Patents by Inventor Robert C. Petroski
Robert C. Petroski 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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Patent number: 12176117Abstract: An integrated energy system includes a nuclear thermal plant situated on a nuclear site. The nuclear thermal plant produces thermal energy that is transported to a thermal energy storage system located outside the nuclear site. The thermal storage system is thermally coupled to a power generation system which is also remote to the nuclear site. By this arrangement, the nuclear thermal plant is isolated and decoupled from the power generation system. The nuclear thermal plant may supply thermal energy upwards of 800° C. or more to be stored at the thermal energy storage system until needed such as for industrial heat, power generation, or other uses. The thermal storage system is source agnostic, and one or more additional thermal energy generators, such as additional nuclear reactors, solar thermal plants, or other thermal energy generators can be coupled to a common thermal storage system and power generation system.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Robert A. Corbin, John R. Gilleland, Pavel Hejzlar, Kevin Kramer, Christopher A. Martin, Brian Morris, Robert C. Petroski, Philip M. Schloss, Joshua C. Walter, Mark R. Werner
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Patent number: 12154697Abstract: An anti-proliferation technique is disclosed to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation due to the use fissionable fuel salts. The technique includes doping the fuel salt with one or more elements (referred to herein as activation dopants) that, upon exposure to neutrons such as would occur in the fuel salt when a reactor is in operation, undergo a nuclear reaction to, directly or indirectly, form highly active “protecting isotopes” (of the same element as the activation dopant or a different element). A sufficient mass of activation dopants is used so that the Figure of Merit (FOM) of the fuel salt is decreased to below 1.0 within some target number of days of fission. This allows the FOM of the fuel salt to be controlled so that the fuel becomes too dangerous to handle before to the creation of a significant amount of weaponizable isotopes.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
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Patent number: 11638676Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one sensor and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively constrict or selectively dilate, thereby compressing or relieving compression against at least one body part of a subject. Such selective constriction or dilation can improve muscle functioning or joint functioning during use of motion-conducive equipment, such as an exercise bike or rowing machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: VENTRK, LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Publication number: 20220367070Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John R. Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 11482344Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLCInventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20220139577Abstract: An anti-proliferation technique is disclosed to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation due to the use fissionable fuel salts. The technique includes doping the fuel salt with one or more elements (referred to herein as activation dopants) that, upon exposure to neutrons such as would occur in the fuel salt when a reactor is in operation, undergo a nuclear reaction to, directly or indirectly, form highly active “protecting isotopes” (of the same element as the activation dopant or a different element). A sufficient mass of activation dopants is used so that the Figure of Merit (FOM) of the fuel salt is decreased to below 1.0 within some target number of days of fission. This allows the FOM of the fuel salt to be controlled so that the fuel becomes too dangerous to handle before to the creation of a significant amount of weaponizable isotopes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
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Patent number: 11289210Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include fuel ducts, fuel assemblies, methods of making fuel ducts, methods of making a fuel assembly, and methods of using a fuel assembly. An inner hollow structure has a first geometry and an outer hollow structure has a second geometry different from the first geometry. The first hollow structure is configured to expand in at least one dimension under stress and cause the first hollow structure to contact the second hollow structure. The second hollow structure distributes at least a portion of the stress of the first hollow structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLCInventors: Robert C. Petroski, Gary Povirk, Philip Schloss, Ashok Odedra, Michael E. Cohen
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Patent number: 11276503Abstract: An anti-proliferation technique is disclosed to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation due to the use fissionable fuel salts. The technique includes doping the fuel salt with one or more elements (referred to herein as activation dopants) that, upon exposure to neutrons such as would occur in the fuel salt when a reactor is in operation, undergo a nuclear reaction to, directly or indirectly, form highly active “protecting isotopes” (of the same element as the activation dopant or a different element). A sufficient mass of activation dopants is used so that the Figure of Merit (FOM) of the fuel salt is decreased to below 1.0 within some target number of days of fission. This allows the FOM of the fuel salt to be controlled so that the fuel becomes too dangerous to handle before to the creation of a significant amount of weaponizable isotopes.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
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Patent number: 11157665Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide for the operation and simulation of the operation of fission reactors, including the movement of materials within reactors. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, including modular nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and reactor modules, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and modules, methods of operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, methods of simulating operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Charles Whitmer
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Patent number: 10987048Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices that may be used to incentivize inhaler use.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C. Petroski, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Publication number: 20210095645Abstract: An integrated energy system includes a nuclear thermal plant situated on a nuclear site. The nuclear thermal plant produces thermal energy that is transported to a thermal energy storage system located outside the nuclear site. The thermal storage system is thermally coupled to a power generation system which is also remote to the nuclear site. By this arrangement, the nuclear thermal plant is isolated and decoupled from the power generation system. The nuclear thermal plant may supply thermal energy upwards of 800° C. or more to be stored at the thermal energy storage system until needed such as for industrial heat, power generation, or other uses. The thermal storage system is source agnostic, and one or more additional thermal energy generators, such as additional nuclear reactors, solar thermal plants, or other thermal energy generators can be coupled to a common thermal storage system and power generation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Robert A. Corbin, John R. Gilleland, Pavel Hejzlar, Kevin Kramer, Christopher A. Martin, Brian Morris, Robert C. Petroski, Philip M. Schloss, Joshua C. Walter, Mark R. Werner
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Patent number: 10820855Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices that may be used to incentivize inhaler use.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C. Petroski, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 10826335Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable storage mediums including computer-readable instructions and/or circuitry for control of transmission to a target device with communicating with one or more sensors in an ad-hoc sensor network may implement operations including, but not limited to: receiving electrical power via at least one structurally integrated electrically conductive element; and powering one or more sensing operations of one or more sensors via the electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Matthew G. Dyor, Peter N. Glaskowsky, Kimberly D. A. Hallman, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Michael F. Koenig, Richard T. Lord, Robert W Lord, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Desney S. Tan, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Publication number: 20200316365Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one sensor and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively constrict or selectively dilate, thereby compressing or relieving compression against at least one body part of a subject. Such selective constriction or dilation can improve muscle functioning or joint functioning during use of motion-conducive equipment, such as an exercise bike or rowing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
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Patent number: 10765817Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that may be used to controllably deliver alcohol to a subject using an inhaler, wherein the inhaler may include a housing having a flow channel coupled to an ethanol-containing inhalant reservoir, an actuator configured to facilitate release of the inhalant, a constituent sensor, and a control unit. The control unit may accept parameters associated with the subject, create an inhalant delivery regime, and control operation of the actuator based at least partially on a sensed constituent level to facilitate release of an ethanol-containing inhalant from the reservoir into the flow channel in accordance with the regimen.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Elwha, LLCInventors: Edward S. Boyden, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 10758673Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods of dispensing one or more medicaments to a subject. The systems and methods utilize at least one flexible compression garment having one or more medicament dispensers therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: ELWHA LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Publication number: 20200211724Abstract: An anti-proliferation technique is disclosed to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation due to the use fissionable fuel salts. The technique includes doping the fuel salt with one or more elements (referred to herein as activation dopants) that, upon exposure to neutrons such as would occur in the fuel salt when a reactor is in operation, undergo a nuclear reaction to, directly or indirectly, form highly active “protecting isotopes” (of the same element as the activation dopant or a different element). A sufficient mass of activation dopants is used so that the Figure of Merit (FOM) of the fuel salt is decreased to below 1.0 within some target number of days of fission. This allows the FOM of the fuel salt to be controlled so that the fuel becomes too dangerous to handle before to the creation of a significant amount of weaponizable isotopes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: TerraPower, LLCInventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
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Patent number: 10668305Abstract: Garment systems including a flexible compression garment, at least one sensor, and at least one therapeutic stimulation delivery device operable responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor, effective to provide therapeutic radiation to a body part of a subject. Methods of using such garment systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: ELWHA LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 10671168Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a first ultrasound transmitter acoustically coupled to a conducting layer of a display surface and configured to deliver a first ultrasound wave to a selected delineated area. The first ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A second ultrasound transmitter is acoustically coupled to the conducting layer and configured to deliver a second ultrasound wave to the selected delineated area. The second ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A controller selects a delineated area in response to an indication of a touch to the display surface, and initiates delivery of the first and second ultrasonic waves. A convergence of the first and second ultrasonic waves at the selected delineated area produces a stress pattern perceivable or discernible by the human appendage.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 10665332Abstract: A method for facilitating physiological data acquisition includes scheduling a medical appointment between a patient and a medical provider. The medical appointment is to be conducted at a medical provider location on an appointment date. The method also includes selecting a medical device configured to acquire physiological data regarding the patient. The method further includes sending, to a fulfillment system, a request to provide the medical device to a patient location prior to the appointment date. The patient location is remote from the medical provider location.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: ELWHA LLCInventors: Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Joel Cherkis, Paul H. Dietz, Tom Driscoll, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Neil Jordan, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Patrick Neill, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, David R. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Desney S. Tan, Clarence T. Tegreene, David L. Tennenhouse, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Gary Wachowicz, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood