Patents by Inventor Robert O. Gates

Robert O. Gates 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 reactor irradiation systems and methods
    Patent number: 11842823
    Abstract: A reactor irradiation method is provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a target assembly of a nuclear reactor to form reacted spheres comprising Pu. The target assembly can define a solid core within an exterior housing, and a void between the exterior housing and the solid core, wherein the spheres occupy at least a portion of the void. The irradiating can include exposing the spheres to a neutron energy spectrum while the spheres are in the void of the target assembly to form irradiated spheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Katalenich, Bruce D. Reid, Robert O. Gates, Andrew W. Prichard, Bruce E. Schmitt, Jim Livingston
  • Nuclear Reactor Assemblies, Nuclear Reactor Target Assemblies, and Nuclear Reactor Methods
    Publication number: 20220277865
    Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Katalenich, Bruce D. Reid, Robert O. Gates, Andrew W. Prichard, Bruce E. Schmitt, Jim Livingston
  • Nuclear Reactor Assemblies, Nuclear Reactor Target Assemblies, and Nuclear Reactor Methods
    Publication number: 20200312475
    Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Katalenich, Bruce D. Reid, Robert O. Gates, Andrew W. Prichard, Bruce E. Schmitt, Jim Livingston
  • Nuclear reactor assemblies, nuclear reactor target assemblies, and nuclear reactor methods
    Patent number: 10685757
    Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Katalenich, Bruce D. Reid, Robert O. Gates, Andrew W. Prichard, Bruce E. Schmitt, Jim Livingston
  • Nuclear Reactor Assemblies, Nuclear Reactor Target Assemblies, and Nuclear Reactor Methods
    Publication number: 20180286528
    Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Katalenich, Bruce D. Reid, Robert O. Gates, Andrew W. Prichard, Bruce E. Schmitt, Jim Livingston