Patents by Inventor Gordon B. West

Gordon B. West 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).

  • Nuclear reactors
    Patent number: 4186050
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor having a large prompt negative temperature coefficient of reactivity. A reactor core assembly of a plurality of fluid-tight fuel elements is located within a water-filled tank. Each fuel element contains a solid homogeneous mixture of 50-79 w/o zirconium hydride, 20-50 w/o uranium and 0.5-1.5 w/o erbium. The uranium is not more than 20 percent enriched, and the ratio of hydrogen atoms to zirconium atoms is between 1.5:1 and 1.7:1. The core has a long lifetime, e.g., at least about 1200 MW days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: General Atomic Company
    Inventors: Gordon B. West, Ralph H. Peters