Patents by Inventor Lawrence C. Murdoch
Lawrence C. Murdoch 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).
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Publication number: 20220260394Abstract: Systems and methods of signal processing for sensors are disclosed. Signal processing methods and systems demodulate the optical interference phase of cascaded individual optical fiber intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensors in a coherent microwave-photonic interferometry distributed sensing system. The chirp effect of an electro-optic modulator (EOM) is used to create a quasi-quadrature optical interference phase shift between two adjacent pulses which correspond to two adjacent reflection points in the time domain. The phase shift can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage that is applied to the EOM. The interference phase is calculated by elliptically fitting the phase shift. The interference phase change is proportional to the optical path difference (OPD) change of the interferometer, and the sign can be used to differentiate the increase or decrease of the OPD. The approach shows good linearity, high resolution, and large dynamic range for distributed strain sensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: LIWEI HUA, HAI XIAO, LAWRENCE C. MURDOCH
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Patent number: 11270805Abstract: A system and method to safely isolate mobile radioactive material during an emergency includes a borehole located in close proximity and at a depth sufficient to safely isolate the material and a man-made vertical-oriented gravity fracture located at the bottom end of the borehole. During an emergency, the mobile radioactive material enters the borehole and then passes from there into the gravity fracture. The mobile radioactive material may have sufficient density to further propagate the fracture vertically downward or a dense slurry or fluid could be mixed with the mobile radioactive material.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Grand Abyss, LLCInventors: Leonid N. Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Patent number: 10629315Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Grand Abyss, LLCInventors: Leonid N. Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20190139658Abstract: A system and method to safely isolate mobile radioactive material during an emergency includes a borehole located in close proximity and at a depth sufficient to safely isolate the material and a man-made vertical-oriented gravity fracture located at the bottom end of the borehole. During an emergency, the mobile radioactive material enters the borehole and then passes from there into the gravity fracture. The mobile radioactive material may have sufficient density to further propagate the fracture vertically downward or a dense slurry or fluid could be mixed with the mobile radioactive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Leonid N. Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20190051423Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Leonid N. Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Patent number: 10115489Abstract: A system and method to safely isolate mobile radioactive material during an emergency includes a borehole located in close proximity and at a depth sufficient to safely isolate the material. An already- or pre-prepared vertical-oriented gravity fracture is located at the bottom end of the borehole, with the mobile radioactive material entering the gravity fracture during the emergency. A dense slurry or fluid could be mixed with the mobile radioactive material to create and propagate the gravity fracture as the radioactive material is being disposed of.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Grand Abyss, LLCInventors: Leonid N. Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Patent number: 10032535Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Grand Abyss LLCInventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20180075935Abstract: A method for in-situ subsurface isolation of nuclear material at a nuclear power or nuclear waste facility during an emergency includes a borehole located in close proximity and at a depth sufficient to safely isolate the radioactive material. A gravity fracture in the surrounding rock formation is located at the bottom end of the borehole, with the radioactive material entering the gravity fracture. A dense slurry or fluid could be mixed with the radioactive material to create and propagate the gravity fracture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Leonid N. Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20180033509Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Patent number: 9741460Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Grand Abyss, LLCInventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Patent number: 9700922Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Grand Abyss, LLCInventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20170076829Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20160136701Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Patent number: 9190181Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Grand Directions, LLCInventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20140221722Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
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Publication number: 20100307754Abstract: An apparatus and process for delivering aerosol-based amendments into a subsurface region is provided. The apparatus used to form the aerosol has an ability to restrict the aerosol particle size to a preferred particle size range such that undesired particle sizes are not introduced. By maintaining a proper ratio of aerosol particle size to subsurface pore size, the efficiency of an aerosol introduction can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicants: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Clemson UniversityInventors: Brian D. Riha, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Richard J. Hall
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Patent number: 7156579Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing underground caverns suitable in one embodiment for storage of large volumes of gaseous or liquid materials. The method is an acid dissolution process that can be utilized to form caverns in carbonate rock formations. The caverns can be used to store large quantities of materials near transportation facilities or destination markets. The caverns can be used for storage of materials including fossil fuels, such as natural gas, refined products formed from fossil fuels, or waste materials, such as hazardous waste materials. The caverns can also be utilized for applications involving human access such as recreation or research. The method can also be utilized to form calcium chloride as a by-product of the cavern formation process.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Clemson UniversityInventors: James W. Castle, David A. Bruce, Ronald W. Falta, Lawrence C. Murdoch
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Publication number: 20020144541Abstract: The distal end of a basic tube element including a stopper device with an expandable plug is positioned in a pre-drilled hole in a rock face. Rotating a force control wheel threaded on the tube element exerts force on a sleeve that in turn causes the plug component of the stopper means to expand and seal the distal end of the tube in the hole. Gas under known pressure is introduced through the tube element. A thin capillary tube positioned in the tube element connects the distal end of the tube element to means to detect and display pressure changes and data that allow the permeability of the rock to be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2001Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventors: Fred J. Molz, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Cynthia L. Dinwiddie, James W. Castle
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Patent number: 6102621Abstract: The invention is a method and a composition of a mixture for degradation and immobilization of contaminants in soil and groundwater. The oxidative particle mixture and method includes providing a material having a minimal volume of free water, mixing at least one inorganic oxidative chemical in a granular form with a carrier fluid containing a fine grained inorganic hydrophilic compound and injecting the resulting mixture into the subsurface. The granular form of the inorganic oxidative chemical dissolves within the areas of injection, and the oxidative ions move by diffusion and/or advection, therefore extending the treatment zone over a wider area than the injection area. The organic contaminants in the soil and groundwater are degraded by the oxidative ions, which form solid byproducts that can sorb significant amounts of inorganic contaminants, metals, and radionuclides for in situ treatment and immobilization of contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Robert L. Siegrist, Lawrence C. Murdoch
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Patent number: H2052Abstract: The distal end of a basic tube element including a stopper device with an expandable plug is positioned in a pre-drilled hole in a rock face. Rotating a force control wheel threaded on the tube element exerts force on a sleeve that in turn causes the plug component of the stopper means to expand and seal the distal end of the tube in the hole. Gas under known pressure is introduced through the tube element. A thin capillary tube positioned in the tube element connects the distal end of the tube element to means to detect and display pressure changes and data that allow the permeability of the rock to be determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Clemson UniversityInventors: Fred J. Molz, III, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Cynthia L. Dinwiddie, James W. Castle