Patents Assigned to BABCOCK & WILCOX NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP, INC.
  • Patent number: 8993960
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of sensors for beam imaging and, in particular, to a new and useful beam imaging sensor for use in determining, for example, the power density distribution of a beam including, but not limited to, an electron beam or an ion beam. In one embodiment, the beam imaging sensor of the present invention comprises, among other items, a circumferential slit that is either circular, elliptical or polygonal in nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D McAninch, Jeffrey J Root
  • Patent number: 8811562
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul K. DeSantis
  • Patent number: 8811561
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Stambaugh, Paul K. DeSantis, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20130270929
    Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: BABCOCK & WILCOX NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brett T. Goodyear, Christopher D. Dodd