David A Masters

US Patent:

50063065, Apr 9, 1991

Filed:

Sep 6, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/578154

Inventors:

Cressie E. Holcombe - Farragut TN
Walter G. Northcutt - Oak Ridge TN
David R. Masters - Knoxville TN
Lloyd R. Chapman - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

C22C 4500

US Classification:

420 3

Abstract:

Alloys such as U-6Nb are prepared by forming a stacked sandwich array of uraniun sheets and niobium powder disposed in layers between the sheets, heating the array in a vacuum induction melting furnace to a temperature such as to melt the uranium, holding the resulting mixture at a temperature above the melting point of uranium until the niobium dissolves in the uranium, and casting the uranium-niobium solution. Compositional uniformity in the alloy product is enabled by use of the sandwich structure of uranium sheets and niobium powder.

US Patent:

45504121, Oct 29, 1985

Filed:

Jan 6, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/568770

Inventors:

Cressie E. Holcombe - Knoxville TN
David R. Masters - Knoxville TN
William A. Pfeiler - Norris TN

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F27B 1410
H05B 116

US Classification:

373155

Abstract:

An induction furnace for melting and casting highly pure metals and alloys such as uranium and uranium alloys in such a manner as to minimize contamination of the melt by carbon derived from the materials and the environment within the furnace. The subject furnace is constructed of carbon free materials and is housed within a conventional vacuum chamber. The furnace comprises a ceramic oxide crucible for holding the charge of metal or alloy. The heating of the crucible is achieved by a plasma-sprayed tungsten susceptor surrounding the crucible which, in turn, is heated by an RF induction coil separated from the susceptor by a cylinder of inorganic insulation. The furnace of the present invention is capable of being rapidly cycled from ambient temperatures to about 1650. degree. C. for effectively melting uranium and uranium alloys without the attendant carbon contamination problems previously encountered when using carbon-bearing furnace materials.

US Patent:

44066996, Sep 27, 1983

Filed:

Jun 9, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/271889

Inventors:

David E. Beck - Knoxville TN
Jack G. Gooch - Seymour TN
Cressie E. Holcombe - Knoxville TN
David R. Masters - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

C22C 3000
C04B 3548

US Classification:

75233

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a metal-oxide ceramic composition useful in induction heating applications for treating uranium and uranium alloys. The ceramic composition is electrically conductive at room temperature and is nonreactive with molten uranium. The composition is prepared from a particulate admixture of 20 to 50 vol. % niobium and zirconium oxide which may be stabilized with an addition of a further oxide such as magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, or yttria. The composition is prepared by blending the powders, pressing or casting the blend into the desired product configuration, and then sintering the casting or compact in an inert atmosphere. In the casting operation, calcium aluminate is preferably added to the admixture in place of a like quantity of zirconia for providing a cement to help maintain the integrity of the sintered product.