Patents Assigned to TerraPower, LLC.
  • Methods and systems for migrating fuel assemblies in a nuclear fission reactor
    Patent number: 9922733
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide methods and systems for migrating fuel assemblies in a nuclear fission reactor, methods of operating a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, methods of controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, systems for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, computer software program products for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, and nuclear fission traveling wave reactors with systems for migrating fuel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ehud Greenspan, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • MOLTEN FUEL NUCLEAR REACTOR WITH NEUTRON REFLECTING COOLANT
    Publication number: 20180068750
    Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that utilize neutron-reflecting coolants or a combination of primary salt coolants and secondary neutron-reflecting coolants. Further configurations are described that circulate liquid neutron-reflecting material around a reactor core to control the neutronics of the reactor. Furthermore, configurations which use the circulating neutron-reflecting material to actively cool the containment vessel are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Charles Gregory Freeman, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
  • IN-VESSEL ROD HANDLING SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180061511
    Abstract: A rod transfer assembly has an outer rotating plug. A pick-up arm assembly extends from the outer rotating plug and includes a pivoting arm. An inner rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the outer rotating plug and is rotatable independent of a rotation of the outer rotating plug. An access port rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the inner rotating plug and is rotatable independent of rotation of the outer and inner rotating plugs. A pull arm extends from the access port rotating plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Gibbons, Stephen W. Hiller, Calen Kaneko, Owen Dean Nelson, Ashok Odedra, P. Harley Park
  • CABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180062369
    Abstract: A cable management system has an outer rotating plug. An inner rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the outer rotating plug. The inner rotating plug is rotatable independent of a rotation of the outer rotating plug. A tower extends from the inner rotating plug and has an arm pivotally connected to the tower which defines a cable guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Gibbons, Ashok Odedra, P. Harley Park, James B. Waldo
  • Method and system for providing fuel in a nuclear reactor
    Patent number: 9899106
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide automated nuclear fission reactors and methods for their operation. Exemplary embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, re-use of nuclear fission fuel, alternate fuels and fuel geometries, modular fuel cores, fast fluid cooling, variable burn-up, programmable nuclear thermostats, fast flux irradiation, temperature-driven surface area/volume ratio neutron absorption, low coolant temperature cores, refueling, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • ELECTRO-SYNTHESIS OF URANIUM CHLORIDE FUEL SALTS
    Publication number: 20180047467
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for synthesizing UCl3 from UCl4. These systems and methods may also be used to directly synthesize binary and ternary embodiments of uranium salts of chloride usable as nuclear fuel in certain molten salt reactor designs. The systems and methods described herein are capable of synthesizing any desired uranium chloride fuel salt that is a combination of UCl4, UCl3 and one or more non-fissile chloride compounds, such as NaCl. In particular, the systems and methods described herein are capable of synthesizing any UCl3—UCl4—NaCl or UCl3—NaCl fuel salt composition from UCl4—NaCl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, William M. Kerlin, Aaron J. Unger
  • Method, system, and apparatus for selectively transferring thermoelectrically generated electric power to nuclear reactor operation systems
    Patent number: 9892807
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for the selective transfer of thermoelectrically generated electric power to operation systems of a nuclear reactor system including thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Joshua C. Walter, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE OFF-GAS TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20180030576
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for removing uranium hexafluoride (UF6) and/or other uranium fluoride (uranium fluorides identified herein generally as UFx) gases from a hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventor: Inaky J. Urza
  • VERTICALLY-SEGMENTED NUCLEAR REACTOR
    Publication number: 20180019025
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor in which one or more primary heat exchangers are located above the reactor core of the nuclear reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Mark R. Werner
  • Systems and methods for controlling reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor
    Patent number: 9852818
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a reactivity control assembly for a nuclear fission reactor, a reactivity control system for a nuclear fission reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a method of controlling reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, methods of operating a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a system for controlling reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a method of determining an application of a controllably movable rod, a system for determining an application of a controllably movable rod, and a computer program product for determining an application of a controllably movable rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Ehud Greenspan, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • INSTRUMENTATION CONDUIT HOUSING
    Publication number: 20170352441
    Abstract: A conduit housing includes a top face, a pair of side faces disposed opposite each other and adjacent to the top face, a front side, and a rear side. The top face includes a plurality of vertical conduit ports arranged in a plurality of rows. The front side is positioned between the pair of side faces and defines a plurality of stepped faces. The rear side is disposed opposite the front side and adjacent the top face. The stepped faces include a plurality of downward faces and each of the plurality of downward faces defines a downward face plane. The stepped faces also include a plurality of upward faces, where each of the plurality of upward faces defines an upward face plane. Each upward face includes a plurality of pitched conduit ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Gibbons, P. Harley Park
  • Controllable long term operation of a nuclear reactor
    Patent number: 9831004
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide automated nuclear fission reactors and methods for their operation. Exemplary embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, re-use of nuclear fission fuel, alternate fuels and fuel geometries, modular fuel cores, fast fluid cooling, variable burn-up, programmable nuclear thermostats, fast flux irradiation, temperature-driven surface area/volume ratio neutron absorption, low coolant temperature cores, refueling, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • SODIUM-CESIUM IONIZATION DETECTOR
    Publication number: 20170336358
    Abstract: Sodium-cesium detection systems and methods for the simultaneous detection of both sodium (Na) and cesium (Cs) in gas are provided. The detection systems include two non-identical ionization chambers each having an anode and a cathode that ionize Na and Cs in gas. Each ionization chamber generates a current proportional to the Na and Cs concentration and based on the current, Na concentration and Cs concentration in the gas is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Alan Corbin, David Nash, Christopher M. Regan, Shane Schweiger, Randy Thompson, Jacob Wilcox
  • SODIUM CESIUM VAPOR TRAP SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20170337995
    Abstract: Sodium-cesium trap systems and methods for the simultaneous removal of both sodium (Na) and cesium (Cs) in gas are provided. The trap system includes a contacting vessel having an inlet and an outlet with carrier gas channeled therethrough. A heating system maintains a temperature gradient across the contacting vessel between a first temperature at the inlet and a second temperature at the outlet such that sodium and cesium contained within the carrier gas are condensed into liquid and the carrier gas exiting the vessel is substantially free of sodium and cesium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Anderson, Thomas M. Burke, Robert A. Corbin, Christopher M. Regan
  • MOLTEN FUEL REACTOR COOLING AND PUMP CONFIGURATIONS
    Publication number: 20170316841
    Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that include an auxiliary cooling system which shared part of the primary coolant loop but allows for passive cooling of decay heat from the reactor. Furthermore, different pump configurations for circulating molten fuel through the reactor core and one or more in vessel heat exchangers are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Robert A. Corbin, Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
  • MOLTEN FUEL REACTOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT CONFIGURATIONS
    Publication number: 20170316840
    Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that allow for active cooling of the containment vessel of the reactor by the primary coolant. Furthermore, naturally circulating reactor configurations are described in which the reactor cores are substantially frustum-shaped so that the thermal center of the reactor core is below the outlet of the primary heat exchangers. Heat exchanger configurations are described in which welded components are distanced from the reactor core to reduce the damage caused by neutron flux from the reactor. Radial loop reactor configurations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
  • Method and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat
    Patent number: 9799417
    Abstract: A method and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat including upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Joshua C. Walter, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Methods and systems for migrating fuel assemblies in a nuclear fission reactor
    Patent number: 9799416
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide methods and systems for migrating fuel assemblies in a nuclear fission reactor, methods of operating a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, methods of controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, systems for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, computer software program products for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, and nuclear fission traveling wave reactors with systems for migrating fuel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ehud Greenspan, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • NUCLEAR FUEL SALTS
    Publication number: 20170301413
    Abstract: This disclosure describes nuclear fuel salts usable in certain molten salt reactor designs and related systems and methods. Binary, ternary and quaternary chloride fuel salts of uranium, as well as other fissionable elements, are described. In addition, fuel salts of UClxFy are disclosed as well as bromide fuel salts. This disclosure also presents methods and systems for manufacturing such fuel salts, for creating salts that reduce corrosion of the reactor components and for creating fuel salts that are not suitable for weapons applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
  • MOLTEN FUEL NUCLEAR REACTOR WITH NEUTRON REFLECTING COOLANT
    Publication number: 20170301421
    Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that utilize neutron-reflecting coolants or a combination of primary salt coolants and secondary neutron-reflecting coolants. Further configurations are described that circulate liquid neutron-reflecting material around an reactor core to control the neutronics of the reactor. Furthermore, configurations which use the circulating neutron-reflecting material to actively cool the containment vessel are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Dan Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter