Patents by Inventor Neil G. Heppenstall

Neil G. Heppenstall 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).

  • Nuclear fuel assembly coolant control
    Patent number: 5066453
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of coolant through a nuclear fuel assembly, in which a coolant flow restrictor 26 having longitudinal ducts 30 is provided with plug members 48, 49, 50 of different lengths. The plug members 48, 49, 50 are moved longitudinally by the effect of neutron induced growth on an actuating member 60. A connecting member 53 converts the growth of the actuating member 60 into a longitudinal movement of the plug members 48, 49, 50 so that they are progressively withdrawn from the flow restrictor 26 to increase the flow of coolant through the flow restrictor 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Neil G. Heppenstall, Colin Betts, James Ford