Patents by Inventor Nicholas Francis O'NEILL
Nicholas Francis O'NEILL 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: 11798695Abstract: The method includes configuring a nuclear reactor to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in the nuclear reactor in response to an at least partial failure of a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) within a reactor pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor being liquid metal-cooled, the primary EMP configured to circulate liquid metal coolant through at least a reactor core of the nuclear reactor, the configuring including, installing a backflow EMP within the reactor pressure vessel, such that when selectively activated, the backflow EMP at least partially mitigates liquid metal coolant backflow through the primary EMP.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Publication number: 20210287814Abstract: The method includes configuring a nuclear reactor to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in the nuclear reactor in response to an at least partial failure of a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) within a reactor pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor being liquid metal-cooled, the primary EMP configured to circulate liquid metal coolant through at least a reactor core of the nuclear reactor, the configuring including, installing a backflow EMP within the reactor pressure vessel, such that when selectively activated, the backflow EMP at least partially mitigates liquid metal coolant backflow through the primary EMP.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL, Colin Christopher O'CONNOR, Chelsea Ann CURTIN, Edwin WU
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Patent number: 11049624Abstract: A liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor includes, within a reactor pressure vessel, a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) circulating liquid metal coolant through the reactor core and a backflow EMP. The nuclear reactor may be configured to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in response to a primary EMP failure. The backflow EMP is coupled in series with the primary EMP within the reactor pressure vessel. The backflow EMP may be selectively activated in response to failure of the primary EMP to mitigate liquid metal backflow through the primary EMP. The primary EMP and backflow EMP may receive power from separate power sources. Multiple backflow EMPs may be coupled in parallel to the primary EMP via parallel liquid metal coolant lines. A nuclear reactor may include multiple primary EMPs and multiple sets of backflow EMPs, where each separate set of backflow EMPs is coupled to a separate primary EMP.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Publication number: 20190333652Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'neill, Colin Christopher O'connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 10354763Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 10340048Abstract: A passive safety system for removing decay heat from a nuclear power system may comprise a shroud structure and a heat generator that is within the shroud structure. A thermoelectric device may be disposed in thermal contact with the heat generator. The thermoelectric device is configured to generate a voltage based on a temperature difference between opposite parts of the thermoelectric device. A fan arrangement is disposed above the heat generator and in electrical connection with the thermoelectric device. The fan arrangement is configured to increase a coolant flow through the coolant passage to the outlet opening based on the voltage from the thermoelectric device.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Levon Pierre Keusseyan
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Patent number: 10319483Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 10209139Abstract: A temperature change detection apparatus for monitoring temperature change in various portions of a large space includes a trip logic unit configured to execute a trip operation based on receipt of a trip signal at the trip logic unit; a plurality of temperature sensors each including a sensing portion composed of optical fiber cable and each being configured to generate light information indicating an amount of Brillouin scattering that occurs within the sensing portion; a plurality of monitoring units configured such that each monitoring unit determines a temperature value corresponding to each temperature sensor connected to the monitoring unit based on an amount of Brillouin scattering indicated by the light information generated by each of the connected temperature sensors, an each monitoring unit generates a trip signal when a determined temperature value exceeds a running average by more than a threshold amount.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brett J. Dooies, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill
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Publication number: 20180202869Abstract: A temperature change detection apparatus for monitoring temperature change in various portions of a large space includes a trip logic unit configured to execute a trip operation based on receipt of a trip signal at the trip logic unit; a plurality of temperature sensors each including a sensing portion composed of optical fiber cable and each being configured to generate light information indicating an amount of Brillouin scattering that occurs within the sensing portion; a plurality of monitoring units configured such that each monitoring unit determines a temperature value corresponding to each temperature sensor connected to the monitoring unit based on an amount of Brillouin scattering indicated by the light information generated by each of the connected temperature sensors, an each monitoring unit generates a trip signal when a determined temperature value exceeds a running average by more than a threshold amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric P. LOEWEN, Brett J. DOOIES, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL
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Patent number: 10004929Abstract: A passive fire response system is configured to suppress a metallic fire. The system includes a reservoir containing an ionic liquid, at least one outlet in communication with the reservoir, a valve arranged between the reservoir and the outlet, a sensor configured to sense at least one of a hydrogen concentration and a temperature and/or heat, and a controller configured to open the valve and release the ionic liquid if an output from the sensor indicates that the at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the temperature equals or exceeds at least one of a threshold hydrogen concentration and a threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Brett Jameson Dooies, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Dana Christine Miranda, Haley Michelle Cowen
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Patent number: 9921113Abstract: A temperature change detection apparatus for monitoring temperature change in various portions of a large space includes a trip logic unit configured to execute a trip operation based on receipt of a trip signal at the trip logic unit; a plurality of temperature sensors each including a sensing portion composed of optical fiber cable and each being configured to generate light information indicating an amount of Brillouin scattering that occurs within the sensing portion; a plurality of monitoring units configured such that each monitoring unit determines a temperature value corresponding to each temperature sensor connected to the monitoring unit based on an amount of Brillouin scattering indicated by the light information generated by each of the connected temperature sensors, an each monitoring unit generates a trip signal when a determined temperature value exceeds a running average by more than a threshold amount.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brett J. Dooies, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill
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Patent number: 9833648Abstract: A method for suppressing a pyrophoric metal fire may include arranging a suppression system above a containment structure. The suppression system includes a first extinguishing agent. The containment structure is configured to contain and isolate a pyrophoric metal from ambient air. The suppression system is configured to activate upon a leak and ignition of the pyrophoric metal so as to release the first extinguishing agent to suppress the pyrophoric metal fire.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Brett Jameson Dooies, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Dana Christine Miranda, Haley Michelle Cowen
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Publication number: 20170162283Abstract: A liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor includes, within a reactor pressure vessel, a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) circulating liquid metal coolant through the reactor core and a backflow EMP. The nuclear reactor may be configured to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in response to a primary EMP failure. The backflow EMP is coupled in series with the primary EMP within the reactor pressure vessel. The backflow EMP may be selectively activated in response to failure of the primary EMP to mitigate liquid metal backflow through the primary EMP. The primary EMP and backflow EMP may receive power from separate power sources. Multiple backflow EMPs may be coupled in parallel to the primary EMP via parallel liquid metal coolant lines. A nuclear reactor may include multiple primary EMPs and multiple sets of backflow EMPs, where each separate set of backflow EMPs is coupled to a separate primary EMP.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL, Colin Christopher O'CONNOR, Chelsea Ann CURTIN, Edwin WU
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Publication number: 20170162280Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL, Colin Christopher O'CONNOR, Chelsea Ann CURTIN, Edwin WU
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Publication number: 20170106220Abstract: A passive fire response system is configured to suppress a metallic fire. The system includes a reservoir containing an ionic liquid, at least one outlet in communication with the reservoir, a valve arranged between the reservoir and the outlet, a sensor configured to sense at least one of a hydrogen concentration and a temperature and/or heat, and a controller configured to open the valve and release the ionic liquid if an output from the sensor indicates that the at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the temperature equals or exceeds at least one of a threshold hydrogen concentration and a threshold temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Brett Jameson DOOIES, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL, Dana Christine MIRANDA, Haley Michelle COWEN
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Publication number: 20170025194Abstract: A passive safety system for removing decay heat from a nuclear power system may comprise a shroud structure and a heat generator that is within the shroud structure. A thermoelectric device may be disposed in thermal contact with the heat generator. The thermoelectric device is configured to generate a voltage based on a temperature difference between opposite parts of the thermoelectric device. A fan arrangement is disposed above the heat generator and in electrical connection with the thermoelectric device. The fan arrangement is configured to increase a coolant flow through the coolant passage to the outlet opening based on the voltage from the thermoelectric device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL, Levon Pierre KEUSSEYAN
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Publication number: 20160175627Abstract: A method for suppressing a pyrophoric metal fire may include arranging a suppression system above a containment structure. The suppression system includes a first extinguishing agent. The containment structure is configured to contain and isolate a pyrophoric metal from ambient air. The suppression system is configured to activate upon a leak and ignition of the pyrophoric metal so as to release the first extinguishing agent to suppress the pyrophoric metal fire.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Brett Jameson DOOIES, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL, Dana Christine MIRANDA, Haley Michelle COWEN
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Publication number: 20160027537Abstract: A temperature change detection apparatus for monitoring temperature change in various portions of a large space includes a trip logic unit configured to execute a trip operation based on receipt of a trip signal at the trip logic unit; a plurality of temperature sensors each including a sensing portion composed of optical fiber cable and each being configured to generate light information indicating an amount of Brillouin scattering that occurs within the sensing portion; a plurality of monitoring units configured such that each monitoring unit determines a temperature value corresponding to each temperature sensor connected to the monitoring unit based on an amount of Brillouin scattering indicated by the light information generated by each of the connected temperature sensors, an each monitoring unit generates a trip signal when a determined temperature value exceeds a running average by more than a threshold amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. LOEWEN, Brett J. DOOIES, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL