Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Johns
Christopher J. Johns 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).
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Patent number: 11968272Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a computer program product for pending updates status queries in extended link services. A host application on a host device queries an update pending on a target device. The host device constructs a pending update query command for the target device, where the pending update query command includes a descriptor tag, a descriptor length, and a pending update vector. The host device sends the pending update query command to the target device. The host device receives from the target device a response to the pending update query command, where the response includes a link service request information descriptor and a pending update descriptor.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Pasquale A. Catalano, Christopher J Colonna, Maunik Patel, Tara Astigarraga, Jimmy Pazhoor John, Kieron Dirk Anthony Hinds
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Publication number: 20240130132Abstract: An electronic device comprising a lower deck and an upper deck adjacent to a source. Each of the lower deck and the upper deck comprise tiers of alternating conductive materials and dielectric materials. Each of the lower deck and the upper deck also comprise an array region and one or more non-array regions. Memory pillars are in the lower deck and the upper deck of the array region and the memory pillars are configured to be operably coupled to the source. Dummy pillars are in the upper deck of the one or more non-array regions and the dummy pillars are configured to be electrically isolated from the source. Another conductive material is in the upper deck and the lower deck of the one or more non-array regions. Additional electronic devices and related systems and methods of forming an electronic device are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: S M Istiaque Hossain, Christopher J. Larsen, Anikumar Chandolu, Wesley O. Mckinsey, Tom J. John, Arun Kumar Dhayalan, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau
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Publication number: 20240108483Abstract: A device for stabilizing a lumen in an open position having a core with a longitudinal axis along the length of the core, and support elements that can be bristles, fibers, or discs, secured to the core, extending radially outward from the core, and having ends that can contact and hold open a lumen, while maintaining the position of the device in the lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Christopher J. Kaye, Keith R. John
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Publication number: 20220301729Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that allow for active cooling of the containment vessel of the reactor by the primary coolant. Furthermore, naturally circulating reactor configurations are described in which the reactor cores are substantially frustum-shaped so that the thermal center of the reactor core is below the outlet of the primary heat exchangers. Heat exchanger configurations are described in which welded components are distanced from the reactor core to reduce the damage caused by neutron flux from the reactor. Radial loop reactor configurations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
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Patent number: 11367536Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that allow for active cooling of the containment vessel of the reactor by the primary coolant. Furthermore, naturally circulating reactor configurations are described in which the reactor cores are substantially frustum-shaped so that the thermal center of the reactor core is below the outlet of the primary heat exchangers. Heat exchanger configurations are described in which welded components are distanced from the reactor core to reduce the damage caused by neutron flux from the reactor. Radial loop reactor configurations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
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Patent number: 11170901Abstract: A molten salt reactor includes a nuclear reactor core for sustaining a nuclear fission reaction fueled by a molten fuel salt. A molten fuel salt control system removes a volume of the molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core to maintain a reactivity parameter within a range of nominal reactivity. The molten fuel salt control system includes a molten fuel salt exchange system that fluidically couples to the nuclear reactor core and exchanges a volume of the molten fuel salt with a volume of a feed material containing a mixture of a selected fertile material and a carrier salt. The molten fuel salt control system can include a volumetric displacement control system having one or more volumetric displacement bodies insertable into the nuclear reactor core. Each volumetric displacement body can remove a volume of molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core, such as via a spill-over system.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Jeffery F. Latkowski, James M. Vollmer, Christopher J. Johns
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Publication number: 20200279660Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that allow for active cooling of the containment vessel of the reactor by the primary coolant. Furthermore, naturally circulating reactor configurations are described in which the reactor cores are substantially frustum-shaped so that the thermal center of the reactor core is below the outlet of the primary heat exchangers. Heat exchanger configurations are described in which welded components are distanced from the reactor core to reduce the damage caused by neutron flux from the reactor. Radial loop reactor configurations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
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Patent number: 10741293Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that include an auxiliary cooling system which shared part of the primary coolant loop but allows for passive cooling of decay heat from the reactor. Furthermore, different pump configurations for circulating molten fuel through the reactor core and one or more in vessel heat exchangers are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Robert A. Corbin, Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
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Patent number: 10734122Abstract: A dynamic neutron reflector assembly for a “breed-and-burn” fast reactor incrementally adjusts neutron spectrum and reactivity in a reactor core. The composition of materials in the dynamic neutron reflector may be adjusted to change neutron reflectivity levels, or to introduce neutron moderating or absorption characteristics. The dynamic neutron reflector may contain a flowing reflecting liquid of adjustable volume and/or density. Submergible members may be selectively inserted into the flowing reflecting liquid to alter its volume and introduce other neutron modifying effects such as moderation or absorption. Selective insertion of the submergible members allows for concentration of the neutron modifying effects in a selected portion of the reactor core. The flowing reflecting liquid may also act as a secondary coolant circuit by exchanging heat with the molten fuel salt.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Charles Gregory Freeman, Christopher J. Johns, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
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Patent number: 10665356Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that utilize neutron-reflecting coolants or a combination of primary salt coolants and secondary neutron-reflecting coolants. Further configurations are described that circulate liquid neutron-reflecting material around an reactor core to control the neutronics of the reactor. Furthermore, configurations which use the circulating neutron-reflecting material to actively cool the containment vessel are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Ryan Abbott, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns
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Publication number: 20200118698Abstract: A molten salt reactor includes a nuclear reactor core for sustaining a nuclear fission reaction fueled by a molten fuel salt. A molten fuel salt control system removes a volume of the molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core to maintain a reactivity parameter within a range of nominal reactivity. The molten fuel salt control system includes a molten fuel salt exchange system that fluidically couples to the nuclear reactor core and exchanges a volume of the molten fuel salt with a volume of a feed material containing a mixture of a selected fertile material and a carrier salt. The molten fuel salt control system can include a volumetric displacement control system having one or more volumetric displacement bodies insertable into the nuclear reactor core. Each volumetric displacement body can remove a volume of molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core, such as via a spill-over system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Jeffery F. Latkowski, James M. Vollmer, Christopher J. Johns
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Patent number: 10438705Abstract: A molten salt reactor includes a nuclear reactor core for sustaining a nuclear fission reaction fueled by a molten fuel salt. A molten fuel salt control system removes a volume of the molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core to maintain a reactivity parameter within a range of nominal reactivity. The molten fuel salt control system includes a molten fuel salt exchange system that fluidically couples to the nuclear reactor core and exchanges a volume of the molten fuel salt with a volume of a feed material containing a mixture of a selected fertile material and a carrier salt. The molten fuel salt control system can include a volumetric displacement control system having one or more volumetric displacement bodies insertable into the nuclear reactor core. Each volumetric displacement body can remove a volume of molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core, such as via a spill-over system.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Jeffery F. Latkowski, James M. Vollmer, Christopher J. Johns
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Patent number: 10311983Abstract: A control assembly for a nuclear reactor having a pump includes a duct having an inner volume and defining a coolant flow path, a plug fixed to the duct, a rod disposed within the inner volume and having a rod end that is configured to engage a neutron modifying material, a first piston disposed within the inner volume, slidably coupled to the duct, and coupled to the rod, and a biasing member coupled to the rod and the first piston. The biasing member is positioned to apply a biasing force that repositions the first piston, the rod, and the neutron modifying material in response to a loss of pump flow without scram condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Robert A. Corbin, Pavel Hejzlar, Christopher J. Johns, Jon D. McWhirter, Jason Brian Meng, P. Harley Park, Robert C. Petroski
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Publication number: 20170316840Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that allow for active cooling of the containment vessel of the reactor by the primary coolant. Furthermore, naturally circulating reactor configurations are described in which the reactor cores are substantially frustum-shaped so that the thermal center of the reactor core is below the outlet of the primary heat exchangers. Heat exchanger configurations are described in which welded components are distanced from the reactor core to reduce the damage caused by neutron flux from the reactor. Radial loop reactor configurations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
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Publication number: 20170316841Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that include an auxiliary cooling system which shared part of the primary coolant loop but allows for passive cooling of decay heat from the reactor. Furthermore, different pump configurations for circulating molten fuel through the reactor core and one or more in vessel heat exchangers are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Robert A. Corbin, Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
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Publication number: 20170301421Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that utilize neutron-reflecting coolants or a combination of primary salt coolants and secondary neutron-reflecting coolants. Further configurations are described that circulate liquid neutron-reflecting material around an reactor core to control the neutronics of the reactor. Furthermore, configurations which use the circulating neutron-reflecting material to actively cool the containment vessel are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Ryan Abbott, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Dan Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
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Patent number: 9721678Abstract: A duct for a nuclear fuel assembly includes a tubular body and an elongated member. The tubular body has a sidewall with an inner face and an outer face and is configured to contain nuclear fuel within a fuel region. The elongated member extends from the outer face along at least a portion of the fuel region and has a contact surface configured to stabilize the duct during operation of the nuclear fuel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Michael E. Cohen, Pavel Hejzlar, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Johnson, Robert C. Petroski, Philip Schloss, Bao H. Truong, Jay R. Tandy, Mark R. Werner
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Publication number: 20170092381Abstract: A dynamic neutron reflector assembly for a “breed-and-burn” fast reactor incrementally adjusts neutron spectrum and reactivity in a reactor core. The composition of materials in the dynamic neutron reflector may be adjusted to change neutron reflectivity levels, or to introduce neutron moderating or absorption characteristics. The dynamic neutron reflector may contain a flowing reflecting liquid of adjustable volume and/or density. Submergible members may be selectively inserted into the flowing reflecting liquid to alter its volume and introduce other neutron modifying effects such as moderation or absorption. Selective insertion of the submergible members allows for concentration of the neutron modifying effects in a selected portion of the reactor core. The flowing reflecting liquid may also act as a secondary coolant circuit by exchanging heat with the molten fuel salt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Charles Gregory Freeman, Christopher J. Johns, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
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Publication number: 20160189808Abstract: A control assembly for a nuclear reactor having a pump includes a duct having an inner volume and defining a coolant flow path, a plug fixed to the duct, a rod disposed within the inner volume and having a rod end that is configured to engage a neutron modifying material, a first piston disposed within the inner volume, slidably coupled to the duct, and coupled to the rod, and a biasing member coupled to the rod and the first piston. The biasing member is positioned to apply a biasing force that repositions the first piston, the rod, and the neutron modifying material in response to a loss of pump flow without scram condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Robert A. Corbin, Pavel Hejzlar, Christopher J. Johns, Jon D. McWhirter, Jason Brian Meng, P. Harley Park, Robert C. Petroski
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Publication number: 20160189806Abstract: A molten salt reactor includes a nuclear reactor core for sustaining a nuclear fission reaction fueled by a molten fuel salt. A molten fuel salt control system removes a volume of the molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core to maintain a reactivity parameter within a range of nominal reactivity. The molten fuel salt control system includes a molten fuel salt exchange system that fluidically couples to the nuclear reactor core and exchanges a volume of the molten fuel salt with a volume of a feed material containing a mixture of a selected fertile material and a carrier salt. The molten fuel salt control system can include a volumetric displacement control system having one or more volumetric displacement bodies insertable into the nuclear reactor core. Each volumetric displacement body can remove a volume of molten fuel salt from the nuclear reactor core, such as via a spill-over system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Jeffery F. Latkowski, James M. Vollmer, Christopher J. Johns