Patents by Inventor Bruce R. Newton

Bruce R. Newton 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: 9053828
    Abstract: A method for removing and replacing a bottom-mounted instrumentation nozzle on a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The method (i) caps or plugs the existing bottom-mounted instrumentation nozzle; (ii) cuts the nozzle at or near the nozzle to in-core instrument tube weld; (iii) installs a water-tight sealing enclosure outside the vessel over the bottom of the bottom-mounted instrumentation nozzle creating a water-tight seal with the underside of the reactor vessel; (iv) cuts to sever the existing bottom nozzle from the reactor vessel; (v) extracts the existing nozzle; (vi) installs a replacement alloy 690 nozzle or plug from inside the vessel; and (vii) welds the replacement nozzle or plug in place. The replacement bottom-mounted instrumentation nozzle incorporates an integral shoulder that prevents ejection during operation and facilitates installation, and the entire method is performed while the reactor pressure vessel is filled with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Bruce R. Newton, Mihai A. Pelle