pyrometallurgical process for recovering nickel, manganese, and cobalt2 cites · 202376% earned
- 2117US11649514B2Method for removing phosphorus from phosphorus-containing substance2 cites · 202176% earned
- 2213US11203791B2Method and apparatus for producing direct reduced iron utilizing a catalytical pretreatmen2 cites · 202176% earned
- 238US12043874B2System and method for reducing ore using hydrogen as a reducing agent1 cites · 202256% earned
- 244US11174524B1Production apparatus and method for electric arc furnace steelmaking with fully continuous1 cites · 202167% earned
- 251US11795407B2Gasifier for organic solid waste by injection into molten iron and slag bath1 cites · 202167% earned
All-time canon
The defining C21B patents of the whole record
- 199US5868735A✦ AICryoplasty device and method559 cites · 199987% earned
- 296US6290696B1✦ AICryoplasty device and method283 cites · 200185% earned
- 392US6648878B2✦ AICryoplasty device and method216 cites · 200285% earned
- 488US7022120B2Cryoplasty device and method187 cites · 200484% earned
- 583US4701214AMethod of producing iron using rotary hearth and apparatus160 cites · 198794% earned
- 679US4265868AProduction of carbon monoxide by the gasification of carbonaceous materials153 cites · 198194% earned
- 775US6170717B1Valve for aerosol container129 cites · 200184% earned
- 871US4647443ARecovery process126 cites · 198793% earned
- 967US4150078AProcess for making refractory shapes123 cites · 197990% earned
- 1063US5555822AApparatus for dissociating bulk waste in a molten metal bath119 cites · 199693% earned
- 1158US5690888AApparatus and method for tapping a reactor containing a molten fluid115 cites · 199793% earned
- 1254US3966456AProcess of using olivine in a blast furnace113 cites · 197693% earned
- 1350US6126718AMethod of producing a reduced metal, and traveling hearth furnace for producing same110 cites · 200093% earned
- 1446US5057189ARecovery apparatus110 cites · 199193% earned
- 1542US6254662B1Chemical synthesis of monodisperse and magnetic alloy nanocrystal containing thin films101 cites · 200189% earned
- 1638US8419825B2Method and system for energy-optimized and CO2 emission-optimized iron production101 cites · 201193% earned
- 1733US5082251APlant and process for fluidized bed reduction of ore100 cites · 199293% earned
- 1829US6149709AMethod of making iron and steel98 cites · 200089% earned
- 1925US4203761AProcess of smelting with submerged burner98 cites · 198093% earned
- 2021US5730775AMethod for rapid reduction of iron oxide in a rotary hearth furnace98 cites · 199893% earned
- 2117US4160663AMethod for the direct reduction of iron ore97 cites · 197993% earned
- 2213US5052922ACeramic gas burner for a hot blast stove, and bricks therefor95 cites · 199193% earned
- 238US4282006ACoal-water slurry and method for its preparation94 cites · 198193% earned
- 244US6315173B1Valve for aerosol container93 cites · 200184% earned
- 251US5186741ADirect reduction process in a rotary hearth furnace91 cites · 199393% earned
Rising· last 2 yrs
Assignees whose newest C21B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199CARBON TECH HOLDINGS LLC30 patents · 305 citations
- 296WURTH PAUL SA180 patents · 1,641 citations
- 392JFE STEEL CORP39 patents · 49 citations
- 488DANIELI OFF MECC15 patents · 34 citations
- 583ELECTRASTEEL INC6 patents · 14 citations
- 679SUNCOKE TECH & DEVELOPMENT LLC12 patents · 25 citations
- 775TMT TAPPING MEASURING TECH SARL6 patents · 5 citations
- 871SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO3 patents · 8 citations
- 967MACRAE TECH INC5 patents · 1 citations
- 1063UNIV SHANDONG2 patents · 2 citations
- 1158LHOIST RECH ET DEVELOPPEMENT SA4 patents · 0 citations
- 1254LIMELIGHT STEEL INC2 patents · 1 citations
- 1350ZHEJIANG HAILIANG CO LTD1 patents · 2 citations
- 1446HAZER GROUP LTD2 patents · 0 citations
- 1542UNIV NORTHEASTERN4 patents · 0 citations
- 16388 RIVERS CAPITAL LLC1 patents · 1 citations
- 1733CHARM IND INC3 patents · 0 citations
- 1829UNIV CENTRAL SOUTH2 patents · 0 citations
- 1925UNIV ZHEJIANG2 patents · 0 citations
- 2021CIX INC1 patents · 0 citations
- 2117Dioxycle1 patents · 0 citations
- 2213ENERVEX LLC1 patents · 0 citations
- 238Envergex LLC1 patents · 0 citations
- 244HELIOS PROJECT LTD1 patents · 0 citations
- 251Carbelec Pty Ltd1 patents · 0 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained C21B output across the last 5 years
- 199CARBON TECH HOLDINGS LLC30 patents · 305 citations
- 296KOBE STEEL LTD94 patents · 1,767 citations
- 392TECH RESOURCES PTY LTD58 patents · 1,258 citations
- 488WURTH PAUL SA180 patents · 1,641 citations
- 583AIR PROD & CHEM8 patents · 206 citations
- 679NIPPON STEEL CORP59 patents · 482 citations
- 775MIDREX TECHNOLOGIES INC20 patents · 123 citations
- 871MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD26 patents · 123 citations
- 967JFE STEEL CORP39 patents · 49 citations
- 1063DANIELI OFF MECC15 patents · 34 citations
- 1158ELECTRASTEEL INC6 patents · 14 citations
- 1254SUNCOKE TECH & DEVELOPMENT LLC12 patents · 25 citations
- 1350POSCO19 patents · 39 citations
- 1446TECHEMET LP6 patents · 11 citations
- 1542MM METALS USA LLC4 patents · 18 citations
- 1638TATA STEEL LTD12 patents · 13 citations
- 1733Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH16 patents · 11 citations
- 1829TENOVA SPA5 patents · 5 citations
- 1925TMT TAPPING MEASURING TECH SARL6 patents · 5 citations
- 2021WADECO CO LTD3 patents · 6 citations
- 2117ARCELORMITTAL7 patents · 2 citations
- 2213SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO3 patents · 8 citations
- 238VALE SA3 patents · 4 citations
- 244UMICORE NV2 patents · 4 citations
- 251BAOSHAN IRON & STEEL3 patents · 3 citations
All-time canon
All-time PatentIndex Score in C21B
- 199CARBON TECH HOLDINGS LLC30 patents · 305 citations
- 296SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS INC4 patents · 1,245 citations
- 392KOBE STEEL LTD94 patents · 1,767 citations
- 488AMERICAN COMBUSTION INC7 patents · 315 citations
- 583TECH RESOURCES PTY LTD58 patents · 1,258 citations
- 679MIDREX INT BV19 patents · 609 citations
- 775MIDREX CORP48 patents · 977 citations
- 871KAWASAKI STEEL CO36 patents · 666 citations
- 967FIOR DE VENEZUELA6 patents · 323 citations
- 1063VOEST ALPINE IND ANLAGEN103 patents · 978 citations
- 1158METALLGESELLSCHAFT AG34 patents · 433 citations
- 1254MIDREX INTERNAT B V ROTTERDAM7 patents · 273 citations
- 1350WURTH PAUL SA180 patents · 1,641 citations
- 1446SUMITOMO METAL IND18 patents · 334 citations
- 1542HYLSA SA48 patents · 874 citations
- 1638MAUMEE RES & ENG INC5 patents · 178 citations
- 1733BABCOCK & WILCOX CO7 patents · 231 citations
- 1829COVOL TECH INC7 patents · 208 citations
- 1925WURTH ANCIENS ETS PAUL28 patents · 500 citations
- 2021NIPPON KOKAN KK62 patents · 703 citations
- 2117AIR PROD & CHEM8 patents · 206 citations
- 2213KOPPERS CO INC13 patents · 286 citations
- 238BECHTEL GROUP INC13 patents · 237 citations
- 244IRON CARBIDE HOLDINGS LTD11 patents · 199 citations
- 251VOEST ALPINE AG31 patents · 434 citations
90–99 field-defining50–89 strong<50 emergingearned by citationsfrom family breadth