Patents by Inventor Jorge V. Carvajal
Jorge V. Carvajal 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: 12046378Abstract: A sensor system for a fuel rod including a fuel pellet stack, the sensor system including a wireless interrogator disposed outside the fuel rod and a passive sensor component disposed within the fuel rod. The passive sensor component includes a receiver structured to receive an interrogation signal and output an excitation signal in response to receiving the interrogation signal, a reference transmitter structured to output a reference signal to the reference receiver in response to the excitation signal, a sensing transmitter structured to output a sensing signal to the sensing receiver in response to the excitation signal, and a core at least partially disposed within the sensing transmitter and coupled to move in conjunction with expansion or contraction of the fuel pellet stack, to move based on changes in pressure within the fuel rod, or to change temperature based on temperature changes within the fuel rod.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Arndt, Jorge V. Carvajal, Shawn C. Stafford
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Publication number: 20240071637Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a resonant electrical circuit supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod generates a response pulse in response to an excitation pulse and transmits the response pulse through a cladding of the fuel rod to another location within a reactor in which the fuel rod is housed and without any breach in the cladding. A characteristic of the response pulse is indicative of a condition of the fuel rod. The detection apparatus also includes a transmitter positioned outside the cladding, in the reactor, in the vicinity of the fuel rod and configured to generate the excitation pulse and transmit the excitation pulse through the cladding to the resonant electrical circuit. A receiver is supported within the reactor outside of the cladding and, in response to the response pulse, communicates a signal to an electronic processing apparatus outside of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. CARVAJAL, Jeffrey L. ARNDT, Shawn C. STAFFORD, Melissa M. HEAGY, John R. ABEL, II, Emre TATLI
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Patent number: 11817221Abstract: A nuclear system. The nuclear system includes a fuel rod for use in a nuclear reactor. The fuel rod includes a cladding comprising an interior region, unspent fuel pellets housed in the interior region of the cladding, and a resonant electrical circuit supported within the interior region of the cladding. The resonant electrical circuit is configured to receive an excitation pulse through the cladding, and responsive to the received excitation pulse, generate a response pulse in the form of a magnetic field signal that is structured to travel wirelessly from the interior region and through the cladding. The nuclear system also includes a receiver positioned outside of the cladding and within the nuclear reactor. The receiver is configured to receive the response pulse and generate an output based on the received response pulse.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. Carvajal, Jeffrey L. Arndt, Shawn C. Stafford, Melissa M. Heagy, John R. Abel, II, Emre Tatli
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Patent number: 11728057Abstract: A system that provides a direct indication of peak fuel rod centerline temperature and peak fuel rod clad temperature than conventionally inferred from the power distribution by directly and continuously measuring the fuel temperatures of the fuel pellets in one or more of the hottest fuel elements in the core. The peak fuel rod clad temperature is then obtained from the maximum measured peak fuel rod centerline temperature in combination with the maximum coolant core exit temperature and the minimum coolant flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Jorge V. Carvajal, Shawn C. Stafford, Jeffrey L. Arndt
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Patent number: 11424046Abstract: An enclosure for non-organic electronic components is provided which includes an inner cavity for housing non-organic electronic components and a neutron shielding barrier surrounding the inner cavity and the electronic components housed within the cavity. The barrier is formed from a neutron reflecting material in solid or powdered form and a neutron absorbing material in solid or powdered form. An optional structural support is provided in certain aspects of the enclosure design.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Arndt, Jorge V. Carvajal, Shawn C. Stafford, Melissa M. Heagy, John R. Abel, II, Robert W. Flammang, Michael R. Ickes
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Patent number: 11335469Abstract: A dry cask storage system for spent nuclear fuel includes a detection apparatus having a resonant electrical circuit, with resonant electrical circuit being situated within an interior region of a metallic vessel wherein the SNF is situated. The detection apparatus includes a transmitter that generates an excitation pulse that causes the resonant circuit to resonate and to generate a response pulse. The resonant circuit includes an inductor that is formed with a core whose magnetic permeability varies with temperature such that the frequency of the resonant circuit varies as a function of temperature. The response pulse is then used to determine the temperature within the interior of the vessel where the SNF is situated. Pressure detection is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. Carvajal, Justin P. Schmidt, Jeffrey L. Arndt, Paul M. Sirianni, Shawn C. Stafford, Kathryn E. Metzger
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Patent number: 11289236Abstract: In a panel that uses the gamma radiation emitted by fission to produce electrical power, a source of an electrical current is connected to a layer of the panel made of a metal with a relatively high atomic number (Z) that forms an electron emitter. The emitter layer is surrounded by an insulation layer which in turn is surrounded by a relatively low Z value layer for collecting electrons from the emitter. Another layer of insulation and an outer sheath surround the collector. The improved panel may be used for reactor power level and power distribution measurements, and for initiating, maintaining or returning molten salt or metal coolants in the liquid state.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Paolo Ferroni, Jorge V. Carvajal
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Publication number: 20220084705Abstract: A method that provides a more direct indication of peak fuel rod centerline temperature and peak fuel rod clad temperature than conventionally inferred from the power distribution by directly and continuously measuring the fuel temperatures of the fuel pellets in one or more of the hottest fuel elements in the core. The peak fuel rod clad temperature is then obtained from the maximum measured peak fuel rod centerline temperature in combination with the maximum coolant core exit temperature and the minimum coolant flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. HEIBEL, Jorge V. CARVAJAL, Shawn C. STAFFORD, Jeffrey L. ARNDT
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Publication number: 20220044831Abstract: A sensor system for a fuel rod including a fuel pellet stack, the sensor system including a wireless interrogator disposed outside the fuel rod and a passive sensor component disposed within the fuel rod. The passive sensor component includes a receiver structured to receive an interrogation signal and output an excitation signal in response to receiving the interrogation signal, a reference transmitter structured to output a reference signal to the reference receiver in response to the excitation signal, a sensing transmitter structured to output a sensing signal to the sensing receiver in response to the excitation signal, and a core at least partially disposed within the sensing transmitter and coupled to move in conjunction with expansion or contraction of the fuel pellet stack, to move based on changes in pressure within the fuel rod, or to change temperature based on temperature changes within the fuel rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. ARNDT, Jorge V. CARVAJAL, Shawn C. STAFFORD
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Patent number: 11238996Abstract: A method and a system for performing real-time, continuous, measurements of the boron concentration in the water entering a nuclear reactor coolant system. The invention utilizes knowledge of the impact that boron contained in liquid water has on the attenuation of acoustic or ultrasonic waves. This information, coupled with radiation damage resistant and high temperature operability capable transmitter and receiver equipment, provides the means to place the measurement system sensors and signal processing electronics on the reactor coolant system charging flow piping or the hot leg or cold leg of the reactor coolant loop. This will allow the reactor operator to directly monitor both the reactor coolant system boron concentration value and detect changes in the reactor coolant system boron concentration relative to a reference value as they occur.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Jorge V. Carvajal, Nicola G. Arlia, Melissa M. Walter, Robert W. Flammang, Michael A. James, David M. Sumego
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Patent number: 11127507Abstract: A sensor system for a fuel rod including a fuel pellet stack, the sensor system including a wireless interrogator disposed outside the fuel rod and a passive sensor component disposed within the fuel rod. The passive sensor component includes a receiver structured to receive an interrogation signal and output an excitation signal in response to receiving the interrogation signal, a reference transmitter structured to output a reference signal to the reference receiver in response to the excitation signal, a sensing transmitter structured to output a sensing signal to the sensing receiver in response to the excitation signal, and a core at least partially disposed within the sensing transmitter and coupled to move in conjunction with expansion or contraction of the fuel pellet stack, to move based on changes in pressure within the fuel rod, or to change temperature based on temperature changes within the fuel rod.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Arndt, Jorge V. Carvajal, Shawn C. Stafford
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Patent number: 11094423Abstract: A method that provides a more direct indication of peak fuel rod centerline temperature and peak fuel rod clad temperature than conventionally inferred from the power distribution by directly and continuously measuring the fuel temperatures of the fuel pellets in one or more of the hottest fuel elements in the core. The peak fuel rod clad temperature is then obtained from the maximum measured peak fuel rod centerline temperature in combination with the maximum coolant core exit temperature and the minimum coolant flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. Heibel, Jorge V. Carvajal, Shawn C. Stafford, Jeffrey L. Arndt
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Publication number: 20210210232Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a resonant electrical circuit supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod generates a response pulse in response to an excitation pure and transmits the response pulse through a cladding of the fuel rod to another location within a reactor in which the fuel rod is housed and without any breach in the cladding. A characteristic of the response pulse is indicative of a condition of the fuel rod. The detection apparatus also includes a transmitter positioned outside the cladding, in the reactor, in the vicinity of the fuel rod and configured to generate the excitation pulse and transmit the excitation pulse through the cladding to the resonant electrical circuit. A receiver is supported within the reactor outside of the cladding and, in response to the response pulse, communicates a signal to an electronic processing apparatus outside of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. CARVAJAL, Jeffrey L. ARNDT, Shawn C. STAFFORD
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Publication number: 20210210233Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a resonant electrical circuit supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod generates a response pulse in response to an excitation pulse and transmits the response pulse through a cladding of the fuel rod to another location within a reactor in which the fuel rod is housed and without any breach in the cladding. A characteristic of the response pulse is indicative of a condition of the fuel rod. The detection apparatus also includes a transmitter positioned outside the cladding, in the reactor, in the vicinity of the fuel rod and configured to generate the excitation pulse and transmit the excitation pulse through the cladding to the resonant electrical circuit. A receiver is supported within the reactor outside of the cladding and, in response to the response pulse, communicates a signal to an electronic processing apparatus outside of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. CARVAJAL, Jeffrey L. ARNDT, Shawn C. STAFFORD, Melissa M. HEAGY, John R. ABEL, II, Emre TATLI
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Patent number: 11011280Abstract: A system that measures the temperature distribution of the reactor coolant flowing through the hot leg or cold leg pipes by measuring the speed of sound time delay. This concept uses radiation hardened and temperature tolerant ultrasonic signal drivers based on vacuum micro-electronic technology. The system employs ultrasonic signals propagated through water, and relies on the characteristic that the speed of sound changes as the density and temperature of the water changes. Thus, a measured difference in the speed of sound in water may be directly correlated to a temperature change of the water.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. Carvajal, Michael D. Heibel, Nicola G. Arlia, Melissa M. Walter, Robert W. Flammang, Michael A. James, David M. Sumego
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Publication number: 20210074441Abstract: A sensor system for a fuel rod including a fuel pellet stack, the sensor system including a wireless interrogator disposed outside the fuel rod and a passive sensor component disposed within the fuel rod. The passive sensor component includes a receiver structured to receive an interrogation signal and output an excitation signal in response to receiving the interrogation signal, a reference transmitter structured to output a reference signal to the reference receiver in response to the excitation signal, a sensing transmitter structured to output a sensing signal to the sensing receiver in response to the excitation signal, and a core at least partially disposed within the sensing transmitter and coupled to move in conjunction with expansion or contraction of the fuel pellet stack, to move based on changes in pressure within the fuel rod, or to change temperature based on temperature changes within the fuel rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Westnghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Arndt, Jorge V. Carvajal, Shawn C. Stafford
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Publication number: 20200402680Abstract: A dry cask storage system for spent nuclear fuel includes a detection apparatus having a resonant electrical circuit, with resonant electrical circuit being situated within an interior region of a metallic vessel wherein the SNF is situated. The detection apparatus includes a transmitter that generates an excitation pulse that causes the resonant circuit to resonate and to generate a response pulse. The resonant circuit includes an inductor that is formed with a core whose magnetic permeability varies with temperature such that the frequency of the resonant circuit varies as a function of temperature. The response pulse is then used to determine the temperature within the interior of the vessel where the SNF is situated. Pressure detection is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. Carvajal, Justin P. Schimidt, Jeffrey L. Amdt, Paul M. Sirianni, Shawn C. Stafford, Kathryn E. Metzger
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Patent number: 10832825Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a resonant electrical circuit supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod generates a response pulse in response to an excitation pulse and transmits the response pulse through a cladding of the fuel rod to another location within a reactor in which the fuel rod is housed and without any breach in the cladding. A characteristic of the response pulse is indicative of a condition of the fuel rod. The detection apparatus also includes a transmitter positioned outside the cladding, in the reactor, in the vicinity of the fuel rod and configured to generate the excitation pulse and transmit the excitation pulse through the cladding to the resonant electrical circuit. A receiver is supported within the reactor outside of the cladding and, in response to the response pulse, communicates a signal to an electronic processing apparatus outside of the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. Carvajal, Jeffrey L. Arndt, Shawn C. Stafford, Melissa M. Heagy, John R. Abel, II, Emre Tatli
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Publication number: 20200335234Abstract: A method and a system for performing real-time, continuous, measurements of the boron concentration in the water entering a nuclear reactor coolant system. The invention utilizes knowledge of the impact that boron contained in liquid water has on the attenuation of acoustic or ultrasonic waves. This information, coupled with radiation damage resistant and high temperature operability capable transmitter and receiver equipment, provides the means to place the measurement system sensors and signal processing electronics on the reactor coolant system charging flow piping or the hot leg or cold leg of the reactor coolant loop. This will allow the reactor operator to directly monitor both the reactor coolant system boron concentration value and detect changes in the reactor coolant system boron concentration relative to a reference value as they occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Michael D. HEIBEL, Jorge V. CARVAJAL, Nicola G. ARLIA, Melissa M. WALTER, Robert W. FLAMMANG, Michael A. JAMES, David M. SUMEGO
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Patent number: 10811153Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a resonant electrical circuit supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod generates a response pulse in response to an excitation pulse and transmits the response pulse through a cladding of the fuel rod to another location within a reactor in which the fuel rod is housed and without any breach in the cladding. A characteristic of the response pulse is indicative of a condition of the fuel rod. The detection apparatus also includes a transmitter positioned outside the cladding, in the reactor, in the vicinity of the fuel rod and configured to generate the excitation pulse and transmit the excitation pulse through the cladding to the resonant electrical circuit. A receiver is supported within the reactor outside of the cladding and, in response to the response pulse, communicates a signal to an electronic processing apparatus outside of the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Jorge V. Carvajal, Jeffrey L. Arndt, Shawn C. Stafford