Patents by Inventor Michael Meekins

Michael Meekins 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: 20240120115
    Abstract: A high performance field reversed configuration (FRC) system includes a central confinement chamber, divertors coupled to the ends of the chamber, neutral beam injectors positioned about the chamber, and a magnetic system comprising quasi-dc coils axially positioned along the FRC system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michl W. Binderbauer, Sergei Putvinski, Artem N. Smirnov, Hiroshi Gota, Thomas Roche, Michael Meekins
  • Publication number: 20230300967
    Abstract: Embodiments that are directed to a target for producing a high epithermal neutron yield for boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) treatments are disclosed. The target includes a thin flat film of solid lithium mounted onto a heat-removal support structure that is cooled with a liquid coolant and configured to maintain the turbulent flow regime for a liquid coolant and distribute the flow of coolant directed at the center of the support structure toward a periphery of the support structure via a plurality of channels formed in the support structure. The support structure includes a nozzle located at its center to direct coolant flow outwardly from the center to avoid stagnant water flow at the center of the support structure. Systems, device, and methods utilizing the approaches are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Frank Jauregui, Michael Meekins, Swati Bhanderi, Anatoly B. Muchnikov
  • Patent number: 11678430
    Abstract: Embodiments that are directed to a target for producing a high epithermal neutron yield for boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) treatments are disclosed. The target includes a thin flat film of solid lithium mounted onto a heat-removal support structure that is cooled with a liquid coolant and configured to maintain the turbulent flow regime for a liquid coolant and distribute the flow of coolant directed at the center of the support structure toward a periphery of the support structure via a plurality of channels formed in the support structure. The support structure includes a nozzle located at its center to direct coolant flow outwardly from the center to avoid stagnant water flow at the center of the support structure. Systems, device, and methods utilizing the approaches are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Jauregui, Michael Meekins, Swati Bhanderi, Anatoly B. Muchnikov
  • Publication number: 20220139585
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided relating to the exchange of devices or assemblies holding targets used in a beam system. With these embodiments a used target can be rapidly and safely replaced with a new target to permit continued operation in a clinical or other environment. Also provided are embodiments of valves having relatively lower profiles that facilitate engagement and disengagement of beamline sections for access to the target device or assembly. All or a portion of the valve can be part of the target assembly. Also provided are embodiments of storage containers for storing a volatile object, such as an object comprising a composition sensitive to atmospheric air and/or an object that is radioactive. The storage container can include a two-part shell case assembly configured for housing a volatile object between the two parts, which engage one another to form an air-tight seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Meekins, Jedediah Styron, Vijay Patel, Charles Lee, Frank Jauregui, Alain Assaf, Leslie Webber, Anatoly Muchnikov, Jon Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20210345476
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relating to a charge exchange system having one or more guard apparatuses are described. The guard apparatuses can include one or more guard electrodes, optionally with one or more screen electrodes. Also described are embodiments of beam systems incorporating one or more charge exchange systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Artem N. Smirnov, Vladislav Vekselman, Vladimir I. Davydenko, Alexandr A. Ivanov, Michael Meekins, Blake Koop, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210076481
    Abstract: Embodiments that are directed to a target for producing a high epithermal neutron yield for boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) treatments are disclosed. The target includes a thin flat film of solid lithium mounted onto a heat-removal support structure that is cooled with a liquid coolant and configured to maintain the turbulent flow regime for a liquid coolant and distribute the flow of coolant directed at the center of the support structure toward a periphery of the support structure via a plurality of channels formed in the support structure. The support structure includes a nozzle located at its center to direct coolant flow outwardly from the center to avoid stagnant water flow at the center of the support structure. Systems, device, and methods utilizing the approaches are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Jauregui, Michael Meekins, Swati Bhanderi, Anatoly B. Muchnikov
  • Publication number: 20070172601
    Abstract: A system for vaporizing a powder material incorporates a laser source with an optical arrangement for generating and focusing a laser beam to a focal point. The beam is characterized by having a region with a converging/diverging angle (?), respectively upstream/downstream from the focal point. It also has a power density above a predetermined value within the region. A conduit is provided with a channel, and the laser beam is focused to conform to the region in the channel. A nozzle then directs powdered material into the laser beam at a location upstream from the region for vaporization of the powder material by the laser beam during its transit through the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Sergei Putvinski, Michael Meekins, Oleg Feygenson, Karl Umstadter