Patents by Inventor Michael Vest

Michael Vest 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).

  • Plutonium dissolution process
    Patent number: 5482688
    Abstract: A two-step process for dissolving plutonium metal, which two steps can be carried out sequentially or simultaneously. Plutonium metal is exposed to a first mixture containing approximately 1.0M-1.67M sulfamic acid and 0.0025M-0.1M fluoride, the mixture having been heated to a temperature between 45.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. The mixture will dissolve a first portion of the plutonium metal but leave a portion of the plutonium in an oxide residue. Then, a mineral acid and additional fluoride are added to dissolve the residue. Alteratively, nitric acid in a concentration between approximately 0.05M and 0.067M is added to the first mixture to dissolve the residue as it is produced. Hydrogen released during the dissolution process is diluted with nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Michael A. Vest, Samuel D. Fink, David G. Karraker, Edwin N. Moore, H. Perry Holcomb
  • Gas burner
    Patent number: D695883
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Vest