Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Sturtecky

Kenneth R. Sturtecky 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: 5735551
    Abstract: A pipe repair apparatus includes first and second housings that are bolted together to form a closed conduit extending between the ends of the housings. This conduit is shaped to received a pipe to be repaired. A first seal is mounted in the housing to seal against an outer circumferential surface of the pipe, and a second seal is mounted to extend around the conduit at an end of the housings to seal the housings against a wall extending outwardly from the pipe. A retainer is coupled to the housings to clamp the second seal against the wall. This retainer can include a threaded rod that passes through the housings or a spring that biases the housings toward the wall. The disclosed pipe repair is well suited for repairing a supply pipe in an internal core spray system of a nuclear reactor. This pipe repair forms a permanent repair that structurally replaces the pipe and welds being repaired. It is well suited for remote installation with minimal as-built information and in a minimal time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Commonwealth Edison Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Whitman, Matthew D. Krouse, Kenneth R. Sturtecky, Thomas J. Behringer