Patents Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
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Patent number: 6475310Abstract: A method for producing oxidation-resistant austenitic alloys for use at temperatures below 800° C. comprising of: providing an alloy comprising, by weight %: 14-18% chromium, 15-18% nickel, 1-3% manganese, 1-2% molybdenum, 2-4% silicon, 0% aluminum and the balance being iron; heating the alloy to 800° C. for between 175-250 hours prior to use in order to form a continuous silicon oxide film and another oxide film. The method provides a means of producing stainless steels with superior oxidation resistance at temperatures above 700° C.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: John S. Dunning, David E. Alman
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Patent number: 6474923Abstract: This invention generally relates to the remote removal of pelletized samples from cylindrical containment capsules. V-blocks are used to receive the samples and provide guidance to push out rods. Stainless steel liners fit into the v-channels on the v-blocks which permits them to be remotely removed and replaced or cleaned to prevent cross contamination between capsules and samples. A capsule holder securely holds the capsule while allowing manual up/down and in/out movement to align each sample hole with the v-blocks. Both end sections contain identical v-blocks; one that guides the drive out screw and rods or manual push out rods and the other to receive the samples as they are driven out of the capsule.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: John L. Biernat
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Patent number: 6468445Abstract: The present invention relates to solvents, and methods, for selectively extracting and recovering radionuclides, especially cesium and strontium, rare earths and actinides from liquid radioactive wastes. More specifically, the invention relates to extracting agent solvent compositions comprising complex organoboron compounds, substituted polyethylene glycols, and neutral organophosphorus compounds in a diluent. The preferred solvent comprises a chlorinated cobalt dicarbollide, diphenyl-dibutylmethylenecarbamoylphosphine oxide, PEG-400, and a diluent of phenylpolyfluoroalkyl sulfone. The invention also provides a method of using the invention extracting agents to recover cesium, strontium, rare earths and actinides from liquid radioactive waste.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Valeriy Nicholiavich Romanovskiy, Igor V. Smirnov, Vasiliy A. Babain, Terry A. Todd, Ken N. Brewer
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Patent number: 6469781Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of molecules in a gas at concentrations of less than about 100 ppb. Light having wavelengths in the range from about 200 nm to about 350 nm is used to illuminate a flowing sample of the gas causing the molecules if present to form clusters. A mixture of the illuminated gas and a vapor is cooled until the vapor is supersaturated so that there is a small rate of homogeneous nucleation. The supersaturated vapor condenses on the clusters thus causing the clusters to grow to a size sufficient to be counted by light scattering and then the clusters are counted.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Joseph L. Katz, Heikki Lihavainen, Markus M. Rudek, Brian C. Salter
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Patent number: 6462605Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating low-jitter, high-voltage and high-current pulses for driving low impedance loads such as detonator fuses uses a MOSFET driver which, when triggered, discharges a high-voltage pre-charged capacitor into the primary of a toroidal current-multiplying transformer with multiple isolated secondary windings. The secondary outputs are suitable for driving an array of thyristors that discharge a precharged high-voltage capacitor and thus generating the required high-voltage and high-current pulse.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Roy L. Hanks
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Patent number: 6461576Abstract: This is a pyroprocess for processing spent nuclear fuel. The spent nuclear fuel is chopped into pieces and placed in a basket which is lowered in to a liquid salt solution. The salt is rich in ZrF4 and containing alkali or alkaline earth fluorides, and in particular, the salt chosen was LiF-50 mol % ZrF4 with a eutectic melting point of 500° C. Prior to lowering the basket, the salt is heated to a temperature of between 550° C. and 700° C. in order to obtain a molten solution. After dissolution the oxides of U, Th, rare earth and other like oxides, the salt bath solution is subject to hydro-fluorination to remove the oxygen and then to a fluorination step to remove U as gaseous UF6. In addition, after dissolution, the basket contains PuO2 and undissolved parts of the fuel rods, and the basket and its contents are processed to remove the Pu.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: 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: 6444162Abstract: An open-cell glass crystalline porous material made from hollow microspheres which are cenospheres obtained from fly ash, having an open-cell porosity of up to 90 vol. % is produced. The cenospheres are separated into fractions based on one or more of grain size, density, magnetic or non-magnetic, and perforated or non-perforated. Selected fractions are molded and agglomerated by sintering with a binder at a temperature below the softening temperature, or without a binder at a temperature about, or above, the softening temperature but below the temperature of liquidity. The porous material produced has an apparent density of 0.3-0.6 g/cm3, a compressive strength in the range of 1.2-3.5 MPa, and two types of openings: through-flow wall pores in the cenospheres of 0.1-30 micrometers, and interglobular voids between the cenospheres of 20-100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Alexander G. Anshits, Olga M. Sharonova, Tatiana A. Vereshchagina, Irina D. Zykova, Yurii A. Revenko, Alexander A. Tretyakov, Albert S. Aloy, Rem I. Lubtsev, Dieter A. Knecht, Troy J. Tranter, Yevgeny Macheret
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Patent number: 6427791Abstract: A drill bit assembly is provided for releasably retaining a polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit cutter. Two adjacent cavities formed in a drill bit body house, respectively, the disc-shaped drill bit cutter and a wedge-shaped cutter lock element with a removable fastener. The cutter lock element engages one flat surface of the cutter to retain the cutter in its cavity. The drill bit assembly thus enables the cutter to be locked against axial and/or rotational movement while still providing for easy removal of a worn or damaged cutter. The ability to adjust and replace cutters in the field reduces the effect of wear, helps maintains performance and improves drilling efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: David A. Glowka, David W. Raymond
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Patent number: 6429020Abstract: A sensor for detecting the flame occurring during a flashback condition in the fuel nozzle of a lean premix combustion system is presented. The sensor comprises an electrically isolated flashback detection electrode and a guard electrode, both of which generate electrical fields extending to the walls of the combustion chamber and to the walls of the fuel nozzle. The sensor is positioned on the fuel nozzle center body at a location proximate the entrance to the combustion chamber of the gas turbine combustion system. The sensor provides 360° detection of a flashback inside the fuel nozzle, by detecting the current conducted by the flame within a time frame that will prevent damage to the gas turbine combustion system caused by the flashback condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Jimmy Dean Thornton, George Alan Richards, Douglas L. Straub, Eric Arnold Liese, John Lee Trader, Jr., George Edward Fasching
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Patent number: 6423436Abstract: An electrochemical device is designed to conduct a process gas both horizontally and vertically through the electrochemical device, such that problems resulting from mal-distribution of the process gas are substantially eliminated. The structure of the electrochemical device includes a stacked assembly of planar sheets of parallel, integrally connected tubes, wherein the tubes conduct a first process gas horizontally throughout the electrochemical device, passages defined between adjacent stacked sheets conduct a second process gas horizontally throughout the electrochemical device, and novel apertures formed at the connection between adjacent tubes within the sheets conduct the second process gas vertically throughout the electrochemical device.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Thomas J. George, G. B. Kirby Meacham
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Patent number: 6422002Abstract: A method for non-thermal plasma aftertreatment of exhaust gases the method comprising the steps of providing short risetime, high frequency, high power bursts of low-duty factor microwaves sufficient to generate a plasma discharge and passing a gas to be treated through the discharge so as to cause dissociative reduction of the exhaust gases and enhanced catalyst reactivity through application of the pulsed microwave fields directly to the catalyst material sufficient to cause a polarizability catastrophe and enhanced heating of the metal crystallite particles of the catalyst, and in the presence or absence of the plasma. The invention also includes a reactor for aftertreatment of exhaust gases.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: John H. Whealton, Gregory R. Hanson, John M. Storey, Richard J. Raridon, Jeffrey S. Armfield, Timothy S. Bigelow, Ronald L. Graves
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Patent number: 6422568Abstract: An improved mechanical seal assembly is provided for sealing rotating shafts with respect to their shaft housings, wherein the rotating shafts are subject to substantial axial vibrations. The mechanical seal assembly generally includes a rotating sealing ring fixed to the shaft, a non-rotating sealing ring adjacent to and in close contact with the rotating sealing ring for forming an annular seal about the shaft, and a mechanical diode element that applies a biasing force to the non-rotating sealing ring by means of hemispherical joint. The alignment of the mechanical diode with respect to the sealing rings is maintained by a series of linear bearings positioned axially along a desired length of the mechanical diode. Alternative embodiments include mechanical or hydraulic amplification components for amplifying axial displacement of the non-rotating sealing ring and transfering it to the mechanical diode.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Oleg M. Kotlyar
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Patent number: 6418194Abstract: A fast, economical, and compact x-ray beam chopper with a small mass and a small moment of inertia whose rotation can be synchronized and phase locked to an electronic signal from an x-ray source and be monitored by a light beam is disclosed. X-ray bursts shorter than 2.5 microseconds have been produced with a jitter time of less than 3 ns.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Armon McPherson, Dennis M. Mills
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Patent number: 6411666Abstract: A system for forming a thick flowing liquid metal, in this case lithium, layer on the inside wall of a toroid containing the plasma of a deuterium-tritium fusion reactor. The presence of the liquid metal layer or first wall serves to prevent neutron damage to the walls of the toroid. A poloidal current in the liquid metal layer is oriented so that it flows in the same direction as the current in a series of external magnets used to confine the plasma. This current alignment results in the liquid metal being forced against the wall of the toroid. After the liquid metal exits the toroid it is pumped to a heat extraction and power conversion device prior to being reentering the toroid.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Robert D. Woolley
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Patent number: 6405662Abstract: A compression device for feeding a waste material to a reactor includes a waste material feed assembly having a hopper, a supply tube and a compression tube. Each of the supply and compression tubes includes feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends. A feed-discharge valve assembly is located between the feed-outlet end of the compression tube and the reactor. A feed auger-screw extends axially in the supply tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. A compression auger-screw extends axially in the compression tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. The compression tube is sloped downwardly towards the reactor to drain fluid from the waste material to the reactor and is oriented at generally right angle to the supply tube such that the feed-outlet end of the supply tube is adjacent to the feed-inlet end of the compression tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Paul M. Williams, Kenneth M. Faller, Edward J. Bauer
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Patent number: 6387337Abstract: A process to remove carbon dioxide from a gas stream using a cross-flow, or a moving-bed reactor. In the reactor the gas contacts an active material that is an alkali-metal compound, such as an alkali-metal carbonate, alkali-metal oxide, or alkali-metal hydroxide; or in the alternative, an alkaline-earth metal compound, such as an alkaline-earth metal carbonate, alkaline-earth metal oxide, or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide. The active material can be used by itself or supported on a substrate of carbon, alumina, silica, titania or aluminosilicate. When the active material is an alkali-metal compound, the carbon-dioxide reacts with the metal compound to generate bicarbonate. When the active material is an alkaline-earth metal, the carbon dioxide reacts with the metal compound to generate carbonate.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Henry W. Pennline, James S. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6379844Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a cathode and an anode in contact with an electrolyte. Both electrodes or one of them has an electrically conducting non-metal receptacle defining a chamber with a first metal having a melting point in the range of from about room temperature to about 800° C. inside said receptacle chamber. A second metal with a melting point greater than about 800° C. is in contact with the first metal inside the receptacle chamber and extends outside of the receptacle chamber to form a terminal for the anode. The electrolyte may include the oxides, halides or mixtures thereof of one or more of Li, V, U, Al and the lanthanides. Metal may be produced at the cathode during operation of the cell and oxygen or chlorine at the anode.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Laszlo Redey, Eric J. Karell
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Patent number: 6381080Abstract: The present invention is a bistable optical element actuator device utilizing a powered means to move an actuation arm, to which an optical element is attached, between two stable positions. A non-powered means holds the actuation arm in either of the two stable positions. The optical element may be a electromagnetic (EM) radiation or particle source, an instrument, or EM radiation or particle transmissive reflective or absorptive elements. A bearing is used to transfer motion and smoothly transition the actuation arm between the two stable positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Fred R. Holdener, Robert D. Boyd
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Patent number: 6379841Abstract: A cathode and a solid state electrochemical cell comprising said cathode, a solid anode and solid fluoride ion conducting electrolyte. The cathode comprises a metal oxide and a compound fluoride containing at least two metals with different valences. Representative compound fluorides include solid solutions of bismuth fluoride and potassium fluoride; and lead fluoride and potassium fluoride. Representative metal oxides include copper oxide, lead oxide, manganese oxide, vanadium oxide and silver oxide.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Alexander Arkadyevich Potanin, Nikolai Ivanovich Vedeneev
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Patent number: 6376972Abstract: A powerful glow discharge lamp comprising two coaxial tubes, the outer tube being optically transparent, with a cathode and anode placed at opposite ends of the tubes, the space between the tubes being filled with working gas. The electrodes are made as cylindrical tumblers placed in line to one other in such a way that one end of the cathode is inserted into the inner tube, one end of the anode coaxially covers the end of the outer tube, the inner tube penetrating and extending through the anode. The increased electrodes' surface area increases glow discharge electron current and, correspondingly, average radiation power of discharge plasma. The inner tube contains at least one cooling liquid tube placed along the axis of the inner tube along the entire lamp length to provide cathode cooling. The anode has a circumferential heat extracting radiator which removes heat from the anode.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Victor F. Tarasenko, Aleksey N. Panchenko, Victor S. Skakun, Edward A. Sosnin, Francis T. Wang, Booth R. Myers, Martyn G. Adamson
