Patents Assigned to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
  • PROFILING TOOL FOR DETERMINING MATERIAL THICKNESS FOR INSPECTION SITES HAVING COMPLEX TOPOGRAPHY
    Publication number: 20140076053
    Abstract: A phased array ultrasonic probe may be mounted to a component to be inspected for wall thickness on an apparatus that includes a split ring adapted to be magnetically held in place on the component. In particular, the probe may be mounted to a carriage connected to the split ring in a manner that allows the carriage to rotate around the split ring while the probe is in operation. Between the probe and the component, a transducer shoe defining, by a flexible membrane, a cavity and an aperture. Conveniently, the construction of the flexible membrane allows wall thickness measurements to be acquired in portions of the component that have complex topography, such as welds. The apparatus is installed on an adaptor assembly for inspection of straight section of pipes. This adaptor assembly is not used in absence of straight section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited
    Inventors: Michel Joseph Gilles Gaudet, Robert Hayden Lumsden, Glenn Curtis Longhurst, Kristopher Kyle Jones, Stuart Thomas Craig, David Walter Dunford, Paul Gregory Adams, Kenneth Robert Chaplin, Helene Marie Hebert
  • Electrolysis cell for the conversion of cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid to cupric chloride and hydrogen gas
    Patent number: 8636880
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell for producing hydrogen gas and cupric chloride, comprising an anode compartment including an anode disposed in an anolyte, wherein the anolyte is cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid, a cathode compartment including a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises an electrocatalyst, and a cation exchange membrane disposed between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
    Inventor: Lorne Stolberg
  • NUCLEAR FUEL CONTAINING RECYCLED AND DEPLETED URANIUM, AND NUCLEAR FUEL BUNDLE AND NUCLEAR REACTOR COMPRISING SAME
    Publication number: 20130308741
    Abstract: Fuel bundles for a nuclear reactor are described and illustrated, and in some cases includes fuel elements each having a first fuel component of recycled uranium; and a second fuel component of at least one of depleted uranium and natural uranium blended with the first fuel component, wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a first fissile content of less than 1.2 wt % of 235U. Other fuel bundles are also described and illustrated, and include a first fuel element including recycled uranium, the first fuel element having a first fissile content of no less than 0.72 wt % of 235U; and a second fuel element including at least one of depleted uranium and natural uranium, the second fuel element having a second fissile content of no greater than 0.71 wt % of 235U.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Sermet Kuran, Mustapha Boubcher, Cathy Cottrell, Eric Carl Almendra Araujo
  • NUCLEAR FUEL CONTAINING A NEUTRON ABSORBER
    Publication number: 20130301780
    Abstract: Fuel bundles for a nuclear reactor are described and illustrated, and in some cases include fuel elements each having a fissile content of 235U between about 0.9 wt % 235U and 5.0 wt % 235U, and wherein at least one of the fuel elements is a poisoned low-enriched uranium fuel element including a neutron poison in a concentration greater than about 5.0 vol %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Mustapha Boubcher, Sermet Kuran, Cathy Cottrell, Robert R. Bodner
  • REACTOR SHUTDOWN TRIP ALGORITHM
    Publication number: 20130294562
    Abstract: A controller for producing a nuclear reactor shutdown system trip signal in response to at least one detector signal. The controller includes a signal conditioning module receiving the at least one detector signal and outputting a measured flux signal. A rate module generates a rate signal from the measured flux signal. A comparator circuit compares the rate signal to a trip setpoint and generates a first trip signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
    Inventor: Majid Borairi
  • REACTOR SHUTDOWN TRIP ALGORITHM
    Publication number: 20130294561
    Abstract: A controller for producing a nuclear reactor shutdown system trip signal in response to at least one detector signal. The controller includes a signal conditioning module receiving the at least one detector signal and outputting a measured flux signal. A rate module generates a rate signal from the measured flux signal. A comparator circuit compares the rate signal to a trip setpoint and generates a first trip signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventor: Majid Borairi
  • NUCLEAR FUEL CONTAINING RECYCLED AND DEPLETED URANIUM, AND NUCLEAR FUEL BUNDLE AND NUCLEAR REACTOR COMPRISING SAME
    Publication number: 20130266112
    Abstract: Nuclear fuels for nuclear reactors are described, and include nuclear fuels having a first fuel component of recycled uranium, and a second fuel component of depleted uranium blended with the first fuel component, wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a fissile content of less than 1.2 wt % of 235U. Also described are nuclear fuels having a first fuel component of recycled uranium, and a second fuel component of natural uranium blended with the first fuel component, wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a fissile content of less than 1.2 wt % of 235U.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Sermet Kuran, Mustapha Boubcher, Cathy Cottrell
  • REACTOR DECONTAMINATION PROCESS AND REAGENT
    Publication number: 20130251086
    Abstract: The present application is related to a concentrated decontaminating reagent composition and related method useful for decontamination of nuclear reactors, or components thereof. The concentrated reagent composition is injected into the nuclear reactor, or component thereof, to form a dilute reagent that comprises from about 0.6 to about 3.0 g/L (2.1-10.3 mM) EDTA and from about 0.4 to about 2.2 g/L (2.1-11.5 mM) citric acid. The composition and method of this application can be used effectively in a regenerative process to decontaminate a nuclear reactor, or a component of thereof, with high efficiency without causing significant corrosion to the components of the cooling systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert A. Speranzini, Douglas Miller, Jaleh Semmler
  • Directional Radiation Detection Apparatus and Method Using Inverse Collimation
    Publication number: 20130206995
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detector for detecting both the intensity and direction of one or more sources of radiation comprising a radiation sensor, an inverse collimator that shields the sensor from at least a portion of the incident radiation originating from the direction in which the inverse collimator is pointed and a means for pointing the inverse collimator in different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Bhaskar Sur, Shuwei Yue, Arjun Das, Guy Jonkmans
  • REACTOR SHUTDOWN TRIP ALGORITHM
    Publication number: 20130170595
    Abstract: A controller for producing a nuclear reactor shutdown system trip signal in response to at least one detector signal. The controller includes a signal conditioning module receiving the at least one detector signal and outputting a measured flux signal. A rate module generates a rate signal from the measured flux signal. A comparator circuit compares the rate signal to a trip setpoint and generates a first trip signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventor: Majid Borairi
  • PRESSURE-TUBE REACTOR WITH PRESSURIZED MODERATOR
    Publication number: 20130121452
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor can include a pressure vessel for containing a pressurized moderator at a first pressure. The nuclear reactor can also include a plurality of fuel channels for a coolant fluid at a second pressure. The plurality of fuel channels are fluidly connected at inlet ends thereof to a coolant supply conduit and are adapted to receive nuclear fuel bundles and to be mounted within the pressure vessel and surrounded by the moderator. The outlet ends of the fuel channels are fluidly connected to a coolant outlet conduit to enable the coolant fluid to circulate from the coolant supply conduit through the fuel channels to the coolant outlet conduit. The plurality of fuel channels maintain separation between the coolant fluid circulating within the fuel channels and the moderator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED/ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE DU CANADA LIMITÉE
    Inventors: Robert Bodner, Jonathan Tyo, Dan Popov, Sermet Kuran
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING POSITION OF ANNULUS SPACER BETWEEN CONCENTRIC TUBES
    Publication number: 20130114777
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the location of at least one annulus spacer between concentric interior and exterior tubes when a temperature gradient is present therebetween. A probe head assembly is movable within the interior tube. At least one temperature sensor is coupled to the probe head assembly and configured to detect a temperature of an interior surface of the interior tube. A drive assembly is operable to move the probe head assembly relative to the interior tube. A data acquisition system is coupled to the at least one temperature sensor and configured to receive a plurality of temperature measurements in order to identify at least one position along the interior surface having a temperature abnormality corresponding to a reduced temperature gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
    Inventor: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
  • VANED FILTERING ELEMENT
    Publication number: 20120273407
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filters used to remove debris from water being sucked into a piping system. It has particular application for use in nuclear power plants, which, after a loss of coolant accident, must pump cooling water back into the reactor core from a collection sump. This water may contain various types of debris that must be removed before the water is sent back into the reactor cooling system. Filtering of the debris is realized with the component known as “strainers”. There are restrictions on the space available for installing strainers. The vaned filtering element, for example a vaned fin, of the present invention is designed to reduce the space required for strainer installation by increasing strainer surface area per unit volume, while maximizing the quantity of debris that can be filtered from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Ziaul Haque, David Bruce Rhodes, Michel Gaudet
  • Evaporator/calciner
    Patent number: 8246916
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is provided an evaporator/calciner in which hazardous materials, such as radioactive liquids, are converted into chemically stable, solid forms by evaporating, drying and calcination within a single vessel, that can then be sealed and used for long term storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth James Franklin, Andrew Donald Kettner, Bruce Wayne Hildebrandt, Howard Charles Jessup, Jr.
  • CIRCUMFERENTIAL SAMPLING TOOL
    Publication number: 20120090412
    Abstract: A circumferential sampling tool for obtaining a sample from an interior wall of a tube has a cylindrical body with an aperture therein. First and second cutters are operatively connected to a shaft for rotation therewith. The first and second cutter are each movable radially between a retracted position and an extended position. First and second actuators are operatively connected to the first and second cutters respectively for moving the first and second cutters between their respective retracted and extended positions as the shaft rotates. Rotating the shaft causes the first cutter to move to the extended position thereby cutting a portion of the interior wall and then causes the second cutter to move to the extended position thereby cutting the sample from the interior wall from a location in the tube revealed by cutting the portion of the interior wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED (AECL)
    Inventors: Richard Wray, Greg Hersak
  • EVAPORATOR/CALCINER
    Publication number: 20100319634
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is provided an evaporator/calciner in which hazardous materials, such as radioactive liquids, are converted into chemically stable, solid forms by evaporating, drying and calcination within a single vessel, that can then be sealed and used for long term storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenneth James FRANKLIN, Andrew Donald Kettner, Bruce Wayne Hildebrandt, Howard Charles Jessup, JR.
  • Evaporator/calciner
    Patent number: 7731912
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is provided an evaporator/calciner in which hazardous materials, such as radioactive liquids, are converted into chemically stable, solid forms by evaporating, drying and calcination within a single vessel, that can then be sealed and used for long term storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth James Franklin, Andrew Donald Kettner, Bruce Wayne Hildebrandt, Howard Charles Jessup, Jr.
  • Collection system for the mechanical cleaning of heat exchanger tubes
    Patent number: 7493938
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning heat exchanger tubes and in particular an improved collection system for nuclear generator cleaning and blasting media and deposit material. A suction line having a downwardly directed suction inlet is effective to vacuum airborne media and debris in said chamber and vacuum media and debris deposited on the bottom of said chamber below said suction inlet. A hopper, air jet and shaker means are provided to transport deposited media and debris toward the suction inlet. Breaker and partition means are provided to reduce back-streaming of debris into heat exchanger tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited/ Energie Atomique du Canada Limitee
    Inventors: Bernard A. Majarais, Norman Korell, Frank Kamler, Narinder Bains, David Scott
  • EVAPORATOR/CALCINER
    Publication number: 20080214886
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is provided an evaporator/calciner in which hazardous materials, such as radioactive liquids, are converted into chemically stable, solid forms by evaporating, drying and calcination within a single vessel, that can then be sealed and used for long term storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenneth James FRANKLIN, Andrew Donald KETTNER, Bruce Wayne Hildebrandt, Howard Charles Jessup
  • Finned Strainer
    Publication number: 20080156712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filters used to remove debris from water being sucked into a piping system. It has particular application use in nuclear power plants, which, after a loss of coolant accident, must pump cooling water back into the reactor core from a collection sump. This water may contain various types of debris that must be removed before the water is sent back into the reactor cooling system. There are restrictions on the allowable pressure drop across the strainer and the space available for installing this equipment. The finned strainer of the present invention addresses these issues while maximizing the quantity of debris filtered from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: David Bruce Rhodes, James Edward Allan McGregor