Patents by Inventor Michael David Heibel

Michael David Heibel 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).

  • Subcritical reactivity measurement method
    Patent number: 6801593
    Abstract: A method of monitoring reactivity changes in a nuclear reaction when the nuclear reaction is subcritical. The method controls the parameter of the nuclear reaction that affects reactivity of the reaction to slightly alter the reactivity while monitoring an output of a source range detector. The Inverse Count Rate Ratio from the output of the detector is determined periodically during a transient portion of the output. A correction factor is applied to the Inverse Count Rate Ratio data and the data is plotted as a function of time. The correction factor linearizes the Inverse Count Rate Ratio data so that the curve can be predictably extrapolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Yung-An Chao, Donald James Hill, Michael David Heibel, Jeffrey Robert Secker
  • Subcritical reactivity measurement method
    Publication number: 20040101082
    Abstract: A method of monitoring reactivity changes in a nuclear reaction when the nuclear reaction is subcritical. The method controls the parameter of the nuclear reaction that affects reactivity of the reaction to slightly alter the reactivity while monitoring an output of a source range detector. The Inverse Count Rate Ratio from the output of the detector is determined periodically during a transient portion of the output. A correction factor is applied to the Inverse Count Rate Ratio data and the data is plotted as a function of time. The correction factor linearizes the Inverse Count Rate Ratio data so that the curve can be predictably extrapolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Yung-An Chao, Donald James Hill, Michael David Heibel, Jeffrey Robert Secker