Patents by Inventor Francis P. Ferraraccio

Francis P. Ferraraccio 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: 11862349
    Abstract: A method of releasing an atmospheric effluent within a nuclear containment to an atmosphere surrounding the nuclear containment is disclosed. The nuclear containment is adjacent to an associated spent fuel pool that is located outside the nuclear containment, the method comprises sensing a pressure buildup within the nuclear containment, routing a portion of the atmospheric effluent through the spent fuel pool when a pressure buildup within the nuclear containment reaches a preselected value, and releasing a chemical into the spent fuel pool, based on the routing, to facilitate a reaction with the atmospheric effluent to substantially neuter any deleterious environmental impact of the atmospheric effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Francis P. Ferraraccio, Timothy Jaeger
  • Publication number: 20220215974
    Abstract: A nuclear containment atmospheric filter including dedicated piping, valves, a control system and a chemical injection system to facilitate the use of a commercial nuclear power plant's Spent Fuel Storage Pool and Spent Fuel Storage Pool Cooling System to filter and cool contaminated air and steam vapor released from within a Reactor Containment Vessel/Building preventing vessel overpressure and radioactive release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Francis P. FERRARACCIO, Timothy JAEGER
  • Patent number: 11227696
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor containment atmospheric filter system includes dedicated piping, valves, a control system, and a chemical injection system. An outlet of the piping can release atmospheric effluent from a reactor containment vessel into a lower portion of a spent fuel pool. The chemical injection system can release a chemical into the spent fuel pool to facilitate a reaction with the released atmospheric effluent. The reaction can assist in neutering deleterious environmental impact of the atmospheric effluent. The filter system can filter and cool contaminated air and steam vapor released from the reactor containment vessel, and prevent vessel overpressure and radioactive release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Francis P. Ferraraccio, Timothy P. Jaeger
  • Publication number: 20190156960
    Abstract: A nuclear containment atmospheric filter including dedicated piping, valves, a control system and a chemical injection system to facilitate the use of a commercial nuclear power plant's Spent Fuel Storage Pool and Spent Fuel Storage Pool Cooling System to filter and cool contaminated air and steam vapor released from within a Reactor Containment Vessel/Building preventing vessel overpressure and radioactive release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Francis P. Ferraraccio, Timothy P. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 10032530
    Abstract: A remote heat removal system that pumps a secondary fluid from a remote reservoir through a secondary side of a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a primary fluid to be cooled. The secondary fluid drives a motive device that drives the primary fluid through the primary side of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Francis P. Ferraraccio, Nirmal K. Jain, Martin L. Van Haltern, Daniel C. Flahive
  • Publication number: 20160336083
    Abstract: A remote heat removal system that pumps a secondary fluid from a remote reservoir through a secondary side of a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a primary fluid to be cooled. The secondary fluid drives a motive device that drives the primary fluid through the primary side of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Francis P. Ferraraccio, Nirmal K. Jain, Martin L. Van Haltern, Daniel C. Flahive