Patents by Inventor William Earl Russell

William Earl Russell 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: 11286172
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal-molybdate material is provided. The process includes a step of reacting a metal molybdenum (Mo) material in a liquid medium with a first acid to provide a Mo composition and combining the Mo composition with a metal source to provide a metal-Mo composition. The metal-Mo composition can be pH adjusted with a base to precipitate a plurality of metal-Mo particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: BWXT Isotope Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Earl Brian Barger, Benjamin I. Bishop, Barbara B. Bohannon, Christopher Sean Fewox, James B. Inman, Erik T. Nygaard, Timothy A. Policke, Stephen D. Preite, Roger D. Ridgeway, Steve W. Schilthelm, Bryan Blake Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20220081317
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal-molybdate material is provided. The process includes a step of reacting a metal molybdenum (Mo) material in a liquid medium with a first acid to provide a Mo composition and combining the Mo composition with a metal source to provide a metal-Mo composition. The metal-Mo composition can be pH adjusted with a base to precipitate a plurality of metal-Mo particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: William Earl RUSSELL, II, Earl B. BARGER, Benjamin Isaiah BISHOP, Barbara B. BOHANNON, Christopher Sean FEWOX, James B. INMAN, Erik T. NYGAARD, Timothy A. POLICKE, Stephen D. PREITE, Roger D. RIDGEWAY, Steve W. SCHILTHELM, Bryan Blake WIGGINS
  • Publication number: 20220017382
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal-molybdate material is provided. The process includes a step of reacting a metal molybdenum (Mo) material in a liquid medium with a first acid to provide a Mo composition and combining the Mo composition with a metal source to provide a metal-Mo composition. The metal-Mo composition can be pH adjusted with a base to precipitate a plurality of metal-Mo particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: William Earl RUSSELL, II, Earl B. BARGER, Benjamin I. BISHOP, Barbara B. BOHANNON, Christopher Sean FEWOX, James B. INMAN, Erik T. NYGAARD, Timothy A. POLICKE, Stephen D. PREITE, Roger D. RIDGEWAY, Steve W. SCHILTHELM, Bryan Blake WIGGINS
  • Publication number: 20210047199
    Abstract: A process for producing a titanium-molybdate material is provided. The process includes a step of reacting a metal molybdenum (Mo) material in a liquid medium with a first acid to provide a Mo composition and combining the Mo composition with a titanium source to provide a Ti—Mo composition. The Ti—Mo composition can be pH adjusted with a base to precipitate a plurality of Ti—Mo particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Earl Brian Barger, Benjamin I. Bishop, Barbara B. Bohannon, Christopher Sean Fewox, James B. Inman, Erik T. Nygaard, Timothy A. Policke, Stephen D. Preite, Roger D. Ridgeway, Steve W. Schilthelm, Bryan Blake Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20180244536
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal-molybdate material is provided. The process includes a step of reacting a metal molybdenum (Mo) material in a liquid medium with a first acid to provide a Mo composition and combining the Mo composition with a metal source to provide a metal-Mo composition. The metal-Mo composition can be pH adjusted with a base to precipitate a plurality of metal-Mo particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Earl Brian Barger, Benjamin I. Bishop, Barbara B. Bohannon, Christopher Sean Fewox, James B. Inman, Erik T. Nygaard, Timothy A. Policke, Stephen D. Preite, Roger D. Ridgeway, Steve W. Schilthelm, Bryan Blake Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20180244535
    Abstract: A process for producing a titanium-molybdate material is provided. The process includes a step of reacting a metal molybdenum (Mo) material in a liquid medium with a first acid to provide a Mo composition and combining the Mo composition with a titanium source to provide a Ti—Mo composition. The Ti—Mo composition can be pH adjusted with a base to precipitate a plurality of Ti—Mo particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Earl Brian Barger, Benjamin I. Bishop, Barbara B. Bohannon, Christopher Sean Fewox, James B. Inman, Erik T. Nygaard, Timothy A. Policke, Stephen D. Preite, Roger D. Ridgeway, Steve W. Schilthelm, Bryan Blake Wiggins
  • Patent number: 9899107
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a multi-segment rod that includes a plurality of rod segments. The rod segments are removably mated to each other via mating structures in an axial direction. An irradiation target is disposed within at least one of the rod segments, and at least a portion of at least one mating structure includes one and/or more combinations of neutron absorbing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Russell Patrick Higgins, Vernon W. Mills, David Grey Smith, Gerald Anthony Luciano, Roger Howard Van Slyke, William Earl Russell, II, Bradley D. Bloomquist
  • Publication number: 20170352437
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a multi-segment rod that includes a plurality of rod segments. The rod segments are removably mated to each other via mating structures in an axial direction. An irradiation target is disposed within at least one of the rod segments, and at least a portion of at least one mating structure includes one and/or more combinations of neutron absorbing materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Russell Patrick Higgins, Vernon W. Mills, David Grey Smith, Gerald Anthony Luciano, Roger Howard Van Slyke, William Earl Russell, II, Bradley D. Bloomquist
  • Patent number: 9773577
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include irradiation targets for producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more irradiation targets useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery into instrumentation tubes. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while producing desired isotopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: David Allan Rickard, Bradley Bloomquist, Melissa Allen, Nicholas R. Gilman, Jennifer M. Bowie, William Earl Russell, II
  • Patent number: 9589691
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Melissa Allen, Nicholas R. Gilman, Heather Hatton, William Earl Russell, II
  • Patent number: 9474396
    Abstract: A novel pillow cover is provided that can be manufactured so that a finished gusseted pillow produced from four rectangular fabric pieces with only six straight line seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: William Earl Russell
  • Patent number: 9431138
    Abstract: A method for producing uniform activity targets according to an embodiment of the invention may include arranging a plurality of targets in a holding device having an array of compartments, each target being assigned to a compartment based on a known flux of a reactor core so as to facilitate an appropriate exposure of the targets to the flux based on target placement within the array of compartments. The holding device may be positioned within the reactor core to irradiate the targets. The method may be used to produce brachytherapy and/or radiography targets (e.g., seeds, wafers) in a reactor core such that the targets have relatively uniform activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Melissa Allen, William Earl Russell, II
  • Patent number: 9396825
    Abstract: A capsule for holding, irradiating, and eluting a material is provided. Methods of fabricating and using the capsule are also provided. The capsule may include a multidiameter tube with a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region. Washers and filters are provided in the end regions and the end regions may be sealed using various methods and materials with the end caps press fit into the end regions. The middle region is designed to store a material to be irradiated by a neutron flux source. The capsule components may be made from materials having a low nuclear cross section so that the capsule may be handled safely after an irradiation step is performed. The capsule is also designed to have a symmetric configuration as an elution and irradiation column so that the same capsule may be used to elute the material within the middle region of the capsule after an irradiation step is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Bloomquist, Jennifer Bowie, David Grey Smith, William Earl Russell, II
  • Patent number: 9362009
    Abstract: An isotope production target rod for a power generating nuclear reactor is provided. The isotope production target rod can include at least one rod central body including an outer shell that defines an internal cavity and a plurality of irradiation targets within the internal cavity. The irradiation targets can be positioned in a spatial arrangement utilizing a low nuclear cross-section separating medium to maintain the spatial arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Christopher J. Monetta, Russell Patrick Higgins, Vernon W. Mills, David Grey Smith, Carlton Wayne Clark, Michael S. DeFilippis
  • Patent number: 9240253
    Abstract: At least one system for eluting a radioactive material and a method of eluting a radioactive material is provided. The system for eluting a radioactive material may include an elution column configured to enclose an radioactive material, a first sealing member sealing a first end of the elution column, a second sealing member sealing a second end of the elution column, an elution supply source connected to the first end of the elution column via a first needle, a collection system connected to the second end of the elution column via a second needle, and a filter in the elution column, the filter being configured to support the radioactive material and prevent the radioactive material from contacting the second needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Varnedoe, William Earl Russell, II, Bradley D. Bloomquist, Melissa Allen, James Edward Paine, Alan Anthony Alvarez
  • Patent number: 9239385
    Abstract: In a method of producing isotopes in a light water power reactor, one or more targets within the reactor may be irradiated under a neutron flux to produce one or more isotopes. The targets may be assembled into one or more fuel bundles that are to be loaded in a core of the reactor at a given outage. Power operations in the reactor irradiate the fuel bundles so as to generate desired isotopes, such as one or more radioisotopes at a desired specific activity or stable isotopes at a desired concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Russell Morgan Fawcett, Randy Peter Gonzales, Russell Patrick Higgins, Robert Bryant James, Michael Thomas Kiernan, William Earl Russell, II, Steven Bruce Shelton, David Grey Smith, Russell Edward Stachowski, Lukas Trosman
  • Publication number: 20150348663
    Abstract: In a method of producing isotopes in a light water power reactor, one or more targets within the reactor may be irradiated under a neutron flux to produce one or more isotopes. The targets may be assembled into one or more fuel bundles that are to be loaded in a core of the reactor at a given outage. Power operations in the reactor irradiate the fuel bundles so as to generate desired isotopes, such as one or more radioisotopes at a desired specific activity or stable isotopes at a desired concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Russell Morgan Fawcett, Randy Peter Gonzales, Russell Patrick Higgins, Robert Bryant James, Michael Thomas Kiernan, William Earl Russell, II, Steven Bruce Shelton, David Grey Smith, Russell Edward Stachowski, Lukas Trosman
  • Patent number: 9202598
    Abstract: A fuel bundle for a nuclear reactor core is provided. The fuel bundle may include a plurality of rods comprised of nuclear fuel rods and/or isotope production rods. Each rod includes a plurality of interconnected rod segments, wherein at least two of the rod segments of at least one rod have different outside diameters. The fuel bundle may additionally include a plurality of rod spacer grids securely retained between axially adjacent, interconnected rod segments. The rod spacer grids interconnected between axially adjacent rod segments form an array of substantially equally spaced rods. The fuel bundle may further include an elongate tubular channel in which the arrayed rods are housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Christopher J. Monetta, John D. Fuller, Lukas Trosman, David Grey Smith, Carlton Wayne Clark, Robert Bryant James
  • Patent number: 9183959
    Abstract: Provided is an isotope delivery system and a method for irradiating a target and delivering the target to an extraction point. The isotope delivery system may include a cable including at least one target for irradiation, a drive system configured for moving the cable, and a first guide configured to guide the cable for insertion and extraction from a nuclear reactor. The method for irradiating a target and delivering a target may include pushing a cable with an attached target through a first guide and into a nuclear reactor using a drive system, irradiating the target in the nuclear reactor, pulling the cable with the attached irradiated target towards the drive system, pushing the cable with the irradiated target towards a loading/unloading area using the drive system, and placing the irradiated target into a transfer cask, wherein the cable is pulled and pushed by the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Bloomquist, Jennifer M. Bowie, Heather Hatton, Nicholas R. Gilman, William Earl Russell, II, David Grey Smith
  • Patent number: 9165691
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to materials useable as burnable poisons in nuclear reactors, components using the same, and methods of using the same. Example embodiment burnable poison materials produce desired daughter products as they burn out, thereby permitting placement and use for neutronic characteristic improvement and/or neutron flux shielding in locations conventionally barred as uneconomical. Example embodiment burnable poison materials may include natural iridium and enriched iridium-193. Example embodiment components may be fabricated, shaped, and placed to provide desired burnable poison effects in the reactor core in conventional locations and locations not conventionally used due to economic infeasibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Christopher J. Monetta, Lukas Trosman