Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Erdman

Daniel J. Erdman 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: 9324462
    Abstract: A quick disconnect for a control rod drive mechanism seismic support tie rod system that is remotely operable from a nuclear power plant's operating deck. A wall mounted anchor in the reactor cavity contains one half of a disconnect coupling that interfaces with the other half of the disconnect coupling on the ends of the tie rods employing a remote winching system that is actuated from the top of the reactor head assembly. A latching mechanism is then actuated from the refueling cavity operating deck to lock the tie rod in place and prevent displacement during a seismic or pipe break event. The tie rod may similarly be unlocked from the wall anchor and raised above the reactor head assembly as part of a reactor head disassembly operation to gain access to the core of the reactor vessel for refueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Courtney B. Frank, Michael D. Conrad, Jeffrey C. Himler, Daniel J. Erdman, Michelle Heinz Carnicelli
  • Publication number: 20120014493
    Abstract: A quick disconnect for a control rod drive mechanism seismic support tie rod system that is remotely operable from a nuclear power plant's operating deck. A wall mounted anchor in the reactor cavity contains one half of a disconnect coupling that interfaces with the other half of the disconnect coupling on the ends of the tie rods employing a remote winching system that is actuated from the top of the reactor head assembly. A latching mechanism is then actuated from the refueling cavity operating deck to lock the tie rod in place and prevent displacement during a seismic or pipe break event. The tie rod may similarly be unlocked from the wall anchor and raised above the reactor head assembly as part of a reactor head disassembly operation to gain access to the core of the reactor vessel for refueling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Courtney B. Frank, Michael D. Conrad, Jeffrey C. Himler, Daniel J. Erdman, Michelle Heinz Carnicelli
  • Patent number: 7438497
    Abstract: A plastic component is attached to a mounting structure by a fastener that extends at least into a mounting hole in the plastic component. The mounting hole is located near an edge corner of a cantilevered mounting tab that forms part of the plastic component. The mounting tab comprises a generally flat plate that has a depending flange that extends around a rounded corner near which the mounting hole is located and a depending sleeve that is contiguous with the mounting hole. The mounting tab has a break away portion so that the plastic component can be removed for recycling easily. Three variations of the breakaway portion are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshino, Thomas A. Volpone, Daniel J. Erdman
  • Publication number: 20080251083
    Abstract: A tracheotomy kit has a cutter assembly and an end cap. The cutter assembly includes a cutter head protruding from an end of a cutter housing that has flexible arms that extend from opposite sides of the cutter housing forwardly and outwardly in cantilever fashion to a position forward of a tip of the cutter head. The free ends of the flexible arms have pads for engaging a human throat for performing a tracheotomy. The end cap is detachably fastened to the cutter housing enclosing the cutter head and includes a flat elongate tongue for spreading the tracheotomy incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Richard M. Fetcenko, Michael E. Francis, Michael J. Roche, Daniel J. Erdman, Steven W. Marzo, Todd W. McCune
  • Publication number: 20080226386
    Abstract: A plastic component is attached to a mounting structure by a fastener that extends at least into a mounting hole in the plastic component. The mounting hole is located near an edge corner of a cantilevered mounting tab that forms part of the plastic component. The mounting tab comprises a generally flat plate that has a depending flange that extends around a rounded comer near which the mounting hole is located and a depending sleeve that is contiguous with the mounting hole. The mounting tab has a break away portion so that the plastic component can be removed for recycling easily. Three variations of the breakaway portion are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshino, Thomas A. Volpone, Daniel J. Erdman
  • Patent number: 7104829
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing, a base extending from an outer surface of the housing, and a deflectable, cantilever locking arm extending from an outer surface of the base. A window is formed in the locking arm at a location proximate the base. The locking arm and base are shaped to resist breakage of the locking arm and base when the lock arm is bent away from the outer surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Volpone, Dale J. Smutny, Daniel J. Erdman