Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Kereakoglow

Stephen C. Kereakoglow 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 control rod drive thimble to bottom nozzle connector
    Patent number: 7453972
    Abstract: A secure connection between the bottom nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly and the control rod guide thimbles having two or four crimped pockets in the side wall of a bottom nozzle leg counterbore which are formed by drilling two or four blind holes through the top surface of the bottom nozzle. After attaching the bottom nozzle to the fuel assembly with a crimp bolt a pneumatic tool is then inserted into a flanged cup feature on the crimp bolt head and the flanged portion of the cup feature of the crimp bolt is deformed into the crimp pockets. The crimp pockets are contained within the leg counterbore and prevent the screw from rotating or falling out of the assembly in the event of preload loss or screw fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co. LLC
    Inventors: Patrick A. Hellandbrand, Jr., Stephen C. Kereakoglow, Michael O. Bausch, Richard P. Broders
  • Nuclear fuel assembly control rod drive thimble to bottom nozzle connector
    Publication number: 20070286326
    Abstract: A secure connection between the bottom nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly and the control rod guide thimbles having two or four crimped pockets in the side wall of a bottom nozzle leg counterbore which are formed by drilling two or four blind holes through the top surface of the bottom nozzle. After attaching the bottom nozzle to the fuel assembly with a crimp bolt a pneumatic tool is then inserted into a flanged cup feature on the crimp bolt head and the flanged portion of the cup feature of the crimp bolt is deformed into the crimp pockets. The crimp pockets are contained within the leg counterbore and prevent the screw from rotating or falling out of the assembly in the event of preload loss or screw fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick A. Hellandbrand, Stephen C. Kereakoglow, Michael O. Bausch, Richard P. Broders