Patents by Inventor Jon D. McWhirter

Jon D. McWhirter 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).

  • Publication number: 20110293061
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactors, nuclear fission fuel pins, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, methods of fueling a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of fabricating a nuclear fission fuel pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jon D. McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20110164713
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110164712
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110164714
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110150167
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110110484
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110075786
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, methods therefor and a nuclear fission reactor system. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger body defining an exit plenum chamber therein shaped for uniform flow of a hot primary heat transfer fluid through the chamber. A plurality of adjacent heat transfer members are connected to the heat exchanger body and spaced apart by a predetermined distance for defining a plurality of flow passages between the heat transfer members. The flow passages open into the exit plenum chamber. Spacing of the heat transfer members by the predetermined distance evenly distributes flow of the primary heat transfer fluid through the flow passages, across the surfaces of the heat transfer members and into the exit plenum chamber. Each heat transfer member defines a flow channel therethrough for flow of a cooler secondary heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Jon D. McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20110075788
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, methods therefor and a nuclear fission reactor system. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger body defining an exit plenum chamber therein shaped for uniform flow of a hot primary heat transfer fluid through the chamber. A plurality of adjacent heat transfer members are connected to the heat exchanger body and spaced apart by a predetermined distance for defining a plurality of flow passages between the heat transfer members. The flow passages open into the exit plenum chamber. Spacing of the heat transfer members by the predetermined distance evenly distributes flow of the primary heat transfer fluid through the flow passages, across the surfaces of the heat transfer members and into the exit plenum chamber. Each heat transfer member defines a flow channel therethrough for flow of a cooler secondary heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Jon D. McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20110075787
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, methods therefor and a nuclear fission reactor system. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger body defining an exit plenum chamber therein shaped for uniform flow of a hot primary heat transfer fluid through the chamber. A plurality of adjacent heat transfer members are connected to the heat exchanger body and spaced apart by a predetermined distance for defining a plurality of flow passages between the heat transfer members. The flow passages open into the exit plenum chamber. Spacing of the heat transfer members by the predetermined distance evenly distributes flow of the primary heat transfer fluid through the flow passages, across the surfaces of the heat transfer members and into the exit plenum chamber. Each heat transfer member defines a flow channel therethrough for flow of a cooler secondary heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Jon D. McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20110069801
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide for the operation and simulation of the operation of fission reactors. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, including modular nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and reactor modules, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and modules, methods of operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, methods of simulating operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jon D. McWhirter, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110069803
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide for the operation and simulation of the operation of fission reactors, including the movement of materials within reactors. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, including modular nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and reactor modules, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and modules, methods of operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, methods of simulating operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jon D. McWhirter, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110058638
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110051877
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110051881
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110051876
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20100266085
    Abstract: A nuclear fission reactor, flow control assembly, methods therefor and a flow control assembly system. The flow control assembly is coupled to a nuclear fission module capable of producing a traveling burn wave at a location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly controls flow of a fluid in response to the location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly comprises a flow regulator subassembly configured to be operated according to an operating parameter associated with the nuclear fission module. In addition, the flow regulator subassembly is reconfigurable according to a predetermined input to the flow regulator subassembly. Moreover, the flow control assembly comprises a carriage subassembly coupled to the flow regulator subassembly for adjusting the flow regulator subassembly to vary fluid flow into the nuclear fission module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Victoria Y. H. Wood, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20100266088
    Abstract: A nuclear fission reactor, flow control assembly, methods therefor and a flow control assembly system. The flow control assembly is coupled to a nuclear fission module capable of producing a traveling burn wave at a location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly controls flow of a fluid in response to the location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly comprises a flow regulator subassembly configured to be operated according to an operating parameter associated with the nuclear fission module. In addition, the flow regulator subassembly is reconfigurable according to a predetermined input to the flow regulator subassembly. Moreover, the flow control assembly comprises a carriage subassembly coupled to the flow regulator subassembly for adjusting the flow regulator subassembly to vary fluid flow into the nuclear fission module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Victoria Y.H. Wood, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20100266087
    Abstract: A nuclear fission reactor, flow control assembly, methods therefor and a flow control assembly system. The flow control assembly is coupled to a nuclear fission module capable of producing a traveling burn wave at a location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly controls flow of a fluid in response to the location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly comprises a flow regulator subassembly configured to be operated according to an operating parameter associated with the nuclear fission module. In addition, the flow regulator subassembly is reconfigurable according to a predetermined input to the flow regulator subassembly. Moreover, the flow control assembly comprises a carriage subassembly coupled to the flow regulator subassembly for adjusting the flow regulator subassembly to vary fluid flow into the nuclear fission module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Victoria Y.H. Wood, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100266086
    Abstract: A nuclear fission reactor, flow control assembly, methods therefor and a flow control assembly system. The flow control assembly is coupled to a nuclear fission module capable of producing a traveling burn wave at a location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly controls flow of a fluid in response to the location relative to the nuclear fission module. The flow control assembly comprises a flow regulator subassembly configured to be operated according to an operating parameter associated with the nuclear fission module. In addition, the flow regulator subassembly is reconfigurable according to a predetermined input to the flow regulator subassembly. Moreover, the flow control assembly comprises a carriage subassembly coupled to the flow regulator subassembly for adjusting the flow regulator subassembly to vary fluid flow into the nuclear fission module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Victoria Y. H. Wood, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman