Patents by Inventor Frank Ortega
Frank Ortega 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).
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Publication number: 20240109864Abstract: The invention relates to substituted pyrazolo piperidine carboxylic acids, their salts and to processes for their preparation, and also to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular cardiovascular and cardiac diseases, preferably heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF), hypertension (HTN), peripheral arterial diseases (PAD, PAOD), cardio-renal and kidney diseases, preferably chronic and diabetic kidney disease (CKD and DKD), cardiopulmonary and lung diseases, preferable pulmonary hypertension (PH), and other diseases, preferably neurodegenerative diseases and different forms of dementias, fibrotic diseases, systemic sclerosis (SSc), sickle cell disease (SCD), wound healing disorders such as diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Alexandros VAKALOPOULOS, Marie-Pierre COLLIN-KRÖPELIN, Nuria ORTEGA HERNANDEZ, Andre DIESKAU, Melissa BOULTADAKIS-ARAPINIS, Lisa CANDISH, Timo STELLFELD, Ilka MATHAR, Lucas Hudson HOFMEISTER, Peter SANDNER, Frank WUNDER, Lisa DIETZ, Robert Alan WEBSTER, Carsten SCHMECK
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Publication number: 20240101528Abstract: The invention relates to substituted pyrazolo piperidine carboxylic acids, their salts and to processes for their preparation, and also to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular cardiovascular and cardiac diseases, preferably heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF), hypertension (HTN), peripheral arterial diseases (PAD, PAOD), cardio-renal and kidney diseases, preferably chronic and diabetic kidney disease (CKD and DKD), cardiopulmonary and lung diseases, preferable pulmonary hypertension (PH), and other diseases, preferably neurodegenerative diseases and different forms of dementias, fibrotic diseases, systemic sclerosis (SSc), sickle cell disease (SCD), wound healing disorders such as diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Alexandros VAKALOPOULOS, Marie-Pierre COLLIN-KRÖPELIN, Nuria ORTEGA HERNANDEZ, Andre DIESKAU, Melissa BOULTADAKIS-ARAPINIS, Lisa CANDISH, Timo STELLFELD, Ilka MATHAR, Lucas Hudson HOFMEISTER, Peter SANDNER, Frank WUNDER, Lisa DIETZ, Robert Alan WEBSTER, Carsten SCHMECK
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Patent number: 9721686Abstract: Systems and methods for refueling a nuclear reactor that has a reactor core in a reactor pool having a plurality of elongated reactor core components, a fuel pool for storing core components, and a transfer channel connecting the fuel pool to the reactor pool. The method includes retrieving a replacement core component from the fuel pool, and securing the replacement core component in a first compartment of a handover assembly in a vertical position. The method also includes retrieving a spent core component from the reactor core, and securing the spent core component in a second compartment of the handover assembly in a vertical position. The replacement core component is retrieved from the first compartment and installed into the reactor core. The spent core component is retrieved from the second compartment and stored in a storage rack in the fuel pool.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Frank Ortega, Mark William Broaddus
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Patent number: 8705684Abstract: A surface conditioning scheduling process is used to mitigate susceptibility to crack initiation or crack growth in a boiling water nuclear reactor using a plurality of working crews. A plurality of working zones are defined in an annulus region of a reactor vessel flange, and a plurality working zones are defined in a core region of the reactor vessel. One of the working crews is positioned in each of the annulus region working zones, and one of the working crews is positioned in each of the core region working zones. The working crews perform surface conditioning in areas of the reactor vessel accessible from their respective working zones such that the surface conditioning process can be completed in no more than thirty days.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Frank Ortega, Hsueh-Wen Na Pao, Henry Peter Offer, Ahdee Quan Chan
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Patent number: 7889827Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) tool and method for removing tack welds on a component in a reactor pressure vessel are disclosed. The tool may include a motor, a housing which engages the component having tack welds, an electrode, positioned in the housing, a first plate, and a second plate attached to the electrode. The second plate actuates to align the electrode to the tack weld, and the electrode is discharged to remove the tack welds from the component.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Frank Ortega
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Patent number: 7784135Abstract: A tool assembly provides for brushing circumferential welds in a restrictive access area between a cylindrical inner member and a cylindrical outer member such as the shroud and vessel in a nuclear reactor. The tool assembly includes a circumferential plate sized larger than an outside diameter of the inner member and smaller than an inside diameter of the outer member. At least one renew brush is coupled with the circumferential plate, and a motor is coupled with the renew brush that rotates the renew brush. A driving assembly mounted between the inner member and the outer member engages the circumferential plate and circumferentially drives the circumferential plate in the restrictive access area.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Frank Ortega
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Patent number: 7754993Abstract: Welding repairs are performed in an underwater environment adjacent the bottom head of the nuclear reactor vessel. To provide a dry welding environment, segments of a lower caisson are passed through the core plate holes and assembled along the interior surface of the bottom head. The assembled segments are held down by brackets and sealed to one another and to the bottom head by a water curable polymer. An upper caisson is passed through the core plate hole to sealingly engage the lower caisson. The caissons are pumped dry and welding equipment is passed through the caissons to effect weld repairs about the stub tube or along the bottom head cladding.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Frank Ortega
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Publication number: 20090323882Abstract: Welding repairs are performed in an underwater environment adjacent the bottom head of the nuclear reactor vessel. To provide a dry welding environment, segments of a lower caisson are passed through the core plate holes and assembled along the interior surface of the bottom head. The assembled segments are held down by brackets and sealed to one another and to the bottom head by a water curable polymer. An upper caisson is passed through the core plate hole to sealingly engage the lower caisson. The caissons are pumped dry and welding equipment is passed through the caissons to effect weld repairs about the stub tube or along the bottom head cladding.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2006Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Frank Ortega
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Publication number: 20080165911Abstract: A tool assembly provides for brushing circumferential welds in a restrictive access area between a cylindrical inner member and a cylindrical outer member such as the shroud and vessel in a nuclear reactor. The tool assembly includes a circumferential plate sized larger than an outside diameter of the inner member and smaller than an inside diameter of the outer member. At least one renew brush is coupled with the circumferential plate, and a motor is coupled with the renew brush that rotates the renew brush. A driving assembly mounted between the inner member and the outer member engages the circumferential plate and circumferentially drives the circumferential plate in the restrictive access area.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Frank Ortega
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Publication number: 20080159463Abstract: Systems and methods for refueling a nuclear reactor that has a reactor core in a reactor pool having a plurality of elongated reactor core components, a fuel pool for storing core components, and a transfer channel connecting the fuel pool to the reactor pool. The method includes retrieving a replacement core component from the fuel pool, and securing the replacement core component in a first compartment of a handover assembly in a vertical position. The method also includes retrieving a spent core component from the reactor core, and securing the spent core component in a second compartment of the handover assembly in a vertical position. The replacement core component is retrieved from the first compartment and installed into the reactor core. The spent core component is retrieved from the second compartment and stored in a storage rack in the fuel pool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Frank Ortega, Mark William Broaddus
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Publication number: 20080130819Abstract: A surface conditioning scheduling process is used to mitigate susceptibility to crack initiation or crack growth in a boiling water nuclear reactor using a plurality of working crews. A plurality of working zones are defined in an annulus region of a reactor vessel flange, and a plurality working zones are defined in a core region of the reactor vessel. One of the working crews is positioned in each of the annulus region working zones, and one of the working crews is positioned in each of the core region working zones. The working crews perform surface conditioning in areas of the reactor vessel accessible from their respective working zones such that the surface conditioning process can be completed in no more than thirty days.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Frank Ortega, Hsueh-Wen Na Pao, Henry Peter Offer, Ahdee Quan Chan
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Patent number: 7312416Abstract: A lower housing having a lower chamber and a welding opening is fixed about an underwater weld site. The lower housing includes an upper opening, the lower housing being filled with water upon installation. A transport housing containing a welding unit in a dry state is lowered such that a bottom opening, closed by a closure element, registers with an upper opening of the lower chamber. Upon clamping the housings together, the lower chamber is at least partially evacuated. The closure element is then moved to an open position and the welding unit is lowered into the evacuated lower chamber to weld a patch to the vessel wall to overlay the damaged area.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Frank Ortega, John Edward Maslakowski, Hsueh-Wen Pao
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Publication number: 20070177708Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) tool and method for removing tack welds on a component in a reactor pressure vessel are disclosed. The tool may include a motor, a housing which engages the component having tack welds, an electrode, positioned in the housing, a first plate, and a second plate attached to the electrode. The second plate actuates to align the electrode to the tack weld, and the electrode is discharged to remove the tack welds from the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventor: Frank Ortega
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Patent number: 7076017Abstract: A seal plate for repairing damaged areas in a pressure vessel cladding includes a first side and an opposing second side and a sealing portion located on the second side, with the sealing portion circumscribing the seal plate. The seal plate also includes a seal lip extending from a periphery of the sealing portion and a cavity located in the second side, with the cavity circumscribed by the sealing portion. The seal plate further includes at least one purge port extending from the first side to the cavity. Each purge port is in fluid communication with the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Henry Peter Offer, Frank Ortega, David Wesley Sandusky
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Publication number: 20050269383Abstract: A lower housing having a lower chamber and a welding opening is fixed about an underwater weld site. The lower housing includes an upper opening, the lower housing being filled with water upon installation. A transport housing containing a welding unit in a dry state is lowered such that a bottom opening, closed by a closure element, registers with an upper opening of the lower chamber. Upon clamping the housings together, the lower chamber is at least partially evacuated. The closure element is then moved to an open position and the welding unit is lowered into the evacuated lower chamber to weld a patch to the vessel wall to overlay the damaged area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2004Publication date: December 8, 2005Inventors: Frank Ortega, John Maslakowski, Hsueh-Wen Pao
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Publication number: 20050069077Abstract: A seal plate for repairing damaged areas in a pressure vessel cladding includes a first side and an opposing second side and a sealing portion located on the second side, with the sealing portion circumscribing the seal plate. The seal plate also includes a seal lip extending from a periphery of the sealing portion and a cavity located in the second side, with the cavity circumscribed by the sealing portion. The seal plate further includes at least one purge port extending from the first side to the cavity. Each purge port is in fluid communication with the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Henry Offer, Frank Ortega, David Sandusky
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Patent number: 6809283Abstract: An electric discharge machining sampling apparatus for obtaining samples from a surface of metal components provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the sampling apparatus is operable underwater and includes a base plate and an electrode assembly movably coupled to the base plate. The electrode assembly includes an electric discharge electrode and an electrode holder with the electrode including at least one bore extending therethrough. The sampling apparatus also includes a particle collection assembly operatively coupled to the electrode. Each electrode bore is in flow communication with the particle collection assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Balasubramanian Srikantiah Kowdley, Frank Ortega, James Edward Kasik, Terry Lynn Chapman
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Publication number: 20040035835Abstract: An electric discharge machining sampling apparatus for obtaining samples from a surface of metal components provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the sampling apparatus is operable underwater and includes a base plate and an electrode assembly movably coupled to the base plate. The electrode assembly includes an electric discharge electrode and an electrode holder with the electrode including at least one bore extending therethrough. The sampling apparatus also includes a particle collection assembly operatively coupled to the electrode. Each electrode bore is in flow communication with the particle collection assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Balasubramanian Srikantiah Kowdley, Frank Ortega, James Edward Kasik, Terry Lynn Chapman
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Patent number: 6137853Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ultrasonically inspecting the welds which attach the differential pressure and liquid poison nozzles to the bottom head of the reactor pressure vessel in a boiling water reactor. The scanning apparatus is seated on the upper taper of the nozzle outer tube and incorporates a stationary frame having a cutaway section which allows installation from the side. The apparatus has vertical and circumferential positioning mechanisms which are operated remotely to scan an ultrasonic transducer package over the circumferential welds and heat-affected zones thereof. The rotating frame has a transducer carriage mounted thereon which is vertically displaceable relative to the rotating frame. The vertical and angular motion motors can be controlled together to provide the desired path for the ultrasonic transducer around the stub tube. The tool also includes a vessel contour follower which follows the contour of the inclined surfaces of the reactor pressure vessel bottom head.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1994Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brian Charles Duckering, David Lee Richardson, James Howard Terhune, Frank Ortega
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Patent number: 6052425Abstract: An auxiliary wedge apparatus configured to couple to the restrainer bracket of a jet pump assembly is described. In one embodiment, the auxiliary wedge apparatus includes a support block configured to couple to the restrainer bracket, and a wedge configured to slidingly couple to a wedge channel in the support block, and to engage the inlet mixer to restore a tight rigid fit-up of the jet pump components. The support block includes a wedge channel having tongues depending from the parallel sides of the channel and a hook shaped portion configured to receive the restrainer bracket. The support block also includes a lock screw to couple the support block to the restrainer bracket. The wedge includes grooves in the parallel sides of the wedge configured to slidingly engage the tongues extending in the wedge channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Geddes Erbes, Gerald Alan Deaver, Frank Ortega