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).
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Publication number: 20240062925Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Tyler J. Gerczak, John D. Hunn, Richard A. Lowden
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Patent number: 11364654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Corson L. Cramer, Richard A. Lowden, Kinga A. Unocic, Jacob W. McMurray, Amelia M. Elliott
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Publication number: 20200189145Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Corson L. Cramer, Richard A. Lowden, Kinga A. Unocic, Jacob W. McMurray, Amelia M. Elliott
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Patent number: 7799234Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Innovation Services, Inc.Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
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Patent number: 7794606Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Innovation Services, Inc.Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
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Publication number: 20080245748Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
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Publication number: 20080245744Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
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Patent number: 6629485Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
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Publication number: 20030140772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
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Publication number: 20030078156Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Robert J. Lauf, Frederick C. Montgomery, Claudia J. Rawn
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Patent number: 6546875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
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Publication number: 20020174794Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Norman L. Vaughn, Stephen W. Allison, Cyrus M. Smith
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Publication number: 20020152915Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Norman L. Vaughn, Richard A. Lowden
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Patent number: 6174494Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley, Cyrus M. Smith
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Patent number: 6149705Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley
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Patent number: 5963776Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley
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Patent number: 5913256Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley, Cyrus M. Smith
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Patent number: 5760331Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.Inventors: Richard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley
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Patent number: 5300322Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 1992Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Lowden
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Patent number: 5075160Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 1988Date of Patent: December 24, 1991Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: David P. Stinton, Jerry C. McLaughlin, Richard A. Lowden