US3890140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aluminum titanate crucible for molten uranium
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1973-05-10
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-05-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to an improved crucible for molten uranium. The crucible or crucible liner is formed of aluminum titanate which essentially eliminates contamination of uranium and uranium alloys during molten states thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J Asbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:08
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B35/00; C04B35/01; C04B35/46; C04B35/462; C04B35/478; C22; C22B; C22B60/00; C22B60/02; C22B60/0204; C22B60/0286; F; F27; F27B; F27B14/00; F27B14/08; F27B14/10; F27B2014/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A METHOD OF LIMITING ADVERSE CONTAMINATION OF URANIUM AND URANIUM ALLOYS DURING MMOLTEN STATES THEREOF BY THE STEP OF MELTING THE URANIUM ALONE OR WITH URANIUM ALLOYING METALS IN A CRUCIBLE OR CURCIBLE LINER COMPOSED OF ALUMINUM TITANATE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
38 words
A METHOD OF LIMITING ADVERSE CONTAMINATION OF URANIUM AND URANIUM ALLOYS DURING MMOLTEN STATES THEREOF BY THE STEP OF MELTING THE URANIUM ALONE OR WITH URANIUM ALLOYING METALS IN A CRUCIBLE OR CURCIBLE LINER COMPOSED OF ALUMINUM TITANATE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the aluminum-titanate crucible or crucible liner is characterized by a wall thickness in the range of 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch, an average coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 1 X 10 6 over a temperature range of 25* to 1,000*C., and a density greater than 85 per cent theoretical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the aluminum-titanate crucible or crucible liner is prepared by hot-isostatically pressing aluminum-titanate powder of a size in the range of 10 to 70 microns at a pressure in the range of 15,000 to 50,000 pounds per square inch and a temperature in the range of 1,300* to 1,700*C.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for treating uranium and uranium alloys comprising the steps of contacting a crucible or crucible liner composed of aluminum titanate with a charge consisting of uranium alone or with uranium alloying metals, heating the charge to a temperature adequate to fuse the charge, and thereafter removing the fused charge from the crucible or crucible liner.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for treating uranium and uranium alloys comprising the steps of contacting a crucible or crucible liner composed of aluminum titanate with a charge consisting of uranium alone or with uranium alloying metals, heating the charge to a temperature adequate to fuse the charge, and thereafter removing the fused charge from the crucible or crucible liner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |