Patents by Inventor Michael J. Edwards
Michael J. Edwards 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: 11929160Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a signal associated with a characteristic of an actuation event of a medicament delivery device. The method includes establishing a communications link (e.g., via a short-range wireless protocol), between a mobile computing device and a medicament delivery device. A wireless first signal associated with a first motion profile of the medicament delivery device is then received from the medicament delivery device. A second signal associated with a second motion profile of the mobile computing device is generated. The method then includes producing a notification via the mobile computing device when A) a magnitude of the first motion profile is outside of a first threshold and B) a magnitude of the second motion profile is outside of a second threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: kaleo, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Edwards, Evan T. Edwards, Paul F. Meyers, Michael J. Roe
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Patent number: 11728052Abstract: Alternative designs for a modular test reactor are presented. In one aspect, a molten fuel salt nuclear reactor includes a vessel defining a reactor volume, the vessel being open-topped and otherwise having no penetrations. A neutron reflector is provided within the vessel and displacing at least some of the reactor volume, the neutron reflector defining a reactor core volume. A plurality of heat exchangers are contained within the vessel above the neutron reflector. A flow guide assembly is provided within the neutron reflector that includes a draft tube draft tube separating a central portion of the reactor core volume from an annular downcomer duct. Fuel salt circulates from the reactor core volume, through the heat exchangers, into the downcomer duct and then back into the reactor core volume.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Terra Power, LLCInventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Francesco Deleo, Michael J. Edwards, Gregory T. Markham, James A. Roecker, Noor Ullah, Daniel J. Walter, Kent E. Wardle
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Publication number: 20220084701Abstract: A nuclear reactor comprises a nuclear reactor core disposed in a pressure vessel. An isolation valve protects a penetration through the pressure vessel. The isolation valve comprises: a mounting flange connecting with a mating flange of the pressure vessel; a valve seat formed into the mounting flange; and a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position sealing against the valve seat. The valve member is disposed inside the mounting flange or inside the mating flange of the pressure vessel. A biasing member operatively connects to the valve member to bias the valve member towards the open position. The bias keeps the valve member in the open position except when a differential fluid pressure across the isolation valve and directed outward from the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Matthew W. Ales, Michael J. Edwards, Ronald C. Watson, Andrew C. Whitten
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Publication number: 20220051818Abstract: Alternative designs for a modular test reactor are presented. In one aspect, a molten fuel salt nuclear reactor includes a vessel defining a reactor volume, the vessel being open-topped and otherwise having no penetrations. A neutron reflector is provided within the vessel and displacing at least some of the reactor volume, the neutron reflector defining a reactor core volume. A plurality of heat exchangers are contained within the vessel above the neutron reflector. A flow guide assembly is provided within the neutron reflector that includes a draft tube draft tube separating a central portion of the reactor core volume from an annular downcomer duct. Fuel salt circulates from the reactor core volume, through the heat exchangers, into the downcomer duct and then back into the reactor core volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Francesco Deleo, Michael J. Edwards, Gregory T. Markham, James A. Roecker, Noor Ullah, Daniel J. Walter, Kent E. Wardle
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Publication number: 20220051819Abstract: A nuclear reactor is configured with a primary coolant loop for transferring heat away from the nuclear reactor core. In a shutdown event, the primary coolant pump may stop pumping primary coolant through the reactor core, resulting in decay heat buildup within the reactor core. An inertial energy coast down system can store kinetic energy while the nuclear reactor is operating and then release the stored kinetic energy to cause the primary coolant to continue to flow through the nuclear reactor core to remove decay heat. The inertial energy coast down system may include an impeller and a flywheel having a mass. During normal reactor operation, the flowing primary coolant spins up the impeller and flywheel, and upon a shutdown event where the primary coolant pump stops pumping, the flywheel and impeller can cause the primary coolant to continue to flow during a coast down of the flywheel and impeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Robert A. Corbin, Michael J. Edwards
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Publication number: 20220005619Abstract: A simple nuclear reactor in which most of the reflector material is outside of the reactor vessel is described. The reactor vessel is a cylinder that contains all of the fuel salt and a displacement component, which may be a reflector, in the upper section of the reactor vessel. Other than the displacement component, the reflector elements including a radial reflector and a bottom reflector are located outside the vessel. The salt flows around the outside surface of the displacement component through a downcomer heat exchange duct defined by the exterior of the displacement component and the interior surface of the reactor vessel. This design reduces the overall size of the reactor vessel for a given volume of salt relative to designs with internal radial or bottom reflectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Phillip Berg, Michael T. Blatnik, Michael J. Edwards, Gregory T. Markham, Daniel J. Walter
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Patent number: 11189385Abstract: A nuclear reactor comprises a nuclear reactor core disposed in a pressure vessel. An isolation valve protects a penetration through the pressure vessel. The isolation valve comprises: a mounting flange connecting with a mating flange of the pressure vessel; a valve seat formed into the mounting flange; and a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position sealing against the valve seat. The valve member is disposed inside the mounting flange or inside the mating flange of the pressure vessel. A biasing member operatively connects to the valve member to bias the valve member towards the open position. The bias keeps the valve member in the open position except when a differential fluid pressure across the isolation valve and directed outward from the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Matthew W. Ales, Michael J. Edwards, Ronald C. Watson, Andrew C. Whitten
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Publication number: 20210287815Abstract: Apparatuses for reducing or eliminating Type 1 LOCAs in a nuclear reactor vessel. A nuclear reactor including a nuclear reactor core comprising a fissile material, a pressure vessel containing the nuclear reactor core immersed in primary coolant disposed in the pressure vessel, and an isolation valve assembly including, an isolation valve vessel having a single open end with a flange, a spool piece having a first flange secured to a wall of the pressure vessel and a second flange secured to the flange of the isolation valve vessel, a fluid flow line passing through the spool piece to conduct fluid flow into or out of the first flange wherein a portion of the fluid flow line is disposed in the isolation valve vessel, and at least one valve disposed in the isolation valve vessel and operatively connected with the fluid flow line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Michael J. Edwards
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Publication number: 20210264509Abstract: A computer-implemented method reliably stores data in a blockchain-based distributed storage system. The method utilizes computer processes carried out by a host computing device, including receiving from a renter computing device a storage contract proposal, sending over the network, by the host computing device to the renter computing device and to the blockchain, an acceptance of the storage contract proposal, and receiving from the blockchain, confirmation that a storage contract between the host computing device and the renter computing device has been added to the blockchain. After the data have been stored, the processes include computing a checksum, sending it to the renter computing device and to the blockchain and receiving, from the blockchain, confirmation that the checksum has been added to the blockchain.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Ricardo Padilha, Rodney George Harrison, Terence Rokop, Michael J. Edwards
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Publication number: 20210235686Abstract: Methods, additive kits and storage compositions for decreasing the deleterious effects of storage on pRBCs, for improving the aging process of stored pRBCs, and for preventing or ameliorating patient comorbidities following the transfusion or infusion of stored blood based on inhibiting acid sphingomyelinase during storage are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Richard S. Hoehn, Peter L. Jernigan, Alex L. Chang, Charles C. Caldwell, Alex Lentsch, Michael J. Edwards, Erich Gulbins, Timothy A. Pritts
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Patent number: 11043310Abstract: Apparatuses for reducing or eliminating Type 1 LOCAs in a nuclear reactor vessel. A nuclear reactor including a nuclear reactor core comprising a fissile material, a pressure vessel containing the nuclear reactor core immersed in primary coolant disposed in the pressure vessel, and an isolation valve assembly including, an isolation valve vessel having a single open end with a flange, a spool piece having a first flange secured to a wall of the pressure vessel and a second flange secured to the flange of the isolation valve vessel, a fluid flow line passing through the spool piece to conduct fluid flow into or out of the first flange wherein a portion of the fluid flow line is disposed in the isolation valve vessel, and at least one valve disposed in the isolation valve vessel and operatively connected with the fluid flow line.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Michael J. Edwards
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Patent number: 11037227Abstract: A computer-implemented method reliably stores data in a blockchain-based distributed storage system. The method utilizes computer processes carried out by a host computing device, including receiving from a renter computing device a storage contract proposal, sending over the network, by the host computing device to the renter computing device and to the blockchain, an acceptance of the storage contract proposal, and receiving from the blockchain, confirmation that a storage contract between the host computing device and the renter computing device has been added to the blockchain. After the data have been stored, the processes include computing a checksum, sending it to the renter computing device and to the blockchain and receiving, from the blockchain, confirmation that the checksum has been added to the blockchain.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: StorCentric, Inc.Inventors: Ricardo Padilha, Rodney George Harrison, Terence Rokop, Michael J. Edwards
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Patent number: 10991470Abstract: A nuclear reactor core comprising fissile material is surrounded by a core former. The core former comprises one or more single-piece annular rings wherein each single-piece annular ring comprises neutron-reflecting material. In some embodiments the core former comprises a stack of two or more such single-piece annular rings. In some embodiments the stack of single-piece annular rings is self-supporting. In some embodiments the stack of single-piece annular rings does not include welds or fasteners securing adjacent single-piece annular rings together. A core basket may contain the nuclear reactor core and the core former, and in some embodiments an annular gap is defined between the core former and the core basket. In some embodiments the core former does not include welds and does not include fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: Andrew C. Whitten, Matthew W. Ales, Michael J. Edwards
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Patent number: 10825571Abstract: A nuclear island includes a nuclear reactor, a lateral seismic restraint, and a reactor core retention cooling system. The lateral seismic restraint includes a vertically oriented pin attached to one of the bottom of the lower vessel head and the floor underneath the nuclear reactor, and a mating pin socket is attached to the other of the bottom of the lower vessel head and the floor. The reactor core retention cooling system includes one or more baffles, optionally thermally insulating material, disposed alongside the exterior surface of a lower portion of the reactor pressure vessel including at least the lower vessel head. A plenum is defined between the one or more baffles and the exterior surface of a lower portion of the reactor pressure vessel. The one or more baffles may define a lower plenum inlet surrounding the lateral seismic restraint.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: Tyler A. Edwards, Michael J. Edwards
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Patent number: 10568945Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing (1) a therapeutically effective amount of hepatocyte-derived exosomes; and (2) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier is provided. Also provided herein is a method of inducing liver regeneration in a patient in need thereof, the method including administering to the patient a therapeutic amount of hepatocyte-derived exosomes, wherein liver regeneration is induced. Methods for up-regulating synthesis of synthesis of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in a hepatocyte by contacting the hepatocyte with at least one vesicle containing sphingosine kinase 2, and, optionally, ceramide and neutral ceramidase, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: University of CincinnatiInventors: Alex B. Lentsch, Michael J. Edwards, Erich Gulbins
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Patent number: 10410755Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) includes a lifting rod supporting a control rod and a holding mechanism comprising an electromagnetic circuit with magnetic poles drawn together when the electromagnetic circuit is energized to hold the lifting rod. The hold is released upon de-energizing the electromagnetic circuit. A translation mechanism linearly translates the lifting rod held by the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism may include a non-magnetic spacer between the magnetic poles that defines a gap between the drawn together magnetic poles. The translation mechanism may include latches configured to engage an upper end of the lifting rod, and the holding mechanism draws the magnetic poles together to hold the latches engaged with the upper end of the lifting rod. A four-bar cam assembly may be used to cam the latches closed in response to a vertical actuation force applied to the cam bars.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignees: BWXT mPower, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 10229760Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20190019587Abstract: A nuclear reactor comprises a nuclear reactor core disposed in a pressure vessel. An isolation valve protects a penetration through the pressure vessel. The isolation valve comprises: a mounting flange connecting with a mating flange of the pressure vessel; a valve seat formed into the mounting flange; and a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position sealing against the valve seat. The valve member is disposed inside the mounting flange or inside the mating flange of the pressure vessel. A biasing member operatively connects to the valve member to bias the valve member towards the open position. The bias keeps the valve member in the open position except when a differential fluid pressure across the isolation valve and directed outward from the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Matthew W. Ales, Michael J. Edwards, Ronald C. Watson, Andrew C. Whitten
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Publication number: 20180353656Abstract: Methods for applying a sphingolipid aggregate coating to a surface of a substrate for inhibition and prevention of biofilm growth, methods for inhibiting and preventing biofilms, biofilm-inhibiting coatings and coated devices are provided. Coating processes include suspending an amount of sphingolipid in a medium-to-fast-evaporating organic solvent; b) applying energy to the suspension sufficient to create a colloidal dispersion of sphingolipid in the solvent; c) heating the dispersion sufficient to create a solution; and d) coating the surface of the substrate with at least one application of solution, each application followed directly by a complete solvent evaporation period. The resulting coatings exhibit aggregate architectures particularly effective for inhibition and prevention of biofilms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Aaron Seitz, Michael J. Edwards, Erich Gulbins
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Patent number: 10147506Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core comprising fissile material disposed inside the pressure vessel at the bottom of the pressure vessel. A secondary core containment structure includes a containment basket comprising insulation with a maximum stable temperature of at least 2200K cladded by steel. The bottom of the pressure vessel and the nuclear reactor core are disposed inside the containment basket with the containment basket spaced apart from the bottom of the pressure vessel by a clearance gap. The containment basket may comprise zirconia insulation cladded by steel. In some embodiments the clearance gap between the containment basket and the bottom of the pressure vessel is no larger than one meter. The secondary core containment structure may further comprise conduits arranged to inject water into the clearance gap between the containment basket and the bottom of the pressure vessel.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Michael J. Edwards, Tyler A. Edwards