Patents by Inventor Phillip J. Hawkins
Phillip J. Hawkins 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: 11225696Abstract: A delivery device that is usable in a laser peening operation emits a columnar flow of a fluid that contains therein a beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam is retained within the interior of the flow of fluid since the total internal reflectivity of the flow is sufficient to do so. The flow of fluid that serves as a conduit for the beam also itself impinges on a workpiece and thus contains and washes away the plasma that forms from a laser peening operation, and this resists the plasma from reaching and possibly damaging the delivery device. The carrying of the beam in the columnar flow of fluid avoids the need to maintain a fixed distance between the delivery device and the workpiece, which simplifies the movement by a robotic manipulator of the delivery device along a non-planar surface of a workpiece during a laser peening operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Lyman J. Petrosy, Phillip J. Hawkins
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Publication number: 20200354803Abstract: A delivery device that is usable in a laser peening operation emits a columnar flow of a fluid that contains therein a beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam is retained within the interior of the flow of fluid since the total internal reflectivity of the flow is sufficient to do so. The flow of fluid that serves as a conduit for the beam also itself impinges on a workpiece and thus contains and washes away the plasma that forms from a laser peening operation, and this resists the plasma from reaching and possibly damaging the delivery device. The carrying of the beam in the columnar flow of fluid avoids the need to maintain a fixed distance between the delivery device and the workpiece, which simplifies the movement by a robotic manipulator of the delivery device along a non-planar surface of a workpiece during a laser peening operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Lyman J. PETROSY, Phillip J. HAWKINS
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Patent number: 10655191Abstract: A delivery device that is usable in a laser peening operation emits a columnar flow of a fluid that contains therein a beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam is retained within the interior of the flow of fluid since the total internal reflectivity of the flow is sufficient to do so. The flow of fluid that serves as a conduit for the beam also itself impinges on a workpiece and thus contains and washes away the plasma that forms from a laser peening operation, and this resists the plasma from reaching and possibly damaging the delivery device. The carrying of the beam in the columnar flow of fluid avoids the need to maintain a fixed distance between the delivery device and the workpiece, which simplifies the movement by a robotic manipulator of the delivery device along a non-planar surface of a workpiece during a laser peening operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Phillip J. Hawkins
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Patent number: 10125976Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
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Patent number: 10125748Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson
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Publication number: 20180142885Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2018Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
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Patent number: 9920925Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
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Publication number: 20170234305Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: PHILLIP J. HAWKINS, Judith E. Hodgson
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Patent number: 9714644Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson, John W. Conrad, Lyman J. Petrosky
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Publication number: 20160333433Abstract: A delivery device that is usable in a laser peening operation emits a columnar flow of a fluid that contains therein a beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam is retained within the interior of the flow of fluid since the total internal reflectivity of the flow is sufficient to do so. The flow of fluid that serves as a conduit for the beam also itself impinges on a workpiece and thus contains and washes away the plasma that forms from a laser peening operation, and this resists the plasma from reaching and possibly damaging the delivery device. The carrying of the beam in the columnar flow of fluid avoids the need to maintain a fixed distance between the delivery device and the workpiece, which simplifies the movement by a robotic manipulator of the delivery device along a non-planar surface of a workpiece during a laser peening operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: LYMAN J. PETROSKY, PHILLIP J. HAWKINS
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Patent number: 9470414Abstract: A delivery system for remotely driving an eddy current probe through the tubing of a heat exchanger. The system uses a flexible shaft and air pressure to move an inspection probe through the heat exchanger tubes. The flexible shaft initially drives the probe through a sealed conduit to deliver the probe to the tube end at which point a seal on the shaft near the probe head contacts the tube inner surface allowing a buildup of air pressure behind the seal, thus driving the probe through the tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Kurt K. Lichtenfels, Phillip J. Hawkins
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Patent number: 9395390Abstract: A probe for transporting a nondestructive inspection sensor through a tube, that employs wheels to reduce friction. The radial travel of the wheels are mechanically linked through a cam and axially reciprocal plunger arrangement that centers the probe at tube diameter transitions. Internal wire bending is minimized and a dynamic seal is provided to facilitate an insertion force at the probe and reduce or eliminate compressive load buckling of the flexible cable carried by the probe. Like the wheel arrangement, radial travel of the seal segments are mechanically linked to provide probe centering.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Lyman J. Petrosky
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Publication number: 20160146453Abstract: A delivery system for remotely driving an eddy current probe through the tubing of a heat exchanger. The system uses a flexible shaft and air pressure to move an inspection probe through the heat exchanger tubes. The flexible shaft initially drives the probe through a sealed conduit to deliver the probe to the tube end at which point a seal on the shaft near the probe head contacts the tube inner surface allowing a buildup of air pressure behind the seal, thus driving the probe through the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Kurt K. Lichtenfels, Phillip J. Hawkins
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Publication number: 20160123310Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLCInventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson, John W. Conrad, Lyman J. Petrosky
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Patent number: 9279582Abstract: A delivery system for remotely driving an eddy current probe through the tubing of a heat exchanger. The system uses a flexible shaft and air pressure to move an inspection probe through the heat exchanger tubes. The flexible shaft initially drives the probe through a sealed conduit to deliver the probe to the tube end at which point a seal on the shaft near the probe head contacts the tube inner surface allowing a buildup of air pressure behind the seal, thus driving the probe through the tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Kurt K. Lichtenfels, Phillip J. Hawkins
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Publication number: 20160040681Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLCInventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson
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Patent number: 9206812Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson
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Patent number: 9206791Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson
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Publication number: 20150176837Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
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Patent number: 8978493Abstract: A conduit length adjustment apparatus having first and second housings each having a member structured to engage the respective housing with a first conduit. A housing movement device is connected between the first and second housings and configured to change a distance between the first and second housings. Selective operation of the members and housing movement device causes the first conduit to move into or out of a second conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventor: Phillip J. Hawkins