Patents by Inventor Yung Y. Liu
Yung Y. Liu 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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Publication number: 20240044736Abstract: A system for monitoring stored spent fuel rods is provided, the system comprising: canisters containing the spent fuel rods; and temperature measuring means positioned on external surfaces of the canisters. Also provided is a method for monitoring stored spent fuel rods contained in canisters, the method comprising measuring temperature of the canisters at a plurality of external surfaces of each of the canisters, recording time of temperature differences between said external surfaces, determining time of oxidation initiation of the spent fuel rods based on the recording time, and preventing oxidation from occurring.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLCInventors: Yung Y. Liu, Brian Craig, Zenghu Han, Hirofumi Takeda
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Publication number: 20230268094Abstract: The invention provides a containment structure, the containment structure comprising a vessel with an upwardly facing opening defining a periphery; a lid in rotatable and slidable communication with the periphery; and a plurality of rods contained within the lid and in slidable communication with the periphery. Also provided is a method for sealing and unsealing a containment vessel defining a body with a longitudinal axis and a lid, the method comprising simultaneously moving the lid parallel to the longitudinal axis and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLCInventors: Paul S. Blanton, Zenghu Han, Yung Y. Liu, Ronald B. Pope, James M. Shuler
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Patent number: 10186336Abstract: A system for encapsulating and storing disused radiological sources in sealed capsules is provided, the system having a basket to removably position capsules relative to each other, the capsules containing the radiological sources; a containment vessel for receiving the basket; and a cask reversibly encapsulating or otherwise housing the containment vessel. Also provided is a method for packaging, transporting and storing disused radiological sources, the method having the steps of transporting sealed capsules containing radiological sources from water pools to baskets; placing the basket in a containment vessel and sealing the vessel with helium backfill; placing the vessel in a cask and reversibly capping the cask; surrounding the cask with personnel a shield and crumple zones to create a construct; and transporting and storing the construct until its final disposal at a geological repository or a deep borehole, all without repackaging of the disused radiological sealed capsules.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLCInventors: Yung Y. Liu, Zenghu Han, James M. Shuler
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Publication number: 20180240560Abstract: A system for encapsulating and storing disused radiological sources in sealed capsules is provided, the system having a basket to removably position capsules relative to each other, the capsules containing the radiological sources; a containment vessel for receiving the basket; and a cask reversibly encapsulating or otherwise housing the containment vessel. Also provided is a method for packaging, transporting and storing disused radiological sources, the method having the steps of transporting sealed capsules containing radiological sources from water pools to baskets; placing the basket in a containment vessel and sealing the vessel with helium backfill; placing the vessel in a cask and reversibly capping the cask; surrounding the cask with personnel a shield and crumple zones to create a construct; and transporting and storing the construct until its final disposal at a geological repository or a deep borehole, all without repackaging of the disused radiological sealed capsules.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC.Inventors: Yung Y. Liu, Zenghu Han, James M. Shuler
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Patent number: 9520057Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for monitoring environment parameters of critical facilities. A Remote Area Modular Monitoring (RAMM) apparatus is provided for monitoring environment parameters of critical facilities. The RAMM apparatus includes a battery power supply and a central processor. The RAMM apparatus includes a plurality of sensors monitoring the associated environment parameters and at least one communication module for transmitting one or more monitored environment parameters. The RAMM apparatus is powered by the battery power supply, controlled by the central processor operating a wireless sensor network (WSN) platform when the facility condition is disrupted. The RAMM apparatus includes a housing prepositioned at a strategic location, for example, where a dangerous build-up of contamination and radiation may preclude subsequent manned entrance and surveillance.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Hanchung Tsai, John T. Anderson, Yung Y. Liu
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Patent number: 9514431Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality radio frequency identification tags is described. The system uses at least one set of radio frequency identification tags. Each tag is attached to a container and includes several sensors for detecting physical conditions of said container. The system includes at least one autonomous intermediate reader in wireless communication with the frequency identification tags. The intermediate reader includes external wireless communication system, intermediate reader logic controller, and a self-contained rechargeable power supply. The system uses a central status reporting system in communication the intermediate reader.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Han-Chung Tsai, Yung Y. Liu, Hok L. Lee, Brian Craig, Kevin Byrne, Ketan Mittal, Justin C. Scherer
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Publication number: 20160034727Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality radio frequency identification tags is described. The system uses at least one set of radio frequency identification tags. Each tag is attached to a container and includes several sensors for detecting physical conditions of said container. The system includes at least one autonomous intermediate reader in wireless communication with the frequency identification tags. The intermediate reader includes external wireless communication system, intermediate reader logic controller, and a self-contained rechargeable power supply. The system uses a central status reporting system in communication the intermediate reader.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLCInventors: Han-Chung Tsai, Yung Y. Liu, Hok L. Lee, Brian Craig, Kevin Byrne, Ketan Mittal, Justin C. Scherer
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Patent number: 8936831Abstract: The invention provides a method for dispersing particles within a reaction field, the method comprising confining the particles to the reaction field using a standing wave. The invention also provides a system for coating particles, the system comprising a reaction zone; a means for producing fluidized particles within the reaction zone; a fluid to produce a standing wave within the reaction zone; and a means for introducing coating moieties to the reaction zone. The invention also provides a method for coating particles, the method comprising fluidizing the particles, subjecting the particles to a standing wave; and contacting the subjected particles with a coating moiety.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Jie Li, Yung Y. Liu
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Publication number: 20140375274Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for monitoring environment parameters of critical facilities. A Remote Area Modular Monitoring (RAMM) apparatus is provided for monitoring environment parameters of critical facilities. The RAMM apparatus includes a battery power supply and a central processor. The RAMM apparatus includes a plurality of sensors monitoring the associated environment parameters and at least one communication module for transmitting one or more monitored environment parameters. The RAMM apparatus is powered by the battery power supply, controlled by the central processor operating a wireless sensor network (WSN) platform when the facility condition is disrupted. The RAMM apparatus includes a housing prepositioned at a strategic location, for example, where a dangerous build-up of contamination and radiation may preclude subsequent manned entrance and surveillance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Hanchung Tsai, John T. Anderson, Yung Y. Liu
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Publication number: 20130202790Abstract: The invention provides a method for dispersing particles within a reaction field, the method comprising confining the particles to the reaction field using a standing wave. The invention also provides a system for coating particles, the system comprising a reaction zone; a means for producing fluidized particles within the reaction zone; a fluid to produce a standing wave within the reaction zone; and a means for introducing coating moieties to the reaction zone. The invention also provides a method for coating particles, the method comprising fluidizing the particles, subjecting the particles to a standing wave; and contacting the subjected particles with a coating moiety.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: UCHICAGO AGONNE, LLCInventors: Jie Li, Yung Y. Liu
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Patent number: 8013744Abstract: An enhanced method and apparatus are provided for tracking and managing a plurality of packagings, particularly packagings containing radioactive and fissile materials. A radio frequency identification (RFID) surveillance tag is provided with an associated packaging. The RFID surveillance tag includes a tag body and a back plate including predefined mounting features for mounting the surveillance tag to the associated packaging. The RFID surveillance tag includes a battery power supply. The RFID surveillance tag includes a plurality of sensors monitoring the associated packaging including a seal sensor. The seal sensor includes a force sensitive material providing a resistivity change responsive to change in a seal integrity change of the associated packaging. The resistivity change causes a seal integrity tag alarm. A tag memory stores data responsive to tag alarms generated by each of the plurality of sensors monitoring the associated packaging.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Han-Chung Tsai, Yung Y. Liu
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Publication number: 20100033323Abstract: An enhanced method and apparatus are provided for tracking and managing a plurality of packagings, particularly packagings containing radioactive and fissile materials. A radio frequency identification (RFID) surveillance tag is provided with an associated packaging. The RFID surveillance tag includes a tag body and a back plate including predefined mounting features for mounting the surveillance tag to the associated packaging. The RFID surveillance tag includes a battery power supply. The RFID surveillance tag includes a plurality of sensors monitoring the associated packaging including a seal sensor. The seal sensor includes a force sensitive material providing a resistivity change responsive to change in a seal integrity change of the associated packaging. The resistivity change causes a seal integrity tag alarm. A tag memory stores data responsive to tag alarms generated by each of the plurality of sensors monitoring the associated packaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: UChicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Han-Chung Tsai, Yung Y. Liu