Patents by Inventor Kurt R. Graeff
Kurt R. Graeff 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: 6721381Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a seal between a nuclear reactor in-core instrument housing and an instrument contained within the housing includes a lower seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, an upper seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument, a seal housing enclosing the lower and upper seal assemblies, and lower and upper compression assemblies positioned on respective ends of the seal housing. The compression assemblies each include a drive nut and a compression collar. The compression collars engage and apply an axial load on the seal assemblies to maintain a reliable seal between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, and between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Martin, James G. Tursi, Joseph M. Burger, Kurt R. Graeff
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Publication number: 20030128791Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a seal between a nuclear reactor in-core instrument housing and an instrument contained within the housing includes a lower seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, an upper seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument, a seal housing enclosing the lower and upper seal assemblies, and lower and upper compression assemblies positioned on respective ends of the seal housing. The compression assemblies each include a drive nut and a compression collar. The compression collars engage and apply an axial load on the seal assemblies to maintain a reliable seal between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, and between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Kenneth A. Martin, James G. Tursi, Joseph M. Burger, Kurt R. Graeff
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Patent number: 6578451Abstract: Fastener gripping apparatus (10) can be used in connection with a shaft (14) having a driver portion (80) adapted to engage a bolt (3). The apparatus is used to move the bolt between an uninstalled condition, and an installed condition in a structural member (8). The apparatus can include a chassis (12) having a first end (22), a second end (24), and a passage (32) extending therebetween. The shaft can be positioned in the passage with the driver portion extending from the second end. A retainer (16) can be connected to the chassis, having a retaining end (54) adjacent the second end and moveable between a closed position and an open position. A contact surface (64) can be on said retaining end and positioned to hold the fastener in engagement with the driver portion when the retainer is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventor: Kurt R. Graeff
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Patent number: 6522708Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a seal between a nuclear reactor in-core instrument housing and an instrument contained within the housing includes a lower seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, an upper seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument, a seal housing enclosing the lower and upper seal assemblies, and lower and upper compression assemblies positioned on respective ends of the seal housing. The compression assemblies each include a drive nut and a compression collar. The compression collars engage and apply an axial load on the seal assemblies to maintain a reliable seal between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, and between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Martin, James G. Tursi, Joseph M. Burger, Kurt R. Graeff
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Publication number: 20030031287Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a seal between a nuclear reactor in-core instrument housing and an instrument contained within the housing includes a lower seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, an upper seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument, a seal housing enclosing the lower and upper seal assemblies, and lower and upper compression assemblies positioned on respective ends of the seal housing. The compression assemblies each include a drive nut and a compression collar. The compression collars engage and apply an axial load on the seal assemblies to maintain a reliable seal between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, and between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2001Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: Kenneth A. Martin, James G. Tursi, Joseph M. Burger, Kurt R. Graeff
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Patent number: 6488434Abstract: An overload indicator apparatus (10) is provided for use in connection with a force generator (12). The force generator is used to apply a force to a load (14), and the overload indicator will indicate if the applied force is greater than a predetermined amount. The overload indicator includes a first support member (16), a second support member (18), and a tensile member (20). The first support member can be connected to the force generator, and the second support member can be connected to the load. The tensile member is positioned between, and in load bearing communication with, the first support member and the second support member, and is adapted to support at least part of the force when the force is less than substantially the predetermined amount. An overload retainer (40) comprises at least one beam (42), the beam having a first end (30) connected to the first support member and a second end (32) connected to the second support member.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventor: Kurt R. Graeff
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Patent number: 6125159Abstract: A canopy seal clamp assembly (40) for stopping leaking in a canopy seal weld (42) located between a nuclear reactor vessel nozzle (30) and an elongated housing (24) includes an upper plate (44) having a central aperture (50) and an inner flange (52) spaced apart from a lower plate (60) having a central aperture (66) and an inner flange (68), a seal carrier (70) located adjacent the lower plate carriers a seal (72) for contacting an outer surface of a leaking weld (42) and connector (56) between the upper and lower plate maintain a compressive load to tightly seal the leaking weld and the compressive load tends to close and arrest further crack propagation in the weld. A method for repairing a weld is also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: CE Nuclear Power LLCInventors: Kurt R. Graeff, Kenneth A. Martin
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Patent number: 6111928Abstract: A top mount canopy seal mechanical clamp assembly 20 for repair of a leaking canopy seal weld 16 between a nuclear reactor head penetration nozzle 12 and a mating part 14 has an annular housing 24 with insert support halves 28 and 30 for surrounding the nozzle. A top plate 34 is urged toward the support halves and housing by Belleville washers mounted on cap screws 42 threaded in bores 44 of the housing. A flexible graphite seal annulus 22 is compressed by the clamping action against the canopy seal weld 16 to create a flexible graphite leak stopping seal at the weld.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Kurt R. Graeff