Patents by Inventor John Graham Durston

John Graham Durston 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).

  • Nuclear reactors
    Patent number: 4046629
    Abstract: Thermal insulation for a core tank of a fast breeder nuclear reactor comprises a plurality of spaced membranes defining a series of concentric chambers lining the tank. Liquid metal is pumped from the cooler regions of a pool of coolant into the first chamber from which it flows successively through the remaining chambers towards the reactor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: John Graham Durston, John Richard Hind
  • Liquid metal cooled fast breeder nuclear reactors
    Patent number: 4043866
    Abstract: A liquid metal fast breeder nuclear reactor of the pool kind. The intermediate heat exchanger depends from the roof of the primary vessel in a housing and is immersed in the reactor coolant. A gas pocket seals the passage between the heat exchanger shell and the housing to prevent liquid metal by-passing the tube bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: John Graham Durston
  • Suspended nuclear reactor containments with reduced thermal stress
    Patent number: 4022656
    Abstract: A containment for a nuclear reactor has a primary vessel for containing the reactor core and liquid coolant. The primary vessel is suspended by its rim from the roof of the containment structure. To reduce thermal stress at the suspension joint, cooling means is provided for the upper peripheral regions of the primary vessel. The cooling means comprises an annular tank containing liquid metal and heat-exchange coils, thermal insulation of varying thickness and a cooling jacket for the thermal insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: John Graham Durston, John Richard Hind
  • Thermal insulation
    Patent number: 3975879
    Abstract: A metallic wall clad with thermal insulation has a layer of insulating blocks spaced from the wall, the blocks being spaced apart and each block being individually and rigidly secured to the wall, the interspaces being substantially closed against convectional flow of liquid by resilient closure members, and a membrane covering for the layer of blocks, the covering having venting means to allow liquid from the vessel to penetrate between the covering and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: The Nuclear Power Group Limited
    Inventors: William Birch, Roger Alexander Stuart, Robert Ian Facer, John Graham Durston
  • Liquid metal cooled nuclear reactors
    Patent number: 3945883
    Abstract: A fast reactor core is submerged in a pool of liquid metal coolant and there is a catchment tray for falling fuel debris disposed beneath the core. The catchment tray comprises a complex of open top collecting vessels arranged on lattice pitches in layers, the lattice pitches of the layers being off-set to provide a complete catchment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: John Richard Hind, John Graham Durston