Patents by Inventor Harold V. Lichtenberger

Harold V. Lichtenberger 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).

  • Lower end fitting debris collector
    Patent number: 4832905
    Abstract: A fuel assembly (10) has a lower end fitting debris collector (40) assembled in the form of a welded assembly of an "eggcrate" grid (21) and cast base (40) with hollow legs (42). Fastener seats (46) in hollow legs (42) permit guide tubes (14) with internally threaded ends to be joined to the upper surface of the lower end fitting debris collector (40) by means of slotted fasteners (50). Bevels (62) and notches (64) in the grid bars (26 and 24a, respectively), provide an embodiment with contoured seats for fuel rod end caps (22). Otherwise, end caps (22) rest on grid (21) at the intersection of slottedly interlocked bars (24 and 26). Thin strips (30) mounted in slots between bars (24) and bars (26) provide small debris catching openings in grid (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, Harold V. Lichtenberger