Patents Represented by Attorney Albert Sopp
  • Patent number: 4450578
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed providing a variable aperture energy beam collimator. A plurality of beam opaque blocks are in sliding interface edge contact to form a variable aperture. The blocks may be offset at the apex angle to provide a non-equilateral aperture. A plurality of collimator block assemblies may be employed for providing a channel defining a collimated beam. Adjacent assemblies are inverted front-to-back with respect to one another for preventing noncollimated energy from emerging from the apparatus. An adjustment mechanism comprises a cable attached to at least one block and a hand wheel mechanism for operating the cable. The blocks are supported by guide rods engaging slide brackets on the blocks. The guide rods are pivotally connected at each end to intermediate actuators supported on rotatable shafts to change the shape of the aperture. A divergent collimated beam may be obtained by adjusting the apertures of adjacent stages to be unequal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Ronald A. Hill
  • Patent number: 4447565
    Abstract: A method and a composition are provided for molding low density desiccant syntactic foam articles. A low density molded desiccant article may be made as a syntactic foam by blending a thermosetting resin, microspheres and molecular sieve desiccant powder, molding and curing. Such articles have densities of 0.2-0.9 g/cc, moisture capacities of 1-12% by weight, and can serve as light weight structural supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: James W. Lula, James R. Schicker
  • Patent number: 4447761
    Abstract: A negative ion generator is formed from a magnetically insulated transmission line having a coating of graphite on the cathode for producing negative ions and a plurality of apertures on the opposed anode for the release of negative ions. Magnetic insulation keeps electrons from flowing from the cathode to the anode. A transverse magnetic field removes electrons which do escape through the apertures from the trajectory of the negative ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Regan W. Stinnett
  • Patent number: 4442018
    Abstract: This invention comprises a combination of a water soluble polymer of the polyacrylic acid type, a foam stabilizer of dodecyl alcohol, a surfactant, a solvent and water as a concentrate for use in producing stabilized aqueous foams. In another aspect, the invention comprises a solution of the concentrate with water. In still another aspect the invention includes a method of generating stabilized aqueous foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Peter B. Rand
  • Patent number: 4438183
    Abstract: A surface prone to corrosion in corrosive environments is rendered anticorrosive by CVD growing a thin continuous film, e.g., having no detectable pinholes, thereon, of boron phosphide. In one embodiment, the film is semiconductive. In another aspect, the invention is an improved photoanode, and/or photoelectrochemical cell with a photoanode having a thin film of boron phosphide thereon rendering it anitcorrosive, and providing it with unexpectedly improved photoresponsive properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard J. Baughman, David S. Ginley
  • Patent number: 4431708
    Abstract: Molybdenum thin films deposited by pyrolytic decomposition of Mo(CO).sub.6 attain, after anneal in a reducing atmosphere at temperatures greater than 700.degree. C., infrared reflectance values greater than reflectance of supersmooth bulk molybdenum. Black molybdenum films deposited under oxidizing conditions and annealed, when covered with an anti-reflecting coating, approach the ideal solar collector characteristic of visible light absorber and infrared energy reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Gary E. Carver, Bernhard O. Seraphin
  • Patent number: 4414021
    Abstract: A process for preparing iron powder suitable for use in preparing the iron-potassium perchlorate heat-powder fuel mixture used in thermal batteries, comprises preparing a homogeneous, dense iron oxide hydroxide precipitate by homogeneous precipitation from an aqueous mixture of a ferric salt, formic or sulfuric acid, ammonium hydroxide and urea as precipitating agent; and then reducing the dense iron oxide hydroxide by treatment with hydrogen to prepare the iron powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Inventor: William W. Welbon
  • Patent number: 4414282
    Abstract: A glass ceramic composition prepared by subjecting a glass composition comprising, by weight, 65-80% SiO.sub.2, 8-16%, Li.sub.2 O, 2-8% , Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 1-8% K.sub.2 O, 1-5% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and 1.5-7% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, to the following processing steps of heating the glass composition to a temperature sufficient to crystallize lithium metasilicate therein, holding the glass composition at a temperature and for a time period sufficient to dissolve the lithium metasilicate therein thereby creating cristobalite nucleii, cooling the glass composition and maintaining the composition at a temperature and for a time period sufficient to recrystallize lithium metasilicate therein, and thermally treating the glass composition at a temperature and for a time period sufficient to cause growth of cristobalite and further crystallization of lithium metasilicate producing a glass ceramic composition having a specific thermal expansion coefficient and products containing said composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Howard L. McCollister, Scott T. Reed
  • Patent number: 4411618
    Abstract: An apparatus for downhole steam generation employing dual-stage preheaters for liquid fuel and for the water. A first heat exchange jacket for the fuel surrounds the fuel/oxidant mixing section of the combustor assembly downstream of the fuel nozzle and contacts the top of the combustor unit of the combustor assembly, thereby receiving heat directly from the combustion of the fuel/oxidant. A second stage heat exchange jacket surrounds an upper portion of the oxidant supply line adjacent the fuel nozzle receiving further heat from the compression heat which results from pressurization of the oxidant. The combustor unit includes an inner combustor sleeve whose inner wall defines the combustion zone. The inner combustor sleeve is surrounded by two concentric water channels, one defined by the space between the inner combustor sleeve and an intermediate sleeve, and the second defined by the space between the intermediate sleeve and an outer cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Inventors: A. Burl Donaldson, Donald E. Hoke, Anthony J. Mulac
  • Patent number: 4410806
    Abstract: A vertical axis windmill having a rotating structure is provided with a series of articulated vertical blades whose positions are controlled to maintain a constant RPM for the rotating structure, when wind speed is sufficient. A microprocessor controller is used to process information on wind speed, wind direction and RPM of the rotating structure to develop an electrical signal for establishing blade position. The preferred embodiment of the invention, when connected to a utility grid, is designed to generate 40 kilowatts of power when exposed to a 20 mile per hour wind. The control system for the windmill includes electrical blade actuators that modulate the blades of the rotating structure. Blade modulation controls the blade angle of attack, which in turn controls the RPM of the rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor controller provides the operation logic and control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Inventor: Robert V. Brulle
  • Patent number: 4405487
    Abstract: A combination moisture and hydrogen getter comprises(a) a moisture getter comprising a readily oxidizable metal; and(b) a hydrogen getter comprising (i) a solid acetylenic compound and (ii) a hydrogenation catalyst. A method of scavenging moisture from a closed container uses the combination moisture and hydrogen getter to irreversibly chemically reduce the moisture and chemically bind the resultant hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Inventors: Larry A. Harrah, Keith E. Mead, Henry M. Smith
  • Patent number: 4394882
    Abstract: A continuous chain bit for hard rock drilling is capable of downhole cycling. A drill head assembly moves axially relative to a support body while the chain on the head assembly is held in position so that the bodily movement of the chain cycles the chain to present new composite links for drilling. A pair of spring fingers on opposite sides of the chain hold the chain against movement. The chain is held in tension by a spring-biased tensioning bar. A head at the working end of the chain supports the working links. The chain is centered by a reversing pawl and piston actuated by the pressure of the drilling mud. Detent pins lock the head assembly with respect to the support body and are also operated by the drilling mud pressure. A restricted nozzle with a divergent outlet sprays drilling mud into the cavity to remove debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Don F. Ritter, Jack A. St. Clair, Henry K. Togami
  • Patent number: 4350853
    Abstract: An alarm toe switch inserted within a shoe for energizing an alarm circuit n a covert manner includes an insole mounting pad into which a miniature reed switch is fixedly molded. An elongated slot perpendicular to the reed switch is formed in the bottom surface of the mounting pad. A permanent cylindrical magnet positioned in the forward portion of the slot with a diameter greater than the pad thickness causes a bump above the pad. A foam rubber block is also positioned in the slot rearwardly of the magnet and holds the magnet in normal inoperative relation. A non-magnetic support plate covers the slot and holds the magnet and foam rubber in the slot. The plate minimizes bending and frictional forces to improve movement of the magnet for reliable switch activation. The bump occupies the knuckle space beneath the big toe. When the big toe is scrunched rearwardly the magnet is moved within the slot relative to the reed switch, thus magnetically activating the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventor: Floyd P. Ganyard
  • Patent number: 4350887
    Abstract: Uranium formations are assayed by prompt fission neutron logging techniques. The uranium in the formation is proportional to the ratio of epithermal counts to thermal or eqithermal dieaway. Various calibration factors enhance the accuracy of the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Ralston W. Barnard, Dal H. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4343685
    Abstract: A process to prepare a chemical enriched in isotope content which includes:(a) A chemical exchange reaction between a first and second compound which yields an isotopically enriched first compound and an isotopically depleted second compound;(b) the removal of a portion of the first compound as product and the removal of a portion of the second compound as spent material;(c) the conversion of the remainder of the first compound to the second compound for reflux at the product end of the chemical exchange reaction region;(d) the conversion of the remainder of the second compound to the first compound for reflux at the spent material end of the chemical exchange region; and the cycling of the additional chemicals produced by one conversion reaction to the other conversion reaction, for consumption therein. One of the conversion reactions is an oxidation reaction, and the energy that it yields is used to drive the other conversion reaction, a reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Edward D. Michaels
  • Patent number: 4326741
    Abstract: A security seal for providing an indication of unauthorized access to a sealed object includes an elongate member to be entwined in the object such that access is denied unless the member is removed. The elongate member has a hollow, pressurizable chamber extending throughout its length that is filled with a permanent dye under greater than atmospheric pressure. Attempts to cut the member and weld it together are revealed when dye flows through a rupture in the chamber wall and stains the outside surface of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Dennis C. W. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4309230
    Abstract: Titanium subhydride is produced in a reactor by heating a selected amount of finely divided titanium compound at a selected temperature for a selected period of time under dynamic vacuum conditions. Hydrogen is removed substantially uniformly from each powder grain and there is produced a subhydride of substantially uniform titanium-hydrogen composition. Selection of the amount, temperature and time produces a subhydride of selected titanium-hydrogen composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4290858
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for forming a nickel foil having a controlled and predetermined hydrogen permeability. This process includes the steps of passing a nickel plating bath through a suitable cation exchange resin to provide a purified nickel plating bath free of copper and gold cations, immersing a nickel anode and a suitable cathode in the purified nickel plating bath containing a selected concentration of an organic sulfonic acid such as a napthalene-trisulfonic acid, electrodepositing a nickel layer having the thickness of a foil onto the cathode, and separating the nickel layer from the cathode to provide a nickel foil. The anode is a readily-corrodible nickel anode. The present invention also provides a novel nickel foil having a greater hydrogen permeability than palladium at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Darell E. Engelhaupt
  • Patent number: 4274394
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical solar tracking device which tracks the position of the sun using paired, partially-shaded bimetallic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Robert P. Stromberg