Patents by Inventor Robert W. Schleicher
Robert W. Schleicher 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: 9767926Abstract: A modular, nuclear waste conversion reactor that continuously produces usable energy while converting U-238 and/or other fertile waste materials to fissionable nuclides. The reactor has a highly uniform, self-controlled, core (2) with a decades-long life and does not require reactivity control mechanisms within the boundary of the active core during operation to retain adequate safety. The exemplary embodiment employs high-temperature helium coolant, a dual-segment (22) initial annular critical core, carbide fuel, a fission product gas collection system, ceramic cladding and structural internals to create a modular reactor design that economically produces energy over multiple generations of reactor cores with only minimum addition of fertile material from one generation to the next.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Robert W. Schleicher, Hangbok Choi, Alan M. Baxter
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Publication number: 20170243662Abstract: A modular, nuclear waste conversion reactor that continuously produces usable energy while converting U-238 and/or other fertile waste materials to fissionable nuclides. The reactor has a highly uniform, self-controlled, core (2) with a decades-long life and does not require reactivity control mechanisms within the boundary of the active core during operation to retain adequate safety. The exemplary embodiment employs high-temperature helium coolant, a dual-segment (22) initial annular critical core, carbide fuel, a fission product gas collection system, ceramic cladding and structural internals to create a modular reactor design that economically produces energy over multiple generations of reactor cores with only minimum addition of fertile material from one generation to the next.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: GENERAL ATOMICSInventors: Robert W. SCHLEICHER, Hangbok CHOI, Alan M. BAXTER
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Patent number: 7366211Abstract: A laser device which may be used as an oscillator or amplifier comprising a chamber having a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises a solid-state element containing active laser ion within the volume. A cooling fluid flows about the solid-state element and a semiconductor laser diode provides optical pump radiation into the volume of the laser chamber such that laser emission from the device passes through the gain medium and the fluid. The laser device provides the advantages of a solid-state gain medium laser (e.g., diode-pumping, high power density, etc), but enables operation at higher average power and beam quality than would be achievable from a pure solid-state medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Michael D. Perry, Paul S. Banks, Jason Zweiback, Robert W. Schleicher
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Patent number: 7103078Abstract: A laser device which may be used as an oscillator or amplifier comprising a chamber having a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises solid-state elements containing active laser ion distributed within the volume. A cooling fluid flows about the solid-state elements and a semiconductor laser diode provides optical pump radiation into the volume of the laser chamber such that laser emission from the device passes through the gain medium and the fluid. The laser device provides the advantages of a solid-state gain medium laser (e.g., diode-pumping, high power density, etc), but enables operation at higher average power and beam quality than would be achievable from a pure solid-state medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Michael D. Perry, Paul S. Banks, Jason Zweiback, Robert W. Schleicher, Jr.
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Patent number: 6937629Abstract: A laser device which may be used as an oscillator or amplifier comprising a chamber having a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises solid-state elements containing active laser ion distributed within the volume. A cooling fluid flows about the solid-state elements and a semiconductor laser diode provides optical pump radiation into the volume of the laser chamber such that laser emission from the device passes through the gain medium and the fluid. The laser device provides the advantages of a solid-state gain medium laser (e.g., diode-pumping, high power density, etc), but enables operation at higher average power and beam quality than would be achievable from a pure solid-state medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Michael D. Perry, Paul S. Banks, Jason Zweiback, Robert W. Schleicher, Jr.
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Publication number: 20030161365Abstract: A laser device which may be used as an oscillator or amplifier comprising a chamber having a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises solid-state elements containing active laser ion distributed within the volume. A cooling fluid flows about the solid-state elements and a semiconductor laser diode provides optical pump radiation into the volume of the laser chamber such that laser emission from the device passes through the gain medium and the fluid. The laser device provides the advantages of a solid-state gain medium laser (e.g., diode-pumping, high power density, etc), but enables operation at higher average power and beam quality than would be achievable from a pure solid-state medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: General AtomicsInventors: Michael D. Perry, Paul S. Banks, Jason Zweiback, Robert W. Schleicher
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Patent number: 4978480Abstract: Nuclear fuel particles having fission-product-retentive characteristics are disclosed which are particularly adapted for the production of nuclear fuel compacts or nuclear fuel elements by combination with a matrix material having an acceptable nuclear properties and good thermal conductivity. Preferably, the outermost shell of the fission-product-retentive layer is formed of a refractory carbide, such as silicon carbide or zirconium carbide, and a thin overcoating material is applied thereto. When aluminum is employed as the matrix material, an overcoating of elemental silicon or elemental zirconium is used which is wet by the aluminum matrix. Silicon also forms a low melting eutectic alloy with the aluminum of the matrix that provides good lubricating properties--a particularly valuable feature when high pressure extrusion is used to form fuel elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1988Date of Patent: December 18, 1990Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Orlin M. Stansfield, Robert W. Schleicher, Jr.
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Patent number: 4863675Abstract: A nuclear power system comprises a plurality of modules disposed in below-grade pits to provide a compact, self-contained nuclear power supply. The modules are preferably individually transportable so that they may be substantially preassembled prior to installation. The system operates at relatively low temperatures and pressures, and includes various safety features which would prevent radioactive contamination of the surrounding environment in the event of a disturbance causing rupture of one or more of the odules or the pipes interconnecting the modules. The system also provides a low resistance flow path for vapor discharged from the turbine to improve efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1984Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Jack S. Yampolsky, Leonardo Cavallaro, Kenneth F. Paulovich, Robert W. Schleicher