Patents by Inventor Charles Gregory Freeman

Charles Gregory Freeman 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).

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20170092381
    Abstract: A dynamic neutron reflector assembly for a “breed-and-burn” fast reactor incrementally adjusts neutron spectrum and reactivity in a reactor core. The composition of materials in the dynamic neutron reflector may be adjusted to change neutron reflectivity levels, or to introduce neutron moderating or absorption characteristics. The dynamic neutron reflector may contain a flowing reflecting liquid of adjustable volume and/or density. Submergible members may be selectively inserted into the flowing reflecting liquid to alter its volume and introduce other neutron modifying effects such as moderation or absorption. Selective insertion of the submergible members allows for concentration of the neutron modifying effects in a selected portion of the reactor core. The flowing reflecting liquid may also act as a secondary coolant circuit by exchanging heat with the molten fuel salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Charles Gregory Freeman, Christopher J. Johns, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski