Patents Represented by Attorney James K. Davis
  • Patent number: 5482257
    Abstract: A multi-piece crucible for high temperature applications comprises a tubular side wall member having a lip on the inside surface and a bottom member or members forming a container for containing a melt of a material during a high temperature melt-casting operations. The multi-piece design prevents cracking of the crucible or leakage of the melt from the crucible during the melt-casting operation. The lip of the tubular member supports the bottom member. The contacting surfaces where the lip of the tubular side wall member contacts the bottom member of the multi-piece crucible contains a ceramic sealing material. The ceramic sealing material forms a seal sufficient to prevent the melt of the material from leaking out of the multi-piece crucible during the melt-casting process. The multi-piece crucible is made of a material which is chemically inert to the melt and has structural integrity at the melting point temperature of the melt, or of a material coated with such a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cressie E. Holcombe, William A. Pfeiler
  • Patent number: 5417815
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for separating two fluids having different specific gravities. The invention also relates to a method for using the separating apparatus of the present invention. This invention particularly relates to the skimming of molten lithium metal from the surface of a fused salt electrolyte in the electrolytic production of lithium metal from a mixed fused salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Robinson, Roy E. Pollard, William F. Thompson, Marshall W. Stark, Robert T. Currin, Jr.