Patents by Inventor Paul K. DeSantis
Paul K. DeSantis 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: 10600518Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignees: BWXT mPower, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Patent number: 10410755Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) includes a lifting rod supporting a control rod and a holding mechanism comprising an electromagnetic circuit with magnetic poles drawn together when the electromagnetic circuit is energized to hold the lifting rod. The hold is released upon de-energizing the electromagnetic circuit. A translation mechanism linearly translates the lifting rod held by the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism may include a non-magnetic spacer between the magnetic poles that defines a gap between the drawn together magnetic poles. The translation mechanism may include latches configured to engage an upper end of the lifting rod, and the holding mechanism draws the magnetic poles together to hold the latches engaged with the upper end of the lifting rod. A four-bar cam assembly may be used to cam the latches closed in response to a vertical actuation force applied to the cam bars.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignees: BWXT mPower, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 10229760Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 10056161Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 9865364Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignees: BWXT mPower, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 9530525Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a head, a threaded shank extending from a bottom face of the head along a longitudinal axis of the fastener, and an annular flange oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis and surrounding the bottom face of the head. A surface has a receiving hole in which the shank of the threaded fastener is disposed with the bottom face of the head contacting the surface. The surface further has a crimping recess spaced apart from the receiving hole. A portion of the annular flange overlaps and is deformed into the crimping recess. The fastener may be a screw or bolt. In the case of a bolt, a nut engages the distal end of the threaded shank. The nut also includes an annular flange that is deformed into a crimping recess on a surface proximate to the nut.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul K. DeSantis, Andrew D. Klush
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Publication number: 20160254065Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Patent number: 9336910Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignees: BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20150206605Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20140334586Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) includes a lifting rod supporting a control rod and a holding mechanism comprising an electromagnetic circuit with magnetic poles drawn together when the electromagnetic circuit is energized to hold the lifting rod. The hold is released upon de-energizing the electromagnetic circuit. A translation mechanism linearly translates the lifting rod held by the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism may include a non-magnetic spacer between the magnetic poles that defines a gap between the drawn together magnetic poles. The translation mechanism may include latches configured to engage an upper end of the lifting rod, and the holding mechanism draws the magnetic poles together to hold the latches engaged with the upper end of the lifting rod. A four-bar cam assembly may be used to cam the latches closed in response to a vertical actuation force applied to the cam bars.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc.Inventors: Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20140301520Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20140270036Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 8811562Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) comprises a lead screw, a motor threadedly coupled with the lead screw to linearly drive the lead screw in an insertion direction or an opposite withdrawal direction, a latch assembly secured with the lead screw and configured to (i) latch to a connecting rod and to (ii) unlatch from the connecting rod, the connecting rod being free to move in the insertion direction when unlatched, and a release mechanism configured to selectively unlatch the latch assembly from the connecting rod.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventor: Paul K. DeSantis
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Patent number: 8811561Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for use in a nuclear reactor, the CRDM comprising: a connecting rod connected with at least one control rod; a lead screw; a drive mechanism configured to linearly translate the lead screw; an electromagnet coil assembly; and a latching assembly that latches the connecting rod to the lead screw responsive to energizing the electromagnet coil assembly and unlatches the connecting rod from the lead screw responsive to deenergizing the electromagnet coil assembly. The latching assembly is secured with and linearly translates with the lead screw, while the electromagnet coil assembly does not move with the lead screw. The electromagnet coil assembly is at least coextensive with a linear translation stroke over which the drive mechanism is configured to linearly translate the lead screw.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. Stambaugh, Paul K. DeSantis, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20130280006Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a head, a threaded shank extending from a bottom face of the head along a longitudinal axis of the fastener, and an annular flange oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis and surrounding the bottom face of the head. A surface has a receiving hole in which the shank of the threaded fastener is disposed with the bottom face of the head contacting the surface. The surface further has a crimping recess spaced apart from the receiving hole. A portion of the annular flange overlaps and is deformed into the crimping recess. The fastener may be a screw or bolt. In the case of a bolt, a nut engages the distal end of the threaded shank. The nut also includes an annular flange that is deformed into a crimping recess on a surface proximate to the nut.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Paul K. Desantis, Andrew D. Klush
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Publication number: 20110222640Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) comprises a lead screw, a motor threadedly coupled with the lead screw to linearly drive the lead screw in an insertion direction or an opposite withdrawal direction, a latch assembly secured with the lead screw and configured to (i) latch to a connecting rod and to (ii) unlatch from the connecting rod, the connecting rod being free to move in the insertion direction when unlatched, and a release mechanism configured to selectively unlatch the latch assembly from the connecting rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventor: Paul K. DeSantis
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Publication number: 20100316177Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for use in a nuclear reactor, the CRDM comprising: a connecting rod connected with at least one control rod; a lead screw; a drive mechanism configured to linearly translate the lead screw; an electromagnet coil assembly; and a latching assembly that latches the connecting rod to the lead screw responsive to energizing the electromagnet coil assembly and unlatches the connecting rod from the lead screw responsive to deenergizing the electromagnet coil assembly. The latching assembly is secured with and linearly translates with the lead screw, while the electromagnet coil assembly does not move with the lead screw. The electromagnet coil assembly is at least coextensive with a linear translation stroke over which the drive mechanism is configured to linearly translate the lead screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Kevin J. Stambaugh, Paul K. DeSantis, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin