Patents by Inventor Mark D. Sumner

Mark D. Sumner 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: 11904397
    Abstract: EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Jack T. Matsumoto, Mark D. Sumner, Christopher M. Welsh
  • Publication number: 20220161342
    Abstract: EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Jack T. Matsumoto, Mark D. Sumner, Christopher M. Welsh
  • Patent number: 11273508
    Abstract: EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Jack T. Matsumoto, Mark D. Sumner, Christopher M. Welsh
  • Publication number: 20200206834
    Abstract: EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jack T. Matsumoto, Mark D. Sumner, Christopher M. Welsh
  • Publication number: 20190385755
    Abstract: Systems enhance stand pipe alignment and security with braces docking to the stand pipes. A link connects pairs of braces so the braces and stand pipes docked thereby cannot move relative to each other when fully secured. Partially securing braces allows adjustment of the braces and distance between the same and thus stand pipe position. Fully securing the braces makes the entire system rigid without need for a tie bar. Braces and links can be installed and secured to the stand pipes and among each other at an axial position from above the stand pipes, so that overhead, simple tooling may be used. A crimp nut or other resilient connector may be used to secure the systems from that single dimension with simple tooling. Any number of braces, joining to any number of other braces, may be used in the system, and several systems may be used at various levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Sean T. Mosier, Mark D. Sumner, Harold C. Lowe, Samuel T. Kratt