Patents by Inventor Alan D. Donaldson

Alan D. Donaldson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fast quench reactor method
    Patent number: 5935293
    Abstract: A fast quench reaction includes a reactor chamber having a high temperature heating means such as a plasma torch at its inlet and a means of rapidly expanding a reactant stream, such as a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Metal halide reactants are injected into the reactor chamber. Reducing gas is added at different stages in the process to form a desired end product and prevent back reactions. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by expansion of the gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Brent A. Detering, Alan D. Donaldson, James R. Fincke, Peter C. Kong, Ray A. Berry
  • Fast quench reactor and method
    Patent number: 5749937
    Abstract: A fast quench reaction includes a reactor chamber having a high temperature heating means such as a plasma torch at its inlet and a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Reactants are injected into the reactor chamber. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by passage through the nozzle. This "freezes" the desired end product(s) in the heated equilibrium reaction stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Brent A. Detering, Alan D. Donaldson, James R. Fincke, Peter C. Kong
  • Method of measuring a liquid pool volume
    Patent number: 5000046
    Abstract: A method of measuring a molten metal liquid pool volume and in particular molten titanium liquid pools, including the steps of (a) generating an ultrasonic wave at the surface of the molten metal liquid pool, (b) shining a light on the surface of a molten metal liquid pool, (c) detecting a change in the frequency of light, (d) detecting an ultrasonic wave echo at the surface of the molten metal liquid pool, and (e) computing the volume of the molten metal liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Gabe V. Garcia, Nancy M. Carlson, Alan D. Donaldson
  • Fast quench reactor and method
    Patent number: RE37853
    Abstract: A fast quench reaction includes a reactor chamber having a high temperature heating means such as a plasma torch at its inlet and a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Reactants are injected into the reactor chamber. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by passage through the nozzle. This “freezes” the desired end product(s) in the heated equilibrium reaction stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Betchel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Brent A. Detering, Alan D. Donaldson, James R. Fincke, Peter C. Kong