Patents by Inventor Matthew D. McArdle
Matthew D. McArdle 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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Patent number: 11721450Abstract: A device that will enable material to be irradiated as needed to produce a desired transmutation product inside the core of a nuclear reactor. The device provides a means for monitoring neutron flux in the vicinity of the material being irradiated to allow determination of the amount of transmutation product being produced. The device enables the irradiated material to be inserted into the reactor and held in place at desired axial positions and to be withdrawn from the reactor when desired without shutting down the reactor. The majority of the device may be re-used for subsequent irradiations. The device also enables the simple and rapid attachment of unirradiated target material to the portion of the device that transmits the motive force to insert and withdraw the target material into and out of the reactor and the rapid detachment of the irradiated material from the device for processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Matthew D. McArdle
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Publication number: 20210287824Abstract: A device that will enable material to be irradiated as needed to produce a desired transmutation product inside the core of a nuclear reactor. The device provides a means for monitoring neutron flux in the vicinity of the material being irradiated to allow determination of the amount of transmutation product being produced. The device enables the irradiated material to be inserted into the reactor and held in place at desired axial positions and to be withdrawn from the reactor when desired without shutting down the reactor. The majority of the device may be re-used for subsequent irradiations. The device also enables the simple and rapid attachment of unirradiated target material to the portion of the device that transmits the motive force to insert and withdraw the target material into and out of the reactor and the rapid detachment or the irradiated material from the device for processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. HEIBEL, Matthew D. MCARDLE
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Patent number: 10755829Abstract: A device that will enable material to be irradiated as needed to produce a desired transmutation product inside the core of a nuclear reactor. The device provides a means for monitoring neutron flux in the vicinity of the material being irradiated to allow determination of the amount of transmutation product being produced. The device enables the irradiated material to be inserted into the reactor and held in place at desired axial positions and to be withdrawn from the reactor when desired without shutting down the reactor. The majority of the device may be re-used for subsequent irradiations. The device also enables the simple and rapid attachment of unirradiated target material to the portion of the device that transmits the motive force to insert and withdraw the target material into and out of the reactor and the rapid detachment of the irradiated material from the device for processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Matthew D. McArdle
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Patent number: 10720253Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an existing nuclear reactor moveable in-core detector system to insert and withdraw target specimens from a reactor core during reactor operation without practically impeding the moveable in-core detector system's ability to obtain flux maps of the core throughout the reactor's operation. The apparatus provides a separate drive unit and delivery cable that is independent of the detector drive system, but uses most of the same core delivery conduits to access the core. A specimen holder is remotely detachable from the delivery cable when appropriately positioned and can be remotely reattached for withdrawal after a scheduled period of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Luke D. Czerniak, Melissa M. Heagy, Jorge V. Carvajal, Matthew D. McArdle, Jeffrey J. Taylor, James L. Yankel
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Patent number: 10714222Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an existing nuclear reactor moveable in-core detector system to insert and withdraw target specimens from a reactor core during reactor operation without practically impeding the moveable in-core detector system's ability to obtain flux maps of the core throughout the reactor's operation. The apparatus provides a separate drive unit and delivery cable that is independent of the detector drive system, but uses most of the same core delivery conduits to access the core. A specimen holder is remotely detachable from the delivery cable when appropriately positioned and can be remotely reattached for withdrawal after a scheduled period of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Luke D. Czerniak, Melissa M. Heagy, Jorge V. Carvajal, Matthew D. McArdle, Jeffrey J. Taylor, James L. Yankel
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Publication number: 20200176138Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an existing nuclear reactor moveable in-core detector system to insert and withdraw target specimens from a reactor core during reactor operation without practically impeding the moveable in-core detector system's ability to obtain flux maps of the core throughout the reactor's operation. The apparatus provides a separate drive unit and delivery cable that is independent of the detector drive system, but uses most of the same core delivery conduits to access the core. A specimen holder is remotely detachable from the delivery cable when appropriately positioned and can be remotely reattached for withdrawal after a scheduled period of radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. HEIBEL, Luke D. CZERNIAK, Melissa M. HEAGY, Jorge V. CARVAJAL, Matthew D. MCARDLE, Jeffrey J. TAYLOR, James L. YANKEL
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Publication number: 20190108921Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an existing nuclear reactor moveable in-core detector system to insert and withdraw target specimens from a reactor core during reactor operation without practically impeding the moveable in-core detector system's ability to obtain flux maps of the core throughout the reactor's operation. The apparatus provides a separate drive unit and delivery cable that is independent of the detector drive system, but uses most of the same core delivery conduits to access the core. A specimen holder is remotely detachable from the delivery cable when appropriately positioned and can be remotely reattached for withdrawal after a scheduled period of radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Luke D. Czerniak, Melissa M. Heagy, Jorge V. Carvajal, Matthew D. McArdle, Jeffrey J. Taylor, James L. Yankel
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Publication number: 20180019031Abstract: A device that will enable material to be irradiated as needed to produce a desired transmutation product inside the core of a nuclear reactor. The device provides a means for monitoring neutron flux in the vicinity of the material being irradiated to allow determination of the amount of transmutation product being produced. The device enables the irradiated material to be inserted into the reactor and held in place at desired axial positions and to be withdrawn from the reactor when desired without shutting down the reactor. The majority of the device may be re-used for subsequent irradiations. The device also enables the simple and rapid attachment of unirradiated target material to the portion of the device that transmits the motive force to insert and withdraw the target material into and out of the reactor and the rapid detachment or the irradiated material from the device for processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Matthew D. McArdle