Patents by Inventor Brandon D. Thomas

Brandon D. Thomas 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).

  • System and method for processing spent nuclear fuel
    Patent number: 10020084
    Abstract: A system and method for managing spent nuclear fuel includes a small capacity canister that preferably encloses or encapsulates a single spent nuclear fuel rod assembly but can enclose up to six spent nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The canister is air tight and prevents radioactive material from escaping. The canister is loaded by positioning a single spent nuclear fuel rod assembly in the canister and then closing the canister to make it air tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EnergySolutions, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Lehnert, Brandon D. Thomas, Steven E. Sisley
  • Containers for transportation and storage of spent nuclear fuel
    Patent number: 5550882
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transportation and storage assembly for transporting and storing nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The transportation and storage assembly includes a basket assembly (24) designed for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, or a basket assembly (122) designed for undamaged nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The basket assemblies (24, 122) are inserted into a canister (22). The canister (22) includes a shell (26) that receives and surrounds the basket assemblies (24, 122), and lids (28, 96) that enclose the shell (26). The basket assemblies (24, 122) include a plurality of apertured plates (36, 124) interconnected by structural members (42, 88) that maintain the plates (36, 124) in a spaced apart relationship, axially aligning the apertures (38, 126) in the plates (36, 124). In the basket assembly (24) for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, a container (44) is inserted into a row of axially aligned apertures (122), having a drain passage (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Vectra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Lehnert, Robert D. Quinn, Steven E. Sisley, Brandon D. Thomas
  • Containers for transportation and storage of spent nuclear fuel
    Patent number: 5438597
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transportation and storage assembly for transporting and storing nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The transportation and storage assembly includes a basket assembly (24) designed for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, or a basket assembly (122) designed for undamaged nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The basket assemblies (24, 122) are inserted into a canister (22). The canister (22) includes a shell (26) that receives and surrounds the basket assemblies (24, 122), and lids (28, 96) that enclose the shell (26). The basket assemblies (24, 122) include a plurality of apertured plates (36, 124) interconnected by structural members (42, 88) that maintain the plates (36, 124) in a spaced apart relationship, axially aligning the apertures (38, 126) in the plates (36, 124). In the basket assembly (24) for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, a container (44) is inserted into a row of axially aligned apertures (122), having a drain passage (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Vectra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Lehnert, Robert D. Quinn, Steven E. Sisley, Brandon D. Thomas