Patents by Inventor Harry L. Batson

Harry L. Batson 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).

  • High pressure laser welding of nuclear fuel rods
    Patent number: 5958267
    Abstract: A high pressure laser welding method and apparatus enables seam welding of a nuclear fuel rod at hyperbaric pressure. In an automatic process, a loaded fuel rod and an upper end plug are mated within a sealable weld box. A pressure within the weld box is controlled relative to a pressure within the fuel rod, and a laser assembly welds the seam at hyperbaric pressure. Helium flowing through a laser window nozzle during welding prevents soot contamination of the laser window glass and prevents formation of ionic plasma. The upper end plug fuel rod welding operation is thus reduced to a single step and eliminates inspection related tasks with respect to a sealed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew A. Lingenfelter, James M. Gehr, Johnny R. Skipper, Robert J. Sziemkiewicz, Jeffrey P. Johnson, Robert A. Haughton, Harry L. Batson, Jaime A. Zuloaga, Jr., Michael T. Kiernan, John L. Harmon, Edward G. Apple, Jr.