Patents Examined by Jack W. Keith
  • Patent number: 11967437
    Abstract: A control rod position indication system is for a nuclear reactor with a reactor core and at least one control rod which is movable along a linear path of movement for controlling reactivity of the core. The system includes a permanent magnet mounted on the control rod or a corresponding drive rod, and a number of reed switches arranged around the path of movement in order to be switched by a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet when passing by. The permanent magnet has a north-south axis whose orientation is constant during movement, and the respective reed switch has a number of reed contacts which are aligned along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of at least one reed switch is inclined relative to the north-south axis of the permanent magnet, and the angle of inclination has an absolute value within a range from 15 to 65 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: FRAMATOME GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Roux, Patrick Köhler-Soto, Stefan Schön-Wälder
  • Patent number: 11955249
    Abstract: A heat pipe configured to remove heat from a nuclear reactor core is disclosed herein. The heat pipe can include an inner housing defining an inner volume configured to accommodate a heat source and an outer housing configured about the inner housing and the heat source. A wick can be positioned between at least a portion of the inner housing and at least a portion of the outer housing, wherein the wick can include a capillary material, and wherein the wick can define an intermediate volume between the inner housing and the outer housing. A working fluid can be positioned within the intermediate volume, wherein the working fluid can evaporate at a first end of the heat pipe and condense at a second end of the heat pipe adjacent to a heat exchanger, and wherein the wick can return condensed working fluid to the first end of the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Abdul R. Dulloo, Alex Levinsky, Richard F. Wright
  • Patent number: 11955248
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of limiting power of a boiling water nuclear reactor system includes a reactor pressure vessel, a reactor core disposed in the reactor pressure vessel, a core shroud surrounding the reactor core, a downcomer region disposed between an inner surface of the reactor pressure vessel and the core shroud, a steam line connected to an upper end of the reactor pressure vessel and a condenser system that receives steam from the reactor pressure vessel. A portion of the condenser system condensate is returned to the reactor pressure vessel of the boiling water reactor inside the core barrel above the core rather than into the downcomer. Returning the condensate in this way increases the effectiveness of an isolation condenser system or if the condensate is a portion of the feedwater from the main condenser it provides an effective means to regulate core flow and core power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Charles Lee Heck, Michael M. Cook
  • Patent number: 11948699
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a vessel (1), a support plate (8), arranged in the vessel (1) above the core (2); a plurality of separate dispensing ducts (21); and support members (33) provided to keep the thermocouple ducts (21) in position. Each support member (33) includes a foot (35) rigidly attached to the support plate (8), a head (37) to which the or each thermocouple duct (21) is attached, and a detachable connection (39) from the head (37) to the foot (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FRAMATOME
    Inventors: Laurent Cahouet, Bruno Magain, Alain Scalvini
  • Patent number: 11948700
    Abstract: A method for collection of dry samples taken directly from a nuclear reactor core interior. Incremental samples of irradiated metal alloy components of the reactor core may be taken and collected in-situ using a specialized metal-cutting drill bit having a hollow tungsten carbide sampling cutting head, in conjunction with an angled sampling gantry. The drill bit body has an interior airflow passage in hermetic communication with a filter located in a glove box. Air holes are formed through a face of the cutting head. A vacuumed airflow through the airflow passage and at the cutting head causes a sample of any of metal chips, filings, and dust to be obtained directly from the reactor core by being pulled through the air holes and into the airflow passage and ultimately into the filter. A collected sample may be analyzed for radionuclides and radioactivity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventors: Grant Charters, Sudesh Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 11948697
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for generating an orbital confinement fusion reaction are described. An orbital confinement fusion device can include a cathodic inner electrode defining a longitudinal axis of the device. The inner electrode can include an emitter material. The orbital confinement fusion device can include an anodic outer electrode, concentric with the longitudinal axis and defining a chamber between the inner electrode and the outer electrode. The orbital confinement fusion device can also include a plurality of magnetic field generators disposed in a coaxial arrangement relative to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of magnetic field generators can be configured to form a magnetic field parallel to the longitudinal axis in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Avalanche Energy Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Langtry, Brian Riordan
  • Patent number: 11942228
    Abstract: More accurate prediction of reactor water quality of a nuclear reactor is implemented. A device for prediction of reactor water quality of a nuclear reactor in a nuclear power plant is disclosed. The device stores a reactor water quality prediction model which is learned using learning data, and with which future reactor water quality is predicted. An explanatory variable of the reactor water quality prediction model includes a value in a predetermined period unit that is generated from data acquired in an operating nuclear power plant. The device generates the value in a predetermined period unit from data acquired in a target operating nuclear power plant, and acquires a predicted value of the reactor water quality in the target nuclear power plant based on the reactor water quality prediction model and the value in a predetermined period unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroko Sukeda, Naoshi Usui, Mayu Sasaki, Hideyuki Hosokawa, Tsuyoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 11942227
    Abstract: A passive cooling system for a nuclear reactor includes an energy release space in which a reactor vessel is accommodated, an energy absorbing space separated from the energy release space, and an energy transfer space above the energy absorbing space and configured to absorb and cool heat transferred from the reactor vessel and discharge the absorbed heat to an outside of the system through an outer wall thereof. The passive cooling system further includes a first cooling flow path configured to transfer the heat in the reactor vessel to the energy transfer space, a pressure balance pipe configured to transfer the pressure in the energy release space to the energy absorbing space therethrough, and a coolant spray pipe configured to transfer the cooling water in the energy absorbing space pressurized by the pressure balance pipe to the energy transfer space may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sung-jae Yi, Hyun Sik Park
  • Patent number: 11942230
    Abstract: A spacer grid specifically designed for accident tolerant fuel utilizing fuel rods with SiC cladding for implementation in pressurized water reactors. The spacer grid design allows for ease of SiC fuel rod insertion during the fuel assembly fabrication process by providing a smooth contact geometry. The co-planar support allows the fuel rods to be rotated axially more freely at the grid location than a conventional six-point contact geometry used in existing fuel assembly designs. The fuel rod support cells are attached at their corners which are shared between adjacent support cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Joonhyung Choi, Zeses Karoutas, Paul M. Evans
  • Patent number: 11935663
    Abstract: A control rod drive system (CRDS) for use in a nuclear reactor. In one embodiment, the system generally includes a drive rod mechanically coupled to a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) operable to linearly raise and lower the drive rod along a vertical axis, a rod cluster control assembly (RCCA) comprising a plurality of control rods insertable into a nuclear fuel core, and a drive rod extension (DRE) releasably coupled at opposing ends to the drive rod and RCCA. The CRDM includes an electromagnet which operates to couple the CRDM to DRE. In the event of a power loss or SCRAM, the CRDM may be configured to remotely uncouple the RCCA from the DRE without releasing or dropping the drive rod which remains engaged with the CRDM and in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventors: Krishna P. Singh, Patrick Ingravallo, Leyland Vann
  • Patent number: 11935666
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for purifying Li7 ions from reactor coolant radioactive material and adjusting pH of the reactor coolant. The apparatus comprises a radioactive metal ion recovery unit comprising a first negative electrode member having a negative (?) electrode connected thereto and a first positive electrode member having a positive (+) electrode connected thereto, and an Li ion separation/concentration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: CELLGENTEK CO., LTD
    Inventors: Han Gun Kim, Duk Yong Kim, Hang Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 11935661
    Abstract: CERMET fuel element includes a fuel meat of consolidated ceramic fuel particles (preferably refractory-metal coated HALEU fuel kernels) and an array of axially-oriented coolant flow channels. Formation and lateral positions of coolant flow channels in the fuel meat are controlled during manufacturing by spacer structures that include ceramic fuel particles. In one embodiment, a coating on a sacrificial rod (the rod being subsequently removed) forms the coolant channel and the spacer structures are affixed to the coating; in a second embodiment, a metal tube forms the coolant channel and the spacer structures are affixed to the metal tube. The spacer structures laterally position the coolant channels in spaced-apart relation and are consolidated with the ceramic fuel particles to form CERMET fuel meat of a fuel element, which are subsequently incorporated into fuel assemblies that are distributively arranged in a moderator block within a nuclear fission reactor, in particular for propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Jogerst, Eric A. Barringer
  • Patent number: 11929183
    Abstract: Thorium-based fuel bundles according to one or more embodiments of the present invention are used in existing PHWR reactors (e.g., Indian 220 MWe PHWR, Indian 540 MWe PHWR, Indian 700 MWe PHWR, CANDU 300/600/900) in place of conventional uranium-based fuel bundles, with little or no modifications to the reactor. The fuel composition of such bundles is 60+ wt % thorium, with the balance of fuel provided by low-enriched uranium (LEU), which has been enriched to 13-19.95% 235U. According to various embodiments, the use of such thorium-based fuel bundles provides (1) 100% of the nominal power over the entire life cycle of the core, (2) high burnup, and (3) non-proliferative spent fuel bundles having a total isotopic uranium concentration of less than 12 wt %. Reprocessing of spent fuel bundles is also avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CLEAN CORE THORIUM ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Mehul Shah, Rida Milany, Koroush Shirvan
  • Patent number: 11923095
    Abstract: A divertor for system supporting plasma for fusion employs permanent magnets providing far weaker magnetic field strength than conventionally used in cryogenic magnetic systems through an ability to place the permanent magnets in close proximity to the plasma containment volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Cary Brett Forest, Jonathan Pizzo, Oliver Schmitz
  • Patent number: 11923100
    Abstract: The power plant system includes a molten salt reactor assembly, a thermocline unit, phase change heat exchangers, and process heat systems. The thermocline unit includes an insulated tank, an initial inlet, a plurality of zone outlets, and a plurality of gradient zones corresponding to each zone outlet and being stacked in the tank. Each gradient zone has a molten salt portion at a portion temperature corresponding to the molten salt supply from the molten salt reactor being stored in the tank and stratified. The molten salt portions at higher portion temperatures generate thermal energy for process heat systems that require higher temperatures, and molten salt portions at lower portion temperatures generate thermal energy for process heat systems that require lower temperatures. The system continuously pumps the molten salt supply in controlled rates to deliver the heat exchange fluid supply to perform work in the corresponding particular process heat system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TERRESTRIAL ENERGY USA, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Kutsch, Anthonius Cornelis Rodenburg
  • Patent number: 11915836
    Abstract: A cooling system in a nuclear power plant is disclosed, including a boundary section disposed inside a containment to enclose a reactor coolant system, and configured to restrict steam containing radioactive materials generated in the reactor coolant system from leaking into paths other than a discharge part. An In-Containment Water Storage Tank (IRWST) is disposed outside the boundary section and is configured to store refueling water therein. An emergency cooling tank is disposed outside the containment and is provided with a condensation heat exchanger. A gas-liquid separator is connected to the emergency cooling tank outside the containment. A return line is configured to connect the gas-liquid separator and the boundary section such that condensate generated by condensing the steam within the boundary section, through the emergency cooling tank and the gas-liquid separator, is discharged toward the boundary section upon an occurrence of a nuclear power plant accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyungjun Kang, Moon Jung, Jihan Chun, Hanok Kang
  • Patent number: 11901095
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the transmutation of long-lived radioactive transuranic waste into short-live radioactive nuclides or stable nuclides using an electrostatic accelerator particle beam to generate neutrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Toshiki Tajima, Michl W. Binderbauer, Ales Necas
  • Patent number: 11901090
    Abstract: Hydrogen infused nuclear reactor core monoliths and processes for their production are disclosed. Such monoliths may function as both a core monolith and a moderator, providing structure and at least some moderation. Hydrogen infused monoliths may be complementary to or be used in lieu of separate moderators for thermalizing neutrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Aditya Shivprasad, Stuart Andrew Maloy, Erik Luther, Tarik Saleh
  • Patent number: 11901088
    Abstract: A method for heating primary coolant in a nuclear reactor system during system start-up. A primary coolant loop fluidly couples together a reactor vessel and a steam generating vessel. The primary coolant loop is filled with primary coolant. A portion of the primary coolant is taken from the primary coolant loop and placed into a start-up sub-system. The portion is heated while in the sub-system to form a heated portion of the primary coolant. The heated portion is returned into the primary coolant loop. The method allows for the primary coolant to be heated to a no-load operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: Krishna P. Singh, Joseph Gerald Leo Rajkumar
  • Patent number: 11894155
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor is designed to couple the load path of control elements with the reactor core, thus reducing opportunity for differential movement between the control elements and the reactor core. A core barrel can be fabricated in a manufacturing facility to include the reactor core, control element supports, and control element drive system. The core barrel can be mounted to a reactor vessel head. Movement, such as through seismic forces, transmits an equal direction and magnitude to the control elements and the reactor core, thus inhibiting the opportunity for differential movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLC
    Inventors: Charles G Freeman, Calen Kaneko, Christopher A Martin, Sean T Mosier