Patents Examined by Harvey F. Behrend
  • Patent number: 4810459
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining true formation porosity utilize downhole measurement-while-drilling neutron porosity measurement devices. A initial measurement is taken shortly after the formation is bored and before any substantial invasion by the drilling fluid occurs. Subsequent measurements are made until a steady, no longer increasing, measurement is reached indicating saturation of the formation by the drilling fluid to the depth of the measurements. The steady measurement is indicative of the true porosity of a gas containing formation while the difference between the initial and steady measurements is indicative of the gas saturation of a gas containing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Fontenot
  • Patent number: 4445942
    Abstract: An improved method for producing nuclear fuel containers of a composite construction having components providing therein a barrier system for resisting destructive action by volatile fission products or impurities and also interdiffusion of metal constituents, and the product thereof. The composite nuclear fuel containers of the method comprise a casing of zirconium or alloy thereof with a layer of copper overlying an oxidized surface portion of the zirconium or alloy thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bo-Ching Cheng, Herman S. Rosenbaum, Joseph S. Armijo
  • Patent number: 4407773
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor installation comprising a housing including therein a reactor core and provided with means for dissipating the heat generated in the reactor core during operation, which means comprise a primary cooling fluid circuit passing at least one partly through the reactor core in which is included a pump, a secondary cooling fluid circuit arranged outside the housing of the nuclear reactor and consisting of at least one closed loop in which is included a pump, a loop of the primary circuit being coupled by means of a heat exchanger, to a loop of the secondary circuit, said installation is also provided with means for dissipating the decay heat produced in the core of the nuclear reactor after the reactor has been switched off, which dissipation means are at least partly formed by the primary cooling fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: B.V. Neratoom
    Inventor: Nico Woudstra
  • Patent number: H91
    Abstract: The invention teaches safety apparatus that can be included in a nuclear reactor, either when newly fabricated or as a retrofit add-on, that will minimize proliferation of structural damage to the reactor in the event the reactor is experiencing an overheating malfunction whereby radioactive nuclear debris might break away from and be discharged from the reactor core. The invention provides a porous bed or sublayer on the lower surface of the reactor containment vessel so that the debris falls on and piles up on the bed. Vapor release elements upstand from the bed in some laterally spaced array. Thus should the high heat flux of the debris interior vaporize the coolant at that location, the vaporized coolant can be vented downwardly to and laterally through the bed to the vapor release elements and in turn via the release elements upwardly through the debris. This minimizes the pressure buildup in the debris and allows for continuing infiltration of the liquid coolant into the debris interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: John D. Gabor, John C. Cassulo, Dean R. Pedersen, Louis Baker, Jr.