Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Dodd

Christopher D. Dodd 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: 10229760
    Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
  • Patent number: 10056161
    Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
  • Patent number: 9865364
    Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: BWXT mPower, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
  • Patent number: 9728283
    Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BWXT NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brett T. Goodyear, Christopher D. Dodd
  • Publication number: 20160351279
    Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Brett T. Goodyear, Christopher D. Dodd
  • Patent number: 9407131
    Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett T. Goodyear, Christopher D. Dodd
  • Publication number: 20140301520
    Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
  • Publication number: 20140270036
    Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
  • Publication number: 20130270929
    Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: BABCOCK & WILCOX NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brett T. Goodyear, Christopher D. Dodd