Patents by Inventor Garrett Johnson

Garrett Johnson 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: 5406599
    Abstract: A weld fixture for receiving and aligning the fuel rod contact points of a nuclear fuel bundle spacer grid. Two plates are provided with intersecting unequally spaced slots that define polygons on one side of each plate. Both plates have bores therethrough substantially at the slot intersections and in the slots adjacent the outer edges of the plates. Bores are provided through both plates in polygons that correspond to fuel assembly guide tube and instrument tube locations. These positions receive guide cell pins during use, some of which are hollow and are used to bolt the plates together over the spacer grid strips. Bores in each plate through the defined polygons receive alignment pins. Guide rods receive and align the plates through corner bores in each plate. The slots and pins in the facing plates align the critical fuel rod contact points in the spacer grid during the intersection welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: B&W Fuel Company
    Inventors: Garrett Johnson, Jr., Raymond A. King, Elbert C. Minnick, III