Patents by Inventor Benjamin D. Fisher
Benjamin D. Fisher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220088981Abstract: A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Curtis M. Bowe
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Patent number: 11192408Abstract: A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: CURT Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Curtis M. Bowe
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Publication number: 20210304909Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to upper and lower core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLCInventors: Craig D. GRAMLICH, Benjamin D. FISHER, William E. RUSSELL, II
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Publication number: 20210170676Abstract: Methods to in-situ monitor production of additive manufacturing products collects images from the deposition process on a layer-by-layer basis, including a void image of the pattern left in a slurry layer after deposition of a layer and a displacement image formed by immersing the just-deposited layer in a renewed slurry layer. Image properties of the void image and displacement image are corrected and then compared to a binary expected image from a computer generated model to identify defects in the just-deposited layer on a layer-by-layer basis. Additional methods use the output from the comparison to form a 3D model corresponding to at least a portion of the additive manufacturing product. Components to control the additive manufacturing operation based on digital model data and to in-situ monitor successive layers for manufacturing defects can be embodied in a computer system or computer-aided machine, such as a computer controlled additive manufacturing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLCInventors: Ryan Scott KITCHEN, Benjamin D. FISHER
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Patent number: 10967465Abstract: A bolt repair platform includes a frame and a tool module. The tool module includes a tool having a first end configured to rotationally engage a bolt. The tool module also includes an actuator disposed between the tool and the frame so that actuation of the actuator moves the tool with respect to the frame. The frame is removably disposed on the structure, and the tool is movable with respect to the frame, so that, at each of a plurality of positions, the second end of the tool is capable of engagement with a respective bolt disposed in an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Inventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Thomas A. Pritchett, Shant Daghlian, Andrew T. Pace, Douglas M. Lawrence, Nicholas Johnson, Jerry Cooper, Christopher J. Farrell
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Publication number: 20210065356Abstract: A robot for heat exchanger inspection is provided including a mobility system configured to move the robot in reference to the heat exchanger, a camera configured to capture image data including at least a portion of the heat exchanger, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive the image data from the camera, determine a plurality of heat exchanger characteristics in the image data, compare the heat exchanger characteristics to heat exchanger data, determine a current location and an orientation angle of the robot based on the comparison of the one or more heat exchanger characteristics to the heat exchanger data, identify the heat exchanger characteristic based on the current location, determine an orientation angle of the robot, and determine an end effector position based on the current location and the orientation angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Nicholas Johnson
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Publication number: 20200398623Abstract: A tri-ball trailer hitch coupler lock has three differently sized ball substitute members. A lanyard extends in two directions off a portion which adjoins the ball substitute members, with mating portions of a lock permanently attached to each free end of the lanyard. One portion of the lock terminates in a pin sized to fit in the latch pin opening of the coupler, and the other portion of the lock is matably lockable onto the pin after the pin has been extended through the coupler pin opening. The lanyard preferably passes through an opening in the adjoinment portion offset from the center.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Curtis M. Bowe, Benjamin D. Fisher
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Publication number: 20200365290Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLCInventors: Benjamin D. FISHER, John R. SALASIN, Craig D. GRAMLICH, Jonathan K. WITTER
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Publication number: 20200353681Abstract: Additive manufacturing methods use a surrogate slurry to iteratively develop an additive manufacturing protocol and then substitutes a final slurry composition to then additively manufacture a final component using the developed additive manufacturing protocol. In the nuclear reactor component context, the final slurry composition is a nuclear fuel slurry having a composition: 30-45 vol. % monomer resin, 30-70 vol. % plurality of particles of uranium-containing material, >0-7 vol. % dispersant, photoactivated dye, photoabsorber, photoinitiator, and 0-18 vol. % (as a balance) diluent. The surrogate slurry has a similar composition, but a plurality of surrogate particles selected to represent a uranium-containing material are substituted for the particles of uranium-containing material. The method provides a means for in-situ monitoring of characteristics of the final component during manufacture as well as in-situ volumetric inspection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLCInventors: Benjamin D. FISHER, John R. SALASIN, Brian Blake WIGGINS
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Publication number: 20200308064Abstract: Pre-ceramic particle solutions can prepared by a Coordinated-PDC process, a Direct-PDC process or a Coordinated-Direct-PDC process. The pre-ceramic particle solution includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of (i) an organic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation, (ii) a first organometallic polymer and (iii) a second organometallic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation different from a metal in the second organometallic polymer, a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of (a) a ceramic fuel particle and (b) a moderator particle, a dispersant, and a polymerization initiator. The pre-ceramic particle solution can be supplied to an additive manufacturing process, such as digital light projection, and made into a structure (which is pre-ceramic particle green body) that can then be debinded to form a polymer-derived ceramic sintered body. In some embodiments, the polymer-derived ceramic sintered body is a component or structure for fission reactors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLCInventors: Benjamin D. FISHER, John R. SALASIN
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Publication number: 20200090824Abstract: A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target elevator assembly including a body portion defining a central bore and an open bottom end, a center tube that is disposed within the central bore of the body portion, a target basket that is slidably receivable within the center tube, and a winch that is connected to the target basket by a cable, wherein the target basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Thomas G. Onderwater, Mark A. Alboino, Benjamin D. Fisher, Andrew F. Long
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Publication number: 20200075180Abstract: A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target delivery assembly including a body defining a central bore, a basket that is slidably receivable within the central bore of the body, and a winch that is connected to the basket by a cable, the target delivery assembly being affixed to the vessel penetration of the reactor, and a target passage that is in fluid communication with the target delivery assembly, wherein the basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein via the target passage and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the target delivery system forms a portion of the pressure boundary of the reactor when in fluid communication with the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Thomas G. Onderwater, Mark A. Alboino, Benjamin D. Fisher, Andrew F. Long
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Publication number: 20200047572Abstract: A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Curtis M. Bowe
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Publication number: 20200027618Abstract: A target irradiation system including an irradiated target removal system having a body defining a central bore, an elevator received within the central bore, and a docking surface for placing the irradiated target removal system in fluid communication with a vessel penetration of a reactor. A target canister slidably receives the radioisotope target therein, and the elevator is configured to receive the target canister. The elevator is lowered into the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the irradiated target removal system forms a portion of a pressure boundary of the reactor during target irradiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Thomas G. Onderwater, Benjamin D. Fisher
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Patent number: 10393367Abstract: A sludge lancing system for use in a steam generator including a no tube lane disposed between a first bank of tubes and a second bank of tubes that are transverse to a horizontal reference plane, having a rail that extends through the no tube lane and includes a longitudinal center axis that lies in a first plane that is parallel to the reference plane, and a first lancing head, having a body portion a conduit, a nozzle assembly that is mounted to the body portion and is pivotable with respect to the body portion about an axis of rotation, the nozzle assembly including a manifold defining a conduit that is in fluid communication with the conduit of the body portion, at least a first nozzle that is mounted to the manifold and defines a conduit that generates a lancing fluid jet, wherein the conduit of the first nozzle lies in a first plane that is transverse to the longitudinal center axis of the rail so that the lancing fluid jet of the first nozzle is disposed in the first plane when the manifold is pivotedType: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc.Inventor: Benjamin D. Fisher
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Publication number: 20190078774Abstract: A sludge lancing system for use in a steam generator including a no tube lane disposed between a first bank of tubes and a second bank of tubes that are transverse to a horizontal reference plane, having a rail that extends through the no tube lane and includes a longitudinal center axis that lies in a first plane that is parallel to the reference plane, and a first lancing head, having a body portion a conduit, a nozzle assembly that is mounted to the body portion and is pivotable with respect to the body portion about an axis of rotation, the nozzle assembly including a manifold defining a conduit that is in fluid communication with the conduit of the body portion, at least a first nozzle that is mounted to the manifold and defines a conduit that generates a lancing fluid jet, wherein the conduit of the first nozzle lies in a first plane that is transverse to the longitudinal center axis of the rail so that the lancing fluid jet of the first nozzle is disposed in the first plane when the manifold is pivotedType: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventor: Benjamin D. Fisher, III
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Publication number: 20190043630Abstract: A method of a method of irradiating a target material in a heavy water reactor for the production of an isotope, including the steps of providing a target comprised of a material suitable for producing the isotope by way of a neutron capture event, placing the target in a primary fluid side of the heavy water reactor, and irradiating the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Thomas G. Onderwater
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Publication number: 20180322973Abstract: An irradiation target for the production of radioisotopes, comprising at least one plate defining a central opening and an elongated central member passing through the central opening of the at least one plate so that the at least one plate is retained thereon, wherein the at least one plate and the elongated central member are both formed of materials that produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) by way of neutron capture.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Earl B. Barger, William E. Russell, II
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Publication number: 20180257183Abstract: A bolt repair platform includes a frame and a tool module. The tool module includes a tool having a first end configured to rotationally engage a bolt. The tool module also includes an actuator disposed between the tool and the frame so that actuation of the actuator moves the tool with respect to the frame. The frame is removably disposed on the structure, and the tool is movable with respect to the frame, so that, at each of a plurality of positions, the second end of the tool is capable of engagement with a respective bolt disposed in an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Benjamin D. Fisher, Jeff D. Gilreath, Thomas A. Pritchett
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Patent number: 9638670Abstract: A pipe scanning apparatus includes a scanner collar fitted around the outside of a pipe with tools for inspecting or modifying the pipe, a tubular fabric pipe sheath fitted around the outside of the pipe and connected at an end to the scanner collar, and a powered winch or manually operable reel configured to draw in the tubular fabric pipe sheath so as to scan the scanner collar connected to the end of the tubular fabric pipe sheath over the pipe. The tubular fabric pipe sheath may include inelastic warp fibers running parallel with the pipe and elastic weft fibers running around the pipe. The pipe sheath may include at least one longitudinal slit with a slit fastener, and may include two such slits on opposite sides so that the pipe sheath is separable into two sheath halves.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: BWXT Intech, Inc.Inventor: Benjamin D Fisher