Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Shaner

Benjamin J. Shaner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Thermionic converter temperature controller
    Patent number: 6222112
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a thermionic reactor over a wide range of operating power, including a thermionic reactor having a plurality of integral cesium reservoirs, a honeycomb material disposed about the reactor which has a plurality of separated cavities, a solid sheath disposed about the honeycomb material and having an opening therein communicating with the honeycomb material and cavities thereof, and a shell disposed about the sheath for creating a coolant annulus therewith so that the coolant in the annulus may fill the cavities and permit nucleate boiling during the operation of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Shaner, Joseph H. Wolf, Robert G. R. Johnson