Patents Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
  • Patent number: 11662300
    Abstract: A testing arrangement and method of using in performing an in-situ adhesion test of a cold spray deposit on a surface of a structure. The testing arrangement includes a specimen member having a number of apertures defined therein and a loading arrangement coupled to the specimen member. The loading arrangement is configured to provide a mechanical force of a known magnitude to the specimen member. In performing an in-situ test of a cold spray deposit on a structure, the method includes positioning the testing arrangement with respect to a surface of the structure, depositing the cold spray deposit on the surface of the structure, and testing the adhesion of the cold spray deposit to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ickes, Arash Parsi
  • Patent number: 11664132
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring a number of environmental conditions with a transmitter device, said transmitter device comprising a neutron detector structured to generate electrical current from neutron flux, an oscillator circuit comprising an electrostatic switch electrically connected to said neutron detector, and an antenna electrically connected with said electrostatic switch, wherein said electrostatic switch is moveable based on said neutron detector, wherein said oscillator circuit is structured to pulse said antenna based on said neutron detector, wherein a period between pulses is related to the neutron flux, the method comprising the steps of: generating the electrical current with said neutron detector, storing energy in said oscillator circuit until a trigger voltage of said electrostatic switch is reached, and emitting a signal with said antenna corresponding to a number of characteristic values of said oscillator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Lyman J. Petrosky
  • Publication number: 20230152477
    Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the activity of a specimen of a radioactive isotope is disclosed. The specimen of the radioactive isotope is contained within a capsule. The measuring device comprises an inner enclosure, a gamma-radiation sensitive self-power detector (SPD) positioned around the inner enclosure, and an outer enclosure positioned around the SPD and the inner enclosure. The inner enclosure comprises an internal cavity configured to receive the capsule containing the specimen. The inner enclosure defines a longitudinal axis. The outer enclosure secures the SPD to the inner enclosure such that the SPD does not move during operation and storage of the measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. HEIBEL, Michael C. PRIBLE
  • Publication number: 20230154635
    Abstract: A non-invasive eddy current flow meter embedded into a coolant channel for measuring the coolant flow velocity of liquid metal coolant in a nuclear reactor. The eddy current flow meter measures the coolant flow velocity in pool-type nuclear reactors and narrow coolant channels without creating bottlenecks that impede the coolant flow within the nuclear reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. ARNDT, Paolo FERRONI, Cory A. STANSBURY
  • Patent number: 11650016
    Abstract: A heat pipe is disclosed includes a container, a container lid including a groove defined therein, a wick, and an end plug operably coupled to the wick. The end plug includes a pin extending therefrom. The groove of the container lid is configured to receive the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew M. Swartz, William A. Byers, John Lojek, III
  • Patent number: 11651867
    Abstract: A method for reducing radiologically-contaminated waste is provided. The method comprises treating radiologically-contaminated surfaces and subsurfaces. The method comprises consolidating soil waste. The method comprises employing real-time scanning technology to classify waste based at least in part on a threshold of radiological contamination. The waste is sorted based on the classification. The waste is disposed of via at least one of different disposal routes, based at least in part on the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Keith Mahosky
  • Publication number: 20230143492
    Abstract: An ultrasonic phased array transducer assembly having a single housing in which a plurality of phased array transducer subassemblies are mounted at a skewed angle relative to a leading face of the housing and to each other, with each transducer mounted on composite wedge(s) at different orientations within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. BARRETT, Kevin J. FOLEY
  • Publication number: 20230141492
    Abstract: An insertable flux thimble interface for use in a bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly in a nuclear reactor (i.e., a bottom nozzle insert) is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the bottom nozzle insert has properties that are different from traditional bottom nozzle flux thimble interfaces. The properties of the bottom nozzle insert may mitigate wear phenomena observed on the flux thimble. For example, the bottom nozzle insert may be constructed from material that is different from the material of the bottom nozzle. In some aspects, the bottom nozzle insert is constructed from material that has a hardness that is less than the hardness the bottom nozzle material. In other aspects, the bottom nozzle insert is constructed from a material that has a hardness that is less than the hardness of the flux thimble material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Yuriy ALESHIN, Thanh H. DO
  • Publication number: 20230136825
    Abstract: A nuclear component handling arrangement is disclosed including a storage overpack including an inner envelope, an inner canister including an outer envelope, and a vent and duct system. The inner canister is positionable within the storage overpack. The vent and duct system includes an inlet vent, an outlet vent, and a passageway defined between the inner envelope of the storage overpack and the outer envelope of the inner canister. The passageway extends between the inlet vent and the outlet vent. The inlet vent includes an inlet entrance, an inlet exit, and a curved transition surface extending between the inlet entrance and the inlet exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. LLOYD, Robert QUINN, Emmanuel MERCIER, David Castrillon CABELEIRO, Luis Moreno POMBO
  • Publication number: 20230136152
    Abstract: A thermal shield flexure member. The thermal shield flexure member includes a first face portion, a second face portion and a third portion. The first face portion defines openings configured to align with receptacles of a thermal shield. The second face portion defines openings configured to align with openings of a core barrel and openings of an arm portion of a modified thermal shield flexure connected to the core barrel. The third portion is connected to the first face portion and the second face portion, and comprises a radiused portion. The thermal shield flexure member is configured to provide flexibility in an axial direction to accommodate differential axial expansions of the core barrel and the thermal shield, and rigidity in a radial direction to inhibit undesirable shell mode vibrations of the core barrel and/or the thermal shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark Michael PILLARD, Matthew James PALAMARA, Stephen Daniel SMITH
  • Publication number: 20230132157
    Abstract: Annular nuclear fuel rods are disclosed. The annular nuclear fuel rods include an outer cladding tube made of ceramic composite or cermet composite, an inner cladding tube made of ceramic composite or cermet composite, a nuclear fuel region located between the outer cladding tube and inner cladding tube, and an open channel for liquid coolant to flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Luke C. OLSON, Kathryn E. METZGER, Edward J. LAHODA, Elwyn ROBERTS, Michael R. ICKES, Paolo FERRONI, Denise Adorno LOPES, Luke D. CZERNIAK, Fausto FRANCESCHINI
  • Publication number: 20230122593
    Abstract: An improved retention and alignment system for nuclear fuel rods includes an upper nozzle plate and a lower nozzle plate, nuclear fuel rods, each having an upper end and a lower end and extending axially between the upper and lower nozzle plates, a first precision magnet incorporated onto the lower end of the fuel rod, and a plurality of second precision magnets incorporated onto the lower nozzle plate in positions confronting the first precision magnets on the fuel rods. Each first precision magnet has at least one of a magnetic north or south polarity and the second precision magnet has at least one of a magnetic south or north polarity opposite the polarity of the confronting first precision magnet to effect magnetic attraction between the confronting first and second precision magnets. Grids between the upper and lower nozzle plates form cells through which the fuel rods pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Nathan J. PAYNE, Jeffrey M. MCCARTY
  • Publication number: 20230107838
    Abstract: A reactor core block is disclosed including a fuel channel, a heat pipe, a primary moderator matrix configured to encompass the fuel channel and the heat pipe, and a secondary moderator channel configured to at least partially surround the fuel channel, the heat pipe, and the primary moderator matrix. The secondary moderator channel is comprised of metal hydride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkateswara Rao DASARI, Alex LEVINSKY, Yasir ARAFAT, Jurie J. VAN WYK
  • Patent number: 11621091
    Abstract: A temperature measurement sensor for use in a nuclear reactor is described. The sensor includes a first neutron detector member and a second neutron detector member. The first neutron detector includes an outer shield material with an effective neutron capture cross section that is temperature dependent. The first neutron detector member outputs a first current signal and the second neutron detector member outputs a second current signal. An electrical connection between the first and second neutron detector members produces a net current that is the difference in current between the first and second signals. The difference is proportional to changes in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Heibel
  • Publication number: 20230095751
    Abstract: A method for making an improved nuclear fuel cladding tube includes reinforcing a Zr alloy tube by first winding or braiding ceramic yarn directly around the tube to form a ceramic covering, then physically bonding the ceramic covering to the tube by applying a first coating selected from the group consisting of Nb, Nb alloy, Nb oxide, Cr, Cr oxide, Cr alloy, or combinations thereof, by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process to provide structural support member for the Zr tube, and optionally applying a second coating and optionally applying a third coating by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process. If the tube softens at 800° C.-1000° C., the structural support tube will reinforce the Zr alloy tube against ballooning and bursting, thereby preventing the release of fission products to the reactor coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Edward J. LAHODA
  • Publication number: 20230070156
    Abstract: A wick assembly for use with a heat pipe is disclosed. The wick assembly includes an end plug including a wick receiving area, a wick, and a crimp. A portion of the wick is positioned about the wick receiving area. The crimp is positioned about the portion of the wick and the wick receiving area. The end plug, the portion of the wick, and the crimp are diffusion bonded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: David M. GROSS
  • Publication number: 20230074289
    Abstract: A replacement thermal sleeve with a flange for a reactor vessel closure head penetration adapter housing. By altering a diameter of the flange, a replacement thermal sleeve can be installed through the narrow diameter of the penetration adapter housing opening from under the reactor vessel head. The flange can be compressible or expandable or the tubular wall of the thermal sleeve can be inserted in longitudinal sections, one at a time, into an opening in the underside of the penetration head adapter and reformed within the opening when fully inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. BENACQUISTA, Anthony J. MASTOPIETRO, Bryan M. WILSON, Nicholas A. SZWEDA
  • Patent number: 11598008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing free-standing cladding tubes with multi-layer structures. According to the method, a cylindrical mandrel substrate defining a hollow cylindrical inner space is provided. A first cold spray powder metal is selected. The cylindrical mandrel substrate is rotated and the first cold spray powder metal is applied to an outer surface of the cylindrical mandrel substrate to form a first layer. The cylindrical mandrel substrate is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Ferroni, Peng Xu, Michael Ickes, Hwasung Yeom, Kumar Sridharan, Benjamin R. Maier, Greg O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11594339
    Abstract: An improved retention system for retaining fuel rods in a fuel assembly is disclosed. The retention system includes a plurality of first engagement surfaces on the bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly. There is at least one engagement surface for each fuel rod. A second engagement surface is formed on the bottom end plug of each fuel rod. The first and second engagement surfaces are configured for engagement with each other for axially and laterally retaining each fuel rod within the fuel assembly. Debris deflectors may also be provided to deflect debris from coolant channels surrounding the fuel rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. McCarty, Nathan J. Payne, Kirkland D. Broach
  • Patent number: 11581102
    Abstract: A method of controlling a nuclear power plant includes obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors of the nuclear power plant, providing the sensor data and a desired plant response to a neural network, wherein the neural network has been previously trained using a simulated nuclear power plant and is structured to determine at least one control system setting to achieve the desired plant response, determining at least one control system setting to achieve the desired plant response with the neural network, and setting or changing at least one control system setting of a control system of the nuclear power plant to the at least one control system setting determined by the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Ryan J. Hoover