Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Dougherty

Thomas F. Dougherty 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).

  • Publication number: 20140027315
    Abstract: A cylinder for storage and transport of uranium hexafluoride includes a generally tubular main body with a distally arranged end member defining an interior region. An interior tubular member is received in the interior region. A tube end member is attached to an end of the tubular member opposite the end member. First and second chime ends are on respective ends of the main body. First and second chime end members are disposed in the first and second chime ends respectively. The end member, the interior tubular member and the tube end member form a first containment structure. The tubular main body, the first and second chime ends and the first and second chine end members form a second containment structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: COLUMBIANA HI TECH LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. DOUGHERTY
  • Publication number: 20140001381
    Abstract: An overpack for receiving a steel cylinder, such as a stainless steel cylinder, containing uranium hexafluoride includes a semi-cylindrical top portion having an arcuate main body and opposing first and second semi-circular end members, and includes a semi-cylindrical bottom portion having an arcuate main body and opposing first and second semi-circular end members, with the first end members of the top and bottom portion being aligned, and the second end members of the top and bottom portion being aligned, and the overpack is disposed in a cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: COLUMBIANA HI TECH LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. DOUGHERTY
  • Patent number: 8093573
    Abstract: A vessel for storing and transporting hazardous substances, like for example Uranium Hexafluoride, includes a body having an internal region that is subdivided into two or more isolated regions. The vessel further includes end members that house ingress and egress valves. A cover assembly is affixed to the vessel to shield the valves from damage due to exposure and/or impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Columbiana Hi Tech LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20100155626
    Abstract: A vessel for storing and transporting hazardous substances, like for example Uranium Hexafluoride, includes a body having an internal region that is subdivided into two or more isolated regions. The vessel further includes end members that house ingress and egress valves. A cover assembly is affixed to the vessel to shield the valves from damage due to exposure and/or impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: COLUMBIANA HI TECH LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. DOUGHERTY
  • Patent number: 6765221
    Abstract: Substantially pure uranium hexafluoride is shipped in a conventional overpack. A cylinder includes a vessel with a cylindrical sidewall A head permanently affixed to the sidewall closes one end of the vessel. A valve controls the flow of matter into and out of the vessel. A sealing surface connected to the vessel surrounds the valve. A cap covers the valve and a pair of seals is located between the sealing surface and the cap. The volume between the two seals, the cap and the sealing surface defines a test volume. A test port connects the test volume and an exterior surface of the vessel, and fasteners press the cap against the sealing surface. A maximum rate of leakage from within the cap to the atmosphere outside the cap is determined by measuring the leakage rate into the test volume with a leak testing apparatus connected to the test port. Thereafter the cylinder is placed in a conventional overpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Elder, Thomas F. Dougherty, Trevor M. Rummel
  • Publication number: 20030173528
    Abstract: Substantially pure uranium hexafluoride is shipped in a conventional overpack. A cylinder includes a vessel with a cylindrical sidewall A head permanently affixed to the sidewall closes one end of the vessel. A valve controls the flow of matter into and out of the vessel. A sealing surface connected to the vessel surrounds the valve. A cap covers the valve and a pair of seals is located between the sealing surface and the cap. The volume between the two seals, the cap and the sealing surface defines a test volume. A test port connects the test volume and an exterior surface of the vessel, and fasteners press the cap against the sealing surface. A maximum rate of leakage from within the cap to the atmosphere outside the cap is determined by measuring the leakage rate into the test volume with a leak testing apparatus connected to the test port. Thereafter the cylinder is placed in a conventional overpack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Gary Elder, Thomas F. Dougherty, Trevor M. Rummel
  • Patent number: 6534776
    Abstract: A vessel for the shipment of uranium hexafluoride includes a cylindrical wall closed by pair of approximately semi-ellipsoidal heads welded to form a sealed container. A service valve is located in one end. The valve is covered by a removable, watertight valve protection cover assembly. The vessel also includes a test port by means of which the integrity of the valve protection cover assembly may be tested after the cylinder has been filled with uranium hexafluoride and the valve protection assembly has been installed. The valve protection assembly is shaped so that it fits within the envelope of the standard 30B cylinders. The distal end of the valve protection assembly is recessed from a plane defined by the open end of the surrounding chime by at least one half inch, and preferably by ¾ inch or more. Accordingly, the fits within an overpack already approved by the NRC and used by shippers of uranium hexafluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Columbiana Boiler Company
    Inventors: Thomas F. Dougherty, Trevor M. Rummel
  • Publication number: 20020153498
    Abstract: A vessel for the shipment of uranium hexafluoride includes a cylindrical wall closed by pair of approximately semi-ellipsoidal heads welded to form a sealed container. A service valve is located in one end. The valve is covered by a removable, watertight valve protection cover assembly. The vessel also includes a test port by means of which the integrity of the valve protection cover assembly may be tested after the cylinder has been filled with uranium hexafluoride and the valve protection assembly has been installed. The valve protection assembly is shaped so that it fits within the envelope of the standard 30B cylinders. The distal end of the valve protection assembly is recessed from a plane defined by the open end of the surrounding chime by at least one half inch, and preferably by ¾inch or more. Accordingly, the fits within an overpack already approved by the NRC and used by shippers of uranium hexafluoride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas F. Dougherty, Trevor M. Rummel