Patents by Inventor Kevin Kramer

Kevin Kramer 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: 10741293
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10734122
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Charles Gregory Freeman, Christopher J. Johns, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
  • Publication number: 20200211724
    Abstract: An anti-proliferation technique is disclosed to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation due to the use fissionable fuel salts. The technique includes doping the fuel salt with one or more elements (referred to herein as activation dopants) that, upon exposure to neutrons such as would occur in the fuel salt when a reactor is in operation, undergo a nuclear reaction to, directly or indirectly, form highly active “protecting isotopes” (of the same element as the activation dopant or a different element). A sufficient mass of activation dopants is used so that the Figure of Merit (FOM) of the fuel salt is decreased to below 1.0 within some target number of days of fission. This allows the FOM of the fuel salt to be controlled so that the fuel becomes too dangerous to handle before to the creation of a significant amount of weaponizable isotopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
  • Patent number: 10665356
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20200027590
    Abstract: A reflector assembly for a molten chloride fast reactor (MCFR) includes a support structure with a substantially cylindrical base plate, a substantially cylindrical top plate, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending between the base plate and the top plate. The support structure is configured to encapsulate a reactor core for containing nuclear fuel. The MCFR also includes a plurality of tube members disposed within the support structure and extending axially between the top plate and the bottom plate. The plurality of tube members are configured to hold at least one reflector material to reflect fission born neutrons back to a center of the reactor core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Charles Gregory Freeman, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
  • Publication number: 20190388318
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a foam-based oxidative dye product for use on human hair. Oxidative dyes usually have complex ingredients and require a developer to initiate oxidation. A hair dye product can be produced that does not require a developer to initiate oxidation, and instead oxidizes as it is introduced to air. As an example, the hair dye product can be stored in an aerosol container, where as it exits the container it turns to foam and oxidizes. This product may result in fuller dye coverage, more control of the resulting shade, less mess, and more satisfying results for consumers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: True Sons Grooming, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D'Angelo, Kevin Kramer
  • Publication number: 20190237205
    Abstract: A molten chloride fast reactor (MCFR) includes a plurality of reflectors defining a central core having a core geometric center. A flow channel fluidically connected to the central core. The flow channel includes an outlet flow channel downstream of the central core and an inlet flow channel upstream from the central core. A primary heat exchanger (PHX) disposed outside the central core and between the outlet flow channel and the inlet flow channel. The MCFR also includes a decay heat heat exchanger (DHHX). At least a portion of the DHHX is disposed above the core geometric center, and a fuel salt is configured to circulate at least partially through the outlet flow channel, the DHHX, the PHX, the inlet flow channel, and the central core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Kevin Kramer, James A. Roecker, Daniel J. Walter, Kent E. Wardle
  • Patent number: 10181746
    Abstract: A storage assembly can include a housing defining an interior space, a top surface, a front surface, and an upper recessed storage area defined at the top surface. A moveable storage receptacle can define a movable storage area. The movable storage receptacle can include a front exterior surface that defines a part of the front surface of the housing. The moveable storage receptacle can be configured to move between a closed position in which the moveable storage area is disposed within the interior space of the housing, and an open position in which at least a portion of the moveable storage area is disposed beyond the interior space of the housing. A wireless charger can be disposed and configured to charge an electronic device when the electronic device is disposed at the upper recessed storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin Kramer, Nathaniel Joseph Buchheit, David Joseph Bryant, Zi Yang Sun
  • Publication number: 20180137944
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor for managing the operating temperature in the reactor core. The disclosure includes various configurations of direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) heat exchangers and primary heat exchangers as well as descriptions of improved flow paths for nuclear fuel, primary coolant and DRACS coolant through the reactor components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter, John R. Suyes, III
  • Publication number: 20180068750
    Abstract: 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 a 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Charles Gregory Freeman, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
  • Publication number: 20170316840
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20170316841
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20170301421
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20170301413
    Abstract: This disclosure describes nuclear fuel salts usable in certain molten salt reactor designs and related systems and methods. Binary, ternary and quaternary chloride fuel salts of uranium, as well as other fissionable elements, are described. In addition, fuel salts of UClxFy are disclosed as well as bromide fuel salts. This disclosure also presents methods and systems for manufacturing such fuel salts, for creating salts that reduce corrosion of the reactor components and for creating fuel salts that are not suitable for weapons applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
  • Publication number: 20170092381
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Charles Gregory Freeman, Christopher J. Johns, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
  • Publication number: 20160344221
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a storage assembly that can include a housing defining an interior space, a top surface, a front surface, and an upper recessed storage area defined at the top surface. A moveable storage receptacle can define a movable storage area. The movable storage receptacle can include a front exterior surface that defines a part of the front surface of the housing. The moveable storage receptacle can be configured to move between a closed position in which the moveable storage area is disposed within the interior space of the housing, and an open position in which the at least a portion of the moveable storage area is disposed beyond the interior space of the housing. A wireless charger can be disposed and configured to charge the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed at the upper recessed storage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin Kramer, Nathaniel Joseph Buchheit, David Joseph Bryant, Zi Yang Sun
  • Publication number: 20160189813
    Abstract: This disclosure describes nuclear fuel salts usable in certain molten salt reactor designs and related systems and methods. Binary, ternary and quaternary chloride fuel salts of uranium, as well as other fissionable elements, are described. In addition, fuel salts of UClxFy are disclosed as well as bromide fuel salts. This disclosure also presents methods and systems for manufacturing such fuel salts, for creating salts that reduce corrosion of the reactor components and for creating fuel salts that are not suitable for weapons applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
  • Patent number: 9156407
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a storage assembly for use with a vehicle that includes a front instrument panel. The storage assembly can include a housing defining an interior space and a front exterior surface; and an external storage portion disposed adjacent the front exterior surface of the housing. The external storage portion can define an open storage area extending between the front exterior surface of the housing and the front instrument panel. The storage assembly can also include a moveable storage receptacle that defines a movable storage area. The moveable storage receptacle can be configured to move between a closed position in which at least a portion of the moveable storage receptacle is disposed within the interior space of the housing, and an open position in which at least a portion of the moveable storage receptacle is disposed proximate the open storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin Kramer, Neal W. Luginbill, Nathaniel Joseph Buchheit, Michael Wiedeman
  • Publication number: 20150154561
    Abstract: The techniques described herein provide personalized user interfaces and data filters for users of a CRM system using dynamic attributes. In one embodiment, the user interfaces make it easier for users to find the child objects of a parent object without having to continually go back to the main page of the parent. For example, a salesperson may need to view opportunities, contacts or cases related to a single account, and move from one opportunity to another as efficiently as possible. In another embodiment, the user interfaces aggregate data for a summary view of distributed data, while also allowing efficient drill down to list views. For example, a manager can quickly gain access to all accounts, opportunities, contacts or cases that are owned by a sales team member or representative, their entire team as a whole, or those owned by a subset of their team. In yet another embodiment, data is aggregated and sales intelligence is generated based on dynamic attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin KRAMER
  • Patent number: 8197073
    Abstract: A mirror hangs from a transparent enclosure which may surround a shower, a bathtub, or other bathing area. The mirror may be in a position that avoids condensation on the surface of the mirror from steam emitted from the transparent enclosure. The mirror may also be in a position so that the mirror reflects light into the enclosure. An individual in the bathing area may use the mirror from inside the transparent enclosure without the mirror fogging, which is a common problem associated with using mirrors in a bathing area. The mirror may hang from the outside of the transparent enclosure and optionally includes a sealing element or a frame surrounding the reflective element to further avoid contact with steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin Kramer