Patents by Inventor Richard M. Wachowiak

Richard M. Wachowiak 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).

  • Patent number: 9496058
    Abstract: Systems passively eliminate noncondensable gasses from facilities susceptible to damage from combustion of built-up noncondensable gasses, such as H2 and O2 in nuclear power plants, without the need for external power and/or moving parts. Systems include catalyst plates installed in a lower header of the Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS) condenser, a catalyst packing member, and/or a catalyst coating on an interior surface of a condensation tube of the PCCS condenser or an annular outlet of the PCCS condenser. Structures may have surfaces or hydrophobic elements that inhibit water formation and promote contact with the noncondensable gas. Noncondensable gasses in a nuclear power plant are eliminated by installing and using the systems individually or in combination. An operating pressure of the PCCS condenser may be increased to facilitate recombination of noncondensable gasses therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Marquino, Stephan C. Moen, Richard M. Wachowiak, John L. Gels, Jesus Diaz-Quiroz, John C. Burns, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9368238
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a Basemat-Internal Melt Arrest and Coolability device (BiMAC) that offers improved spatial and mechanical characteristics for use in damage prevention and risk mitigation in accident scenarios. Example embodiments may include a BiMAC having an inclination of less than 10-degrees from the basemat floor and/or coolant channels of less than 4 inches in diameter, while maintaining minimum safety margins required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Theo G. Theofanous, Nam Truc Dinh, Richard M. Wachowiak
  • Publication number: 20150146839
    Abstract: Systems passively eliminate noncondensable gasses from facilities susceptible to damage from combustion of built-up noncondensable gasses, such as H2 and O2 in nuclear power plants, without the need for external power and/or moving parts. Systems include catalyst plates installed in a lower header of the Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS) condenser, a catalyst packing member, and/or a catalyst coating on an interior surface of a condensation tube of the PCCS condenser or an annular outlet of the PCCS condenser. Structures may have surfaces or hydrophobic elements that inhibit water formation and promote contact with the noncondensable gas. Noncondensable gasses in a nuclear power plant are eliminated by installing and using the systems individually or in combination. An operating pressure of the PCCS condenser may be increased to facilitate recombination of noncondensable gasses therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Wayne MARQUINO, Stephan C. MOEN, Richard M. WACHOWIAK, John L. GELS, Jesus DIAZ-QUIROZ, John C. BURNS, JR.
  • Patent number: 8917810
    Abstract: Systems passively eliminate noncondensable gasses from facilities susceptible to damage from combustion of built-up noncondensable gasses, such as H2 and O2 in nuclear power plants, without the need for external power and/or moving parts. Systems include catalyst plates installed in a lower header of the Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS) condenser, a catalyst packing member, and/or a catalyst coating on an interior surface of a condensation tube of the PCCS condenser or an annular outlet of the PCCS condenser. Structures may have surfaces or hydrophobic elements that inhibit water formation and promote contact with the noncondensable gas. Noncondensable gasses in a nuclear power plant are eliminated by installing and using the systems individually or in combination. An operating pressure of the PCCS condenser may be increased to facilitate recombination of noncondensable gasses therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Marquino, Stephan C. Moen, Richard M. Wachowiak, John L. Gels, Jesus Diaz-Quiroz, John C. Burns, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120063560
    Abstract: Systems passively eliminate noncondensable gasses from facilities susceptible to damage from combustion of built-up noncondensable gasses, such as H2 and O2 in nuclear power plants, without the need for external power and/or moving parts. Systems include catalyst plates installed in a lower header of the Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS) condenser, a catalyst packing member, and/or a catalyst coating on an interior surface of a condensation tube of the PCCS condenser or an annular outlet of the PCCS condenser. Structures may have surfaces or hydrophobic elements that inhibit water formation and promote contact with the noncondensable gas. Noncondensable gasses in a nuclear power plant are eliminated by installing and using the systems individually or in combination. An operating pressure of the PCCS condenser may be increased to facilitate recombination of noncondensable gasses therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Wayne Marquino, Stephan C. Moen, Richard M. Wachowiak, John L. Gels, Jesus Diaz-Quiroz, John C. Burns, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110150165
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a Basemat-Internal Melt Arrest and Coolability device (BiMAC) that offers improved spatial and mechanical characteristics for use in damage prevention and risk mitigation in accident scenarios. Example embodiments may include a BiMAC having an inclination of less than 10-degrees from the basemat floor and/or coolant channels of less than 4 inches in diameter, while maintaining minimum safety margins required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Theo G. THEOFANOUS, Nam Truc Dinh, Richard M. Wachowiak