US3214343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor operational in a well bore
Assignee: Richfield Oil Corp
•
Filing: 1958-01-03
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Granted: 1965-10-26
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Expires: 1978-01-03
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Manley L Natland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:25
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21D; G21D9/00; G21C; G21C1/00; G21C1/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S376/00; Y10S376/914; Y10S376/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
AN APPARATUS FOR HEATING A SUBSURFACE OIL-BEARING STRATUM WHICH COMPRISES A FAST NUCLEAR REACTOR POSITIONED IN A WELL BORE IN PROXIMITY TO THE OIL-BEARING STRATUM, SAID REACTOR INCLUDING, A REACTIVE CASE, FAST NEUTRON FISSIONABLE MATERIAL POSITIONED IN SAID CASE, SAID FISSIONABLE MATERIAL BEING DIVIDED INTO TWO PORTIONS, EACH PORTION BEING DISPERSED IN A NON-FISSIONABLE ALLOY HAVING DIFFERING MELTING POINTS AND EACH PORTION HAVING A MASS OF FAST FISSIONABLE MATERIAL AT LEAST EQUAL TO A CRITICAL MASS, SAID REACTOR COMPRISING A SOURCE OF NEUTRONS FOR CONTACTING THE FISSIONABLE MATERIAL AND MEANS AT THE EARTH''S SURFACE FOR ADJUSTING THE INTENSITY OF THE FISSION REACTION IN EACH OF THE SAID PORTIONS BY VARYING THE AMOUNT OF A NEUTRON ABSORBING MATERIAL OPPOSITE EACH OF THE PORTIONS OF FISSIONABLE MATERIAL, THE FORMATIONS SURROUNDING SAID WELL BORE SERVING AS SUBSTANTIALLY THE ONLY COOLANT AND RADIATION SHIELD FOR THE REACTOR.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
AN APPARATUS FOR HEATING A SUBSURFACE OIL-BEARING STRATUM WHICH COMPRISES A FAST NUCLEAR REACTOR POSITIONED IN A WELL BORE IN PROXIMITY TO THE OIL-BEARING STRATUM, SAID REACTOR INCLUDING, A REACTIVE CASE, FAST NEUTRON FISSIONABLE MATERIAL POSITIONED IN SAID CASE, SAID FISSIONABLE MATERIAL BEING DIVIDED INTO TWO PORTIONS, EACH PORTION BEING DISPERSED IN A NON-FISSIONABLE ALLOY HAVING DIFFERING MELTING POINTS AND EACH PORTION HAVING A MASS OF FAST FISSIONABLE MATERIAL AT LEAST EQUAL TO A CRITICAL MASS, SAID REACTOR COMPRISING A SOURCE OF NEUTRONS FOR CONTACTING THE FISSIONABLE MATERIAL AND MEANS AT THE EARTH''S SURFACE FOR ADJUSTING THE INTENSITY OF THE FISSION REACTION IN EACH OF THE SAID PORTIONS BY VARYING THE AMOUNT OF A NEUTRON ABSORBING MATERIAL OPPOSITE EACH OF THE PORTIONS OF FISSIONABLE MATERIAL, THE FORMATIONS SURROUNDING SAID WELL BORE SERVING AS SUBSTANTIALLY THE ONLY COOLANT AND RADIATION SHIELD FOR THE REACTOR.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1968-10-25 | 1969-04-26 | 1969-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1972-10-25 | 1973-04-26 | 1973-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1976-10-25 | 1977-04-26 | 1977-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |