Patents by Inventor Brian G. Woods

Brian G. Woods 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: 9587595
    Abstract: An active purge pump system module is provided for an evaporative emission control (EVAP) system for a vehicle. The EVAP system includes a fuel tank, a vapor collection canister in communication with the fuel tank, an air intake, and a purge valve connected between the canister and the air intake. The active purge pump system module includes a pump in fluid communication with the canister to move air independently of operation of the engine. A bypass valve assembly communicates with an upstream side and a downstream side of the pump to bypass the pump. In a closed position of the bypass valve assembly, the pump, when activated, moves purge vapor from the canister, through the purge valve, and to the engine to be consumed during combustion, and when the bypass valve assembly is opened and the pump is deactivated, vehicle refueling is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian G. Woods, Thierry Collet, Manfred Weigl
  • Patent number: 9431136
    Abstract: A stable startup system includes a reactor vessel containing coolant, a reactor core submerged in the coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the coolant. The stable startup system further includes one or more heaters configured to add heat to the coolant during a startup operation and prior to the reactor core going critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: NUSCALE POWER, LLC
    Inventors: Jose N. Reyes, Jr., John T. Groome, Qiao Wu, Brian G. Woods, Todd S. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20160148709
    Abstract: A stable startup system includes a reactor vessel containing coolant, a reactor core submerged in the coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the coolant. The stable startup system further includes one or more heaters configured to add heat to the coolant during a startup operation and prior to the reactor core going critical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: NuScale Power, LLC
    Inventors: Jose N. Reyes, JR., John T. Groome, Qiao Wu, Brian G. Woods, Todd S. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9330796
    Abstract: A stable startup system includes a reactor vessel containing coolant, a reactor core submerged in the coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the coolant. The stable startup system further includes one or more heaters configured to add heat to the coolant during a startup operation and prior to the reactor core going critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NuScale Power, LLC
    Inventors: Jose N. Reyes, Jr., John T. Groome, Qiao Wu, Brian G. Woods, Todd S. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20150159597
    Abstract: An active purge pump system module is provided for an evaporative emission control (EVAP) system for a vehicle. The EVAP system includes a fuel tank, a vapor collection canister in communication with the fuel tank, an air intake, and a purge valve connected between the canister and the air intake. The active purge pump system module includes a pump in fluid communication with the canister to move air independently of operation of the engine. A bypass valve assembly communicates with an upstream side and a downstream side of the pump to bypass the pump. In a closed position of the bypass valve assembly, the pump, when activated, moves purge vapor from the canister, through the purge valve, and to the engine to be consumed during combustion, and when the bypass valve assembly is opened and the pump is deactivated, vehicle refueling is permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Brian G. Woods, Thierry Collet, Manfred Weigl
  • Patent number: 8891723
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor module includes a reactor vessel containing coolant, a reactor core submerged in the coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the coolant. The nuclear reactor module further includes one or more heaters configured to add heat to the coolant during a startup operation and prior to the reactor core going critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: State of Oregon Acting by and Through The State Board of Higher Education on Behalf or Oregon State University, The Oregon State University
    Inventors: Jose N. Reyes, Jr., John T. Groome, Qiao Wu, Brian G. Woods, Todd S. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20090129532
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor module includes a reactor vessel containing coolant, a reactor core submerged in the coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the coolant. The nuclear reactor module further includes one or more heaters configured to add heat to the coolant during a startup operation and prior to the reactor core going critical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: The State of OR acting by and through the State System of Higher Education on Behalf of OR State U
    Inventors: Jose N. Reyes, JR., John T. Groome, Qiao Wu, Brian G. Woods, Todd S. Palmer