Patents by Inventor Terry J. Wickland

Terry J. Wickland 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).

  • Patent number: 10636535
    Abstract: Filtered storage containers for hazardous waste, such as radioactive waste, more particularly plutonium in the form of oxides and salts, are made of stainless steel and include lids which are retained by retaining rings that utilize bayonet or ratchet closures that cooperate with rims that are integral with cans to hold the lids in place. Sealing arrangements are provided that each include an O-ring of a circular cross section which seals radially between the lid and rim, as well as a seal of cruciform cross section, which seal provides compression sealing between the lid and an annular shelf within the rim upon locking the retaining ring to the rim with the bayonet or ratchet fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NUCLEAR FILTER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Michael D. Peterson, Luke Anderson
  • Publication number: 20170092383
    Abstract: Filtered storage containers for hazardous waste, such as radioactive waste, more particularly plutonium in the form of oxides and salts, are made of stainless steel and include lids which are retained by retaining rings that utilize bayonet or ratchet closures that cooperate with rims that are integral with cans to hold the lids in place. Sealing arrangements are provided that each include an O-ring of a circular cross section which seals radially between the lid and rim, as well as a seal of cruciform cross section, which seal provides compression sealing between the lid and an annular shelf within the rim upon locking the retaining ring to the rim with the bayonet or ratchet fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: NUCLEAR FILTER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Terry J. WICKLAND, Darold M. POPISH, Michael D. PETERSON, Luke ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 8758488
    Abstract: Vents for containers include a perforated substrate portion (20) of polymer material over which is thermally bonded a gas permeable membrane (30). The thermal bond (31) is direct and adhesive-free so that there is no adhesive available for chemical attachment by materials within the containers (58) and no opportunity for an adhesive to interfere with or block perforations through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Wickland
  • Patent number: 7726507
    Abstract: A container for hazardous wastes, such as, plutonium wastes, includes a can and a lid wherein the lid is locked to and sealed with respect to the can by radially projected locking bolts. In order to lock the lid to the can the bolts are cammed radially by rotating a U-shaped handle to place the locking bolts behind a locking rim at the mouth of the can. The bolts are then pivoted to apply an axial force to the locking rim to urge the lid against a gasket to seal the lid by turning a threaded axial force element to pivot the locking bolts on the fulcrums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Michael D. Peterson, Fred Louis Popish
  • Patent number: 7048139
    Abstract: A vent insert with an integral carbon-to-carbon composite filter element is used to vent enclosures such as drums and convenience cans containing transuranic materials which generate hydrogen. The vent inserts do not utilize adhesive to retain filter elements therein but rather utilize a housing having a filter element support with a knife edge to form a seal and a press fitted lid. Both the housing and lid are formed of corrosion resistant HASTELLOY® C-22® alloy. The vent inserts resist HCl corrosion as well as corrosion induced by nitric acid and chlorinated solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Peterson, Terry J. Wickland
  • Patent number: 6948391
    Abstract: A probe with an integral filtered vent and sampling port has a hollow shaft configured as a drill bit which in use passes through the lid of a drum containing waste products within a liner. The hollow shaft has a penetrating tip and at lest two radial bores, one of which is positioned to open to the space within the liner and the other of which is positioned to open to the space above the liner and between the liner and drum lid. The shaft has a head with a pocket which contains a filter element, the head also having a radial sampling port with a septa seal. In order to sample head space gases, a hypodermic needle is pushed through the septa seal into the longitudinal bore of the hollow shaft, and then withdrawn, allowing the septa seal to close behind the needle. The probe is especially useful for sampling nuclear waste stored within drums having liners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology
    Inventors: Gilbert Brassell, Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish
  • Patent number: 6935199
    Abstract: A headspace gas sampling and venting method utilizes a vent port and a sampling port which are punched through the lid of a drum containing hazardous materials, such as transuranic waste. In accordance with the system, a punch having a hollow passage therethrough, which passage has a filter element therein is first inserted through the lid using a pneumatic gun. A second punch, similar to the first punch, but having a passage with a septa seal therein is thereafter inserted through the lid with the pneumatic gun. Headspace gas beneath the lid is then sampled with a needle inserted through the septa seal. Both the venting port and sampling port are configured with detachable punch points which pass through the lid and are then released from the venting and sampling ports so as to open ends of the passages therethrough for communication with the headspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Gilbert Brassell, Fred L. Popish, Mark A. Castagneri, Michael D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6911061
    Abstract: A stainless steel filter assembly which filters fluid entering a fluid interactive device, such as a gas analyzer, includes a connection block in the line which has lateral ports for coupling with an inlet coupling and an outlet coupling on a filter. The filter has a folded filter media made of sintered stainless steel panels which are separated by stainless steel screens that increase the surface area of the filter media exposed to the inlet stream of fluid to be filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology
    Inventors: Michael D. Peterson, Darold M. Popish, Terry J. Wickland, Craig Washburn
  • Publication number: 20040182181
    Abstract: A probe with an integral filtered vent and sampling port has a hollow shaft configured as a drill bit which in use passes through the lid of a drum containing waste products within a liner. The hollow shaft has a penetrating tip and at lest two radial bores, one of which is positioned to open to the space within the liner and the other of which is positioned to open to the space above the liner and between the liner and drum lid. The shaft has a head with a pocket which contains a filter element, the head also having a radial sampling port with a septa seal. In order to sample head space gases, a hypodermic needle is pushed through the septa seal into the longitudinal bore of the hollow shaft, and then withdrawn, allowing the septa seal to close behind the needle. The probe is especially useful for sampling nuclear waste stored within drums having liners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: NUCLEAR FILTER TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Gilbert Brassell, Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish
  • Publication number: 20040045894
    Abstract: A stainless steel filter assembly which filters fluid entering a fluid interactive device, such as a gas analyzer, includes a connection block in the line which has lateral ports for coupling with an inlet coupling and an outlet coupling on a filter. The filter has a folded filter media made of sintered stainless steel panels which are separated by stainless steel screens that increase the surface area of the filter media exposed to the inlet stream of fluid to be filtered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: NUCLEAR FILTER TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Michael D. Peterson, Darold M. Popish, Terry J. Wickland, Craig Washburn
  • Publication number: 20040030215
    Abstract: In order to vent packages of transuranic waste, such as plutonium 238, the waste is contained in at least one, preferably several plastic bags that form liners in a steel drum 60. The package is irradiated with gamma radiation which passes through the drum and accelerates cross-linking and embrittlement of the bags, rupturing the bags and releasing explosive gas, such as hydrogen or volatile organic compounds, from the bags into the drums. Explosive gas is then vented from the drums, providing packages containing transuranic waste which are transportable under Department of Transportation regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Loewen Eric
  • Publication number: 20030101830
    Abstract: A headspace gas sampling and venting method utilizes a vent port and a sampling port which are punched through the lid of a drum containing hazardous materials, such as transuranic waste. In accordance with the system, a punch having a hollow passage therethrough, which passage has a filter element therein is first inserted through the lid using a pneumatic gun. A second punch, similar to the first punch, but having a passage with a septa seal therein is thereafter inserted through the lid with the pneumatic gun. Headspace gas beneath the lid is then sampled with a needle inserted through the septa seal. Both the venting port and sampling port are configured with detachable punch points which pass through the lid and are then released from the venting and sampling ports so as to open ends of the passages therethrough for communication with the headspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Gilbert Brassell, Fred L. Popish, Mark A. Castagneri, Michael D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6557428
    Abstract: A headspace gas sampling and venting method utilizes a vent port and a sampling port which are punched through the lid of a drum containing hazardous materials, such as transuranic waste. In accordance with the system, a punch having a hollow passage therethrough, which passage has a filter element therein is first inserted through the lid using a pneumatic gun. A second punch, similar to the first punch, but having a passage with a septa seal therein is thereafter inserted through the lid with the pneumatic gun. Headspace gas beneath the lid is then sampled with a needle inserted through the septa seal. Both the venting port and sampling port are configured with detachable punch points which pass through the lid and are then released from the venting and sampling ports so as to open ends of the passages therethrough for communication with the headspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Gilbert Brassell, Fred L. Popish, Mark A. Castagneri, Michael D. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20030029255
    Abstract: A headspace gas sampling and venting method utilizes a vent port and a sampling port which are punched through the lid of a drum containing hazardous materials, such as transuranic waste. In accordance with the system, a punch having a hollow passage therethrough, which passage has a filter element therein is first inserted through the lid using a pneumatic gun. A second punch, similar to the first punch, but having a passage with a septa seal therein is thereafter inserted through the lid with the pneumatic gun. Headspace gas beneath the lid is then sampled with a needle inserted through the septa seal. Both the venting port and sampling port are configured with detachable punch points which pass through the lid and are then released from the venting and sampling ports so as to open ends of the passages therethrough for communication with the headspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Gilbert Brassell, Fred L. Popish, Mark A. Castagneri, Michael D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6413304
    Abstract: A drum vent filter useful for venting hydrogen gas from transuranic wastes in order to remove particles from the gas while controlling the release of VOCs has a carbon-to-carbon filter media of increased density with a relatively large filter face and reduced thickness. In addition, a protective lid is provided over the filter element which has been substantially increased so as to enhance the diffusion of hydrogen gas through the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Michael D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6395050
    Abstract: Vent filters for containers such as barrels which contain hazardous waste, such as transuranic (nuclear) waste, include a bore therethrough which does not intersect the material of carbon-to-carbon filter media inserts disposed within the vent filter. Each of the bores has a stainless steel tube disposed therein wherein the stainless steel tube has at an interior end a septa-type seal and at an outer end an impenetrable plug. In order to sample head gases, a syringe is used with a needle that penetrates the septa-type seal. After the needle is withdrawn, the septa-type seal closes and the impenetrable plug is replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Michael D. Peterson, David E. Joseffy, Gilbert A. Brassell
  • Patent number: 6355078
    Abstract: A bag for containing nuclear waste material has a venting arrangement having of a plurality of vent holes through the wall of the bag. Each vent hole includes a filter arrangement in which there is a first film mounted on the inside of the bag in alignment with the vent hole and a second film mounted on the outside of the bag aligned with both the vent hole and the first film to define a chamber between the first and second films, the chamber including the vent hole. A HEPA filter media is disposed in the chamber, so that fluid in the chamber passing through apertures in the first and second films also passes through the filter media. A preferred use of the present invention is to vent explosive gasses, such as hydrogen, from bags containing waste material such as nuclear waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Wickland
  • Patent number: 5911332
    Abstract: Plutonium powders are stored in three embodiments of stainless steel canisters with stainless steel lids. The stainless steel canisters are extruded and have no interior welds. Each canister has a stainless steel lid with a vent having an integral HEPA filter. In order to secure the lids on the canister, collars with annular internal notches and external threads are disposed between the bodies of the canisters and the lids. The lids have internal threads so that the lids can be tightly screwed onto the collars. O-ring seals are disposed between the lids and collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Carl Stephens
  • Patent number: 5814118
    Abstract: A high quality HEPA filter is used in a vent for venting a chamber containing a radioactive material such as a plutonium slurry. The filter element includes a stainless steel wire mesh tube which supports a sintered stainless steel filter media thereon. The wire mesh tube has a stainless steel end plate completely closing one end thereof and a stainless steel end plate with an exhaust outlet opening at the other end. The outlet opening communicates with a hollow core defined by the stainless steel wire mesh tube. The sintered stainless steel filter media has its longitudinal edges joined by a tungsten inert gas weld and is also welded directly to the end plates by completely closed circular welds. An annular housing of stainless steel surrounds the filter element in spaced relation thereto and has an axial inlet. The gas to be filtered flows into the inlet, around the filter element and through the sintered stainless steel filter media before exiting through the exhaust outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Craig Washburn
  • Patent number: 5727707
    Abstract: Plutonium powders are stored in stainless steel canisters with stainless steel lids. The stainless steel canisters are extruded and have no interior welds. Each canister includes a vent with an integral HEPA filter. The canisters are of various capacities and nest, one within another, when not used for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Carl Stephens