Patents by Inventor Donald E. Preuss

Donald E. Preuss 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).

  • Patent number: 10690565
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for detecting leaks in glovebox gloves, the system having a first seal within a glovebox aperture; a second seal contacting exterior surfaces of a glovebox, wherein the exterior surfaces define a periphery of the aperture; a first fluid supply for circumferentially expanding the first seal against center facing surfaces of the aperture to a first pressure; a second fluid supply for inflating the glove to a second pressure; and a pressure gauge for detecting a pressure decrease of the second pressure. Also provided is an in situ method for detecting leaks in glove box gloves, the method having the steps of applying a radially directed force to inside surfaces of cuffs of the gloves to hermetically seal the gloves from the exterior of the glovebox, thereby establishing a seal; inflating the gloves to a pressure; and monitoring the pressure for any decrease in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle J. Haske, James E. Smith, Mark R. Sakowski, Donald E. Preuss
  • Publication number: 20190094102
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for detecting leaks in glovebox gloves, the system having a first seal within a glovebox aperture; a second seal contacting exterior surfaces of a glovebox, wherein the exterior surfaces define a periphery of the aperture; a first fluid supply for circumferentially expanding the first seal against center facing surfaces of the aperture to a first pressure; a second fluid supply for inflating the glove to a second pressure; and a pressure gauge for detecting a pressure decrease of the second pressure. Also provided is an in situ method for detecting leaks in glove box gloves, the method having the steps of applying a radially directed force to inside surfaces of cuffs of the gloves to hermetically seal the gloves from the exterior of the glovebox, thereby establishing a seal; inflating the gloves to a pressure; and monitoring the pressure for any decrease in pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle J. Haske, James E. Smith, Mark R. Sakowski, Donald E. Preuss
  • Patent number: 8550283
    Abstract: A lid system for a shielding cask is provided, the system comprising a plurality of contiguous panels, each panel is axially actuated by a first lift piston located laterally from the casks' longitudinal principal axis, and rotated about the cask by a ‘hinge’ piston at approximately 90 degrees along an arc from the first piston, the arc formed by a portion of the lip of the cask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Morgan, Donald E. Preuss, Daniel M. Nestor
  • Publication number: 20120037629
    Abstract: A lid system for a shielding cask is provided, the system comprising a plurality of contiguous panels, each panel is axially actuated by a first lift piston located laterally from the casks' longitudinal principal axis, and rotated about the cask by a ‘hinge’ piston at approximately 90 degrees along an arc from the first piston, the arc formed by a portion of the lip of the cask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Morgan, Donald E. Preuss, Daniel M. Nestor
  • Publication number: 20040134785
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel electrorefiner for recovering uranium from nuclear material containing uranium. A cylindrical vessel with having a longitudinal axis has a product collector movable axially of the vessel. Circular cathodes extend axially of and radially spaced inwardly of the vessel with a plurality of generally polyhedron-shaped anode baskets having at least one face aligned with a radius of said vessel and circumferentially spaced from adjacent anode baskets and concentric with respect to the cathodes in the vessel. A plurality of axially extending metal rods are insulated from and placed between the anode baskets. Mechanism outside of the vessel rotate the anode baskets and the metal rods with respect to the cathodes, and an electrical power supply in selective electrical communication with said cathode and said anode baskets and said metal rods to cause uranium values to move between the and when current flow is in a first direction uranium values in said anode baskets and the metal rods to the cathodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Eddie C. Gay, James L. Willit, Donald E. Preuss