Patents by Inventor Christopher Martin Welsh

Christopher Martin Welsh 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: 11717865
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise evacuating an interior of the jet pump assembly that is filled with a first liquid by injecting a gas to purge the first liquid from the interior to provide an evacuated surface. In addition, the method may comprise directing a jet of a second liquid onto the evacuated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Martin Welsh
  • Patent number: 11420239
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise inserting a cleaning tool into the jet pump assembly such that a front face of the cleaning tool is adjacent to an inner surface of the jet pump assembly and below a level of a first liquid in the jet pump assembly. The method may additionally comprise directing a plurality of front jets of a second liquid from a plurality of front orifices on the front face of the cleaning tool such that the plurality of front jets of the second liquid strikes the inner surface of the jet pump assembly. The method may further comprise maintaining a standoff distance between the front face of the cleaning tool and the inner surface of the jet pump assembly during the cleaning of the jet pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Martin Welsh
  • Publication number: 20200391254
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise inserting a cleaning tool into the jet pump assembly such that a front face of the cleaning tool is adjacent to an inner surface of the jet pump assembly and below a level of a first liquid in the jet pump assembly. The method may additionally comprise directing a plurality of front jets of a second liquid from a plurality of front orifices on the front face of the cleaning tool such that the plurality of front jets of the second liquid strikes the inner surface of the jet pump assembly. The method may further comprise maintaining a standoff distance between the front face of the cleaning tool and the inner surface of the jet pump assembly during the cleaning of the jet pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Martin WELSH
  • Patent number: 10751767
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise inserting a cleaning tool into the jet pump assembly such that a front face of the cleaning tool is adjacent to an inner surface of the jet pump assembly and below a level of a first liquid in the jet pump assembly. The method may additionally comprise directing a plurality of front jets of a second liquid from a plurality of front orifices on the front face of the cleaning tool such that the plurality of front jets of the second liquid strikes the inner surface of the jet pump assembly. The method may further comprise maintaining a standoff distance between the front face of the cleaning tool and the inner surface of the jet pump assembly during the cleaning of the jet pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Martin Welsh
  • Publication number: 20190070642
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise inserting a cleaning tool into the jet pump assembly such that a front face of the cleaning tool is adjacent to an inner surface of the jet pump assembly and below a level of a first liquid in the jet pump assembly. The method may additionally comprise directing a plurality of front jets of a second liquid from a plurality of front orifices on the front face of the cleaning tool such that the plurality of front jets of the second liquid strikes the inner surface of the jet pump assembly. The method may further comprise maintaining a standoff distance between the front face of the cleaning tool and the inner surface of the jet pump assembly during the cleaning of the jet pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Martin WELSH
  • Publication number: 20190070645
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise evacuating an interior of the jet pump assembly that is filled with a first liquid by injecting a gas to purge the first liquid from the interior to provide an evacuated surface. In addition, the method may comprise directing a jet of a second liquid onto the evacuated surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Martin WELSH
  • Patent number: 8520794
    Abstract: In a method and device for facilitating a uniform loading condition for a plurality of support members supporting a steam dryer in a nuclear reactor, the device may include at least one or more actuators. Each actuator may be provided between a corresponding support member and a lower bearing surface of a portion of the dryer for lifting its corresponding dryer portion lower bearing surface relative to the support member. The device may include at least one or more measurement units. Each measurement unit may correspond to a given support member for measuring a displacement value between the corresponding support member and the lower bearing surface of its corresponding dryer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Eddes Erbes, Christopher Martin Welsh