Patents by Inventor David J. Keck

David J. Keck 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).

  • Patent number: 8873695
    Abstract: Internal head vents are usable in nuclear reactors and include piping inside of the reactor pressure vessel with a vent in the reactor upper head. Piping extends downward from the upper head and passes outside of the reactor to permit the gas to escape or be forcibly vented outside of the reactor without external piping on the upper head. The piping may include upper and lowers section that removably mate where the upper head joins to the reactor pressure vessel. The removable mating may include a compressible bellows and corresponding funnel. The piping is fabricated of nuclear-reactor-safe materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and/or a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy. Methods install an internal head vent in a nuclear reactor by securing piping to an internal surface of an upper head of the nuclear reactor and/or securing piping to an internal surface of a reactor pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: John L. Gels, David J. Keck, Gerald A. Deaver
  • Patent number: 8355481
    Abstract: Provided is a sliding support and a system using the sliding support unit. The sliding support unit may include a fulcrum capture configured to attach to a support flange, a fulcrum support configured to attach to the fulcrum capture, and a baseplate block configured to support the fulcrum support. The system using the sliding support unit may include a pressure vessel, a pedestal bracket, and a plurality of sliding support units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Breach, David J. Keck, Gerald A. Deaver
  • Publication number: 20120177164
    Abstract: Internal head vents are usable in nuclear reactors and include piping inside of the reactor pressure vessel with a vent in the reactor upper head. Piping extends downward from the upper head and passes outside of the reactor to permit the gas to escape or be forcibly vented outside of the reactor without external piping on the upper head. The piping may include upper and lowers section that removably mate where the upper head joins to the reactor pressure vessel. The removable mating may include a compressible bellows and corresponding funnel. The piping is fabricated of nuclear-reactor-safe materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and/or a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy. Methods install an internal head vent in a nuclear reactor by securing piping to an internal surface of an upper head of the nuclear reactor and/or securing piping to an internal surface of a reactor pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: John L. Gels, David J. Keck, Gerald A. Deaver
  • Publication number: 20110038450
    Abstract: Provided is a sliding support and a system using the sliding support unit. The sliding support unit may include a fulcrum capture configured to attach to a support flange, a fulcrum support configured to attach to the fulcrum capture, and a baseplate block configured to support the fulcrum support. The system using the sliding support unit may include a pressure vessel, a pedestal bracket, and a plurality of sliding support units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Michael R. Breach, David J. Keck, Gerald A. Deaver