Patents by Inventor Brian E. Hempy

Brian E. Hempy 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).

  • Patent number: 8565365
    Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly and fuel component shipping cask that employs a liner with a universal, removable, reusable axial restraint device that can accommodate various fuel assembly designs. The restraint device has a top shear plate with a groove that encircles its peripheral edge and mates with corresponding rails on each of the walls of the liner. The top shear plate includes an anchoring mechanism for supporting a side of the top shear plate against an abutting side of a stationary wall of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Hempy, Richard Forsythe Rochow
  • Patent number: 8447006
    Abstract: A reusable up-ending device for loading or unloading nuclear fuel assembly shipping packages. The device has a translating base mounted to a fixed beam structure and two stabilizing arms affixed to a mounting fixture on the base that is secured to the operating floor. The stabilizing arms include a spring dampener and have a simple elbow joint that straightens after the package is up righted. Translation is achieved by means of a hand adjustable lead screw and enables the base to be most advantageously positioned. The shipping package is inserted into pivot mount blocks located at the front of the base and the package is secured at the pivot mount blocks by means of a trunnion and at the support arms by means of a locking pin. Once the package is up-righted the elbows on the support arms are locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Hempy, Richard F. Rochow, Matt W. Ales
  • Publication number: 20120099693
    Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly and fuel component shipping cask that employs a liner with a universal, removable, reusable axial restraint device that can accommodate various fuel assembly designs. The restraint device has a top shear plate with a groove that encircles its peripheral edge and mates with corresponding rails on each of the walls of the liner. The top shear plate includes an anchoring mechanism for supporting a side of the top shear plate against an abutting side of a stationary wall of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Hempy, Richard Forsythe Rochow
  • Patent number: 7474726
    Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly component transport system that includes a clamshell-type inner liner that opens either along its axial dimension or from the top to load and unload the fuel assembly being transported. The exterior dimensions of the liner conform to a generic overpack tubular container that protects the liner from impact loads and fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Hempy, John Dexter Malloy, III, Richard Forsythe Rochow
  • Publication number: 20080203327
    Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly component transport system that includes a clamshell-type inner liner that opens either along its axial dimension or from the top to load and unload the fuel assembly being transported. The exterior dimensions of the liner conform to a generic overpack tubular container that protects the liner from impact loads and fires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Brian E. HEMPY, John Dexter Malloy, Richard Forsythe Rochow
  • Patent number: 6748042
    Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly component transport system that includes a clamshell-type inner liner that opens along its axial dimension to load and unload the fuel component being transported. The exterior dimensions of the liner conform to a generic overpack tubular container. The overpack is separable into an upper and lower section with the lower section having a V-shaped channel extending along its longitudinal axis. The liner is supported in the V-shaped channel by at least one row of shock mounts on either side of the channel. The lower section of the overpack is secured from rotation and the top section is latchably engaged to the lower section of the overpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: William E. Stilwell, III, Norman A. Kent, John F. Staples, Peter J. Vescovi, Brian E. Hempy, John D. Malloy, III
  • Publication number: 20040017876
    Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly transport canister that includes a clamshell type fuel assembly inner liner that has interior dimensions that closely conform to the outer envelope of the fuel assembly to be transported and exterior dimensions that conform to a generic overpack tubular container. The liner is inserted into the overpack tubular container which is in turn supported by a shock absorbing suspension system within a birdcage frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: William E. Stilwell, Norman A. Kent, John F. Staples, Peter J. Vescovi, Brian E. Hempy
  • Patent number: 6683931
    Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly transport canister that includes a clamshell type fuel assembly inner liner that has interior dimensions that closely conform to the outer envelope of the fuel assembly to be transported and exterior dimensions that conform to a generic overpack tubular container. The liner is inserted into the overpack tubular container which is in turn supported by a shock absorbing suspension system within a birdcage frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: William E. Stilwell, III, Norman A. Kent, John F. Staples, Peter J. Vescovi, Brian E. Hempy