Patents by Inventor Donald B. Atcheson

Donald B. Atcheson 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).

  • Double-clad nuclear fuel safety rod
    Patent number: 4470947
    Abstract: A device for shutting down a nuclear reactor during an undercooling or overpower event, whether or not the reactor's scram system operates properly. This is accomplished by double-clad fuel safety rods positioned at various locations throughout the reactor core, wherein melting of a secondary internal cladding of the rod allows the fuel column therein to shift from the reactor core to place the reactor in a subcritical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William H. McCarthy, Donald B. Atcheson, Swaminathan Vaidyanathan