Patents by Inventor Owen Dean Nelson

Owen Dean Nelson 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).

  • FUEL HANDLING SYSTEM, LAYOUT, AND PROCESS FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR
    Publication number: 20220051827
    Abstract: A method of handling spent nuclear fuel assemblies immerses the spent nuclear fuel assemblies in water in a relatively short time period when compared to traditional methods. A spent nuclear fuel assembly is removed from a nuclear reactor, an inert gas is applied to the fuel assembly, moisture content in the inert gas is gradually increased as it is applied to the fuel assembly, and the fuel assembly is immersed in water. The fuel assembly is immersed relatively quickly, within about 2 hours or less, which improves safety and allows normal processing and handling equipment to care for the fuel assembly. The fuel assembly may then be loaded into a cask for long-term storage and/or disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, David L. Major, Samuel J. Miller, Owen Dean Nelson, Shirly Rodriguez Rojas, John E. Truax
  • In-vessel rod handling systems
    Patent number: 10755822
    Abstract: A rod transfer assembly has an outer rotating plug. A pick-up arm assembly extends from the outer rotating plug and includes a pivoting arm. An inner rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the outer rotating plug and is rotatable independent of a rotation of the outer rotating plug. An access port rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the inner rotating plug and is rotatable independent of rotation of the outer and inner rotating plugs. A pull arm extends from the access port rotating plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Gibbons, Stephen W. Hiller, Calen Kaneko, Owen Dean Nelson, Ashok Odedra, P. Harley Park
  • IN-VESSEL ROD HANDLING SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180061511
    Abstract: A rod transfer assembly has an outer rotating plug. A pick-up arm assembly extends from the outer rotating plug and includes a pivoting arm. An inner rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the outer rotating plug and is rotatable independent of a rotation of the outer rotating plug. An access port rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the inner rotating plug and is rotatable independent of rotation of the outer and inner rotating plugs. A pull arm extends from the access port rotating plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Gibbons, Stephen W. Hiller, Calen Kaneko, Owen Dean Nelson, Ashok Odedra, P. Harley Park