Patents Assigned to Combustion Engineering
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Patent number: 4440717Abstract: A liquid level sensing apparatus (32) senses the level of liquid surrounding the apparatus. A plurality of axially spaced sensors (36) are enclosed in a separator tube (86). The separator tube (86) tends to collapse the level of a two-phase fluid within the separator tube into essentially a liquid phase and a gaseous phase where the collapsed level bears a relationship to the coolant inventory outside the separator tube. The level of the liquid phase is sensed by level sensing apparatus (32). The separator tube (86) contains inlet-outlet ports (90,92) near the top and bottom thereof to equalize the liquid level inside and outside the separator tube (86) when the level fluctuates or the water within the separator tube (86) flashes to steam. Each sensor (36) is comprised of a heater (64), a heated thermocouple junction (68) and an unheated thermocouple junction (66) within an elongated heat conductive housing (62).Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1981Date of Patent: April 3, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Frank Bevilacqua, Joseph M. Burger
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Patent number: 4438630Abstract: A method of operating a co-generating steam supply system having two units, the second of which utilizes a molten-salt primary heat transfer fluid, is disclosed for utilizing the steam produced by the first unit for maintaining selected component operating temperatures in the second unit during periods when the second unit is not producing steam. The steam generator of the second unit is maintained at operating temperature by reversing the fluid flow through both the shell and tube sides. The reverse flow of molten salt is in heat exchange relation with the reverse flow of steam drawn from the steam flow line of the first unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1982Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: George H. Rowe
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Patent number: 4438709Abstract: A conventional pulverized coal-fired furnace is supplied fuel at two different levels. The raw coal is classified into a stream of relatively pure coal ground to conventional fineness for burners at the lower level, and a stream of very finely divided coal with a large, heavy mineral content for burners at the higher level.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1982Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Borio, Hugh W. Nelson, Arun K. Mehta
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Patent number: 4439216Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator (10) of the type having a casing (12) defining a precipitation chamber (6) wherein a plurality of discharge electrode frames (32) are disposed alternately between a plurality of collecting electrode plates (20). Paired probe devices (50) are mounted on the collecting electrode plates for sensing the strength of the electrostatic field generated by at least one discharge electrode wire (36) at at least one location on each of the collecting electrode plates (20) disposed adjacent thereto. The electrostatic field strength sensed by the paired probe devices are compared with each other to provide an indication of the degree of imbalance, if any, existing between the sensed electrostatic fields experienced by the bounding electrode plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1982Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: John W. Perryman
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Patent number: 4437830Abstract: The movable elements of two normally closed valves are actuated by a thermal element responsive to ignition at a pilot burner supplied fuel through one of the valves. The two valve elements form a mechanical train from the thermal element which simultaneously unseats the second valve controlling fuel to the main burner and releases a manually operable mechanism with which the pilot burner valve is initially unseated for ignition.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1982Date of Patent: March 20, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lewis K. Harris, Billie S. Burrus
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Patent number: 4436190Abstract: A drum-type apparatus for feeding and retrieving electrical signal cable, having an intermediary reel and cable arrangement for preventing torsional cable stresses anywhere between the drum and the output circuitry. The reel is coaxially mounted with the drum, and rotates simultaneously therewith. A ribbon cable is coiled in layers around the reel, and has one end connected to the tail end of the signal cable such that the connection rotates in unison with the drum and reel. Preferably, a housing is provided around the reel to maintain the concentricity of the ribbon cable layers. As the drum rotates, the average effective diameter of the ribbon cable coil changes without causing torsional stresses.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1981Date of Patent: March 13, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Timothy H. Wentzell
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Patent number: 4434726Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding solids into the bed of a fluidized bed furnace (18). The feed solids are separated into a fine fraction and a coarse fraction. The coarse fraction is supplied to fluidized bed (16) in an in-bed pneumatic transport feed system or in an over-the-bed feed system. The fine fraction as well as fluidizing air are supplied to fines admission zone (24) wherein the fine fraction and fluidizing air are thoroughly mixed. The mixture of the fine fraction of feed solids and the fludizing air is then passed upwardly through air distribution means (38) into fluidized bed (16).Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1982Date of Patent: March 6, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Brian C. Jones
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Patent number: 4434724Abstract: A furnace (10) in which coal and cellulose fuel can both be burned on the same traveling grate (24). First means (36) are provided for introducing coal onto the grate at one end (38), such that it traverses the full grate run before it falls as ash from the other end (56) of the grate. Second means (48, 52) are provided for introducing cellulose fuel onto the grate at a central or middle location (54). Adjustable means (49, 50) are provided for varying the point at which the cellulose fuel is introduced onto the grate. If cellulose fuel having a relatively slow burning rate is being combusted, the adjustable means are set so as to introduce the fuel at a point on the grate further away from the discharge end. If cellulose fuel having a relatively fast burning rate is being combusted, the adjustable means are set so as to introduce the fuel at a point on the grate closer to the discharge end.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1983Date of Patent: March 6, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Robert C. Kunkel, Jr.
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Patent number: 4434727Abstract: When a pulverized coal-fired furnace is operating at low loads, the primary air and pulverized coal stream discharging from the coal delivery pipe is split into a first and a second coal-air stream and independently directed into the furnace by tilting at least one of the streams away from the other, thereby establishing an ignition stabilizing pocket in the locally low pressure zone created between the spread apart coal-air streams.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1983Date of Patent: March 6, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Michael S. McCartney
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Patent number: 4435693Abstract: Sheathed electrical heating elements containing MgO heat conductive, electrical insulating material having a high degree of calcination together with additives in the form of a clay and fumed silica to increase the electrical resistivity, density and flow properties.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1982Date of Patent: March 6, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Walter R. Johnson
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Patent number: 4434747Abstract: In a pulverized coal-fired steam generator having a generally vertical furnace (1) and a plurality of fuel-air admission assemblies (10) arrayed in a vertical windbox (40) in one or more walls of the furnace (1), at least one of the fuel-air admission assemblies (10) being a low load fuel-air admission assembly having a split coal bucket (30) with vertically adjustable upper and lower coal nozzles (32,34), the remaining assemblies having vertically adjustable single nozzle buckets (28), a tilt apparatus (50,60) for vertically adjusting all nozzles in unison in response to steam temperature at high loads and for vertically adjusting the lower coal nozzles of the split coal bucket of the low load fuel-air admission assembly independent of all remaining nozzles at low loads.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1982Date of Patent: March 6, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Roman Chadshay
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Patent number: 4433476Abstract: Press element insertion apparatus (86) is a press-like apparatus used to insert pins (82) or sockets (82) into a cable connector (84). Clamp (104) is adapted to securely hold a pin (82) or socket (82) with a conductor attached for insertion into a cable connector (84). Clamp (104) readily releases the pin (82) or socket (82) after insertion into a cable connector (84) by operating lever operated cam (120) which releases movable jaw member (118). Internal springs (122) cause movable jaw member (118) to laterally release pin (82) or socket (82). The cable connector support (90,92) is a two-axis position guide that prevents cable connector (84) from rotating during cable fabrication while simultaneously providing two degrees of freedom that are necessary to insert pins (82) and sockets (82) in an array (86) of element insertion locations.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1982Date of Patent: February 28, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Timothy F. Bailey, Dennis S. Brunelle
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Patent number: 4432271Abstract: A locomotion unit is remotely controlled to advance stepwise through a passageway by frictional engagement with the surfaces of the passageway walls. A support section is mounted on the locomotion device to bring special tools to bear at predetermined positions within the passageway to which the support is brought by the locomotion unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1981Date of Patent: February 21, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Timothy H. Wentzell, Charles B. Innes, Jr.
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Patent number: 4429642Abstract: A thermal reclaimer apparatus (14) for thermally removing from the used foundry sand the organic matter that is present therein. The subject thermal reclaimer apparatus (14) includes chamber means (26) in which the used foundry sand is heated to a predetermined temperature for a preestablished period in order to accomplish the burning away of the organic matter that the used foundry sand contains. The chamber means (26) includes inlet means (32) provided at one end thereof and outlet means (50) provided at the other end thereof. Feed means (34) are cooperatively associated with the pipe means (36) and thereby with the inlet means (32) for feeding the used foundry sand through the inlet means (32) into the chamber means (26). The subject thermal reclaimer apparatus (14) further includes rotating means (44) operative for effecting the rotation of the chamber means (26) as the used foundry sand is being heated therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1982Date of Patent: February 7, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Vagn Deve
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Patent number: 4429640Abstract: In combination, a top-supported furnace (10) in which an ash-bearing fuel is burned, opening means (12) in the furnace bottom, a bottom supported tank (16) open at its upper end and containing water (18) positioned beneath the furnace opening means (12), into which the ash from the furnace (10) falls, means (20) for removing the ash from the tank (16), an intermediate transition piece (26) hydraulic drive means (30) carried by the tank (16) for moving the transition piece (26) between a first position spaced from the furnace bottom, and a second position in engagement with the furnace bottom, means (32, 34) for removably securing the transition piece (26) to the furnace bottom, seal means (36) which completely surround the furnace bottom for sealing the space between the transition piece (26) and the furnace bottom when the transition piece (26) is in its second position, stop means (38) for limiting the movement of the transition piece (26) towards the furnace bottom to prevent the seal means (36) from becomType: GrantFiled: June 25, 1982Date of Patent: February 7, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Robert P. Sullivan
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Patent number: 4430293Abstract: A hydrogen removal system (10) separates hydrogen from the containment atmosphere of a nuclear power plant using a hydrogen permeable membrane separator (30). Water vapor is removed by condenser (14) from a gas stream withdrawn from the containment atmosphere. The gas stream is then compressed by compressor (24) and cooled (28,34) to the operating temperature of the hydrogen permeable membrane separator (30). The separator (30) separates the gas stream into a first stream, rich in hydrogen permeate, and a second stream that is hydrogen depleted. The separated hydrogen is passed through a charcoal adsorber (48) to adsorb radioactive particles that have passed through the hydrogen permeable membrane (44). The hydrogen is then flared in gas burner (52) with atmospheric air and the combustion products vented to the plant vent. The hydrogen depleted stream is returned to containment through a regenerative heat exchanger (28) and expander (60).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1981Date of Patent: February 7, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Vincent M. Callaghan, Edward P. Flynn, Bohdan M. Pokora
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Patent number: 4426939Abstract: The method of operating a furnace including the steps of conveying (30) pulverized coal in an air stream towards a furnace (10), separating (34) the stream into two portions (36,38), one being a fuel rich portion (38), and the other being a fuel lean portion (36), introducing (40) the fuel rich portion into the furnace in a first zone, introducing (42,44) air into the first zone in a quantity insufficient to support complete combustion of all of the fuel in the fuel rich portion, introducing (46) the fuel lean portion into the furnace in a second zone, introducing (48) air into the second zone in a quantity such that there is excess air over that required for combustion of all of the fuel within the furnace, and introducing (50) lime into the furnace simultaneously with the fuel, so as to minimize the peak temperature within the furnace, and also minimize the formation of NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x in the combustion gases.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1983Date of Patent: January 24, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ralph D. Winship
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Patent number: 4425855Abstract: The outline of a tangentially-fired furnace combustion chamber is arranged to show a representative windbox in one corner of the furnace. The secondary air is disclosed as supplied through one set of vertically tiltable nozzles mounted in the windbox. The secondary air supply conduit is mounted to feed the tiltable nozzles. The secondary air supply conduit section adjacent to the nozzles has straightening vanes forming channels in which independently controlled louvers regulate the total cross-sectional area of the channels to maintain the desired velocity of the secondary air through the nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1983Date of Patent: January 17, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Roman Chadshay
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Patent number: 4426355Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly grid (12) having four substantially solid perimeter plates (28) forming a rigid quadrangle (20) surrounding the fuel elements (36) and having stop surfaces (32) formed on the internal surfaces thereof for contacting each adjacent fuel element. A plurality of interlaced strips (24) are attached to and extend from each plate to the oppositely facing plate, forming a lattice of regularly spaced openings (16) through which the fuel elements traverse the grid. These strips are of two types, the first consisting of two perpendicular center strips (44,44') that divide the grid into four symmetric quadrants, each center strip having a spring tab (48') projecting into each opening (16') contiguous to the center strip. The second type of interlaced strip consists of the remainder of the strips (52), half of which are oriented parallel to one center strip and the other half are oriented parallel to other center strip.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1982Date of Patent: January 17, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Joseph M. Burger
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Patent number: 4423890Abstract: A welding machine lays down its welding bead at the juncture of two surfaces, back of which a pressure boundary has been formed. A depression, or groove, is provided at the juncture of the two surfaces. The weld bead bridges over the groove to form a junction of the two surfaces, leaving the bottom of the groove above the pressure boundary to function as a passage for materials at the surfaces which vaporize at the temperature of the welding operation. The escape of the gases through the passage obviates the gases bubbling up through, and deteriorating, the solidifying weld material forming the junction.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1980Date of Patent: January 3, 1984Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Charles D. Hackett, James R. Bray