Patents by Inventor Minoru Watahiki

Minoru Watahiki 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).

  • Method of using nuclear reactor fuel assembly
    Patent number: 4119489
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly having a bundle of longitudinal fuel elements vertically disposed in a reactor vessel, an upper and a lower tie plate supporting the top and the bottom of the bundle of the fuel elements, a fully ended tubular channel covering around the bundle of the fuel elements to define a coolant flow passage. The channel is removably supported by the upper tie plate. After a predetermined operating period, the channel is pulled out from the fuel assembly, turned upside down and thereafter again inserted over the fuel assembly in a upended state so that the life time of the channel is elongated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Itoh, Katsutoshi Shinbo, Minoru Watahiki