Abstract: The coil holding current of a contactor is regulated to the lesser of two measurements of coil current during each cycle of the full-wave rectified control voltage to compensate for induced flux in the coil generated by load current through the main contacts of the contactor, thereby preventing uncontrolled drop out of the contactor.
Abstract: An automatic voltage regulator senses and controls the terminal voltage of a separately excited generator by controlling the field current applied to the field winding. In order to improve the response time of the circuit, the circuitry relies on the phasor relationships between the generator phase voltages to obviate the need for a rectification and filtering circuit, used in known AVR's. More specifically, each of the sinusoidal phase voltages is sampled and squared. The squared phase voltages are then summed together. The square root of the sum is used to provide a DC voltage signal, proportional to the terminal phase voltages V.sub.A, V.sub.B and V.sub.C. The DC voltage signal may then be compared with a reference signal to generate an error signal for use in regulating the generator terminal voltage by controlling the field current applied to the generator field winding.
Abstract: A PC computer monitors the energy, power, voltage, and current consumed at a plurality of local stations placed behind the electrical meter of the utility company for individual billing of the local users, a bidirectional communication line being used therebetween. A command from the PC computer causes at each station the power, voltage, current and totalized energy to be stored, and thereafter the PC computer derives individually the results for separate estimations and central billing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 15, 1992
Date of Patent:
May 24, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
David M. Oravetz, Robert T. Elms, Joseph C. Engel, Frank Klancher, Thomas J. Kenny
Abstract: The present invention is an airborne radar system which scans the flight path of an aircraft with two radar scans, an upper elevation pointing above local level and a lower elevation scan pointing below the glide slope. The radar returns from the upper elevation scan are used to detect the core of the microburst. The core and a model of the windshear which uses the core are used to select angles and range cell candidates, in a lower elevation scan, for hazard detection processing. The candidates in the lower scan, which is pointing at the ground, are used to create a hazard map tested against a predetermined hazard threshold. A threshold violation results in a pilot alert. The hazard map includes a vertical factor determined through model coefficients in the radial outflow as a function of altitude.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 1991
Date of Patent:
May 10, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
Bruce D. Mathews, Paul D. Mountcastle, Walter W. Patterson
Abstract: A tool for use in installing O-ring seals in the removable head of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. Disclosed are two embodiments of the tool. One embodiment is adapted to fit within the stud bolt holes of the flange of the removable head of the pressure vessel. The other embodiment is adapted to be magnetically attached to the underside of the flange of the removable head of the pressure vessel. The tool uses a movable support arm to properly position and support the O-rings in their respective grooves machined in the underside of the flange of the removable head.
Abstract: An integrated information system is provided for a plant with interactive processes running in functional equipment subsets, such as a nuclear power generation plant. Sensors are operatively coupled to monitor processes and equipment in the plant, collecting sample data for assessing operational conditions and for predicting maintenance requirements based on loading of the equipment. One or more processors access the sample data and compares present conditions to diagnostic specifications, technical specifications and historical data stored in memory and indexed to equipment subsets and functional operating groups. The processor(s) generate prioritized reports to alert users to potential operational and/or maintenance problems. In addition to the prioritized reports, the processor accesses and outputs to the users reports of the diagnostic and technical specifications applicable to the process parameters exhibiting the potential problems.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 1992
Date of Patent:
May 10, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
Sam S. Palusamy, Douglas A. Bauman, Thomas A. Kozlosky, Charles B. Bond, Elwyn L. Cranford, III, Theodore J. Batt
Abstract: The effects of steam generator tube ruptures in a pressurized water reactor are mitigated by reducing the pressure in the primary loop by diverting reactor coolant through the heat exchanger of a passive heat removal system immersed in the in containment refueling water storage tank in response to a high feed water level in the steam generator. Reactor coolant inventory is maintained by also in response to high steam generator level introducing coolant into the primary loop from core make-up tanks at the pressure in the reactor coolant system pressurizer. The high steam generator level is also used to isolate the start-up feed water system and the chemical and volume control system to prevent flooding into the steam header.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 24, 1992
Date of Patent:
May 3, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
Daniel J. McDermott, Kenneth J. Schrader, Terry L. Schulz
Abstract: An array of transducer elements receives energy from a target or targets in a field of view and operates on the transducer outputs to provide a plurality of different levels of shading. The most useful portion of the field pattern is selected and combined with other most useful portions of other field patterns into a single composite display which results in one or more relatively narrow lobes, indicating targets, and without the presentation of side lobes which may be masking targets.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 1982
Date of Patent:
May 3, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
Charles H. Jones, John H. Thompson, John W. Kesner
Abstract: An electrical control system includes multiple frames of reference in the error path of a controller. In each such frame, a particular chosen component of the error vector appears as a constant vector and is passed through a pure integrator thus acquiring infinite gain. In the steady state, the net error vector can then be forced to have zero content at each of the targeted frequencies (as set by the rotational velocity of the frames of reference). Both parallel and series configuration of the controller are provided, as well as the control methods used by the controllers.
Abstract: A fault current surge bypassing and transitional impedance compensation system for preventing subsynchronous currents on electrical power lines, with parallel lines being protected from the clearing of transient faults. Capacitor banks serve as only a partial solution to the disturbances with transient faults during conventional recovery modes of operation. The fault current bypassing and impedance compensation system, coupled in series to each transmission line, clears a transmission line fault current and dynamically balances the inductor impedance on the transmission line after the fault mode clears when a return is made to the normal mode of operation. A circuit based solid-state switching power converter or "voltage-sourced inverter" with self-commutating GTO semiconductor switches is used, having all GTOs switched-on and maintained in this condition for the fault current to pass.
Abstract: A non-contact surface flaw detection system for workpieces such as nuclear fuel pellets transports the pellets continuously along an illuminated path while rotating them. A line scan camera records a series of line scans for the pellets and the resulting values of pellet reflectivity are digitized. Pixel values are compared to thresholds defined adaptively by averaging and/or using a video finite impulse response filter, to generate a binary map of "good" and "bad" pixels, that also defines the edges of the pellet in the map. A processor counts and associates bad pixels to logically define and assess blobs of bad pixels. The processor checks for coincidence of the edge pixels with a nominal edge line that best fits the edge, for finding edge flaws. The pellets assessed in this manner are selected or rejected. Camera sensor elements are normalized for gain and offset. Shifting of the pixel data cancels skew produced in scanning moving pellets.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 1992
Date of Patent:
May 3, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
John C. Lichauer, Lawrence J. Zana, Nicola G. Arlia, John M. Beatty, Hassan J. Ahmed
Abstract: A zirconium sponge regulus from a Kroll reduction process is contaminated with zirconium chlorides, unreacted magnesium and magnesium chloride. The sponge regulus is vacuum distilled at a temperature of at least 800.degree. C. and then cooled. Before opening the distillation vessel and exposing the sponge regulus to the atmosphere, the vessel is backfilled with a gas comprising 25% to 75%, by volume, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or mixtures thereof, with the balance an inert gas and impurities associated therewith.The sponge regulus is less susceptible to fires when exposed to the air or crushing in downstream processing, and the metal surfaces of the sponge regulus are passivated whereby the overall contamination of the sponge is significantly reduced.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 24, 1993
Date of Patent:
May 3, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
Steven C. Evans, Dayle R. Flynn, R. James Adams
Abstract: A method for shot peening a first tube external to and concentric with a second tube comprising the steps of forming a slot through the second tube; positioning a shot peening device adjacent the notch in the second tube for propelling shot peening balls; propelling the shot peening balls through the slot in the second tube for shot peening the second tube; and rotating the second tube in increments for shot peening an entire circumferential portion of the first tube positioned outwardly and radially from the slot.
Abstract: A gas turbine power plant has coolant injected into the combustors in order to reduce the level of nitrogen oxide produced by the combustion of natural gas fuel and/or oil. A control system controls injection of coolant into the combustors in order to reduce NOx emissions, while improving turbine cycle efficiency and avoiding the possibility of over-injection of coolant to the point of flame-out in the combustor. PID controllers are used to provide percentage error bias in the control system, whereby adjustment of coolant injection follows turbine load in a manner that increases turbine efficiency.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 15, 1992
Date of Patent:
May 3, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
William L. McCarty, Achim A. Von Seelen
Abstract: A once-through boiler for producing steam from water comprising a boiler vessel having an interior portion, an inlet for passing the water into the boiler vessel, and an outlet. A first conduit is attached to the inlet for passing the water through said boiler vessel and is disposed in the interior of the vessel. A heater positioned within said interior portion and operable to generate heat for evaporating the water in the first conduit. A second conduit is connected to said first conduit at one end of the second conduit and to the outlet at the other end of the second conduit; wherein the second conduit passes the steam generated in the first conduit, and the heater is operable to heat the steam passing through the second conduit; wherein the second conduit attaches to the first conduit in the interior of the boiler vessel, passes externally to the vessel, and thereafter passes into the interior of the boiler vessel where the second conduit connects to the outlet.
Abstract: A segmented stretch waveform for wide band high duty cycle tracking application. The waveform is divided into multiples of two spaced segments as the tracking range closes. Target returns received during spaced segments are combined to correspond to the complete waveform; and range is determined in accordance with the combined waveform. Tracking range can be varied without changing bandwidth, FM slope, duty cycle or processing time.
Abstract: A dual polarized cross notch array employing a positioner for locating and grounding metallized portions of unrestrained element ends with respect to metallized restrained element ends. The positioner is a planar member having spaced rows and slots in intersecting rows and columns. Conductive tabs are formed adjacent to the slots at the intersections of the rows and columns corresponding to intersections of the element ends. The conductive tabs receive corresponding portions of the intersecting element ends in secure mechanical engagement and electrical contact. The positioner maintains the polarized elements rigidly in orthogonal configuration. In alternative embodiment employs conductive members preferably formed of tape at the inside corners of the array. Improved radiator elements and a positioner for preconfiguring the array is also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 9, 1992
Date of Patent:
May 3, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
Gary I. Segal, Samuel P. Nguyen, Kenneth M. Leader, Thomas A. Ward
Abstract: A method for detecting low level of alkylbenzene or mineral oil impurity in polyol ester lubricants for compressors. This method comprises mixing a mixture of alcohol and water with a sample of the lubricant and then observe the presence or absence of turbidity.
Abstract: A tank especially suited for nuclear applications is disclosed. The tank comprises a tank shell for protectively surrounding the liquid contained therein; an inlet positioned on the tank for passing a liquid into the tank; a sump positioned in an interior portion of the tank for forming a reservoir of the liquid; a sloped incline for resting the tank thereon and for creating a natural flow of the liquid toward the sump; a pump disposed adjacent the tank for pumping the liquid; and a pipe attached to the pump and extending into the sump for passing the liquid therethrough. The pump pumps the liquid in the sump through the pipe and into the pump for discharging the liquid out of the tank.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 27, 1993
Date of Patent:
April 26, 1994
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Inventors:
Timothy K. Meneely, Catherine A. Sherbine