US4586849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear disposal method and system
Assignee: NUCLEAR PROTECTION SYSTEMS Inc PO BOX 904 NORMAN OK 73070 A CORP OF OK
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Filing: 1983-12-01
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Granted: 1986-05-06
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Expires: 2003-12-01
Abstract
Abstract Radioactive waste material is permanently stored without the need of constant surveillance by depositing the material in a cavity located in a rock formation above the water table and between two layers of water impervious rock. Preferably the entrance to the cavity is located in a mountainside or bluff in a layer between the two water impervious layers, which layer is more easily penetrable than the two water impervious layers. The cavity may include a passage which is reinforced with a reinforcement material such as concrete and is surrounded by a plurality of boreholes to aid in dissipating the heat of decay.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard P. Hastings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:40
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/04; G21F9/20; G21F9/24; B; B09; B09B; B09B1/00; B09B1/008; E; E02; E02D; E02D31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A repository for the storage of radioactive material and other materials comprising a rock formation located above the water table in which a cavity is formed, the location of the cavity being between two substantially horizontal vertically separated layers of rock and within an intermediate layer, said intermediate layer being between said layers of rock, said layers of rock being substantially impervious to water, said intermediate layer which is more easily penetrated than the two layers of impervious rock and cavity sealing means disposed within said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A repository for the storage of radioactive material and other materials comprising a rock formation located above the water table in which a cavity is formed, the location of the cavity being between two substantially horizontal vertically separated layers of rock and within an intermediate layer, said intermediate layer being between said layers of rock, said layers of rock being substantially impervious to water, said intermediate layer which is more easily penetrated than the two layers of impervious rock and cavity sealing means disposed within said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A repository according to claim 1 in which the cavity is located in a mountainside or a bluff.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A repository in accordance with claim 1 wherein the layers of rock are granite.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A repository in accordance with claim 1 in which the cavity includes a passage having its sides and base reinforced with a reinforcement material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A repository in accordance with claim 4 in which the reinforcement material is concrete.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A repository in accordance with claim 4 in which the passage is surrounded by a plurality of boreholes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A repository for storage of radioactive material comprising two layers of substantially water impervious rock located above the water table, one of said layers being above and one of said layers being below a layer of more easily penetrable material in which a cavity is formed, said layers of rock being substantially horizontal and vertical separated, the cavity being located in a mountainside or bluff and including a passage having its sides and base reinforced with a reinforcement material and a plurality of boreholes surrounding the cavity and cavity sealing means disposed within said cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A repository for storage of radioactive material comprising two layers of substantially water impervious rock located above the water table, one of said layers being above and one of said layers being below a layer of more easily penetrable material in which a cavity is formed, said layers of rock being substantially horizontal and vertical separated, the cavity being located in a mountainside or bluff and including a passage having its sides and base reinforced with a reinforcement material and a plurality of boreholes surrounding the cavity and cavity sealing means disposed within said cavity.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for the permanent storage of radioactive material and other materials without the need for constant surveillance comprising storing the material in a cavity formed in a rock formation located above the water table between two layers of substantially water impervious rock, said layers of rock being substantially horizontal and vertically separated, an intermediate layer between said layers of rock, said intermediate layer being more easily penetrated than said two layers of impervious rock, said cavity being within said intermediate layer, and cavity sealing means disposed within said cavity.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for the permanent storage of radioactive material and other materials without the need for constant surveillance comprising storing the material in a cavity formed in a rock formation located above the water table between two layers of substantially water impervious rock, said layers of rock being substantially horizontal and vertically separated, an intermediate layer between said layers of rock, said intermediate layer being more easily penetrated than said two layers of impervious rock, said cavity being within said intermediate layer, and cavity sealing means disposed within said cavity.
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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) | 1989-05-05 | 1989-11-04 | 1990-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-05 | 1993-11-04 | 1994-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-05 | 1997-11-04 | 1998-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |