Patents by Inventor John P. McLaughlin
John P. McLaughlin 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).
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Patent number: 10600518Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignees: BWXT mPower, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Patent number: 10229760Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 10056161Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 9865364Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignees: BWXT mPower, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20160254065Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Patent number: 9336910Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignees: BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc., BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20150206605Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Scott J. Shargots, Paul K. DeSantis, John P. McLaughlin, Mathew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20140301520Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Publication number: 20140270036Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Dodd, Paul K. DeSantis, Kevin J. Stambaugh, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin, Brett T. Goodyear, Michael J. Edwards, Matthew W. Ales
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Patent number: 8811561Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for use in a nuclear reactor, the CRDM comprising: a connecting rod connected with at least one control rod; a lead screw; a drive mechanism configured to linearly translate the lead screw; an electromagnet coil assembly; and a latching assembly that latches the connecting rod to the lead screw responsive to energizing the electromagnet coil assembly and unlatches the connecting rod from the lead screw responsive to deenergizing the electromagnet coil assembly. The latching assembly is secured with and linearly translates with the lead screw, while the electromagnet coil assembly does not move with the lead screw. The electromagnet coil assembly is at least coextensive with a linear translation stroke over which the drive mechanism is configured to linearly translate the lead screw.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. Stambaugh, Paul K. DeSantis, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20130330164Abstract: The present invention is directed to an IV pole transportation device that enables a user to securely engage multiple IV poles into an integrated unit, allowing the IV poles to be transported simultaneously. The IV pole transportation device comprises a base plate having a plurality of slots and a plurality of ratchet assemblies. The ratchet assemblies are secured to the base plate and positioned such that the each ratchet assembly slot is aligned with a base plate slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: MARK T BUSHEY, EDGAR W VETRONE, JOHN P MCLAUGHLIN
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Publication number: 20100316177Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for use in a nuclear reactor, the CRDM comprising: a connecting rod connected with at least one control rod; a lead screw; a drive mechanism configured to linearly translate the lead screw; an electromagnet coil assembly; and a latching assembly that latches the connecting rod to the lead screw responsive to energizing the electromagnet coil assembly and unlatches the connecting rod from the lead screw responsive to deenergizing the electromagnet coil assembly. The latching assembly is secured with and linearly translates with the lead screw, while the electromagnet coil assembly does not move with the lead screw. The electromagnet coil assembly is at least coextensive with a linear translation stroke over which the drive mechanism is configured to linearly translate the lead screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Kevin J. Stambaugh, Paul K. DeSantis, Allan R. Mackovjak, John P. McLaughlin
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Patent number: 4944971Abstract: A slip cover for use with an automobile sun visor includes a deformable hollow body that has an opening through which the sun visor moves to be encased by the cover. The cover body includes portions that are heat shrinkable and portions that are stretchable. Heat from a hand-held hair dryer, or the like, is applied to the cover to shrink those heat-shrinkable portions to securely encase the sun visor. Indicia, such as advertising material or the like can be placed on the slip cover.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1989Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Inventor: John P. McLaughlin
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Patent number: D514432Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Inventor: John P. McLaughlin