Patents by Inventor Kevin R. McAtee

Kevin R. McAtee 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).

  • Controlling a nuclear reactor with dropped control rods
    Patent number: 4699749
    Abstract: In a pressurized water reactor in which a dropped control rod is detected by a negative rate of change of neutron flux which exceeds a preset negative limit, the reactor is only shutdown if the axial offset exceeds a preselected limit, so that it is possible to maintain power, and in many cases full power, despite the presence of a dropped rod. Where part length control rods are used during power changes, separate limiting values on axial offset are used when these rods are fully inserted and when they are fully retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin R. McAtee, Brian H. Alsop