Patents by Inventor G. W. Chinthaka Silva

G. W. Chinthaka Silva 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).

  • Low temperature route to uranium nitride
    Patent number: 7582232
    Abstract: A method of preparing an actinide nitride fuel for nuclear reactors is provided. The method comprises the steps of a) providing at least one actinide oxide and optionally zirconium oxide; b) mixing the oxide with a source of hydrogen fluoride for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to convert the oxide to a fluoride salt; c) heating the fluoride salt to remove water; d) heating the fluoride salt in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to convert the fluorides to nitrides; and e) heating the nitrides under vacuum and/or inert atmosphere for a period of time sufficient to convert the nitrides to mononitrides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Anthony K. Burrell, Alfred P. Sattelberger, Charles Yeamans, Thomas Hartmann, G. W. Chinthaka Silva, Gary Cerefice, Kenneth R. Czerwinski