Oklo Inc. Receives Patent for Innovative Nuclear Reactor Design

Strategic Insights -

Oklo Inc., a California-based company, has been issued patent number 12431249 for a novel nuclear reactor design that enables high-reliability, long-lasting, and resilient power generation. This patent, filed by Jacob DeWitte and Patrick Everett, was published online on September 30, 2025, after being submitted on December 20, 2022. The innovative design focuses on enhancing power output and efficiency while reducing pollution and emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patented nuclear reactor design includes a reactor core with multiple cooling channels, allowing for fluid isolation and improved heat transfer efficiency.
  • The system comprises two cooling systems, with the first cooling system transporting a first fluid coolant through the reactor core, and the second cooling system transporting a second fluid coolant through the reactor core.
  • In a first mode of operation, both cooling systems operate simultaneously, while in a second mode, only the first cooling system operates, with no fluid coolant flowing through the second system.
  • The power system is designed to operate at or near one hundred percent of rated reactor power during both modes of operation.
  • The reactor design includes heat exchangers that transfer heat from the fluid coolants to intermediate coolants within two intermediate coolant loops, which operate independently.
  • The system includes a feature that allows for adjustment of the flow volume of the fluid coolant through the reactor core by changing the size of orifices in a control plate.

Statistics:

  • Patent number 12431249 was issued to Oklo Inc. on September 30, 2025.
  • The patent was filed on December 20, 2022.
  • The reactor design includes a reactor core with multiple cooling channels, with each channel passing through a nuclear fuel element.
  • The system comprises two cooling systems, with the first cooling system transporting a first fluid coolant and the second cooling system transporting a second fluid coolant.

Sources:

  • DeWitte, Jacob. Nuclear reactor for heat and power generation. U.S. Patent Number 12431249, filed December 20, 2022, and published online on September 30, 2025.
  • Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12431249)&db=USPAT&type=ids