Patents Assigned to Abilene Christian University
  • Patent number: 12292138
    Abstract: A pipe connector for use in high temperature environments, such as those characteristics of molten salt reactors. The pipe connector can be used in any industry that uses pipe connectors, and in particular, can be used in a molten salt system including a reactor requiring a connection rated for a maximum of about 725° C. and about 15,000 psi. The pipe connector may comprise a pin, a seal ring, a retainer ring, a box, a locking nut, and a retaining nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Abilene Christian University
    Inventors: Rusty Towell, Thomas Bailey, Tim Head
  • Patent number: 12249434
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the example thermal expansion support systems decrease the stress within the one or more components and piping segments within a high temperature system caused by thermal expansion. The exemplary thermal expansion support systems may provide a counterbalancing force on the components and piping segments of the high temperature system, which may allow the components and piping segments a free range of motion to counterbalance the stress caused by thermal expansion of the high temperature system. In some embodiments, one example thermal expansion support system may utilize a counterweight system. In another embodiment, an example thermal expansion support system may utilize active system components, such as actuators, hydraulics, electric motors, or other similar devices to provide a counterbalancing force on the one or more components of the high temperature system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Abilene Christian University
    Inventors: Michael Arrasmith, Thomas Bailey, Samuel Lopez
  • Patent number: 12187619
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an anhydrous hydrogen fluoride generator vessel (also referred to herein as the “AHF generator vessel”) is provided. In several embodiments, an AHF generator vessel may include a container assembly, one or more shelves, and a center pipe assembly. The container assembly may include a lid assembly that may be removably coupled to the wall, and one or more feet. The center pipe assembly may include a base adapter, a center pipe, and a bottom adapter. In one embodiment, sodium bifluoride is loaded onto the one or more shelves which are positioned perpendicular to the center pipe and stacked upon one another. An external heat source may provide the heat to the vessel to thermally degrade the sodium bifluoride into HF and sodium fluoride (NaF). In various embodiments, the HF may be carried by a carrier gas out of the AHF generator vessel via the lid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Abilene Christian University
    Inventors: Aaron Robison, Ronald Laehn, Dakotah Martinez
  • Patent number: 12018779
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the stabilizing face ring joint flange and assemblies thereof can be adapted to include a ring joint gasket and resist leaks when a fluid flowing through a pipe at high temperatures and pressures. The stabilizing face ring joint flange assembly with the ring grooves in each flange can be situated in such a way that once full compression is achieved on the ring groove by the gasket, raised faces of the two flanges can meet to ensure that the rotation of the pump or any potential perpendicular loading do not provide a stress on the gasket that would cause the gasket to deform or cause a seal to be lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Abilene Christian University
    Inventor: Thomas Bailey
  • Patent number: 11931763
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for identifying and quantifying chemical components in a high-melting-point liquid. One such method includes: receiving, into a nebulizer assembly, a high-melting-point liquid from a molten liquid conduit; aerosolizing, using the nebulizer assembly, at least a portion of the received high-melting-point liquid; delivering, into one or more instruments, the aerosolized high-melting-point liquid from the nebulizer; and chemically analyzing, using the one or more instruments, the aerosolized high-melting-point liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Abilene Christian University
    Inventors: Kim Pamplin, Tyler Cepica
  • Patent number: 11674832
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which first and second waveguides are adapted to be connected to a pipe and first and second transducers are adapted to be connected to the first and second waveguides, respectively, and to exchange ultrasonic wave signals through the first and second waveguides, the pipe, and a fluid flowing in the pipe. A temperature of the fluid flowing in the pipe exceeds 600° C. The first and second waveguides are configured to, and each have a shape to: (i) insulate the first and second transducers from the pipe, and (ii) permit propagation of the ultrasonic wave signals between the pipe and the first and second transducers, respectively, while maintaining an acoustic attenuation through the first and second waveguides at an acceptable level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Abilene Christian University
    Inventors: Timothy Lawrence Head, Rusty Towell
  • Patent number: 10876871
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which first and second transducers are connected to first and second waveguides, respectively, the first and second waveguides are connected to a pipe, and ultrasonic wave signals are exchanged between the first and second transducers, said ultrasonic wave signals passing through the first and second waveguides, the pipe, and a fluid in the pipe. A temperature of the fluid flowing in the pipe may exceed about 600° C. The first and second waveguides insulate the first and second transducers from the pipe and propagate the ultrasonic wave signals between the pipe and the first and second transducers, respectively, so that the ability of the first and second transducers to exchange the ultrasonic wave signals is not adversely affected by the temperature of the fluid in the pipe. The first and second waveguides may be made of a calcium silicate technical ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Timothy Lawrence Head, Rusty Towell
  • Publication number: 20130024789
    Abstract: A mobile application for facilitating the organization and conduction of group discussions and activities. The mobile application comprises a predefined menu having a predefined set of menu options which have data fields for a master user to input the desired parameters. The mobile application sends commands which divide a group into subgroups based on predefined parameters. The mobile application is accessed by participants of subgroups. The mobile application sends topics and prompts, which comprise any sort of input, participation or contribution by the participants of the subgroups desired by the master user. The mobile application provides a reporting menu to a participant of each subgroup for reporting on the subgroup's activities or discussions at the conclusion of a session. The mobile application provides evaluation menus to the participants of the subgroups to allow them to evaluate aspects of the group session, and send the evaluations to the master user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Abilene Christian University
    Inventors: Habakkuk M. Adkins, Chris J. Gibbs, Jonathan Johnson, James D. Langford, Chad Q. Martin, Harvey G. McQueen