Patents by Inventor Michael E. Conner

Michael E. Conner 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).

  • Publication number: 20220254523
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of filtering debris from the bottom nozzle of a nuclear reactor while minimizing loss coefficients are disclosed herein, including a debris filter bottom nozzle with a plate-like body, a plurality of flow passages, and a filter positioned within at least one flow passage, wherein the at least one flow passage has a dimension based at least in part on a predetermined loss coefficient of the at least one flow passage and a predetermined filtration capability of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Conner, Thanh H. DO, Caroline K. DUNCAN, Robert A. BREWSTER, Artem ALESHIN
  • Patent number: 9528753
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with rotatable shelves for easy food/item access and cleaning. In one embodiment a stationary or fixed shelf includes a rotatable disk mounted on a bearing retainer having bearings therein for manual, three hundred sixty degree (360°) rotation as desired. In another embodiment a quarter-round pivotable shelf is attached to a stanchion to enable the shelf to be manually pivoted ninety degrees (90°) for withdrawing and returning the shelf to the refrigerator food storage compartment as needed. In another embodiment a rotatable disk is in communication with a drive motor for rotation by a control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Michael E. Conner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9022495
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with rotatable shelves for easy food/item access and cleaning. In one embodiment a stationary or fixed shelf includes a rotatable disk mounted on a bearing retainer having bearings therein for manual, three hundred sixty degree (360°) rotation as desired. In another embodiment a quarter-round pivotable shelf is attached to a stanchion to enable the shelf to be manually pivoted ninety degrees (90°) for withdrawing and returning the shelf to the refrigerator food storage compartment as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Michael E. Conner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8641158
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with rotatable shelves for easy food/item access and cleaning. In one embodiment a stationary or fixed shelf includes a rotatable disk mounted on a bearing retainer having bearings therein for manual, three hundred sixty degree (360°) rotation as desired. In another embodiment a quarter-round pivotable shelf is attached to a stanchion to enable the shelf to be manually pivoted ninety degrees (90°) for withdrawing and returning the shelf to the refrigerator food storage compartment as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Michael E. Conner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8537962
    Abstract: An advanced gray rod control assembly (GRCA) for a nuclear reactor. The GRCA provides controlled insertion of gray rod assemblies into the reactor, thereby controlling the rate of power produced by the reactor and providing reactivity control at full power. Each gray rod assembly includes an elongated tubular member, a primary neutron-absorber disposed within the tubular member said neutron-absorber comprising an absorber material, preferably tungsten, having a 2200 m/s neutron absorption microscopic capture cross-section of from 10 to 30 barns. An internal support tube can be positioned between the primary absorber and the tubular member as a secondary absorber to enhance neutron absorption, absorber depletion, assembly weight, and assembly heat transfer characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Keith J. Drudy, William R. Carlson, Michael E. Conner, Mark Goldenfield, Michael J. Hone, Carroll J. Long, Jr., Jerod Parkinson, Radu O. Pomirleanu
  • Patent number: 8369475
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly support grid formed from an array of a plurality of orthogonally arranged straps in an egg-crate configuration with angled trailing and/or leading edges that are designed to break the correlation of vortices shed from the edges of the grid straps by varying the phase of the vortices to avoid resonant vibration of the straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Yong (Roger) Lu, Xiaoyan (Jane) Jiang, Michael E. Conner, Paul M. Evans
  • Patent number: 8030596
    Abstract: A handheld knife includes an electric powered heater for raising the temperature of the knife blade for cutting and melting thermoplastics and the like. Two embodiments of the knife are shown, one for standard 120 volt AC current and one which includes a 24 volt battery pack. The method of use describes the steps of selecting an item for cutting, heating the knife blade by depressing a switch thereon and then manually drawing the knife blade across the item to cut selected materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: C & W Container Corp.
    Inventor: Michael E. Conner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7950612
    Abstract: A container device having a paint receptacle allows a user to easily access paint with a brush while working on a ladder. The container device includes one or more fixed brackets for attachment to a desired ladder rung and a pivotable bracket to stabilize the container device on a lower ladder rung. The paint receptacle maintains the paint in a convenient manner during use and includes an interior wipe board for removing excess paint from a paint brush and a brush clamp for storing a paint brush when not in use. A lid and handle are also included for tightly sealing any remaining paint therein during transportation and storage. A fabric cover having a series of pockets can be placed on the lower portion of the container device for carrying various painting tools and accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: C & W Container Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Conner, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20110002436
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly support grid formed from an array of a plurality of orthogonally arranged straps in an egg-crate configuration with angled trailing and/or leading edges that are designed to break the correlation of vortices shed from the edges of the grid straps by varying the phase of the vortices to avoid resonant vibration of the straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Yong (Roger) Lu, Xiaoyan (Jane) Jiang, Michael E. Conner, Paul M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20110002435
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly support grid formed from an array of a plurality of orthogonally arranged straps in an egg-crate configuration with angled trailing and/or leading edges that are designed to break the correlation of vortices shed from the edges of the grid straps by varying the phase of the vortices to avoid resonant vibration of the straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
    Inventors: Yong Roger LU, Xiaoyan Jane Jiang, Michael E. Conner, Paul M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20100131386
    Abstract: A system and method for determining e-commerce purchase eligibility of product offerings restricted to particular market segments and used in conjunction with an e-commerce system is described. Identifying information provided by the user is compared to a white list of eligibility parameters selected and configured by the vendor. An e-mail confirming eligibility and containing a customized URL is provided to the user; selecting the link automatically logs the user into the account. The system allows limited or unlimited purchases to be made by qualified users. Fraud detection is performed prior to checkout. Once the order has been processed the user may immediately download the product. An e-mail is sent to the user providing delayed downloading instructions and license key. Downloading may inject the license key for automatic software product or application activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: DIGITAL RIVER, INC.
    Inventors: Brent D. Shiely, Michael E. Conner, David A. Woolenberg, Matthew John Voda, Jeffrey M. Diesner
  • Publication number: 20090242580
    Abstract: A container device having a paint receptacle allows a user to easily access paint with a brush while working on a ladder. The container device includes one or more fixed brackets for attachment to a desired ladder rung and a pivotable bracket to stabilize the container device on a lower ladder rung. The paint receptacle maintains the paint in a convenient manner during use and includes an interior wipe board for removing excess paint from a paint brush and a brush clamp for storing a paint brush when not in use. A lid and handle are also included for tightly sealing any remaining paint therein during transportation and storage. A fabric cover having a series of pockets can be placed on the lower portion of the container device for carrying various painting tools and accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Michael E. Conner, SR.
  • Patent number: 7520479
    Abstract: A container device having a paint receptacle allows a user to easily access paint with a brush while working on a ladder. The container device includes a pair of fixed brackets for attachment to a desired ladder rung and a pivotable bracket to stabilize the container device on a lower ladder rung. The paint receptacle maintains the paint in a convenient manner during use and includes an interior wipe board for removing excess paint from a paint brush and a brush clamp for storing a paint brush when not in use. A lid and handle are also included for tightly sealing any remaining paint therein during transportation and storage. A fabric cover having a series of pockets can be placed on the lower portion of the container device for carrying various painting tools and accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Michael E. Conner, Sr.