Patents by Inventor Robert Shahram Shaefer

Robert Shahram Shaefer 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).

  • Cellular structures with interconnected microchannels
    Patent number: 9881699
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a cellular tritium breeder component includes obtaining a reticulated carbon foam skeleton comprising a network of interconnected ligaments. The foam skeleton is then melt-infiltrated with a tritium breeder material, for example, lithium zirconate or lithium titanate. The foam skeleton is then removed to define a cellular breeder component having a network of interconnected tritium purge channels. In an embodiment the ligaments of the foam skeleton are enlarged by adding carbon using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) prior to melt-infiltration. In an embodiment the foam skeleton is coated with a refractory material, for example, tungsten, prior to melt infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Ultramet
    Inventors: Robert Shahram Shaefer, Nasr M. Ghoniem, Brian Williams
  • CELLULAR STRUCTURES WITH INTERCONNECTED MICROCHANNELS
    Publication number: 20150235717
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a cellular tritium breeder component includes obtaining a reticulated carbon foam skeleton comprising a network of interconnected ligaments. The foam skeleton is then melt-infiltrated with a tritium breeder material, for example, lithium zirconate or lithium titanate. The foam skeleton is then removed to define a cellular breeder component having a network of interconnected tritium purge channels. In an embodiment the ligaments of the foam skeleton are enlarged by adding carbon using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) prior to melt-infiltration. In an embodiment the foam skeleton is coated with a refractory material, for example, tungsten, prior to melt infiltration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Shahram Shaefer, Nasr M. Ghoniem, Brian Williams