Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm James E. McGinness
  • Patent number: 6351511
    Abstract: An apparatus for reinforcing weakened portions of the top guide assembly in a boiling water reactor. The repair apparatus includes a cruciform lattice segment which reinforces the damaged or weakened region of the top guide beam lattice. This cruciform lattice segment is held in place atop the existing top guide with specially designed straps. The cruciform lattice segment and associated straps are arranged so that a beam segment of the cruciform lattice segment bridges the weakened region in the cracked top guide. Thus, the bridging beam segment transmits loads across the weakened region of the top guide. The straps are designed to avoid interference with removal and installation of the fuel assemblies and the control rod blade which is inserted between the fuel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gerald Alan Deaver, James Walton Pyron, Anh Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6137853
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ultrasonically inspecting the welds which attach the differential pressure and liquid poison nozzles to the bottom head of the reactor pressure vessel in a boiling water reactor. The scanning apparatus is seated on the upper taper of the nozzle outer tube and incorporates a stationary frame having a cutaway section which allows installation from the side. The apparatus has vertical and circumferential positioning mechanisms which are operated remotely to scan an ultrasonic transducer package over the circumferential welds and heat-affected zones thereof. The rotating frame has a transducer carriage mounted thereon which is vertically displaceable relative to the rotating frame. The vertical and angular motion motors can be controlled together to provide the desired path for the ultrasonic transducer around the stub tube. The tool also includes a vessel contour follower which follows the contour of the inclined surfaces of the reactor pressure vessel bottom head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Charles Duckering, David Lee Richardson, James Howard Terhune, Frank Ortega
  • Patent number: 6128361
    Abstract: A technique for reducing the shadow corrosion effect in zirconium-based alloys caused by .beta.-particles emitted by adjacent components containing one or more elements that emit .beta.-particle flux when activated by neutron capture. The technique entails providing a coating capable of absorbing .beta.-particles, so as to mitigate the adverse effect of .beta.-particle bombardment of a zirconium-based alloy. Preferred coating materials include beryllia, beryllium, tin, zinc, chromium and cadmium. The coatings can be applied to various nuclear reactor structural alloys, such as stainless steel and nickel, platinum, copper, hafnium and yttrium-based alloys containing 0.2 weight percent manganese or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Howard Terhune, Barry Monroe Gordon
  • Patent number: 6067338
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing the core shroud of a nuclear reactor having one or more cracked vertical seam welds. The repair involves machining two holes in the shroud on opposing sides of the cracked vertical seam weld and then attaching two flexible links on the inside and outside of the shroud wall by means of two shear bolts inserted in the machined holes. The flexible links bridge the cracked vertical weld seam. Multiple link assemblies can be placed along the length of a crack. The links are made of an alloy having a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the shroud material. The links are installed while the reactor is shutdown. When the reactor returns to operation, the consequent temperature rise causes the shroud section being bridged by the links to expand more than the links expand. As a result the links exert a circumferential compressive load across the crack in the vertical seam weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Geddes Erbes
  • Patent number: 5994659
    Abstract: An integrated non-consumable electrode and filler material nozzle for use with electric arc welding (or arc brazing). The electrode and filler nozzle are preferably integrated in one or more of the following ways: mechanically, thermally or electrically. The filler nozzle may be used to feed either hot or cold wire. Electric arc power and the wire resistance-heating power may be supplied by a single arc welding power supply, which is either directly or indirectly shunted between the electrode and filler nozzle. The nozzle can be designed to feed either single or multiple filler wires. The hot-wire nozzle preferably has a movable contact element which allows the electrical extension to be adjusted. Also the curvature of the outlet end of the hot-wire nozzle can be adjusted. If the nozzle is vertical, a wire deflection device at the nozzle outlet can be used to deflect the tip of the filler wire toward the weld puddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Henry Peter Offer
  • Patent number: 5981897
    Abstract: An apparatus for emitting a laminar flow of inert gas at a location inside a reduced-width, high-aspect-ratio (ratio of depth to width) weld groove. The portion of the gas distribution apparatus extending into the groove has a thickness less than the width of the weld groove and distributes inert gas which displaces the ambient atmosphere overlying the molten pool area at the bottom of the weld groove. The gas distribution apparatus may take the form of a tube, a planar array of mutually parallel tubes joined at the sides, a monolithic block having an elongated cross section with a parallel array of channels drilled or machined therein, or a support frame covered by a gas-permeable skin. To achieve a laminar flow, a gas diffusing structure is incorporated in each gas distribution tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Peter Offer, Benedict Kazirskis, Paul S. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 5977504
    Abstract: A guide nozzle for feeding multiple fusible filler metal wires into reduced-width, high-aspect-ratio (ratio of depth to width) metallic joints with control and stability of the filler metal position as it enters the molten pool area. The multiple filler wires are fed concurrently at the same or different feed rates. The guide nozzle is fabricated by flattening a circular tube into an oval or elliptical shape. In the case when the filler wires have the same diameter, the resulting oval or elliptical hole in the guide nozzle has a height greater than two times the diameter of the filler wires and a width greater than one diameter but less than two times the diameter of the filler wire. Alternatively, the guide nozzle is formed by forming a flat side on each of two circular tubes and then joining the flat sides together. Each tube has a circular hole of diameter greater than the diameter of the filler wire to be guided therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Peter Offer, Leonard John Sharpless
  • Patent number: 5958261
    Abstract: A hot-wire nozzle for feeding pre-heated filler material into a welding groove. The nozzle has a contact tube made of electrically conductive material surrounded by a thin structural outer sheath. The outer sheath is electrically insulated from the contact tube by means of layers of electrically insulating material sandwiched between the contact tube and the outer sheath. The contact tube is configured to feed two or more filler wires simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Peter Offer, Leonard John Sharpless
  • Patent number: 5932930
    Abstract: A process for fabricating weapons-grade plutonium into mixed-oxide fuel for use in a nuclear reactor. The plutonium is converted into plutonia powder at a site remote from the fuel fabrication facility and then the plutonia powder is pressed and fired into high-density plutonia pellets for transport to the fuel fabrication facility. The high-density plutonia pellets serve as a diversion-resistant and environmentally sound method of shipping the plutonia for use as a feed material. Comminution methods are employed to reduce the plutonia pellets to a fine powder for blending with urania feed to produce mixed oxide acceptable for reactor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Clifford Wadekamper, Ira Nelson Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5918272
    Abstract: A flow-through system for determining the particle size distribution of iron oxide particulate matter in a reactor water sample. The system includes a magnetic filter having a chamber through which a stream of reactor water. The chamber is surrounded by a winding which is coupled to an electrical circuit for generating a varying magnetic field which interacts with any magnetic particulates entrained in the water sample flowing through chamber. When a strong magnetic field is established, magnetic particles are filtered out of the water stream flowing through the chamber by magnetic attraction. Therefore, only particles which are non-magnetic or slightly magnetic pass through the magnetic filter. The particles which pass through the magnetic filter then enter a conventional particle distribution analyzer which counts and sizes the particles in the water stream flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dane Thomas Snyder, Robert James Law, Michel Noel Robles, Roger William Caputi
  • Patent number: 5906222
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a gate valve incorporates an eddy current proximity sensor to detect a displaceable stem cap made of ferromagnetic material. The stem cap is mounted on one end of an actuating stem. The other end of the stem is coupled to a plunger having a cammed tip which meets a cam attached to the piston. The camming action moves the stem cap from a position out of proximity to a position in proximity to the eddy current proximity sensor when the piston is at the end of its stroke. The proximity sensor is mechanically coupled to the stem housing by means of a housing cap, a barrel and a sensor cap, all made of non-magnetic material. The barrel is threaded at both ends with opposing threads so the barrel can be screwed onto the housing and sensor caps at the same time, thereby drawing the housing and end caps toward each other without sensor rotation. This feature allows the proximity sensor to be positioned at the correct distance from the stem cap without damage to the sensor connector wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Louis Faulstich
  • Patent number: 5905771
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a shroud in which one or more seam welds are cracked. The repair involves the attachment of a splice bracket to the shroud so that the bracket bridges the cracked weld seam and is applicable to both vertical and horizontal weld seams. The bracket is intended to structurally replace the shroud seam weld which is cracked. Multiple splice brackets can be placed along the length of a crack. Each splice bracket is attached to the shroud by a plurality of tapered fastener assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Geddes Erbes, Grant Clark Jensen, James Edward Charnley
  • Patent number: 5878490
    Abstract: A method for connecting piping system components, such as a valve and a pipe fitting, using a pair of half-height nuts in place of a single full-height nut on each stud. Each first half-height nut is torqued on its associated stud while a stud tensioner exerts an axial pull on the stud. Each second half-height nut is torqued onto the stud, using a standard torque wrench, after the stud tensioner is removed. The two nuts together produce a combined nut strength capable of withstanding the tensile force on the associated stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George Henry Heinold, Willard Joseph Roit
  • Patent number: 5857006
    Abstract: A chimney which can be reconfigured or removed during refueling to allow vertical removal of the fuel assemblies. The chimney is designed to be collapsed or dismantled. Collapse or dismantlement of the chimney reduces the volume required for chimney storage during the refueling operation. Alternatively, the chimney has movable parts which allow reconfiguration of its structure. In a first configuration suitable for normal reactor operation, the chimney is radially constricted such that the chimney obstructs vertical removal of the fuel assemblies. In a second configuration suitable for refueling or maintenance of the fuel core, the parts of the chimney which obstruct access to the fuel assemblies are moved radially outward to positions whereat access to the fuel assemblies is not obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Willem Jan Oosterkamp, Wayne Marquino
  • Patent number: 5852271
    Abstract: A submersible thermal processing apparatus including a welding torch having an electrode, a housing and an inlet for pressurized gas; a shielding gas nozzle mounted to the torch housing and surrounding at least a portion of the electrode; and a fluid-permeable baffle made of elastic, heat-resistant spring material arranged in a closed loop and mounted to a distal end of the shielding gas nozzle. This water exclusion device acts as a movable, flexible, gas-flow permeable baffle, and is used in contact with and/or close proximity to the workpiece surface. One preferred shape of the cross section of the device is elliptical, with the coils of the spring inclined at an angle to the general path around the device so as to allow the overall helix shape to be readily compressed and released through larger deflections than the conventional design of baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Henry Peter Offer
  • Patent number: 5826252
    Abstract: A system for managing multiple projects of a similar type has a global project management database for storing data for all participating projects which is dynamically updated with best current data representing best current practices across all participating projects in the system. Localized computer terminals are operated at each local site with a common project management program and data imported from the global project management database. Periodically, the local terminals export data to the global project management database which are evaluated to determine any new best current practices across all participating projects and to update the global project management database with the new best current practices. Upon periodically importing data from the global project management database, each localized computer terminal is updated with the new best current practices across all participating projects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Arthur Wolters, Jr., Susan Mae Schwee, James Russell Isaacs, Michael Adrian Smith, Walter Hening Cooley, Jr., Craig Ernest Leighty, George Borst, Paul Lawrence Mayo, Gregory Douglas Lownes
  • Patent number: 5803686
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a shroud in which one or more seam welds are cracked. The repair involves the attachment of a splice bracket to the shroud so that the bracket bridges the cracked weld seam and is applicable to both vertical and horizontal weld seams. The bracket is intended to structurally replace the shroud seam weld which is cracked. Multiple splice brackets can be placed along the length of a crack. Each splice bracket is attached to the shroud by a plurality of tapered fastener assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Geddes Erbes, Grant Clark Jensen, James Edward Charnley
  • Patent number: 5802127
    Abstract: An in-core monitor protector intended for use during in-vessel services while work is being performed in the reactor core region of a BWR. The purpose of the protector is to prevent damage to or displacement of the in-core monitors, which could be caused by the installation or removal of various types of equipment through the top guide of the core during an outage. This protection is accomplished by partly surrounding the in-core monitor with the protector. The primary component is an aluminum channel of such size as to surround the monitor on three sides and of such length as to extend from the bottom of the top guide to the top of the fuel support castings. The closed sides of the channel prevent direct contact between servicing tools and the monitor. A top subassembly is used to secure the protector to the top guide. A bottom subassembly is used to secure the protector to the fuel support castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Neal J. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 5793827
    Abstract: A device for carrying out a surveillance program to monitor the environmental effect of radiation and high-temperature oxygenated water on the shroud material in an operating reactor. The device is a holder containing shroud material specimens and encapsulated neutron flux monitors. The holder is installed on the shroud wall and left in place for a predetermined period of reactor operation time for the purpose of monitoring the neutron fluence effect on the shroud material specimens housed in the holder. The specimen holder is later removed from the reactor. The specimens are removed from the holder and examined in a laboratory to determine any changes in material properties. The specimen holder comprises a bolt-like device having a hollow head and a threaded shaft. The hollow head provides space for material specimens and neutron flux monitors. The specimen holder is attached to the shroud wall by screwing the threaded shaft into a threaded hole in shroud wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karl Bomann Larsen, Charles Arthur Dalke
  • Patent number: 5793009
    Abstract: A filler material guide nozzle assembly for feeding fusible filler metal wire or other metal forms into reduced-width, high-aspect-ratio (ratio of depth to width) metallic joints with control and stability of the filler metal position as it enters the molten pool area. The filler material guide nozzle assembly is designed with a thin but stiff non-circular cross-sectional shape, with its width dimension significantly greater than its thickness dimension, and can be utilized in very reduced-width welded or otherwise fused joints to provide the accuracy and stability required for reliable filler material addition. During use with welding, brazing and similar processes, the outlet end of the nozzle is located within the joint near the bottom, close to the area to be fused. The width dimension of the nozzle apparatus is oriented parallel to the depth of the weld joint, and the thickness dimension is oriented perpendicular to the depth of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Henry Peter Offer