Patents Examined by J. A. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6310931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel assembly (1) and a method therefor. The fuel assembly is intended for a light-water cooled nuclear reactor and comprises a first and a second locking member (9a, 9b, 10), a plurality of elongated elements (3, 3a) wherein each of the lower ends of the elongated elements is provided with an end plug (3b). The end plug (3b) is arranged guided or locked in an end plate (6) which comprises at least two adjacently disposed plug holes (6b) for receiving one end plug (3b) each. The first locking member (9a, 9b) is made in an end plug (3b) and has a concave shape and the second locking member (10) is arranged slidable in a locking hole (6c) which is adapted to extend between the two adjacently disposed plug holes (6b) and opening out into these. The second locking member (10) is made with a length exceeding the length of the locking hole (6c) and has end surfaces with shapes intended for cooperation with the concave surface of the first locking member (9a, 9b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Atom AB
    Inventors: Tommy Gustafsson, Anders Wallander
  • Patent number: 6285727
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor plant with a light water reactor comprises a containment (1) having an upper space (2) and a lower space (3). The lower space is separated from the upper space by a separating member (4) and arranged to house a cooling medium (16). Furthermore, the plant comprises a reactor vessel (9) housing a reactor core (10) and provided in the upper space (2). The separating member (4) comprises a portion (7) which is arranged to be located at such a position that the surface portion (7) facing the lower space (3) is in contact with the cooling medium (16). The reactor vessel is provided above the portion (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Atom AB
    Inventors: Ulf Bredolt, Johan Engström, Bengt Ivung
  • Patent number: 6272785
    Abstract: Gun support devices and assemblies for securing a gun, such as a rifle or a shotgun, in a fixed position relative to the ground. The gun support device has an elongate channel defined by a central portion and left and right sidewalls extending laterally from the central portion. The elongate channel is shaped to receive at least a portion of a region of a gun that extends between the forearm and the trigger of the gun. The central portion generally supports the gun, while the left and the right sidewalls generally restrain longitudinal motion of the gun with respect to the gun support device. An opening extends through the central portion at a position to permit at least a portion of the trigger of the gun to extend therethrough, thereby making the trigger accessible while the gun is received in the elongate channel. The gun support device further has an attachment mechanism for attaching the gun support device to a tripod or another support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Jerry M. Mika, Jerry B. Reynolds