Patents by Inventor Bruce Matzner

Bruce Matzner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Nuclear fuel assembly spacer
    Patent number: 4571324
    Abstract: In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor a fuel element spacer formed of an array of laterally positioned cojoined tubular ferrules each providing a passage for one of the fuel elements, the elements being laterally supported in the ferrules between laterally oriented spring members and oppositely positioned rigid stops, the wall thickness of the ferrules being relatively large and the height of the ferrules being relatively small to reduce hydride concentration in the ferrule material while maintaining relatively low flow resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric B. Johansson, Bruce Matzner
  • Nuclear fuel assembly spacer
    Patent number: 4544522
    Abstract: A spacer for use in a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor having thin, full-height divider members, slender spring members and laterally oriented rigid stops and wherein the total amount of spacer material, the amount of high neutron cross section material, the projected area of the spacer structure and changes in cross section area of the spacer structure are minimized whereby neutron absorption by the spacer and coolant flow resistance through the spacer are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael V. Curulla, John F. Price, Bruce Matzner, Kenneth W. Brayman, Frank D. Qurnell
  • Nuclear fuel assembly spacer
    Patent number: 4508679
    Abstract: In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor a fuel element spacer formed of an array of laterally positioned cojoined tubular ferrules each providing a passage for one of the fuel elements, the elements being laterally supported in the ferrules between slender spring members and laterally oriented rigid stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce Matzner, Victor M. Horn, Michael V. Curulla, John F. Price
  • Nuclear fuel assembly space arrangement
    Patent number: 4357298
    Abstract: Advantage is taken of the non-uniform axial neutron flux density distribution in a nuclear reactor core by using fuel rod spacers of low neutron absorption in high neutron flux density regions and fuel rod spacers of low coolant flow resistance in the lower neutron flux density regions of the core, this spacer combination also providing higher fuel bundle thermal limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Wolters, Jr., Tommy C. Lee, Bruce Matzner