Patents Assigned to United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
  • Coatings for cutting implements
    Patent number: 4470895
    Abstract: An edged cutting implement is provided with a refractory material coating that terminates adjacent a cutting edge of the implement to improve its cutting performance by depositing the coating on the implement by means of ion plating under conditions such that the coating terminates adjacent a cutting edge of the implement so as not to cover the cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Joseph P. Coad, Samuel R. Keown
  • Solid state electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 4471037
    Abstract: A solid state electrochemical cell comprises an anode having Li as its active material, a cathode and an electrolyte comprising a complex of a polyether with lithium.The polyether is atactic, has a low glass transition temperature and is capable of forming a complex with Li.sup.+ ions but not with Na.sup.+ ions. An example of such a polyether is polyvinyl methyl ether. The complex may be blended with another polymer such as a poly (ethylene oxide) - LiClO.sub.4 complex to improve mechanical properties for fabrication into the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Dennis J. Bannister
  • Titanium and its alloys
    Patent number: 4465524
    Abstract: Bodies made of titanium or its alloys, having surfaces liable to wear, have their wear resistance improved by coating such surfaces with a layer of a metal such as tin or aluminum which has been bombarded with ions of a light species such as nitrogen, carbon, boron, or neon so as to cause the metal to migrate into the titanium or titanium alloy. The modified surface has improved wear resistance and reduced coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Geoffrey Dearnaley, Robert E. J. Watkins
  • Electrophoretic separator
    Patent number: 4465583
    Abstract: A continuous flow electrophoretic separator 10 includes a multiple valve assembly 60 to enable each of a plurality of outlet streams of liquid to be diverted to one of two or more outlets 54 or 56 independently of the other streams, and also to enable the rate of flow of each outlet stream to be controlled independently of the other streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Peter C. Lovegrove
  • Blood fractionation improvement
    Patent number: 4465574
    Abstract: The extraction of Factor VIII, the antihaemophilic factor in blood, is difficult due to its instability and the presence of impurities. An initial Factor VIII containing aqueous solution such as blood plasma is purified by subjecting a Factor VIII containing aqueous migrant solution to continuous flow electrophoresis wherein flow takes place in an annular separation chamber and is stabilized by means of an angular velocity gradient; and collecting a separated Factor VIII component.In order to separate the Factor VIII from albumin and firbrinogen, while obtaining good recoveries of Factor VIII (e.g. .about.60%), the migrant solution is prepared by precipitating Factor VIII from the initial solution using ethanol, and removing and redissolving the precipitate in an aqueous medium and adjusting the pH to be within the range of 7.5 to 8.6, preferably 8.3 to 8.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Patrick Mattock, Gordan F. Aitchison
  • Immobilization of biologically active material in a hydrogel on a support
    Patent number: 4452892
    Abstract: Biologically active material is immobilized by forming a gel precursor containing the biologically active material, a polymerizable material and a viscosity enhancing agent, applying the gel precursor to a support material and gelling the gel precursor by polymerization to form a hydrogel containing the biologically active material on the support material. A least some of the hydrogel is enmeshed with the support material. By use of the viscosity enhancing agent, the gel precursor is provided with preferred rheological properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Alan Rosevear
  • Method of preparing a supported catalyst
    Patent number: 4451580
    Abstract: A supported catalyst is made by preparing a dispersion, contacting the dispersion with a substrate to produce a coating thereon, and firing and, if necessary, reducing to convert the dispersion to a catalytically active coating on the substrate. The catalyst may be useful in the catalysis of reactions for producing methane.The dispersion is made by co-hydrolysis to give an intimate mixture of hydrolysis products (e.g. hydroxides of Ni and Al) convertible by calcining and, if necessary, reduction to produce the catalytically active coating in the form of one or more catalytically active components (e.g. Ni) and one or more ceramic oxides (e.g. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3). Preferably, co-hydrolysis if effected by an agent such as urea which gives rise to no by-products in the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Graham Butler, Christopher J. Wright
  • Extensometers
    Patent number: 4449413
    Abstract: An electrical capacitance extensometer comprising capacitance surfaces formed on metal sheathed mineral insulated cables and an earthed capacitance modulating member adapted to be displaced relative to the capacitance surfaces in response to strain in a workpiece. The extensometer is encapsulated in a stainless steel envelope to adapt it for use submerged in liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Harold Pugh
  • Composite materials
    Patent number: 4443339
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials. A composite material is disclosed for the selective retention of chemical species from a fluid substance. The composite material comprises a support material, a permeable gel retained on the support material and, in the permeable gel, an active material capable of selectively retaining the chemical species.At least some of the permeable gel is enmeshed with the support material.A method for the preparation of the composite material is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Alan Rosevear
  • Sources for spraying liquid metals
    Patent number: 4431137
    Abstract: A source for producing a spray of drops and ions of a liquid material under the action of an electric field, comprises an emitting point in the shape of a cone with a rounded tip, the vertex angle of which is between thirty and forty degrees and which projects beyond a base structure by a distance of between some one and three millimeters, means for supplying a liquid material to be sprayed to the emitting point and a field generating electrode whereby there may be applied to the emitting point an electric field sufficient to disrupt the liquid material at the emitting point and provide a spray of liquid drops and ions, the emitting point being made of a material which is wetted by the liquid material and has a low solubility in the liquid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Philip D. Prewett, Leonard Gowland, Keith L. Aitken
  • Lasers
    Patent number: 4429400
    Abstract: A laser having an unstable optical cavity including an output mirror having an off-axis hole therein through which laser radiation can pass to maintain lasing action in an active medium situated in the laser optical cavity, wherein the output mirror is so shaped and positioned as to present an elliptical profile to laser radiation incident upon it, the major axis of the ellipse extending in the direction of offset of the hole in the output mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Alan S. Kaye
  • Ceramic materials by sol-gel route
    Patent number: 4429051
    Abstract: Sintered materials are known comprising a ceramic matrix (e.g. of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and, distributed therein, a refractory material in a metastable, high temperature enantiotropic form of higher density than its room temperature enantiotropic form such as ZrO.sub.2 which has a metastable tetragonal form and a room temperature monoclinic form. The sintered materials have enhanced fracture and bending strength.The invention provides a method of making such materials from a mixture where the refractory material and optionally the ceramic material are in the form of a sol. The mixture is dried and subsequently sintered to give a product where the refractory material is distributed very uniformly and in its metastable form. Improved properties have been obtained by including a stabilizing agent (e.g. Y.sub.2 O.sub.3) in the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Roger W. Davidge, James L. Woodhead
  • Coating of substrates
    Patent number: 4428864
    Abstract: A substrate is provided with a refractory oxide coating by contacting the substrate with a dispersion of a solid particulate phase in a liquid phase, subsequently followed by firing to produce the coating, the dispersion comprising at least a first and a second refractory oxide component.In order to produce a coating of controlled purity, e.g. for certain catalytic, electronic or other appications, the first refractory oxide component (e.g. an alumina) is obtained from a purifiable liquid or solid precursor therefor and constitutes part at least of the solid phase, and the second refractory oxide component is either obtained from a purifiable liquid or solid precursor therefor and constitutes part of the solid phase or is a purifiable liquid precursor (e.g. a water-soluble silicone) constituting part at least of the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: James A. Cairns, Edward S. Lane, Thomas C. Prentice, David L. Segal, David C. Sammon
  • Method of coating steel substrates to reduce carbonaceous deposition thereon
    Patent number: 4427721
    Abstract: Carbonaceous deposition on the surface of steel cracker tubes in chemical plant for the thermal cracking of hydrocarbons is a serious problem. It is met, in the invention, by providing the surface with a refractory oxide coating by contacting the surface with a sol comprising an aqueous dispersion of substantially unaggregated primary particles, the sol being capable of conversion to a gel the bulk density of which being at least 40% of the theoretical density of the refractory oxide when measured at ambient temperature and the gel being convertible to the refractory material, converting the sol to the gel, and firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: James A. Cairns, Robert L. Nelson, James L. Woodhead
  • Immobilization of biologically active substances
    Patent number: 4425434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of discrete particles containing a biologically active substance comprising discrete particles of support material having immobilized in the pores thereof a biologically active substance (e.g. an enzyme). The method includes precipitating a biologically active substance in the pores of the particles of support material, by use of a precipitating agent comprising or including a water miscible organic liquid, and treating the biologically active substance precipitated in the pores to cause cross-linking so as to immobilize biologically active substance in the pores of the particles or porous support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Alan Rosevear
  • Fluidic control devices
    Patent number: 4422476
    Abstract: A fluidic control device, in particular a vortex amplifier, comprises a casing having fluid inlet, outlet and control ports. A vortex chamber is formed within the casing by a plate which is spaced from a wall of the casing by members which each define a part of the periphery of the vortex chamber. Each member has a channel in communication with a respective control port for introducing control fluid flow into the vortex chamber. An aperture is formed in the plate adjacent each channel to divert a portion of the control flow to the opposite side of the plate and facing the inlet port whereby to reduce instability over the operating range of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Alan Blanchard
  • Monitoring means for industrial process plants
    Patent number: 4422140
    Abstract: System failure in the acquisition of data from a process plant such as a nuclear reactor owing to stuck signals is avoided by arranging input signals from transducers in the plant in a test pattern. The signal inputs are physically wired in the test pattern which is then decoded by either or both of a computer based system which allows for the test pattern and/or a hard wired system which mimics the input connections. Transmission of the multiplexed signals is made dynamic by provision of a polarity reverser switch (10) which alternates between signals or scans. A pattern recognition logic or a mimicing physical wiring decode the signals from the inputs or the computer system and the hard wired system respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Albert B. Keats
  • Nuclear fuel for liquid metal cooled nuclear reactors
    Patent number: 4416851
    Abstract: In a cluster of nuclear fuel rods cooled by liquid metal an obstruction to coolant flow results in overheating in the wake of the obstruction. By the provision of open ended heat transfer tubes in the flow channels, a guaranteed supply of coolant is maintained and this supply holds the temperature to below saturation. Heat transfer via the tubes is highly efficient and ensures that a sufficient temperature rise occurs at the cluster exit to provoke a response from the outlet temperature transducer sensing average temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Edward Duncombe, Charles P. Gratton, John Adamson
  • Apparatus and a method for indicating variations in acoustic properties on an interface
    Patent number: 4414849
    Abstract: The apparatus provides for detection of variation in acoustic properties at a metal to air interface (18) such as may be caused by arrival of drops of leaking liquid. Ultrasonic signal pulses from transducer (14) are reflected many times back and forth across rod (11) between the transducer and the interface (18). Change in diminution of amplitude with successive reflection can be detected over a multiplicity (e.g. 10) of reflections and indicates change in the acoustic properties of the interface. Comparison is made between a selected early reflected signal pulse and a selected later reflection. Response is inhibited in respect of intermediate reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Michael H. Brown, Roger Martin
  • Monitoring of corrosion
    Patent number: 4412174
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the detection of pitting corrosion, in which simultaneous measurements of the rate of loss of material from a body under test are made by means of changes in the resistance of the body and thin layer activation analysis. If the body is corroding uniformly, the rate of loss of material as measured by each technique is the same; if pitting corrosion is occuring, then the two measured rates of loss of material are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Thomas W. Conlon, Constantin Edeleanu