公开(公告)号：US12023857B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-02

申请号：US18228077

申请日：2023-07-31

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： Ryan Scott Kitchen ,  Benjamin D. Fisher

IPC: B29C67/00 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  G06T7/00 ,  G06T7/62 ,  B22F10/28

CPC classification number: B29C64/129 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  G06T7/0008 ,  G06T7/001 ,  G06T7/62 ,  B22F10/28 ,  G06T2207/30164

Abstract: Methods to in-situ monitor production of additive manufacturing products collects images from the deposition process on a layer-by-layer basis, including a void image of the pattern left in a slurry layer after deposition of a layer and a displacement image formed by immersing the just-deposited layer in a renewed slurry layer. Image properties of the void image and displacement image are corrected and then compared to a binary expected image from a computer generated model to identify defects in the just-deposited layer on a layer-by-layer basis. Additional methods use the output from the comparison to form a 3D model corresponding to at least a portion of the additive manufacturing product. Components to control the additive manufacturing operation based on digital model data and to in-situ monitor successive layers for manufacturing defects can be embodied in a computer system or computer-aided machine, such as a computer controlled additive manufacturing machine.

公开(公告)号：US11760005B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-19

申请号：US16951543

申请日：2020-11-18

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： Ryan Scott Kitchen ,  Benjamin D. Fisher

IPC: B29C67/00 ,  B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  G06T7/00 ,  G06T7/62 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B22F10/28

CPC classification number: B29C64/129 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  G06T7/001 ,  G06T7/0008 ,  G06T7/62 ,  B22F10/28 ,  G06T2207/30164

Abstract: Methods to in-situ monitor production of additive manufacturing products collects images from the deposition process on a layer-by-layer basis, including a void image of the pattern left in a slurry layer after deposition of a layer and a displacement image formed by immersing the just-deposited layer in a renewed slurry layer. Image properties of the void image and displacement image are corrected and then compared to a binary expected image from a computer generated model to identify defects in the just-deposited layer on a layer-by-layer basis. Additional methods use the output from the comparison to form a 3D model corresponding to at least a portion of the additive manufacturing product. Components to control the additive manufacturing operation based on digital model data and to in-situ monitor successive layers for manufacturing defects can be embodied in a computer system or computer-aided machine, such as a computer controlled additive manufacturing machine.

公开(公告)号：US12246992B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-11

申请号：US16835398

申请日：2020-03-31

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher ,  John R. Salasin

IPC: C04B35/589 ,  B33Y70/10 ,  C04B35/56 ,  C04B35/58 ,  C04B35/634 ,  C04B35/638 ,  C04B35/64 ,  G21C1/02 ,  G21C21/02 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29K105/16 ,  B29K509/02 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: Pre-ceramic particle solutions can prepared by a Coordinated-PDC process, a Direct-PDC process or a Coordinated-Direct-PDC process. The pre-ceramic particle solution includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of (i) an organic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation, (ii) a first organometallic polymer and (iii) a second organometallic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation different from a metal in the second organometallic polymer, a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of (a) a ceramic fuel particle and (b) a moderator particle, a dispersant, and a polymerization initiator. The pre-ceramic particle solution can be supplied to an additive manufacturing process, such as digital light projection, and made into a structure (which is pre-ceramic particle green body) that can then be debinded to form a polymer-derived ceramic sintered body. In some embodiments, the polymer-derived ceramic sintered body is a component or structure for fission reactors.

公开(公告)号：US11990248B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-21

申请号：US16999244

申请日：2020-08-21

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： Craig D. Gramlich ,  Benjamin D. Fisher ,  William E. Russell, II

IPC: B64G1/40 ,  G21C3/04 ,  G21C17/10 ,  G21C19/30 ,  B64G1/42

CPC classification number: G21C17/102 ,  G21C3/04 ,  G21C19/30 ,  B64G1/408 ,  B64G1/422

Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to upper and lower core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

公开(公告)号：US12159726B2

公开(公告)日：2024-12-03

申请号：US18378680

申请日：2023-10-11

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher ,  John R. Salasin ,  Craig D. Gramlich ,  Jonathan K. Witter

IPC: G21C3/04 ,  G21C3/42 ,  G21C21/02 ,  G21D5/02 ,  G21C3/28 ,  G21C3/30

Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

公开(公告)号：US12070900B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-27

申请号：US18217667

申请日：2023-07-03

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： John R. Salasin ,  Benjamin D. Fisher

IPC: B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/165 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/10 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  C08F2/08 ,  C08F2/46 ,  C08F22/10 ,  C08K3/08 ,  C08K3/22 ,  G21C3/50

CPC classification number: B29C64/165 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/10 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  C08F2/08 ,  C08F2/46 ,  C08F22/1006 ,  C08K3/08 ,  C08K3/22 ,  G21C3/50 ,  C08K2003/0856 ,  C08K2201/003

Abstract: Additive manufacturing compositions include low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles that have an absorbance for wavelengths of 300 nm to 700 nm that is equal to or greater than 0 Au and is less 1.0 Au, such as 0.001 Au≤absorbance≤0.7 Au. Slurries including such particles and an uranium-containing particle and that are used in additive manufacturing processes have an increased penetration depth for curative radiation. Removal of low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles during post-processing of as-manufactured products results in pores that create porosity in the as-manufactured product that provide a volume accommodating fission gases and/or can enhance wicking of certain heat pipe coolant liquids. Low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles can be functionalized for improved properties, for example, with fissionable material for improved ceramic yields, with burnable poisons or stabilizers for increased homogeneity, with stabilizers for localized delivery of the stabilizer, or with combinations thereof.

公开(公告)号：US11731350B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-22

申请号：US17515625

申请日：2021-11-01

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： John R. Salasin ,  Benjamin D. Fisher

IPC: B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/165 ,  G21C3/50 ,  C08K3/22 ,  C08K3/08 ,  C08F2/46 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/10 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  C08F2/08 ,  C08F22/10

CPC classification number: B29C64/165 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/10 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  C08F2/08 ,  C08F2/46 ,  C08F22/1006 ,  C08K3/08 ,  C08K3/22 ,  G21C3/50 ,  C08K2003/0856 ,  C08K2201/003

Abstract: Additive manufacturing compositions include low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles that have an absorbance for wavelengths of 300 nm to 700 nm that is equal to or greater than 0 Au and is less 1.0 Au, such as 0.001 Au≤absorbance≤0.7 Au. Slurries including such particles and an uranium-containing particle and that are used in additive manufacturing processes have an increased penetration depth for curative radiation. Removal of low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles during post-processing of as-manufactured products results in pores that create porosity in the as-manufactured product that provide a volume accommodating fission gases and/or can enhance wicking of certain heat pipe coolant liquids. Low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles can be functionalized for improved properties, for example, with fissionable material for improved ceramic yields, with burnable poisons or stabilizers for increased homogeneity, with stabilizers for localized delivery of the stabilizer, or with combinations thereof.

公开(公告)号：US11424041B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-23

申请号：US16835388

申请日：2020-03-31

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher ,  John R. Salasin ,  Craig D. Gramlich ,  Jonathan K. Witter

IPC: G21C3/04 ,  G21D5/02 ,  G21C3/42 ,  G21C21/02 ,  G21C3/28 ,  G21C3/30

Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

公开(公告)号：US11817225B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US17852434

申请日：2022-06-29

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher ,  John R. Salasin ,  Craig D. Gramlich ,  Jonathan K. Witter

IPC: G21C3/04 ,  G21C3/42 ,  G21D5/02 ,  G21C21/02 ,  G21C3/28 ,  G21C3/30

CPC classification number: G21C3/044 ,  G21C3/04 ,  G21C3/42 ,  G21C3/28 ,  G21C3/30 ,  G21C21/02 ,  G21D5/02

Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

公开(公告)号：US12280542B2

公开(公告)日：2025-04-22

申请号：US18234492

申请日：2023-08-16

Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Inventor： John R. Salasin ,  Benjamin D. Fisher

IPC: B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/165 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/10 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  C08F2/08 ,  C08F2/46 ,  C08F22/10 ,  C08K3/08 ,  C08K3/22 ,  G21C3/50

Abstract: Additive manufacturing compositions include low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles that have an absorbance for wavelengths of 300 nm to 700 nm that is equal to or greater than 0 Au and is less 1.0 Au, such as 0.001 Au absorbance≤0.7 Au. Slurries including such particles and an uranium-containing particle and that are used in additive manufacturing processes have an increased penetration depth for curative radiation. Removal of low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles during post-processing of as-manufactured products results in pores that create porosity in the as-manufactured product that provide a volume accommodating fission gases and/or can enhance wicking of certain heat pipe coolant liquids. Low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles can be functionalized for improved properties, for example, with fissionable material for improved ceramic yields, with burnable poisons or stabilizers for increased homogeneity, with stabilizers for localized delivery of the stabilizer, or with combinations thereof.