Patents by Inventor Bruce F. Allen

Bruce F. Allen 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).

  • Publication number: 20210151207
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control rod drive mechanism assembly for a nuclear reactor having a nuclear reactor vessel, a nuclear reactor core, a reactor vessel head, a latch housing nozzle, a latch housing, a rod travel housing, a latch assembly, a drive rod assembly and a rod control cluster assembly. The latch housing is integrated with the latch housing nozzle, the rod travel housing is welded to the latch housing, and the latch assembly is connected to the rod travel housing. The latch assembly includes the drive rod assembly and the rod control cluster assembly which is attached to the drive rod assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. ALLEN, Gregory E. FALVO
  • Patent number: 10032529
    Abstract: A magnetic jack control rod drive rod drive system having the magnetic coils that operate the moving parts of the drive system wound from anodized aluminum magnet wire or ceramic coated nickel clad copper and enclosed within a hermetically sealed housing that is pressurized with helium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. Allen, Gregory E. Falvo, Brian P. Coombs
  • Publication number: 20170338028
    Abstract: An improved electrical coil unit is described which includes generally a coil member encapsulated within an iron-containing metal housing wherein the housing has an increased surface area to better transfer heat and provide air flow during operation. Each coil unit includes a coil member comprising a bobbin made of a non-conducting fiberglass impregnated resin and an insulated copper wire coiled around the outer surface of the bobbin member in multiple layers. Each coil unit is housed in an iron containing metal housing. The exterior surface of the housing preferably includes a plurality of fins extending longitudinally around the housing. A coating material is provided to encapsulate the coil member within the housing to form an integrated coil unit. The integrated coil units may be stacked to form a coil stack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: GREGORY E. FALVO, BRUCE F. ALLEN
  • Patent number: 8953732
    Abstract: A control rod drive system for a nuclear reactor that employs hydraulic cylinders to operate a conventional plunger/gripper drive system to incrementally move control rods into and out of the core of a reactor. The pressure differential for driving hydraulic pistons within the cylinders is obtained from the difference in pressure between the outside and inside of the core barrel of the reactor and control of the pistons is obtained from external solenoids attached to the reactor control system. The external solenoids regulate a charging pump feed to Poppet valves that control the hydraulic feed to the cylinders. A hydraulic piston/cylinder drive is also provided for the shutdown rods which operate in either an all in or out of the core condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. Allen, Gregory E. Falvo, Alexander W. Harkness
  • Publication number: 20130223579
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control rod drive mechanism assembly for a nuclear reactor having a nuclear reactor vessel, a nuclear reactor core, a reactor vessel head, a latch housing nozzle, a latch housing, a rod travel housing, a latch assembly, a drive rod assembly and a rod control cluster assembly. The latch housing is integrated with the latch housing nozzle, the rod travel housing is welded to the latch housing, and the latch assembly is connected to the rod travel housing. The latch assembly includes the drive rod assembly and the rod control cluster assembly which is attached to the drive rod assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. Allen, Gregory E. Falvo
  • Publication number: 20120148008
    Abstract: A control rod drive system for a nuclear reactor that employs hydraulic cylinders to operate a conventional plunger/gripper drive system to incrementally move control rods into and out of the core of a reactor. The pressure differential for driving hydraulic pistons within the cylinders is obtained from the difference in pressure between the outside and inside of the core barrel of the reactor and control of the pistons is obtained from external solenoids attached to the reactor control system. The external solenoids regulate a charging pump feed to Poppet valves that control the hydraulic feed to the cylinders. A hydraulic piston/cylinder drive is also provided for the shutdown rods which operate in either an all in or out of the core condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. ALLEN, Gregory E. FALVO, Alexander W. HARKNESS
  • Publication number: 20120148007
    Abstract: A magnetic jack control rod drive rod drive system having the magnetic coils that operate the moving parts of the drive system wound from anodized aluminum magnet wire or ceramic coated nickel clad copper and enclosed within a hermetically sealed housing that is pressurized with helium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. ALLEN, Gregory E. FALVO, Brian P. COOMBS
  • Patent number: 6356614
    Abstract: Anchor assembly apparatus for improving the structural integrity of a guide tube (26) in a nuclear fuel bundle (20). A sleeve (100) has a proximate end (102) and a distal end (104) that is adapted for insertion into a receiving end (38) of the guide tube. A pin (140) has a near end (142) and a far end (144) adapted for insertion into the sleeve at the sleeve's proximate end. The pin has an external surface (148) that applies a radial force to an inner surface (118) of the sleeve when the pin is inserted into the sleeve. The force is sufficient to cause a locking surface (120) on the sleeve to expand radially outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. Allen, Edward F. Lamoureux, Brian W. Ring
  • Patent number: 5377530
    Abstract: An apparatus for hydrostatic pressure testing of tubular products that enables short segments of the tubular product to be individually tested under conditions simulating a capped tube hydrostatic test. The apparatus includes a first seal bladder and gripper member assembly connected to a second seal bladder and gripper member assembly by a connecting member that allows relative axial movement between the two assemblies. A fluid outlet port is provided in the connecting member to introduce pressurized fluid into the short segment of the tubular product between the seal bladders of the two assemblies. Since the first seal bladder and gripper member assembly is axially movable relative to the second seal bladder and gripper member assembly, an axial stress as well as a hoop stress will be induced in the tubular product during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce F. Allen, Alfred D. DePeau, David L. Crick
  • Patent number: 5253277
    Abstract: A vent tube (66) and housing nut (62) replace the original housing plug (52) on a pressurized water nuclear reactor. The vent tube engages the installed vent stem (38) cross-slot (48) with a cross-shaped projection (70). During operation, the vent tube (66) is pushed down to engage the vent stem (38) and rotated to allow vented air to travel through stem (38) and tube (66). After venting, the vent stem is rotated back and tightened. The invention provides visual indication of a leaking ball (32) since any leakage lifts vent tube (66). Time required for venting is reduced and no removal of installed ball seal (32,34), a proven primary seal, is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce F. Allen