Patents by Inventor Matthew Memmott

Matthew Memmott 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: 20230395270
    Abstract: A molten salt reactor is disclosed. In some embodiments, the molten salt reactor comprises a containment vessel; a molten salt chamber disposed within the containment vessel; a molten salt mixture disposed within the molten salt chamber; and a heat exchange system at least partially disposed within the molten salt chamber. In some embodiments, the molten salt reactor comprises one or more of a shutdown mechanism, a thermally activated failsafe mechanism, and/or a passive reactivity control system. The shutdown mechanism, for example, may be coupled with the molten salt chamber, the shutdown mechanism comprising a material that when inserted into the molten salt chamber will inhibit fission reactions within the molten salt mixture. The thermally activated failsafe mechanism, for example, may be coupled with the molten salt chamber, the thermally activated failsafe mechanism passively inhibits fission reactions within the molten salt mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: John Benson, Matthew Memmott
  • Publication number: 20220250936
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method comprising: flowing a molten salt out of a molten salt reactor at a first temperature, heating the molten salt reactor to a second temperature above the melding point of the second salt mixture causing the second salt mixture to melt; flowing the second salt mixture out of the molten salt reactor; flowing a third salt mixture into the molten salt reactor; and cooling the molten salt reactor from the second temperature to a third temperature causing the third salt mixture to solidify on the interior surface of the housing. In some embodiments, the molten salt may include a first salt mixture comprising at least uranium. In some embodiments, the first temperature is a temperature above the melting point of the first salt mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: John Benson, Matthew Memmott
  • Patent number: 11136245
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method comprising: flowing a molten salt out of a molten salt reactor at a first temperature, heating the molten salt reactor to a second temperature above the melding point of the second salt mixture causing the second salt mixture to melt; flowing the second salt mixture out of the molten salt reactor; flowing a third salt mixture into the molten salt reactor; and cooling the molten salt reactor from the second temperature to a third temperature causing the third salt mixture to solidify on the interior surface of the housing. In some embodiments, the molten salt may include a first salt mixture comprising at least uranium. In some embodiments, the first temperature is a temperature above the melting point of the first salt mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Alpha Tech Research Corp
    Inventors: John Benson, Matthew Memmott
  • Publication number: 20200185115
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method comprising: flowing a molten salt out of a molten salt reactor at a first temperature, heating the molten salt reactor to a second temperature above the melding point of the second salt mixture causing the second salt mixture to melt; flowing the second salt mixture out of the molten salt reactor; flowing a third salt mixture into the molten salt reactor; and cooling the molten salt reactor from the second temperature to a third temperature causing the third salt mixture to solidify on the interior surface of the housing. In some embodiments, the molten salt may include a first salt mixture comprising at least uranium. In some embodiments, the first temperature is a temperature above the melting point of the first salt mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: John Benson, Matthew Memmott
  • Publication number: 20200180975
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a molten salt system comprising a reactor with a salt mixture. In some embodiments, the salt mixture includes uranium and a eutectic salt. The eutectic salt may include one or more of sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, aluminum fluoride, zirconium fluoride, lithium fluoride, beryllium fluoride, rubidium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, aluminum chloride, zirconium chloride, lithium chloride, beryllium chloride, rubidium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride. The eutectic salt may have a melting point less than about 800° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: John Benson, Matthew Memmott, Kraig Farrar
  • Publication number: 20190371482
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an chemical separation mechanism for a molten salt reactor where the molten salt may include fission products. In some embodiments, the chemical separation mechanism includes a molten salt receptacle with a molten salt disposed within, a solvent receptacle having a solvent disposed within; an electrode; and an electrode mechanism. In some embodiments, the electrode mechanism may be configured to submerse the electrode into the molten salt receptacle such that a chemical reaction occurs between the electrode and one or more of the fission products in the molten salt. In some embodiments, the electrode mechanism may submerse the electrode into the solvent receptacle such that a chemical reaction occurs resulting in one or more of the fission products being deposited into the solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: John Benson, Matthew Memmott