Patents by Inventor James R. Powell

James R. Powell 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: 20010000525
    Abstract: A device for improving waste vitrification in a disposable canister, the process for using the device, and the process for making the device. The disposable canister, also known as a module, has outer and inner containers with thermal insulation therebetween. The device includes an inner container of graphite having a layer of pyrographite on its external wall. The outer container is typically made of stainless steel. The inner container is heated, typically by induction, to melt the frit and waste. The melted mixture is then cooled to form a vitrified product in the module. The fabrication of the pyrographite coating on the inner container involves heating the container to about 1500 degrees centigrade in a methane atmosphere, then cooling the container to ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich
  • Patent number: 6211424
    Abstract: The AVS invention provides for an apparatus and process for its practice involving the vitrification of waste materials, such as nuclear waste, inside a disposable canister. The preferred embodiment of the process includes a canister having outer and inner containers with thermal insulation therebetween. Solid frit sections are placed inside the inner container to create one or more regions for receiving waste. The waste is then loaded into the regions. The inner canister is heated to melt the frit and waste and mix them once molten. The melted mixture is then cooled to form a vitrified product in the module. In an alternative process, chunks of frit are mixed with waste and loaded into the empty canister. The mixture is then melted and cooled inside the disposal canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Radioactive Isolation Consortium, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich
  • Patent number: 6152045
    Abstract: The magnetic levitation system for long distance delivery of water includes a magnetic levitation guideway and a magnetic levitation train of vehicles for carrying large amounts of water at high speed. Vehicles of the water train have a large, flexible balloon having a thick skin formed of reinforced flexible composite material for carrying water. When pressurized and filled with water, the container forms a streamlined cylinder that runs the full length of the vehicle. After delivery of the water load and depressurization, the flexible skins are depressurized and collapsed to minimize the frontal area and air drag on the vehicles. An "iron lift" guideway panel provides the magnetic lift force, with superconducting magnets on the vehicle attracted upwards to laminated steel plates attached to the guideway. Null flux aluminum loops provided for inherent stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby
  • Patent number: 6140319
    Abstract: Vasopeptidaes inhibitors, especially omapatrilat, are useful in treating and/or relieving the symptoms of angina pectoris. The vasopeptidase inhibitor may be used in combination with other pharmaceutically active agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Henry H. Holzgrefe
  • Patent number: 6085663
    Abstract: The maglev guideway is to be constructed on railroad ties of existing rail lines so that the rail lines can be used by both maglev vehicles and conventional trains. A plurality of support bars are mounted on the rail ties, and a plurality of guideway panels mounted on the support bars. Each of the guideway panels has vertical lift and stability windings for providing vertical lift, pitch and roll stability to the maglev vehicle, and preferably also has lateral stability windings and linear synchronous motor windings. A protective cover sheet can be installed on the guideway panel, and the support bars can be pre-assembled by mounting them onto a registration grid. The guideway panel can also have a plurality of slots for accommodating threaded fasteners for mounting the guideway panel to the support bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby
  • Patent number: 5953996
    Abstract: The maglev guideway is to be constructed on railroad ties of existing rail lines so that the rail lines can be used by both maglev vehicles and conventional trains. A plurality of support bars are mounted on the rail ties, and a plurality of guideway panels mounted on the support bars. Each of the guideway panels has vertical lift and stability windings for providing vertical lift, pitch and roll stability to the maglev vehicle, and preferably also has lateral stability windings and linear synchronous motor windings. A protective cover sheet can be installed on the guideway panel, and the support bars can be pre-assembled by mounting them onto a registration grid. The guideway panel can also have a plurality of slots for accommodating threaded fasteners for mounting the guideway panel to the support bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby
  • Patent number: 5870447
    Abstract: A particle accelerator (12) generates an input particle beam having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating secondary nuclear particles. A thin target (14) is rotated in the path of the input beam for undergoing nuclear reactions to generate the secondary particles and correspondingly decrease energy of the input beam to about the threshold. The target (14) produces low energy secondary particles and is effectively cooled by radiation and conduction. A neutron scatterer (44) and a neutron filter (42) are also used for preferentially degrading the secondary particles into a lower energy range if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich, Hans Ludewig, Michael Todosow
  • Patent number: 5865123
    Abstract: The electromagnetic induction suspension and horizontal switching system for a vehicle on a substantially planar guideway provides vertical lift and stability and lateral stability for a vehicle. The system provides inherent vertical lift, as well as vertical and lateral stability, including pitch, yaw and roll stability. Moreover, the suspension and stabilization system of the present invention allows electronic, horizontal switching between multiple substantially planar guideways such as a mainline guideway and a secondary guideway, which may be accomplished at speeds over 300 m.p.h. Proximal to and within a switching area at the intersection of the mainline guideway and the secondary guideway, the respective lift and stability systems for each guideway coexist and may be switched on or off, depending on the path chosen for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby, John Morena
  • Patent number: 5809897
    Abstract: The electromagnetic induction ground vehicle levitation guideway includes a beam support member, and a transverse structural slab member mounted on top of the beam support member. The structural slab member includes top and bottom structural plates mounted to the top and bottom surface of the structural slab member. The guideway includes vertical lift, lateral stability, and linear synchronous motor coils with a null flux geometry in the guideway that interact with superconducting magnets of the vehicle, allowing the vehicle to safely reach speeds of up to 350 mph with relatively low power consumption. A kinetic energy absorption structure is provided on the guideway that is capable of high speed mechanical braking of the vehicle if the superconducting magnets of the vehicle fail. A sloped top protective cover over the energy absorption structure is provided to minimize adhesion and buildup of snow and ice, and extends over the sides of the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby, John Morena
  • Patent number: 5678237
    Abstract: A method for the in-situ vitrification of waste materials in a disposable can that includes an inner container and an outer container is disclosed. The method includes the steps of adding frit and waste materials to the inner container, removing any excess water, heating the inner container such that the frit and waste materials melt and vitrify after cooling, while maintaining the outer container at a significantly lower temperature than the inner container. The disposable can is then cooled to ambient temperatures and stored. A device for the in-situ vitrification of waste material in a disposable can is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich, Robert Barletta
  • Patent number: 5669310
    Abstract: The electromagnetic induction suspension and horizontal switching system for a vehicle on a substantially planar guideway provides vertical lift and stability and lateral stability for a vehicle. The system provides inherent vertical lift, as well as vertical and lateral stability, including pitch, yaw and roll stability. Moreover, the suspension and stabilization system of the present invention allows electronic, horizontal switching between multiple substantially planar guideways such as a mainline guideway and a secondary guideway, which may be accomplished at speeds over 300 m.p.h. Proximal to and within a switching area at the intersection of the mainline guideway and the secondary guideway, the respective lift and stability systems for each guideway coexist and may be switched on or off, depending on the path chosen for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby, John Morena
  • Patent number: 5655458
    Abstract: The electromagnetic induction suspension and horizontal switching system for a vehicle on a substantially planar guideway provides vertical lift and stability and lateral stability for a vehicle. The system provides inherent vertical lift, as well as vertical and lateral stability, including pitch, yaw and roll stability. Moreover, the suspension and stabilization system of the present invention allows electronic, horizontal switching between multiple substantially planar guideways such as a mainline guideway and a secondary guideway, which may be accomplished at speeds over 300 m.p.h. Proximal to and within a switching area at the intersection of the mainline guideway and the secondary guideway, the respective lift and stability systems for each guideway coexist and may be switched on or off, depending on the path chosen for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby, John Morena
  • Patent number: 5649489
    Abstract: The electromagnetic induction ground vehicle levitation guideway includes a beam support member, and a transverse structural slab member mounted on top of the beam support member. The structural slab member includes top and bottom structural plates mounted to the top and bottom surface of the structural slab member. The guideway includes vertical lift, lateral stability, and linear synchronous motor coils with a null flux geometry in the guideway that interact with superconducting magnets of the vehicle, allowing the vehicle to safely reach speeds of up to 350 mph with relatively low power consumption. A kinetic energy absorption structure is provided on the guideway that is capable of high speed mechanical braking of the vehicle if the superconducting magnets of the vehicle fail. A sloped top protective cover over the energy absorption means is provided to minimize adhesion and buildup of snow and ice, and extends over the sides of the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby, John Morena
  • Patent number: 5585725
    Abstract: A system 10 and method of detecting an underground pipe 12 injects magnetic marking droplets 16 into the underground pipe 12 which coat the inside of the pipe 12 and may be detected from aboveground by a magnetometer 28. The droplets 16 include a non-adhesive cover 32 which allows free flow thereof through the pipe 12, with the cover 32 being ablatable for the timed-release of a central core 30 containing magnetic particles 30a which adhere to the inside of the pipe 12 and are detectable from aboveground. The rate of ablation of the droplet covers 32 is selectively variable to control a free flowing incubation zone 12a for the droplets 16 and a subsequent deposition zone 12b in which the magnetic particles 30a are released for coating the pipe 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich
  • Patent number: 5574244
    Abstract: A method and machine 14 are provided for cutting a workpiece 12 such as concrete. A gun barrel 16 is provided for repetitively loading projectiles 22 therein and is supplied with a pressurized propellant from a storage tank 28. A thermal storage tank 32,32A is disposed between the propellant storage tank 28 and the gun barrel 16 for repetitively receiving and heating propellant charges which are released in the gun barrel 16 for repetitively firing projectiles 22 therefrom toward the workpiece 12. In a preferred embodiment, hypervelocity of the projectiles 22 is obtained for cutting the concrete workpiece 12 by fracturing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich
  • Patent number: 5511488
    Abstract: The electromagnetic induction ground vehicle levitation guideway includes a beam support member, and a transverse structural slab member mounted on top of the beam support member. The structural slab member includes top and bottom structural plates mounted to the top and bottom surface of the structural slab member. The guideway includes vertical lift, lateral stability, and linear synchronous motor coils with a null flux geometry in the guideway that interact with superconducting magnets of the vehicle, allowing the vehicle to safely reach speeds of up to 350 mph with relatively low power consumption. A kinetic energy absorption structure is provided on the guideway that is capable of high speed mechanical braking of the vehicle if the superconducting magnets of the vehicle fail. A sloped top protective cover over the energy absorption means is provided to minimize adhesion and buildup of snow and ice, and extends over the sides of the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby, John Morena
  • Patent number: 5503083
    Abstract: The electromagnetic induction suspension and horizontal switching system for a vehicle on a substantially planar guideway provides vertical lift and stability and lateral stability for a vehicle. The system provides inherent vertical lift, as well as vertical and lateral stability, including pitch, yaw and roll stability. Moreover, the suspension and stabilization system of the present invention allows electronic, horizontal switching between multiple substantially planar guideways such as a mainline guideway and a secondary guideway, which may be accomplished at speeds over 300 m.p.h. Proximal to and within a switching area at the intersection of the mainline guideway and the secondary guideway, the respective lift and stability systems for each guideway coexist and may be switched on or off, depending on the path chosen for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Gordon T. Danby, John Morena
  • Patent number: 5255509
    Abstract: The combustion chamber and associated fuel injection and ignition equipment of a turbine engine is removed and replaced with a particle bed reactor. The reactor has central fuel elements removed to receive a shaft therein. The shaft is connected between a turbo compressor and drive turbine. Air compressed by the compressor turbine is heated by the reactor and the heated gas passes across rotor vanes of the drive turbine, the latter powering the interconnecting shaft. Exhaust gases from the drive turbine furnish resultant thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Joseph A. Belisle
  • Patent number: 5086756
    Abstract: A device for irrigating the oral cavity with liquid from a commercially available, factory prepared package or container which includes a discharge nozzle and a hand operated pump unit for delivering an antiplaque or similar liquid of therapeutic value to areas in the oral cavity which are remote and difficult to reach. The package or container is provided with a female module having a specifically configured opening to accept a male module on the pump unit with the modules including interlocking components which are engaged and disengaged by a partial rotation and including a seal which provides a leak proof communication between the interior of the container or package and the pump unit with the configuration of the modules being such that a specific mating configuration must be used in order to connect the modules. The package or container includes an upper end portion that is openable and separate from the liquid containing portion to provide a storage area for the pump unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: James R. Powell
  • Patent number: 4803974
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral lavage apparatus. The apparatus includes a hand-held trigger actuated device for providing liquid in streams of pulses and an external reservoir for holding the liquid to be distributed through the device. The invention is additionally chracterized in that all elements may be easily stored inside the reservoir when the trigger actuated device is not in use. This provides the two-fold benefit of portability while maintaining a sufficient amount of liquid to supply to the hand-held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventor: James R. Powell