Patents by Inventor Andrew T. Nelson

Andrew T. Nelson 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).

  • 3D printing of additive structures for nuclear fuels
    Patent number: 11728045
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nuclear fuel compact is provided. The method includes forming an additive structure, consolidating a fuel matrix around the additive structure, and thermally processing the fuel matrix to form a fuel compact in which the additive structure is encapsulated therein. The additive structure optionally includes a vertical segment and a plurality of arm segments that extend generally radially from the vertical segment for conducting heat outwardly toward an exterior of the fuel compact. In addition to improving heat transfer, the additive structure may function as burnable absorbers, and may provide fission product trapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A. Terrani, Andrew T. Nelson
  • 3D Printing of Additive Structures for Nuclear Fuels
    Publication number: 20230081699
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nuclear fuel compact is provided. The method includes forming an additive structure, consolidating a fuel matrix around the additive structure, and thermally processing the fuel matrix to form a fuel compact in which the additive structure is encapsulated therein. The additive structure optionally includes a vertical segment and a plurality of arm segments that extend generally radially from the vertical segment for conducting heat outwardly toward an exterior of the fuel compact. In addition to improving heat transfer, the additive structure may function as burnable absorbers, and may provide fission product trapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kurt A. Terrani, Andrew T. Nelson
  • 3D printing of additive structures for nuclear fuels
    Patent number: 11437153
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nuclear fuel compact is provided. The method includes forming an additive structure, consolidating a fuel matrix around the additive structure, and thermally processing the fuel matrix to form a fuel compact in which the additive structure is encapsulated therein. The additive structure optionally includes a vertical segment and a plurality of arm segments that extend generally radially from the vertical segment for conducting heat outwardly toward an exterior of the fuel compact. In addition to improving heat transfer, the additive structure may function as burnable absorbers, and may provide fission product trapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A. Terrani, Andrew T. Nelson
  • 3D Printing of Additive Structures for Nuclear Fuels
    Publication number: 20210158978
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nuclear fuel compact is provided. The method includes forming an additive structure, consolidating a fuel matrix around the additive structure, and thermally processing the fuel matrix to form a fuel compact in which the additive structure is encapsulated therein. The additive structure optionally includes a vertical segment and a plurality of arm segments that extend generally radially from the vertical segment for conducting heat outwardly toward an exterior of the fuel compact. In addition to improving heat transfer, the additive structure may function as burnable absorbers, and may provide fission product trapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt A. Terrani, Andrew T. Nelson