Patents by Inventor Melissa Allen
Melissa Allen 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: 20220339701Abstract: A device for atomizing a metallic, intermetallic or ceramic melt stream by means of a gas to form a spherical powder, comprising a melt chamber, a powder chamber, an induction coil in the melt chamber, a melt material, preferably melt rod in the induction coil and an atomizer nozzle interconnecting the melt and powder chambers and being arranged in a nozzle plate, for the melt stream melted off from the melt material by the induction coil, wherein the atomizer nozzle has an exclusively convergent nozzle profile having nozzle flanks which have a circular-arc-shaped cross-section, and therefore both the atomizing gas and the melt stream and the droplets generated therefrom reach a velocity which is at most equal to, preferably below the acoustic velocity of the atomizing gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2020Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Volker GÜTHER, Karin RATSCHBACHER, Melissa ALLEN, Sergejs SPITANS, Henrik FRANZ
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Patent number: 9773577Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include irradiation targets for producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more irradiation targets useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery into instrumentation tubes. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while producing desired isotopes.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: David Allan Rickard, Bradley Bloomquist, Melissa Allen, Nicholas R. Gilman, Jennifer M. Bowie, William Earl Russell, II
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Patent number: 9589691Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Melissa Allen, Nicholas R. Gilman, Heather Hatton, William Earl Russell, II
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Patent number: 9431138Abstract: A method for producing uniform activity targets according to an embodiment of the invention may include arranging a plurality of targets in a holding device having an array of compartments, each target being assigned to a compartment based on a known flux of a reactor core so as to facilitate an appropriate exposure of the targets to the flux based on target placement within the array of compartments. The holding device may be positioned within the reactor core to irradiate the targets. The method may be used to produce brachytherapy and/or radiography targets (e.g., seeds, wafers) in a reactor core such that the targets have relatively uniform activity.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLCInventors: Melissa Allen, William Earl Russell, II
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Patent number: 9240253Abstract: At least one system for eluting a radioactive material and a method of eluting a radioactive material is provided. The system for eluting a radioactive material may include an elution column configured to enclose an radioactive material, a first sealing member sealing a first end of the elution column, a second sealing member sealing a second end of the elution column, an elution supply source connected to the first end of the elution column via a first needle, a collection system connected to the second end of the elution column via a second needle, and a filter in the elution column, the filter being configured to support the radioactive material and prevent the radioactive material from contacting the second needle.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Jennifer Varnedoe, William Earl Russell, II, Bradley D. Bloomquist, Melissa Allen, James Edward Paine, Alan Anthony Alvarez
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Publication number: 20130336436Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Melissa ALLEN, Nicholas GILMAN, Heather HATTON, William Earl RUSSELL, II
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Patent number: 8542789Abstract: Example embodiments and methods are directed to irradiation target positioning devices and systems that are configurable to permit accurate irradiation of irradiation targets and accurate production of daughter products, including isotopes and radioisotopes, therefrom. These include irradiation target plates having precise loading positions for irradiation targets, where the targets may be maintained in a radiation field. These further include a target plate holder for retaining and positioning the target plates and irradiation targets therein in the radiation field. Example embodiments include materials with known absorption cross-sections for the radiation field to further permit precise, desired levels of exposure in the irradiation targets. Example methods configure irradiation target retention systems to provide for desired amounts of irradiation and daughter product production.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: William Earl Russell, II, Heather J. Hatton, Melissa Allen, Melissa L. Hladik, Samuel John Lafountain, Luis Alberto Torres, Erick W. Dittmer
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Patent number: 8488733Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Melissa Allen, Nicholas R. Gilman, Heather Hatton, William Earl Russell, II
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Patent number: 8366088Abstract: A target holding device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of target plates, each target plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface has a plurality of holes. A shaft may be used to facilitate the alignment and joinder of the target plates such that the first surface of one target plate contacts a second surface of an adjacent target plate. The target holding device may optionally include end plates arranged to sandwich the target plates therebetween and/or separator plates alternately arranged with the target plates. The target holding device may be used to produce brachytherapy and/or radiography targets (e.g., seeds, wafers) in a reactor core such that the targets have relatively uniform activity.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Melissa Allen, William Earl Russell, II, David Allan Rickard, Jigar Rajendra Shah
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Publication number: 20110250107Abstract: At least one system for eluting a radioactive material and a method of eluting a radioactive material is provided. The system for eluting a radioactive material may include an elution column configured to enclose an radioactive material, a first sealing member sealing a first end of the elution column, a second sealing member sealing a second end of the elution column, an elution supply source connected to the first end of the elution column via a first needle, a collection system connected to the second end of the elution column via a second needle, and a filter in the elution column, the filter being configured to support the radioactive material and prevent the radioactive material from contacting the second needle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventors: Jennifer Varnedoe, William Earl Russell, II, Bradley D. Bloomquist, Melissa Allen, James Edward Paine, Alan Anthony Alvarez
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Publication number: 20110216868Abstract: Example embodiments and methods are directed to irradiation target positioning devices and systems that are configurable to permit accurate irradiation of irradiation targets and accurate production of daughter products, including isotopes and radioisotopes, therefrom. These include irradiation target plates having precise loading positions for irradiation targets, where the targets may be maintained in a radiation field. These further include a target plate holder for retaining and positioning the target plates and irradiation targets therein in the radiation field. Example embodiments include materials with known absorption cross-sections for the radiation field to further permit precise, desired levels of exposure in the irradiation targets. Example methods configure irradiation target retention systems to provide for desired amounts of irradiation and daughter product production.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Heather J. Hatton, Melissa Allen, Melissa L. Hladik, Samuel John Lafountain, Luis Alberto Torres, Erick W. Dittmer
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Publication number: 20110051872Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include irradiation targets for producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more irradiation targets useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery into instrumentation tubes. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while producing desired isotopes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: David Allan RICKARD, Bradley BLOOMQUIST, Melissa ALLEN, Nicholas R. GILMAN, Jennifer M. BOWIE, William Earl RUSSELL, II
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Publication number: 20110051874Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: MELISSA ALLEN, NICHOLAS R. GILMAN, HEATHER HATTON, WILLIAM EARL RUSSELL, II
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Publication number: 20110009686Abstract: A method for producing uniform activity targets according to an embodiment of the invention may include arranging a plurality of targets in a holding device having an array of compartments, each target being assigned to a compartment based on a known flux of a reactor core so as to facilitate an appropriate exposure of the targets to the flux based on target placement within the array of compartments. The holding device may be positioned within the reactor core to irradiate the targets. The method may be used to produce brachytherapy and/or radiography targets (e.g., seeds, wafers) in a reactor core such that the targets have relatively uniform activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Melissa Allen, William Earl Russell, II
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Publication number: 20110006186Abstract: A target holding device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of target plates, each target plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface has a plurality of holes. A shaft may be used to facilitate the alignment and joinder of the target plates such that the first surface of one target plate contacts a second surface of an adjacent target plate. The target holding device may optionally include end plates arranged to sandwich the target plates therebetween and/or separator plates alternately arranged with the target plates. The target holding device may be used to produce brachytherapy and/or radiography targets (e.g., seeds, wafers) in a reactor core such that the targets have relatively uniform activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Melissa Allen, William Earl Russell, II, David Allan Rickard, Jigar Rajendra Shah
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Publication number: 20050042469Abstract: A hot melt adhesive based on ethylene-2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer finds use in packaging applications where high heat resistance, as well as good cold tolerance, is required.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Lie-zhong Gong, Melissa Allen, Justin Mehaffy, Darshak Desai, Dale Haner, Tuyet Le
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Patent number: 6838187Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition with good release properties. A preferred embodiment comprises sodium lauryl sulfate and a modified tapioca dextrin.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding CorporationInventors: Edmund W. Figiel, Melissa Allen, Peter D. Pierce, Kristina L. Thompson
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Publication number: 20030211351Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition with good release properties. A preferred embodiment comprises sodium lauryl sulfate and a modified tapioca dextrin.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Edmund W. Figiel, Melissa Allen, Peter D. Pierce, Kristina Thompson