Patents by Inventor William D. Swank

William D. Swank 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).

  • Process for recycling rare earth magnets
    Patent number: 10323300
    Abstract: A method to separate rare earth material from a rare earth magnet. At least one embodiment comprises a method that heats a provided rare earth magnet to at least 600° C. whereby the rare earth magnet absorbs a dry gas. Separated rare earth materials are created. Magnetic rare earth materials are produced from the separated rare earth materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Prahbat K. Tripathy, William D Swank, Delon C. Haggard, Tedd E. Lister, Eric S. Peterson
  • Combustible structural composites and methods of forming combustible structural composites
    Patent number: 8007607
    Abstract: Combustible structural composites and methods of forming same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a combustible structural composite includes combustible material comprising a fuel metal and a metal oxide. The fuel metal is present in the combustible material at a weight ratio from 1:9 to 1:1 of the fuel metal to the metal oxide. The fuel metal and the metal oxide are capable of exothermically reacting upon application of energy at or above a threshold value to support self-sustaining combustion of the combustible material within the combustible structural composite. Structural-reinforcing fibers are present in the composite at a weight ratio from 1:20 to 10:1 of the structural-reinforcing fibers to the combustible material. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Eric D Steffler, William D. Swank
  • Neutron absorbing coating for nuclear criticality control
    Patent number: 7286626
    Abstract: A neutron absorbing coating for use on a substrate, and which provides nuclear criticality control is described and which includes a nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and gadolinium alloy having less than about 5% boron, by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald E. Mizia, Richard N. Wright, William D. Swank, Tedd E. Lister, Patrick J. Pinhero