Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bradley W. Smith
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Patent number: 8310235Abstract: The subject apparatus is a fuel cell toroid cavity detector for in situ analysis of samples through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance. The toroid cavity detector comprises a gas-tight housing forming a toroid cavity where the housing is exposed to an externally applied magnetic field B0 and contains fuel cell component samples to be analyzed. An NMR spectrometer is electrically coupled and applies a radiofrequency excitation signal pulse to the detector to produce a radiofrequency magnetic field B1 in the samples and in the toroid cavity. Embedded coils modulate the static external magnetic field to provide a means for spatial selection of the recorded NMR signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Rex E. Gerald, II, Jerome W. Rathke
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Patent number: 8217353Abstract: Arrangements for the point-to-point imaging of a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and ultrasound at large angles of incidence employ matched pairs of spherically bent reflectors to eliminate astigmatic imaging errors. Matched pairs of spherically bent crystals or spherically bent multi-layers are used for X-rays and EUV radiation; and matched pairs of spherically bent mirrors that are appropriate for the type of radiation are used with microwaves, infrared and visible light, or ultrasound. The arrangements encompass the two cases, where the Bragg angle—the complement to the angle of incidence in optics—is between 45° and 90° on both crystals/mirrors or between 0° and 45° on the first crystal/mirror and between 45° and 90° on the second crystal/mirror, where the angles of convergence and divergence are equal. For x-rays and EUV radiation, also the Bragg condition is satisfied on both spherically bent crystals/multi-layers.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Manfred Ludwig Bitter, Kenneth Wayne Hill, Steven Douglas Scott, Russell Feder, Jinseok Ko, John E. Rice, Alexander Charles Ince-Cushman, Frank Jones
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Patent number: 7799185Abstract: An improved process and device for the recovery of the minor actinides and the transuranic elements (TRU's) from a molten salt electrolyte. The process involves placing the device, an electrically non-conducting barrier between an anode salt and a cathode salt. The porous barrier allows uranium to diffuse between the anode and cathode, yet slows the diffusion of uranium ions so as to cause depletion of uranium ions in the catholyte. This allows for the eventual preferential deposition of transuranics present in spent nuclear fuel such as Np, Pu, Am, Cm. The device also comprises an uranium oxidation anode. The oxidation anode is solid uranium metal in the form of spent nuclear fuel. The spent fuel is placed in a ferric metal anode basket which serves as the electrical lead or contact between the molten electrolyte and the anodic uranium metal.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: James L. Willit
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Patent number: 7638026Abstract: This is a single stage process for treating spent nuclear fuel from light water reactors. The spent nuclear fuel, uranium oxide, UO2, is added to a solution of UCl4 dissolved in molten LiCl. A carbon anode and a metallic cathode is positioned in the molten salt bath. A power source is connected to the electrodes and a voltage greater than or equal to 1.3 volts is applied to the bath. At the anode, the carbon is oxidized to form carbon dioxide and uranium chloride. At the cathode, uranium is electroplated. The uranium chloride at the cathode reacts with more uranium oxide to continue the reaction. The process may also be used with other transuranic oxides and rare earth metal oxides.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: James L. Willit, John P. Ackerman, Mark A. Williamson
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Patent number: 7368658Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method of making same. A layer of p-doped microcrystalline diamond is deposited on a layer of n-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond such as by providing a substrate in a chamber, providing a first atmosphere containing about 1% by volume CH4 and about 99% by volume H2 with dopant quantities of a boron compound, subjecting the atmosphere to microwave energy to deposit a p-doped microcrystalline diamond layer on the substrate, providing a second atmosphere of about 1% by volume CH4 and about 89% by volume Ar and about 10% by volume N2, subjecting the second atmosphere to microwave energy to deposit a n-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond layer on the p-doped microcrystalline diamond layer. Electrodes and leads are added to conduct electrical energy when the layers are irradiated.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Dieter M. Gruen
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Patent number: 7217402Abstract: A method of producing metal chlorides is disclosed in which chlorine gas is introduced into liquid Cd. CdCl2 salt is floating on the liquid Cd and as more liquid CdCl2 is formed it separates from the liquid Cd metal and dissolves in the salt. The salt with the CdCl2 dissolved therein contacts a metal which reacts with CdCl2 to form a metal chloride, forming a mixture of metal chloride and CdCl2. After separation of bulk Cd from the salt, by gravitational means, the metal chloride is obtained by distillation which removes CdCl2 and any Cd dissolved in the metal chloride.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: United States of America Department of EnergyInventors: William E. Miller, Zygmunt Tomczuk, Michael K. Richmann
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Patent number: 7159841Abstract: This invention is directed to a fuel cell operable with a quantity of fuel and a quantity of an oxidizer to produce electrical power, the fuel cell including a fuel cell body including a labyrinth system structured to permit the fuel and the oxidizer to flow therethrough; at least a first catalyst in fluid communication with the labyrinth; and at least a first microvalve operably disposed within at least a portion of the labyrinth. The microvalve utilizes a deflectable member operable upon the application of a voltage from a voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Randall Gemmen, Jimmy Thornton, Jeffrey S. Vipperman, William W. Clark
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Patent number: 7099141Abstract: A short-resistant capacitor comprises an electrically conductive planar support substrate having a first thickness, a ceramic film deposited over the support substrate, thereby defining a ceramic surface; and a metallic film deposited over the ceramic surface, said film having a second thickness which is less than the first thickness and which is between 0.01 and 0.1 microns.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: David Y. Kaufman, Sanjib Saha
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Patent number: 7038460Abstract: An apparatus for detecting dust in a variety of environments which can include radioactive and other hostile environments both in a vacuum and in a pressurized system. The apparatus consists of a grid coupled to a selected bias voltage. The signal generated when dust impacts and shorts out the grid is electrically filtered, and then analyzed by a signal analyzer which is then sent to a counter. For fine grids a correlation can be developed to relate the number of counts observed to the amount of dust which impacts the grid.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Charles H. Skinner
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Patent number: 6994930Abstract: A system of a fuel cell bottoming an internal combustion engine. The engine exhaust gas may be combined in varying degrees with air and fed as input to a fuel cell. Reformer and oxidizers may be combined with heat exchangers to accommodate rich and lean burn conditions in the engine in peaking and base load conditions without producing high concentrations of harmful emissions.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Rodney A. Geisbrecht, Norman T. Holcombe
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Patent number: 6994831Abstract: The Oxidative Tritium Decontamination System, OTDS, provides a method and apparatus for reduction of tritium surface contamination on various items. The OTDS employs ozone gas as oxidizing agent to convert elemental tritium to tritium oxide. Tritium oxide vapor and excess ozone gas is purged from the OTDS, for discharge to atmosphere or transport to further process. An effluent stream is subjected to a catalytic process for the decomposition of excess ozone to diatomic oxygen. One of two configurations of the OTDS is employed: dynamic apparatus equipped with agitation mechanism and large volumetric capacity for decontamination of light items, or static apparatus equipped with pressurization and evacuation capability for decontamination of heavier, delicate, and/or valuable items.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Charles A. Gentile, Gregory L. Guttadora, John J. Parker
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Patent number: 6972562Abstract: A device and method for mapping magnetic fields of a sample at a resolution less than the wavelength of light without altering the magnetic field of the sample is disclosed. A device having a tapered end portion with a magneto-optically active particle positioned at the distal end thereof in communication with a fiber optic for transferring incoming linearly polarized light from a source thereof to the particle and for transferring reflected light from the particle is provided. The fiber optic has a reflective material trapping light within the fiber optic and in communication with a light detector for determining the polarization of light reflected from the particle as a function of the strength and direction of the magnetic field of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Vitalii K. Vlasko-Vlasov, Ulrich Welp, George W. Crabtree
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Patent number: 6858998Abstract: A new and improved undulator design is provided that enables a variable period length for the production of synchrotron radiation from both medium-energy and high-energy storage rings. The variable period length is achieved using a staggered array of pole pieces made up of high permeability material, permanent magnet material, or an electromagnetic structure. The pole pieces are separated by a variable width space. The sum of the variable width space and the pole width would therefore define the period of the undulator. Features and advantages of the invention include broad photon energy tunability, constant power operation and constant brilliance operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Gopal Shenoy, John Lewellen, Deming Shu, Nikolai Vinokurov
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Patent number: 6800262Abstract: The subject apparatus provides a means to produce UCl3 in large quantities without incurring corrosion of the containment vessel or associated apparatus. Gaseous Cl is injected into a lower layer of Cd where CdCl2 is formed. Due to is lower density, the CdCl2 rises through the Cd layer into a layer of molten LiCl—KCL salt where a rotatable basket containing uranium ingots is suspended. The CdCl2 reacts with the uranium to form UCl3 and Cd. Due to density differences, the Cd sinks down to the liquid Cd layer and is reused. The UCl3 combines with the molten salt. During production the temperature is maintained at about 600° C. while after the uranium has been depleted the salt temperature is lowered, the molten salt is pressure siphoned from the vessel, and the salt product LiCl—KCl-30 mol % UCl3 is solidified.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: William E. Miller, Zygmunt Tomczuk
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Patent number: 6774635Abstract: A video toroid cavity imager for in situ measurement of electrochemical properties of an electrolytic material sample includes a cylindrical toroid cavity resonator containing the sample and employs NMR and video imaging for providing high-resolution spectral and visual information of molecular characteristics of the sample on a real-time basis. A large magnetic field is applied to the sample under controlled temperature and pressure conditions to simultaneously provide NMR spectroscopy and video imaging capabilities for investigating electrochemical transformations of materials or the evolution of long-range molecular aggregation during cooling of hydrocarbon melts.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Rex E. Gerald, II, Jairo Sanchez, Jerome W. Rathke
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Patent number: 6767444Abstract: A new process for recycling spent nuclear fuels, in particular, mixed nitrides of transuranic elements and zirconium. The process consists of two electrorefiner cells in series configuration. A transuranic element such as plutonium is reduced at the cathode in the first cell, zirconium at the cathode in the second cell, and nitrogen-15 is released and captured for reuse to make transuranic and zirconium nitrides.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: William E. Miller, Michael K. Richmann
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Patent number: 6724852Abstract: The subject apparatus provides a means to identify the presence of fissionable material or other nuclear material contained within an item to be tested. The system employs a portable accelerator to accelerate and direct protons to a fluorine-compound target. The interaction of the protons with the fluorine-compound target produces gamma rays which are directed at the item to be tested. If the item to be tested contains either a fissionable material or other nuclear material the interaction of the gamma rays with the material contained within the test item with result in the production of neutrons. A system of neutron detectors is positioned to intercept any neutrons generated by the test item. The results from the neutron detectors are analyzed to determine the presence of a fissionable material or other nuclear material.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Donald Smith, Bradley J. Micklich, Andreas Fessler
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Patent number: 6689260Abstract: The present invention relates to a nuclear fuel electrorefiner having a vessel containing a molten electrolyte pool floating on top of a cadmium pool. An anodic fuel dissolution basket and a high-efficiency cathode are suspended in the molten electrolyte pool. A shroud surrounds the fuel dissolution basket and the shroud is positioned so as to separate the electrolyte pool into an isolated electrolyte pool within the shroud and a bulk electrolyte pool outside the shroud. In operation, unwanted noble-metal fission products migrate downward into the cadmium pool and form precipitates where they are removed by a filter and separator assembly. Uranium values are transported by the cadmium pool from the isolated electrolyte pool to the bulk electrolyte pool, and then pass to the high-efficiency cathode where they are electrolytically deposited thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Rajesh K. Ahluwalia, Thanh Q. Hua
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Patent number: 6672725Abstract: An optical apparatus for clearly viewing the interior of a containment vessel by applying a transpiration fluid to a volume directly in front of the external surface of the optical element of the optical apparatus. The fluid is provided by an external source and transported by means of an annular tube to a capped end region where the inner tube is perforated. The perforation allows the fluid to stream axially towards the center of the inner tube and then axially away from an optical element which is positioned in the inner tube just prior to the porous sleeve. This arrangement draws any contaminants away from the optical element keeping it free of contaminants. In one of several embodiments, the optical element can be a lens, a viewing port or a laser, and the external source can provide a transpiration fluid having either steady properties or time varying properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: John VanOsdol, Steven Woodruff
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Patent number: 6630105Abstract: An apparatus and method for decontaminating chemical and biological agents using the reactive properties of both the single atomic oxygen and the hydroxyl radical for the decontamination of chemical and biological agents. The apparatus is self contained and portable and allows for the application of gas reactants directly at the required decontamination point. The system provides for the use of ultraviolet light of a specific spectral range to photolytically break down ozone into molecular oxygen and hydroxyl radicals where some of the molecular oxygen is in the first excited state. The excited molecular oxygen will combine with water vapor to produce two hydroxyl radicals.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Hugh J. O'Neill, Kenneth L. Brubaker