Patents by Inventor John S. Bennion

John S. Bennion 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).

  • Publication number: 20220406479
    Abstract: According to at least some example embodiments, a dome collector separation stage includes an inner side wall that defines an inner channel; and an outer side wall that, together with the inner side wall, defines an outer channel, the inner channel being configured to receive a two-phase flow stream (FS) of water and steam, and pass the two-phase FS to the outer channel via inlets included in the inner side wall, the outer channel being configured to separate at least some water from the two-phase FS, and pass moisture-reduced steam out of the steam separator stage via outlets included in the outer side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. MISTREANU, James Scott BOWMAN, John S. BENNION, Phillip Glen ELLISON, Bulent ALPAY
  • Patent number: 11398317
    Abstract: According to at least some example embodiments, a dome collector separation stage includes an inner side wall that defines an inner channel; and an outer side wall that, together with the inner side wall, defines an outer channel, the inner channel being configured to receive a two-phase flow stream (FS) of water and steam, and pass the two-phase FS to the outer channel via inlets included in the inner side wall, the outer channel being configured to separate at least some water from the two-phase FS, and pass moisture-reduced steam out of the steam separator stage via outlets included in the outer side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Mistreanu, James Scott Bowman, John S. Bennion, Phillip Glen Ellison, Bulent Alpay
  • Patent number: 10847273
    Abstract: A steam separation system includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream and a diffuser configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe. The diffuser includes a swirler configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream. The swirler includes a plurality of swirler vanes and a straightener structure. The straightener structure includes a hub. The plurality of swirler vanes is mounted radially around the hub, and a straightener extends in an upward direction from the hub. The system also includes a separation barrel configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the swirler. The separation barrel includes a rifled channel having orifices along an inner surface thereof. The plurality of swirler vanes is tuned with the rifled channel, such that an angle of each of the plurality of vanes corresponds to an angle of the rifled channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Glen Ellison, Adrian M. Mistreanu, Bobby Glen Malone, John S. Bennion, Bulent Alpay, Michael L. James
  • Publication number: 20200152342
    Abstract: According to at least some example embodiments, a dome collector separation stage includes an inner side wall that defines an inner channel; and an outer side wall that, together with the inner side wall, defines an outer channel, the inner channel being configured to receive a two-phase flow stream (FS) of water and steam, and pass the two-phase FS to the outer channel via inlets included in the inner side wall, the outer channel being configured to separate at least some water from the two-phase FS, and pass moisture-reduced steam out of the steam separator stage via outlets included in the outer side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. MISTREANU, James Scott Bowman, John S. Bennion, Phillip Glen Ellison, Bulent Alpay
  • Patent number: 10573420
    Abstract: According to at least some example embodiments, a dome collector separation stage includes an inner side wall that defines an inner channel; and an outer side wall that, together with the inner side wall, defines an outer channel, the inner channel being configured to receive a two-phase flow stream (FS) of water and steam, and pass the two-phase FS to the outer channel via inlets included in the inner side wall, the outer channel being configured to separate at least some water from the two-phase FS, and pass moisture-reduced steam out of the steam separator stage via outlets included in the outer side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Mistreanu, James Scott Bowman, John S. Bennion, Phillip Glen Ellison, Bulent Alpay
  • Publication number: 20180308591
    Abstract: According to at least some example embodiments, a dome collector separation stage includes an inner side wall that defines an inner channel; and an outer side wall that, together with the inner side wall, defines an outer channel, the inner channel being configured to receive a two-phase flow stream (FS) of water and steam, and pass the two-phase FS to the outer channel via inlets included in the inner side wall, the outer channel being configured to separate at least some water from the two-phase FS, and pass moisture-reduced steam out of the steam separator stage via outlets included in the outer side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. MISTREANU, James Scott BOWMAN, John S. BENNION, Phillip Glen ELLISON, Bulent ALPAY
  • Patent number: 10049775
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the steam separation system includes a plurality of steam separators configured to separate liquid from a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream; and a steam dryer system disposed above the steam separators. The steam dryer system includes a plurality of steam dryer bank assemblies and at least one moisture trap. Each of the steam dryer bank assemblies is configured to separate liquid of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream exiting the steam separators. The moisture trap is disposed next to one of the steam dryer bank assemblies and is configured to remove liquid from the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Bulent Alpay, Adrian M. Mistreanu, Phillip Glen Ellison, Bobby Glen Malone, John S. Bennion, Michael L. James
  • Patent number: 9916909
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the steam separator includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, and a first swirler configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe. The first swirler is configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream. The first swirler includes a direct flow portion and an indirect flow portion. The direct flow portion has a direct flow channel for permitting direct flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler, and the indirect flow portion has at least one indirect flow channel defined by at least one vane in the first swirler for providing an indirect flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GE-Bitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Mistreanu, James Scott Bowman, Phillip Glen Ellison, John S. Bennion, Bulent Alpay
  • Publication number: 20160189810
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the steam separator includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, and a first swirler configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe. The first swirler is configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream. The first swirler includes a direct flow portion and an indirect flow portion. The direct flow portion has a direct flow channel for permitting direct flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler, and the indirect flow portion has at least one indirect flow channel defined by at least one vane in the first swirler for providing an indirect flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Adrian M. MISTREANU, James Scott BOWMAN, Phillip Glen ELLISON, John S. BENNION, Bulent ALPAY
  • Publication number: 20150310944
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the steam separation system includes a plurality of steam separators configured to separate liquid from a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream; and a steam dryer system disposed above the steam separators. The steam dryer system includes a plurality of steam dryer bank assemblies and at least one moisture trap. Each of the steam dryer bank assemblies is configured to separate liquid of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream exiting the steam separators. The moisture trap is disposed next to one of the steam dryer bank assemblies and is configured to remove liquid from the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Bulent ALPAY, Adrian M. MISTREANU, Phillip Glen ELLISON, Bobby Glen MALONE, John S. BENNION, Michael L. JAMES
  • Publication number: 20150206606
    Abstract: A steam separation system includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, a first diffuser configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe, the first diffuser including a swirler configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, and a separation barrel configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the swirler, the separation barrel including a rifled channel having orifices along an inner surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Glen ELLISON, Adrian M. MISTREANU, Bobby Glen MALONE, John S. BENNION, Bulent ALPAY, Michael L. JAMES
  • Patent number: 8797021
    Abstract: An electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) probe assembly for monitoring ECP in a high velocity reactor line includes an airfoil shaped ECP cover that improves the streamlines over and around an ECP sensor. The airfoil shaped cover includes flow holes drilled normal to the surface of the ECP cover. As such, the direction of flow of reactor water into the ECP probe assembly is altered to reduce the flow rate internal to the ECP cover sufficiently to prevent damage to the ECP probes. To facilitate use as a retrofit component, the ECP cover may have an elliptical section that is contiguous to a circular section that conforms to the geometry of existing probe wells and probe sub-assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Theron D. Marshall, Adrian M. Mistreanu, Angelito Foz Gonzaga, John S. Bennion
  • Publication number: 20120206128
    Abstract: An electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) probe assembly for monitoring ECP in a high velocity reactor line includes an airfoil shaped ECP cover that improves the streamlines over and around an ECP sensor. The airfoil shaped cover includes flow holes drilled normal to the surface of the ECP cover. As such, the direction of flow of reactor water into the ECP probe assembly is altered to reduce the flow rate internal to the ECP cover sufficiently to prevent damage to the ECP probes. To facilitate use as a retrofit component, the ECP cover may have an elliptical section that is contiguous to a circular section that conforms to the geometry of existing probe wells and probe sub-assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Theron D. Marshall, Adrian M. Mistreanu, Angelito Foz Gonzaga, John S. Bennion