Patents by Inventor Mark Sumner

Mark 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: 12624708
    Abstract: Jet pump clamps fit to modified jet pump assemblies at the riser pipe-restrainer bracket junction. The clamp can secure the restrainer bracket and riser pipe, relieving any welds between the same stress in the same, while preventing the restrainer bracket from moving. The clamp may include multiple members on either side of the restrainer bracket that fit into surfaces of the riser pipe. When these members are drawn together through clamping action, the underlying riser pipe is compressed. Similarly, vertically-adjustable members may seat into and/or through the restrainer bracket to hold the bracket steady. Jet pump assemblies may be prepared by forming grooves in the riser pipe and hole(s) in the restrainer bracket(s) and spherical indentations about the same. Clamps may then be installed on the grooves and through the hole(s) at installation or during a maintenance outage in a commercial nuclear power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Kayla R. Kelley, Mark Sumner, Jack T. Matsumoto, Christopher M. Welsh, James Scavo
  • Patent number: 10352984
    Abstract: A method of locating a fault on an electricity transmission line is disclosed. The transmission line has a known line impedance and is operable to transport electricity at one or more system frequencies. The method comprises using measurements of the current and voltage made on the line at one or more frequencies which are different to the system frequency and the known line impedance (Z) to determine a distance to the fault. The method may include monitoring the voltage and the current on the transmission line at the one or more non-system frequencies, and determining from the presence of signals at a non-system frequency on the transmission line that a fault has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: David Thomas, Mark Sumner, Jia Ke
  • Publication number: 20140336959
    Abstract: A method of locating a fault on an electricity transmission line is disclosed. The transmission line has a known line impedance and is operable to transport electricity at one or more system frequencies. The method comprises using measurements of the current and voltage made on the line at one or more frequencies which are different to the system frequency and the known line impedance (Z) to determine a distance to the fault. The method may include monitoring the voltage and the current on the transmission line at the one or more non-system frequencies, and determining from the presence of signals at a non-system frequency on the transmission line that a fault has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: David Thomas, Mark Sumner, Jia Ke
  • Patent number: 7337553
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of for detecting lint are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light is directed to a plate. The light can be being emitted by a light source. A reflectometer is calibrated to a specific thermal emissivity of the plate. The thermal emission resulting from the light directed to the plate is received at the reflectometer. Lint is permitted to deposit on the plate. A change in thermal emission is detected if lint deposits on the plate. The change in thermal emission can be detected by the reflectometer. An indication that lint is present within the clothes dryer is provided if a change in thermal emission is detected by the reflectometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Stein, David Whitehead, Richard Scholl, Mark Sumner
  • Publication number: 20070124954
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of for detecting lint are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light is directed to a plate. The light can be being emitted by a light source. A reflectometer is calibrated to a specific thermal emissivity of the plate. The thermal emission resulting from the light directed the plate is received at the reflectometer. Lint is permitted to deposit on the plate. A change in thermal emission is detected if lint deposits on the plate. The change in thermal emission can be detected by the reflectometer. An indication that lint is present within the clothes dryer is provided if a change in thermal emission is detected by the reflectometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Stein, David Whitehead, Richard Scholl, Mark Sumner
  • Patent number: 7040039
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting lint in a clothes dryer are disclosed. A lint detector is positioned within the clothes dryer. A light source is also positioned within the clothes dryer. The lint detector has a surface that receives light emitted by the light source. Further, the lint detector has a photocell that receives light reflected from the surface if lint covers the surface. A determination is made as to whether a threshold amount of light has been received. An indication such as the activation of a warning light can be provided if the threshold amount of light is received. Another response is shutting the clothes dryer down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Stein, David Whitehead, Richard Scholl, Mark Sumner
  • Patent number: 4451648
    Abstract: An improved multi-step process for the production of 2-.beta.-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Jack L. Parsons, Dan Vizine, Mark Sumner, Suresh Marathe, Henryk Dubicki