Patents by Inventor James Michael Downs

James Michael Downs 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: 8494106
    Abstract: A shipping container is constructed for shipping channeled fuel bundle assemblies. The shipping container includes an outer container, an inner container sized to fit within the outer container, and shock absorbing material disposed at least between the outer and inner containers. The inner container is shaped to house at least one pre-channeled fuel bundle assembly including a channel, a channel fastener, and an array of fuel rods supported by grid spacers between an upper tie plate and a lower tie plate. The inner container includes a lower tie plate restraint device shaped to receive the lower tie plate and a lower portion of the channel, and an upper tie plate restraint device shaped to receive the upper tie plate and an upper portion of the channel and channel fastener assembly. The lower and upper tie plate restraint devices are lockable within the inner shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Global Nuclear Fuel—Americas, LLC
    Inventors: David Francis Wazybok, David Grey Smith, Andrew Langston, William Williams, James Michael Downs, Christopher R. Jones
  • Patent number: 8149982
    Abstract: A tool to slide a channel on a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly, the tool includes: a plate having a slot to receive a handle of the fuel bundle and a lower surface that engages an upper edge of the channel; at least one post extends up from the plate, and an arm is attached to a pivot on the post and includes a first end to receive a downward force and a second end adapted to engage the handle of the fuel bundle to apply an upward force to the handle and push down on the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Global Nuclear Fuel - Americas, LLC
    Inventors: David Francis Wazybok, James Michael Downs, David Grey Smith, Edward G. Apple
  • Publication number: 20110103537
    Abstract: A tool to slide a channel on a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly, the tool includes: a plate having a slot to receive a handle of the fuel bundle and a lower surface that engages an upper edge of the channel; at least one post extends up from the plate, and an arm is attached to a pivot on the post and includes a first end to receive a downward force and a second end adapted to engage the handle of the fuel bundle to apply an upward force to the handle and push down on the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS, LLC
    Inventors: David Francis Wazybok, James Michael Downs, David Gray Smith, Edward G. Apple
  • Patent number: 7848476
    Abstract: A tool to slide a channel on a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly, the tool includes: a plate having a slot to receive a handle of the fuel bundle and a lower surface that engages an upper edge of the channel; at least one post extends up from the plate, and an arm is attached to a pivot on the post and includes a first end to receive a downward force and a second end adapted to engage the handle of the fuel bundle to apply an upward force to the handle and push down on the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Global Nuclear Fuel - Americas, LLC
    Inventors: David Francis Wazybok, James Michael Downs, David Gray Smith, Edward G. Apple
  • Publication number: 20090129529
    Abstract: A shipping container is constructed for shipping channeled fuel bundle assemblies. The shipping container includes an outer container, an inner container sized to fit within the outer container, and shock absorbing material disposed at least between the outer and inner containers. The inner container is shaped to house at least one pre-channeled fuel bundle assembly including a channel, a channel fastener, and an array of fuel rods supported by grid spacers between an upper tie plate and a lower tie plate. The inner container includes a lower tie plate restraint device shaped to receive the lower tie plate and a lower portion of the channel, and an upper tie plate restraint device shaped to receive the upper tie plate and an upper portion of the channel and channel fastener assembly. The lower and upper tie plate restraint devices are lockable within the inner shipping container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: David Francis Wazybok, David Grey Smith, Andrew Langston, William Williams, James Michael Downs, Christopher R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20090060111
    Abstract: A tool to slide a channel on a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly, the tool includes: a plate having a slot to receive a handle of the fuel bundle and a lower surface that engages an upper edge of the channel; at least one post extends up from the plate, and an arm is attached to a pivot on the post and includes a first end to receive a downward force and a second end adapted to engage the handle of the fuel bundle to apply an upward force to the handle and push down on the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS, LLC
    Inventors: David Francis Wazybok, James Michael Downs, David Gray Smith, Edward G. Apple