Patents by Inventor Richard P. Colburn

Richard P. Colburn 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).

  • Method for removing cesium from a nuclear reactor coolant
    Patent number: 4587083
    Abstract: A method of and system for removing cesium from a liquid metal reactor coolant including a carbon packing trap in the primary coolant system for absorbing a major portion of the radioactive cesium from the coolant flowing therethrough at a reduced temperature. A regeneration subloop system having a secondary carbon packing trap is selectively connected to the primary system for isolating the main trap therefrom and connecting it to the regeneration system. Increasing the temperature of the sodium flowing through the primary trap diffuses a portion of the cesium inventory thereof further into the carbon matrix while simultaneously redispersing a portion into the regeneration system for absorption at a reduced temperature by the secondary trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard P. Colburn
  • Fuel washout detection system
    Patent number: 4560529
    Abstract: A system for detecting grossly failed reactor fuel by detection of particulate matter as accumulated on a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard P. Colburn
  • Fission gas detection system
    Patent number: 4537740
    Abstract: A device for collecting fission gas released by a failed fuel rod which device uses a filter to pass coolant but which filter blocks fission gas bubbles which cannot pass through the filter due to the surface tension of the bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard P. Colburn
  • Corrosion-resistant fuel cladding allow for liquid metal fast breeder reactors
    Patent number: 4362696
    Abstract: An aluminide coating for a fuel cladding tube for LMFBRs (liquid metal fast breeder reactors) such as those using liquid sodium as a heat transfer agent. The coating comprises a mixture of nickel-aluminum intermetallic phases and presents good corrosion resistance to liquid sodium at temperatures up to 700.degree. C. while additionally presenting a barrier to outward diffusion of .sup.54 Mn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William F. Brehm, Jr., Richard P. Colburn
  • Method for removing fission products from a nuclear reactor coolant
    Patent number: 4075060
    Abstract: A method for removing cesium 137, iodine 131 and tritium from a liquid sodium reactor coolant. Hydrogen is introduced into the liquid sodium causing sodium hydride to precipitate in a cold trap. The cesium iodine and tritium isotopes are removed from the liquid sodium by coprecipitating as impurities in the sodium hydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Colburn