Patents by Inventor David A. Rickard

David A. Rickard 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: 10867713
    Abstract: Chimneys include several combinable parts useable in nuclear reactors. The parts are modular and removably joinable without destruction for use in directing flow in an operating nuclear reactor and directly fit in storage area during non-operation. Chimney parts are joinable through flanges and connecting structures. Chimney parts may include partitions that divide or direct energetic coolant flow from a nuclear core as well as steam separating and drying structures. The parts each individually fit within storage areas of the nuclear plant, including equipment or buffer pools in the refueling floor of the plant. Methods move the chimney parts between the reactor and storage areas, and multiple parts may be stacked or nested in such moves. Methods are useable underwater and with storage pools to prevent exposure of chimney parts during an outage. During operation, chimneys are useable in place of existing single-piece chimneys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Robin D. Sprague, Gerald A. Deaver, David A. Rickard, David L. Major
  • Publication number: 20190115115
    Abstract: Chimneys include several combinable parts useable in nuclear reactors. The parts are modular and removably joinable without destruction for use in directing flow in an operating nuclear reactor and directly fit in storage area during non-operation. Chimney parts are joinable through flanges and connecting structures. Chimney parts may include partitions that divide or direct energetic coolant flow from a nuclear core as well as steam separating and drying structures. The parts each individually fit within storage areas of the nuclear plant, including equipment or buffer pools in the refueling floor of the plant. Methods move the chimney parts between the reactor and storage areas, and multiple parts may be stacked or nested in such moves. Methods are useable underwater and with storage pools to prevent exposure of chimney parts during an outage. During operation, chimneys are useable in place of existing single-piece chimneys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Robin D. Sprague, Gerald A. Deaver, David A. Rickard, David L. Major
  • Patent number: 10128007
    Abstract: Chimneys include several combinable parts usable in nuclear reactors. The parts are modular and removably joinable without destruction for use in directing flow in an operating nuclear reactor and directly fit in storage area during non-operation. Chimney parts are joinable through flanges and connecting structures. Chimney parts may include partitions that divide or direct energetic coolant flow from a nuclear core as well as steam separating and drying structures. The parts each individually fit within storage areas of the nuclear plant, including equipment or buffer pools in the refueling floor of the plant. Methods move the chimney parts between the reactor and storage areas, and multiple parts may be stacked or nested in such moves. Methods are usable underwater and with storage pools to prevent exposure of chimney parts during an outage. During operation, chimneys are usable in place of existing single-piece chimneys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Robin D. Sprague, Gerald A. Deaver, David A. Rickard, David L. Major
  • Publication number: 20170011812
    Abstract: Chimneys include several combinable parts usable in nuclear reactors. The parts are modular and removably joinable without destruction for use in directing flow in an operating nuclear reactor and directly fit in storage area during non-operation. Chimney parts are joinable through flanges and connecting structures. Chimney parts may include partitions that divide or direct energetic coolant flow from a nuclear core as well as steam separating and drying structures. The parts each individually fit within storage areas of the nuclear plant, including equipment or buffer pools in the refueling floor of the plant. Methods move the chimney parts between the reactor and storage areas, and multiple parts may be stacked or nested in such moves. Methods are usable underwater and with storage pools to prevent exposure of chimney parts during an outage. During operation, chimneys are usable in place of existing single-piece chimneys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Robin D. Sprague, Gerald A. Deaver, David A. Rickard, David L. Major