Patents by Inventor Richard A. Lowden

Richard A. Lowden 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: 20240062925
    Abstract: A TRISO architecture including an improved buffer layer is provided. The improved buffer layer contains sacrificial silicon in low density carbon to react with palladium released from the kernel and thereby limit the palladium available to react with the existing SiC layer. The introduction of silicon in the buffer layer allows for longer fuel lifetimes and/or higher operating temperatures. Higher achievable burnups and operational temperatures can reduce fuel costs and achieve higher efficient power production. In addition, the silicon-containing buffer layer mitigates fuel failure from palladium corrosion, thereby increasing the safety of the TRISO fuel particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Tyler J. Gerczak, John D. Hunn, Richard A. Lowden
  • Patent number: 11364654
    Abstract: A method for indirect additive manufacturing of an object constructed of boron carbide, silicon carbide, and free silicon, comprising: (i) producing a porous preform constructed of boron carbide and silicon carbide by an indirect ceramic additive manufacturing (ICAM) process in which particles of a powder mixture become bonded together with an organic binder, wherein the powder mixture comprises: a) boron carbide particles, and b) silicon carbide particles, wherein at least 80 vol % of the silicon carbide particles are larger than the boron carbide particles; and wherein the boron carbide and silicon carbide particles are each included in an amount of 40-60 wt. % of the powder mixture, provided that the foregoing amounts sum to at least 95 wt. %; (ii) subjecting the porous preform to a temperature of 500-900° C. to volatilize the organic binder; and (iii) infiltrating molten silicon into pores of the porous preform to produce the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Corson L. Cramer, Richard A. Lowden, Kinga A. Unocic, Jacob W. McMurray, Amelia M. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20200189145
    Abstract: A method for indirect additive manufacturing of an object constructed of boron carbide, silicon carbide, and free silicon, comprising: (i) producing a porous preform constructed of boron carbide and silicon carbide by an indirect ceramic additive manufacturing (ICAM) process in which particles of a powder mixture become bonded together with an organic binder, wherein the powder mixture comprises: a) boron carbide particles, and b) silicon carbide particles, wherein at least 80 vol % of the silicon carbide particles are larger than the boron carbide particles; and wherein the boron carbide and silicon carbide particles are each included in an amount of 40-60 wt. % of the powder mixture, provided that the foregoing amounts sum to at least 95 wt. %; (ii) subjecting the porous preform to a temperature of 500-900° C. to volatilize the organic binder; and (iii) infiltrating molten silicon into pores of the porous preform to produce the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Corson L. Cramer, Richard A. Lowden, Kinga A. Unocic, Jacob W. McMurray, Amelia M. Elliott
  • Patent number: 7799234
    Abstract: A modular waste disinfection system for the disinfection of substantially liquid infectious waste streams and methods of treating such waste streams are disclosed. The modular waste disinfection system includes a metal ion generation chamber for introducing metal ions into the waste material; an oxidant generation chamber in fluid flow communication with the metal ion generation chamber for disinfection of the waste material with an oxidizing agent; and a chelation chamber in fluid flow communication with the oxidant generation chamber for deactivation of metal ions in the waste material, wherein the waste is discharged to a sanitary sewer after disinfection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Innovation Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
  • Patent number: 7794606
    Abstract: A modular waste treatment system for substantially liquid waste streams and methods of treating liquid waste streams are disclosed. The modular waste treatment system includes a maceration chamber for initial treatment and homogenization of waste material; a metal ion infusion chamber in fluid flow communication with the maceration chamber for introducing metal ions into the waste material; and an oxidation chamber for wet oxidation of the waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Innovation Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
  • Publication number: 20080245748
    Abstract: A modular waste treatment system for substantially liquid waste streams and methods of treating liquid waste streams are disclosed. The modular waste treatment system includes a maceration chamber for initial treatment and homogenization of waste material; a metal ion infusion chamber in fluid flow communication with the maceration chamber for introducing metal ions into the waste material; and an oxidation chamber for wet oxidation of the waste stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
  • Publication number: 20080245744
    Abstract: A modular waste disinfection system for the disinfection of substantially liquid infectious waste streams and methods of treating such waste streams are disclosed. The modular waste disinfection system includes a metal ion generation chamber for introducing metal ions into the waste material; an oxidant generation chamber in fluid flow communication with the metal ion generation chamber for disinfection of the waste material with an oxidizing agent; and a chelation chamber in fluid flow communication with the oxidant generation chamber for deactivation of metal ions in the waste material, wherein the waste is discharged to a sanitary sewer after disinfection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
  • Patent number: 6629485
    Abstract: The method of making a non-lead hollow point bullet has the steps of a) compressing an unsintered powdered metal composite core into a jacket, b) punching a hollow cavity tip portion into the core, c) seating an insert, the insert having a hollow point tip and a tail protrusion, on top of the core such that the tail protrusion couples with the hollow cavity tip portion, and d) swaging the open tip of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
  • Publication number: 20030140772
    Abstract: The method of making a non-lead hollow point bullet has the steps of a) compressing an unsintered powdered metal composite core into a jacket, b) punching a hollow cavity tip portion into the core, c) seating an insert, the insert having a hollow point tip and a tail protrusion, on top of the core such that the tail protrusion couples with the hollow cavity tip portion, and d) swaging the open tip of the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
  • Publication number: 20030078156
    Abstract: A creep-resistant and chemical-resistant ceramic refractory composition includes a mixed oxide of the general formula R3Al5O12 where R is at least one of Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, the mixed oxide having a garnet structure and comprising in solid solution at least one dopant of a transition metal element and a rare-earth element, which effects in the composition enhanced optical emission in at least one spectral range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Robert J. Lauf, Frederick C. Montgomery, Claudia J. Rawn
  • Patent number: 6546875
    Abstract: The non-lead hollow point bullet of the instant invention comprises a mixed construction slug further comprising, a monolithic metal insert having a tapered (preferred conical) hollow point tip and a tapered (preferred conical) tail protrusion, and an unsintered powdered metal composite core in tandem alignment with the insert. The core has a hollow tapered (preferred conical) cavity tip portion coupled with the tapered (preferred conical) tail protrusion on the insert. An open tip jacket envelops at least a portion of the insert and the core. The jacket is swaged at the open tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
  • Publication number: 20020174794
    Abstract: This invention is an identifiable bullet having a slug made from an unsintered powdered metal composite core and a luminescent taggant mixture. The luminescent taggant mixture portion of the slug serves as an identifying agent that can be traced to the manufactured origin of the bullet thereby providing a means for matching the identity of a post-fired bullet with the identity of a pre-fired bullet manufacturer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Norman L. Vaughn, Stephen W. Allison, Cyrus M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020152915
    Abstract: The non-lead hollow point bullet of the instant invention comprises a mixed construction slug further comprising, a monolithic metal insert having a tapered (preferred conical) hollow point tip and a tapered (preferred conical) tail protrusion, and an unsintered powdered metal composite core in tandem alignment with the insert. The core has a hollow tapered (preferred conical) cavity tip portion coupled with the tapered (preferred conical) tail protrusion on the insert. An open tip jacket envelops at least a portion of the insert and the core. The jacket is swaged at the open tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
  • Patent number: 6174494
    Abstract: A solid object having controlled frangibility, such as a bullet or a container for explosives, is made by combining two different metals in proportions calculated to achieve a desired density, without using lead. A wetting material is deposited on the base constituent which is made of a relative dense, hard material. The wetting material enhances the wettability of the base constituent with the binder constituent, which is lighter and softer than the base constituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley, Cyrus M. Smith
  • Patent number: 6149705
    Abstract: A projectile, such as a bullet, is made by combining two different metals in proportions calculated to achieve a desired density, without using lead. A base constituent, made of a material having density greater than lead, is combined with a binder constituent having less density. The binder constituent is malleable and ductile metallic phase material that forms projectile shapes when subjected to a consolidation force, such as compression. The metal constituents can be selected, rationed, and consolidated to achieve desired frangibility characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley
  • Patent number: 5963776
    Abstract: A projectile, such as a bullet, is made by combining two different metals in proportions calculated to achieve a desired density, without using lead. A base constituent, made of a material having density greater than lead, is combined with a binder constituent having less density. The binder constituent is malleable and ductile metallic base material that forms projectile shapes when subjected to a consolidation force, such as compression. The metal constituents can be selected, rationed, and consolidated to achieve desired frangibility characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley
  • Patent number: 5913256
    Abstract: A solid object having controlled frangibility, such as a bullet or a container for explosives, is made by combining two different metals in proportions calculated to achieve a desired density, without using lead. A wetting material is deposited on the base constituent which is made of a relative dense, hard material. The wetting material enhances the wettability of the base constituent with the binder constituent, which is lighter and softer than the base constituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley, Cyrus M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5760331
    Abstract: A projectile, such as a bullet, is made by combining two different metals in proportions calculated to achieve a desired density, without using lead. A base constituent, made of a material having density greater than lead, is combined with a binder constituent having less density. The binder constituent is malleable and ductile metallic phase material that forms projectile shapes when subjected to a consolidation force, such as compression. The metal constituents can be selected, rationed, and consolidated to achieve desired frangibility characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley
  • Patent number: 5300322
    Abstract: A process for chemical vapor deposition of crystalline silicon nitride which comprises the steps of: introducing a mixture of a silicon source, a molybdenum source, a nitrogen source, and a hydrogen source into a vessel containing a suitable substrate; and thermally decomposing the mixture to deposit onto the substrate a coating comprising crystalline silicon nitride containing a dispersion of molybdenum silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Lowden
  • Patent number: 5075160
    Abstract: A filter for removing particulate matter from high temperature flowing fluids, and in particular gases, that is reinforced with ceramic fibers. The filter has a ceramic base fiber material in the form of a fabric, felt, paper of the like, with the refractory fibers thereof coated with a thin layer of a protective and bonding refractory applied by chemical vapor deposition techniques. This coating causes each fiber to be physically joined to adjoining fibers so as to prevent movement of the fibers during use and to increase the strength and toughness of the composite filter. Further, the coating can be selected to minimize any reactions between the constituents of the fluids and the fibers. A description is given of the formation of a composite filter using a felt preform of commercial silicon carbide fibers together with the coating of these fibers with pure silicon carbide. Filter efficiency approaching 100% has been demonstrated with these filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Stinton, Jerry C. McLaughlin, Richard A. Lowden