Patents Assigned to Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC
-
Patent number: 9978469Abstract: A radiation area monitor device/method, utilizing: a radiation sensor having a directional radiation sensing capability; a rotation mechanism operable for selectively rotating the radiation sensor such that the directional radiation sensing capability selectively sweeps an area of interest; and a processor operable for analyzing and storing a radiation fingerprint acquired by the radiation sensor as the directional radiation sensing capability selectively sweeps the area of interest. Optionally, the radiation sensor includes a gamma and/or neutron radiation sensor. The device/method selectively operates in: a first supervised mode during which a baseline radiation fingerprint is acquired by the radiation sensor; and a second unsupervised mode during which a subsequent radiation fingerprint is acquired by the radiation sensor, wherein the subsequent radiation fingerprint is compared to the baseline radiation fingerprint and, if a predetermined difference threshold is exceeded, an alert is issued.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Jozef Stefan Institute, AISense d.o.oInventors: Matjaz Vencelj, Ashley C. Stowe, Toni Petrovic, Jonathan S. Morrell, Andrej Kosicek
-
Patent number: 9915575Abstract: Disclosed is a passive, in-situ pressure sensor. The sensor includes a sensing element having a ferromagnetic metal and a tension inducing mechanism coupled to the ferromagnetic metal. The tension inducing mechanism is operable to change a tensile stress upon the ferromagnetic metal based on a change in pressure in the sensing element. Changes in pressure are detected based on changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal when subjected to an alternating magnetic field caused by the change in the tensile stress. The sensing element is embeddable in a closed system for detecting pressure changes without the need for any penetrations of the system for power or data acquisition by detecting changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal caused by the tensile stress.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: David K. Mee, Edward B. Ripley, Zachary C. Nienstedt, Alex W. Nienstedt, Layton N. Howell, Jr.
-
Patent number: 9909869Abstract: A lathe leveler for centering a cutting tool in relation to a cylindrical work piece includes a first leveling arm having a first contact point disposed adjacent a distal end of the first leveling arm, a second leveling arm having a second contact point disposed adjacent a distal end of the second leveling arm, a leveling gage, and a leveling plate having a cutting tool receiving surface positioned parallel to a horizontal axis of the leveling gage and on a same plane as a midpoint of the first contact point and the second contact point. The leveling arms and leveling plate are dimensioned and configured such that the cutting tool receiving surface is centered in relation to the work piece when the first and second contact points are in contact with one of the inner surface and outer surface of the cylindrical work piece and the leveling gage is centered.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventor: Michael W. J. Lovelady, III
-
Patent number: 9895816Abstract: The present invention provides an elongate tool that aides in the placement of objects and machinery within a glovebox, such that the objects and machinery can be safely handled by a user. The tool includes a plurality of visual markings (in English units, metric units, other units, grooves, ridges, varying widths, etc.) that indicate distance from the user within the glovebox, optionally broken into placement preference zones that are color coded, grayscale coded, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventor: Shannon Howard Roddy
-
Patent number: 9881708Abstract: A radiation area monitor device/method, utilizing: a radiation sensor; a rotating radiation shield disposed about the radiation sensor, wherein the rotating radiation shield defines one or more ports that are transparent to radiation; and a processor operable for analyzing and storing a radiation fingerprint acquired by the radiation sensor as the rotating radiation shield is rotated about the radiation sensor. Optionally, the radiation sensor includes a gamma and/or neutron radiation sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Jozef Stefan Institute, AISense d.o.o.Inventors: Matjaz Vencelj, Ashley C. Stowe, Toni Petrovic, Jonathan S. Morrell, Andrej Kosicek
-
Patent number: 9878307Abstract: Methods of fabricating nano-catalysts are described. In some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a powder-based substrate material and is some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a solid-based substrate material. In some embodiments the substrate material may include metal, ceramic, or silicon or another metalloid. The nano-catalysts typically have metal nanoparticles disposed adjacent the surface of the substrate material. The methods typically include functionalizing the surface of the substrate material with a chelating agent, such as a chemical having dissociated carboxyl functional groups (—COO), that provides an enhanced affinity for metal ions. The functionalized substrate surface may then be exposed to a chemical solution that contains metal ions. The metal ions are then bound to the substrate material and may then be reduced, such as by a stream of gas that includes hydrogen, to form metal nanoparticles adjacent the surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
-
Publication number: 20170239633Abstract: A hydrogen, lithium, and lithium hydride processing apparatus includes a hot zone to heat solid-phase lithium hydride to form liquid-phase lithium hydride; a vacuum source to extract hydrogen and gaseous-phase lithium metal from the liquid-phase lithium hydride; a cold zone to condense the gaseous-phase lithium metal as purified solid-phase lithium metal; and a heater to melt the purified solid-phase lithium metal in the cold zone and form refined liquid-phase lithium metal in the hot zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Sam W. Brown, Larry S. Spencer, Michael R. Phillips, G. Louis Powell, Peggy J. Campbell
-
Patent number: 9682859Abstract: A method is provided for extracting hydrogen from lithium hydride. The method includes (a) heating lithium hydride to form liquid-phase lithium hydride; (b) extracting hydrogen from the liquid-phase lithium hydride, leaving residual liquid-phase lithium metal; (c) hydriding the residual liquid-phase lithium metal to form refined lithium hydride; and repeating steps (a) and (b) on the refined lithium hydride.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Sam W. Brown, Larry S. Spencer, Michael R. Phillips, G. Louis Powell, Peggy J. Campbell
-
Patent number: 9682531Abstract: Composite structures having a reinforced material interjoined with a substrate, wherein the reinforced material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of titanium monoboride, titanium diboride, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Edward B. Ripley, Russell L. Hallman
-
Patent number: 9670064Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for producing heavy water. In one embodiment, a catalyst is treated with high purity air or a mixture of gaseous nitrogen and oxygen with gaseous deuterium all together flowing over the catalyst to produce the heavy water. In an alternate embodiment, the deuterium is combusted to form the heavy water. In an alternate embodiment, gaseous deuterium and gaseous oxygen is flowed into a fuel cell to produce the heavy water. In various embodiments, the deuterium may be produced by a thermal decomposition and distillation process that involves heating solid lithium deuteride to form liquid lithium deuteride and then extracting the gaseous deuterium from the liquid lithium deuteride.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Larry S. Spencer, Sam W. Brown, Michael R. Phillips
-
Patent number: 9658350Abstract: A radiation detection device, including: a support structure; and a chalcopyrite crystal coupled to the support structure; wherein, when the chalcopyrite crystal is exposed to radiation, a visible spectrum of the chalcopyrite crystal changes from an initial color to a modified color. The visible spectrum of the chalcopyrite crystal is changed back from the modified color to the initial color by annealing the chalcopyrite crystal at an elevated temperature below a melting point of the chalcopyrite crystal over time. The chalcopyrite crystal is optionally a 6LiInSe2 crystal. The radiation is comprised of neutrons that decrease the 6Li concentration of the chalcopyrite crystal via a 6Li(n,?) reaction. The initial color is yellow and the modified color is one of orange and red. The annealing temperature is between about 450 degrees C. and about 650 degrees C. and the annealing time is between about 12 hrs and about 36 hrs.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignees: CONSOLIDATED NUCLEAR SECURITY, LLC, FISK UNIVERSITYInventors: Ashley C. Stowe, Brenden Wiggins, Arnold Burger
-
Patent number: 9638809Abstract: A combined thermal neutron detector and gamma-ray spectrometer system, including: a first detection medium including a lithium chalcopyrite crystal operable for detecting neutrons; a gamma ray shielding material disposed adjacent to the first detection medium; a second detection medium including one of a doped metal halide, an elpasolite, and a high Z semiconductor scintillator crystal operable for detecting gamma rays; a neutron shielding material disposed adjacent to the second detection medium; and a photodetector coupled to the second detection medium also operable for detecting the gamma rays; wherein the first detection medium and the second detection medium do not overlap in an orthogonal plane to a radiation flux. Optionally, the first detection medium includes a 6LiInSe2 crystal. Optionally, the second detection medium includes a SrI2(Eu) scintillation crystal.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Fisk UniversityInventors: Ashley C. Stowe, Arnold Burger, Pijush Bhattacharya, Yevgeniy Tupitsyn
-
Patent number: 9638813Abstract: A combined thermal neutron detector and gamma-ray spectrometer system, including: a detection medium including a lithium chalcopyrite crystal operable for detecting thermal neutrons in a semiconductor mode and gamma-rays in a scintillator mode; and a photodetector coupled to the detection medium also operable for detecting the gamma rays. Optionally, the detection medium includes a 6LiInSe2 crystal. Optionally, the detection medium comprises a compound formed by the process of: melting a Group III element; adding a Group I element to the melted Group III element at a rate that allows the Group I and Group III elements to react thereby providing a single phase I-III compound; and adding a Group VI element to the single phase I-III compound and heating; wherein the Group I element includes lithium.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Fisk University, University of Tennessee Research FoundationInventors: Ashley Stowe, Arnold Burger, Eric Lukosi
-
Publication number: 20170090045Abstract: A combined thermal neutron detector and gamma-ray spectrometer system, including: a first detection medium including a lithium chalcopyrite crystal operable for detecting neutrons; a gamma ray shielding material disposed adjacent to the first detection medium; a second detection medium including one of a doped metal halide, an elpasolite, and a high Z semiconductor scintillator crystal operable for detecting gamma rays; a neutron shielding material disposed adjacent to the second detection medium; and a photodetector coupled to the second detection medium also operable for detecting the gamma rays; wherein the first detection medium and the second detection medium do not overlap in an orthogonal plane to a radiation flux. Optionally, the first detection medium includes a 6LiInSe2 crystal. Optionally, the second detection medium includes a SrI2(Eu) scintillation crystal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2014Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicants: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Fisk UniversityInventors: Ashley C. STOWE, Arnold BURGER, Pijush BHATTACHARYA, Yevgeniy TUPITSYN
-
Patent number: 9499406Abstract: A method for the additive manufacturing of inorganic crystalline materials, including: physically combining a plurality of starting materials that are used to form an inorganic crystalline compound to be used as one or more of a semiconductor, scintillator, laser crystal, and optical filter; heating or melting successive regions of the combined starting materials using a directed heat source having a predetermined energy characteristic, thereby facilitating the reaction of the combined starting materials; and allowing each region of the combined starting materials to cool in a controlled manner, such that the desired inorganic crystalline compound results. The method also includes, prior to heating or melting the successive regions of the combined starting materials using the directed heat source, heating the combined starting materials to facilitate initial reaction of the combined starting materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Ashley C. Stowe, Douglas Speight
-
Patent number: 9488455Abstract: A sabot assembly includes a projectile and a housing dimensioned and configured for receiving the projectile. An air pressure cavity having a cavity diameter is disposed between a front end and a rear end of the housing. Air intake nozzles are in fluid communication with the air pressure cavity and each has a nozzle diameter less than the cavity diameter. In operation, air flows through the plurality of air intake nozzles and into the air pressure cavity upon firing of the projectile from a gun barrel to pressurize the air pressure cavity for assisting in separation of the housing from the projectile upon the sabot assembly exiting the gun barrel.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventor: Fariborz Bzorgi
-
Patent number: 9429662Abstract: A bulk semiconducting scintillator device, including: a Li-containing semiconductor compound of general composition Li-III-VI2, wherein III is a Group III element and VI is a Group VI element; wherein the Li-containing semiconductor compound is used in one or more of a first mode and a second mode, wherein: in the first mode, the Li-containing semiconductor compound is coupled to an electrical circuit under bias operable for measuring electron-hole pairs in the Li-containing semiconductor compound in the presence of neutrons and the Li-containing semiconductor compound is also coupled to current detection electronics operable for detecting a corresponding current in the Li-containing semiconductor compound; and, in the second mode, the Li-containing semiconductor compound is coupled to a photodetector operable for detecting photons generated in the Li-containing semiconductor compound in the presence of the neutrons.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Fisk UniversityInventors: Ashley C. Stowe, Arnold Burger, Michael Groza
-
Patent number: 9411069Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for detecting radiation. The sensor includes a ferromagnetic metal and a radiation sensitive material coupled to the ferromagnetic metal. The radiation sensitive material is operable to change a tensile stress of the ferromagnetic metal upon exposure to radiation. The radiation is detected based on changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal caused by the changes in the tensile stress.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Vincent E. Lamberti, Layton N. Howell, Jr., David K. Mee, Reid L. Kress
-
Patent number: 9389058Abstract: Systems and methods for performing on-machine measurements and automatic part alignment, including: a measurement component operable for determining the position of a part on a machine; and an actuation component operable for adjusting the position of the part by contacting the part with a predetermined force responsive to the determined position of the part. The measurement component consists of a transducer. The actuation component consists of a linear actuator. Optionally, the measurement component and the actuation component consist of a single linear actuator operable for contacting the part with a first lighter force for determining the position of the part and with a second harder force for adjusting the position of the part. The actuation component is utilized in a substantially horizontal configuration and the effects of gravitational drop of the part are accounted for in the force applied and the timing of the contact.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: William E. Barkman, Thomas A. Dow, Kenneth P. Garrard, Zachary Marston
-
Patent number: 9354218Abstract: An apparatus for the characterization of respirable aerosols, including: a burn chamber configured to selectively contain a sample that is selectively heated to generate an aerosol; a heating assembly disposed within the burn chamber adjacent to the sample; and a sampling segment coupled to the burn chamber and configured to collect the aerosol such that it may be analyzed. The apparatus also includes an optional sight window disposed in a wall of the burn chamber such that the sample may be viewed during heating. Optionally, the sample includes one of a Lanthanide, an Actinide, and a Transition metal.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Douglas K. Clark, Bradley W. Hodges, Jesse D. Bush, Jofu Mishima