Patents by Inventor Eric P. Loewen
Eric P. Loewen 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).
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Publication number: 20140069468Abstract: A method of cleaning a submerged surface covered by a liquid medium includes injecting a cleaning liquid with a submerged fluid jet through the liquid medium at the submerged surface. The method may also include introducing at least one of a non-reactive gas and a reactive gas with the cleaning liquid through the submerged fluid jet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. LOEWEN, Brian S. TRIPLETT, Brett J. DOOIES
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Publication number: 20140005462Abstract: A method for processing a coolant includes filtering a coolant using a first filtration system to generate a first filtered material, and filtering the filtered coolant using a second filtration system to generate a second filtered material. The second filtration system is different from the first filtration system. The first filtered material is transferred to a first waste treatment container and converted to a first waste product for permanent disposal, and the second waste product is transferred to a second waste treatment container and converted to a second waste product for permanent disposal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, John F. Berger, Brett J. Dooies
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Publication number: 20130341555Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid-metal coolant includes adding nanoparticles to the liquid-metal coolant to change neutronic properties of the liquid-metal coolant. The nanoparticles have neutronic properties different from that of the liquid-metal coolant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Brett J. Dooies, Eric P. Loewen
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Publication number: 20130308742Abstract: In one embodiment, a fuel bundle for a liquid metal cooled reactor includes a channel, a nose assembly secured to a lower end of the channel, a plurality of fuel rods disposed within the channel, and an internal mixer disposed within the channel above the plurality of fuel rods. The internal mixer includes peripheral flow control members and interior flow control members. The peripheral flow control members are located near walls of the channel, and the interior flow control members are located towards a longitudinal center of the housing. At least one of the peripheral flow control members is configured to direct liquid metal flowing through the channel towards an interior of the channel, and at least one of the interior flow control members is configured to direct liquid metal flowing through the channel away from the interior of the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brian S. Triplett, Brett J. Dooies, Scott L. Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20130301767Abstract: A system and a method for a commercial nuclear repository that turns heat and gamma radiation from spent nuclear fuel into a valuable revenue stream. Gamma radiation from the spent nuclear fuel of the repository may be used to irradiate and sterilize food and other substances. Gamma radiation may also be used to improve the properties of target substances. Additionally, heat decay from the spent nuclear fuel of the repository may be harnessed to heat materials or fluids. The heated fluids may be used, for instance, to produce steam that may make electricity. The heating of working fluids for use in processes, such as heated fluid streams for fermentation or industrial heating, may be transported out of the repository and co-mingled with other heat input, or other fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS, LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Jordan E. Hagaman
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Publication number: 20130287163Abstract: In one embodiment, the fuel bundle for a liquid metal cooled reactor includes a channel, a nose assembly secured to a lower end of the channel, and a plurality of fuel rods disposed within the channel. At least one of the fuel rods has at least one guard ring surround the fuel rod and spacing the fuel rod from adjacent fuel rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brian S. Triplett, Brett J. Dooies, Scott L. Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20130287161Abstract: In one embodiment, the heat removal system includes a storage tank configured to store a heat transfer medium, a transfer system configured to selectively transfer the heat transfer medium from the storage tank to the nuclear reactor, and a delivery system operationally connected to the transfer system. The delivery system is configured to deliver the heat transfer medium to a suppression pool room of the nuclear reactor. The suppression pool room houses a suppression pool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Charles L. Heck
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Publication number: 20130277228Abstract: A method for stabilizing a nuclear material may include electrolytically reducing the nuclear material in a first molten salt electrolyte of an electroreducer to produce a reduced material. A reducer waste may accumulate in the first molten salt electrolyte as a byproduct of the electroreduction. After the electroreduction, the reduced material may be electrolytically dissolved in a second molten salt electrolyte of an electrorefiner to produce a purified metal product on a refiner cathode assembly of the electrorefiner. As a result of the electrorefining, a first refiner waste may accumulate in the second molten salt electrolyte and a second refiner waste may accumulate in a refiner anode assembly of the electrorefiner. The reducer waste from the electroreducer and the first refiner waste from the electrorefiner may be converted into a ceramic waste form, while the second refiner waste from the electrorefiner may be converted into a metallic waste form.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, John F. Berger
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Publication number: 20130272469Abstract: A device for monitoring a reactor during normal and off-normal operating conditions may include a case formed of a rigid material, the case including a shielding layer configured to insulate an internal portion of the device from external heat and radiation; a coupling unit configured to adhere the case to a surface location of a reactor; a sensing unit configured to generate environmental measurements by measuring environmental conditions in the vicinity of the reactor; a data processing unit configured to generate measurement data by processing the environmental measurements; a transmitter configured to transmit the measurement data externally from the device; and a power unit configured to power the device independently of an external power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brian S. Triplett, Brett J. Dooies
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Publication number: 20130272468Abstract: A system for monitoring a state of a reactor core in a nuclear reactor may include an internal monitoring device located inside the reactor core, the internal monitoring device including one or more internal sensor arrays configured to take measurements of conditions of the reactor core at different vertical regions within the reactor core to generate internal measurement data; an external monitoring device located in the reactor structure outside the reactor core, the external monitoring device including one or more external sensor arrays configured to take measurements of conditions of the reactor core at positions outside the reactor core corresponding the plurality of different vertical regions within the reactor core to generate external measurement data, and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the external measurement data; and a receiver station configured to determine a state of the reactor core based on the external and internal measurement data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brian S. Triplett, Brett J. Dooies
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Publication number: 20130167531Abstract: Example embodiments include a vapor forming apparatus, system and/or method for producing vapor from radioactive decay material. The vapor forming apparatus including an insulated container configured to enclose a nuclear waste container. The nuclear waste container includes radioactive decay material. The insulated container includes an inlet valve configured to receive vapor forming liquid. The radioactive decay material transfers heat to the vapor forming liquid. The insulated container also includes an outlet valve configured to output the vapor forming liquid heated by the radioactive decay material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Jordan E. Hagaman
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Patent number: 8424253Abstract: Systems mitigate structural damage by selectively engaging energy-absorbing structures only during impact events, including aircraft impacts. Systems include lateral dampening devices and/or seismic bearings between a structure and its foundation. Lateral dampening devices include a restorative member and/or reactive member configured to rigidly join the structure and the foundation and dampen reactive movement after the structure moves toward the foundation during an impact event. Seismic bearings include a top plate connected to the structure, a bottom plate connected to the foundation, and a resistive core between the top plate that dampens relative movement between the structure and the foundation. Seismic bearings may include a capture assembly that rigidly joins and dampens reactive movement between the structure and the foundation during an impact event.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brett J. Dooies
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Publication number: 20120159876Abstract: Systems mitigate structural damage by selectively engaging energy-absorbing structures only during impact events, including aircraft impacts. Systems include lateral dampening devices and/or seismic bearings between a structure and its foundation. Lateral dampening devices include a restorative member and/or reactive member configured to rigidly join the structure and the foundation and dampen reactive movement after the structure moves toward the foundation during an impact event. Seismic bearings include a top plate connected to the structure, a bottom plate connected to the foundation, and a resistive core between the top plate that dampens relative movement between the structure and the foundation. Seismic bearings may include a capture assembly that rigidly joins and dampens reactive movement between the structure and the foundation during an impact event.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brett J. Dooies
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Patent number: 7147823Abstract: A method for cooling a heat source, a method for preventing chemical interaction between a vessel and a cooling composition therein, and a cooling system. The method for cooling employs a containment vessel with an oxidizable interior wall. The interior wall is oxidized to form an oxide barrier layer thereon, the cooling composition is monitored for excess oxidizing agent, and a reducing agent is provided to eliminate excess oxidation. The method for preventing chemical interaction between a vessel and a cooling composition involves introducing a sufficient quantity of a reactant which is reactive with the vessel in order to produce a barrier layer therein that is non-reactive with the cooling composition. The cooling system includes a containment vessel with oxidizing agent and reducing agent delivery conveyances and a monitor of oxidation and reduction states so that proper maintenance of a vessel wall oxidation layer occurs.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventor: Eric P. Loewen
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Publication number: 20030194345Abstract: A method for cooling a heat source, a method for preventing chemical interaction between a vessel and a cooling composition therein, and a cooling system. The method for cooling employs a containment vessel with an oxidizable interior wall. The interior wall is oxidized to form an oxide barrier layer thereon, the cooling composition is monitored for excess oxidizing agent, and a reducing agent is provided to eliminate excess oxidation. The method for preventing chemical interaction between a vessel and a cooling composition involves introducing a sufficient quantity of a reactant which is reactive with the vessel in order to produce a barrier layer therein that is non-reactive with the cooling composition. The cooling system includes a containment vessel with oxidizing agent and reducing agent delivery conveyances and a monitor of oxidation and reduction states so that proper maintenance of a vessel wall oxidation layer occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLCInventor: Eric P. Loewen
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Patent number: 5555822Abstract: A reactor includes a bulk waste inlet and a gas outlet. A baffle within the reactor has a lower edge which can be immersed by a molten metal bath within the reactor. The baffle partitions are gaseous volume above the molten metal bath into a first region, proximate to the bulk waste inlet, and a second region, proximate to the gas outlet. The gas conduit extends from the first region to a portion of the reactor beneath the second region. Gas is directed from the first region through the gas conduit to a portion of the molten metal bath beneath the second region. The gas pressure is thereby equalized above the molten metal bath in the first and second regions during dissociation of bulk waste directed into the first region.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, Arthur W. White