Patents by Inventor Robert A. Ayer
Robert A. Ayer 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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Publication number: 20200395139Abstract: A pump leakage mitigation device includes one or more clamp arms on an outer surface of a pump that can be driven by a biasing element to seat against a shaft of the pump to seal or reduce fluid flow through a breakdown of the pump. The biasing element engages only at threshold temperatures, such as those associated with breakdown orifice failure when additional sealing may be necessary. Clamp arms of any number and shape can be used to achieve the desired seal and based on the pump geometry. A sealant surface and/or keeping mechanism are useable with the leakage mitigation device to enhance fluid flow blockage throughout a pump failure transient scenario. Pump leakage mitigation devices are installed on an outside of a variety of different pump types and can thus be installed, actuated, manipulated, disengaged, and/or removed without having to destroy or disassemble the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: John R. Bass, Robert A. Ayer, Robert J. Ginsberg, Curt J. Robert
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Patent number: 10777329Abstract: A pump leakage mitigation device includes one or more clamp arms on an outer surface of a pump that can be driven by a biasing element to seat against a shaft of the pump to seal or reduce fluid flow through a breakdown of the pump. The biasing element engages only at threshold temperatures, such as those associated with breakdown orifice failure when additional sealing may be necessary. Clamp arms of any number and shape can be used to achieve the desired seal and based on the pump geometry. A sealant surface and/or keeping mechanism are useable with the leakage mitigation device to enhance fluid flow blockage throughout a pump failure transient scenario. Pump leakage mitigation devices are installed on an outside of a variety of different pump types and can thus be installed, actuated, manipulated, disengaged, and/or removed without having to destroy or disassemble the pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: John R. Bass, Robert A. Ayer, Robert J. Ginsberg, Curt J. Robert
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Patent number: 10224120Abstract: A nuclear reactor scram control system for a nuclear reactor includes a solenoid pilot valve (SSPV). The SSPV includes a solenoid indicator light electrically coupled to an SSPV solenoid of the SSPV. The solenoid indicator light may be selectively activated based on an energization state of the SSPV solenoid, thereby providing an immediate and visually observable indication of the SSPV energization state. The immediate and visually observable indication of the SSPV energization state may enable quicker and more reliable verification of SSPV solenoid energization state. As a result, operator radiation exposure associated with verification may be reduced, and a risk of inadvertent nuclear reactor scram based on a de-energized SSPV solenoid may be reduced, thus streamlined nuclear reactor operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: John Robert Bass, Ted Gordon Bahensky, Sean Wilson Miers, Robert A. Ayer
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Publication number: 20170162279Abstract: A nuclear reactor scram control system for a nuclear reactor includes a solenoid pilot valve (SSPV). The SSPV includes a solenoid indicator light electrically coupled to an SSPV solenoid of the SSPV. The solenoid indicator light may be selectively activated based on an energization state of the SSPV solenoid, thereby providing an immediate and visually observable indication of the SSPV energization state. The immediate and visually observable indication of the SSPV energization state may enable quicker and more reliable verification of SSPV solenoid energization state. As a result, operator radiation exposure associated with verification may be reduced, and a risk of inadvertent nuclear reactor scram based on a de-energized SSPV solenoid may be reduced, thus streamlined nuclear reactor operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: John Robert BASS, Ted Gordon BAHENSKY, Sean Wilson MIERS, Robert A. AYER
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Publication number: 20160118148Abstract: A method of transferring heat from a nuclear plant may include: connecting a heat transfer system to the nuclear plant; and using the heat transfer system to transfer heat from the nuclear plant. The heat transfer system may include: a piping system that includes first and second connectors; a heat exchanger; a pump; and a power source. The heat transfer system may not be connected to the nuclear plant during normal plant power operations. The power source may be independent of a normal electrical power distribution system for the nuclear plant. The power source may be configured to power the pump. The piping system may be configured to connect the heat exchanger and pump. The first and second connectors may be configured to connect the heat transfer system to a fluid system of the nuclear plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Robert A. AYER, Robert J. GINSBERG, John R. BASS
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Publication number: 20140072089Abstract: A method and apparatus for an alternative cooling system used to cool the suppression pool of a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) nuclear reactor. The cooling system includes a cooling coil in an isolation condenser located at an elevation that is above the suppression pool. The isolation condenser is connected to the suppression pool via inlet and outlet pipes. The system may provide a natural convection flow of fluids between the suppression pool and the cooling coils to passively cool fluid from the suppression pool without requiring external electrical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Robert J. GINSBERG, John R. BASS, Robert A. AYER, Richard M. ROGERS
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Publication number: 20130308738Abstract: A heat transfer system for a nuclear plant may include a piping system that includes first and second connectors, heat exchanger, pump, and power source. The heat transfer system may not be connected to the plant during normal power operations. The power source may be independent of a normal electrical power distribution system for the plant and may be configured to power the pump. The piping system may be configured to connect the heat exchanger and pump. The connectors may be configured to connect the heat transfer system to a fluid system of the plant. When the connectors connect the heat transfer system to the fluid system, the heat transfer system may be configured to receive fluid from the fluid system of the plant via the first connector, to pump the fluid through the heat exchanger, and to return the fluid to the fluid system via the second connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Robert A. AYER, Robert J. GINSBERG, John R. BASS
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Publication number: 20130170594Abstract: A pump leakage mitigation device includes one or more clamp arms on an outer surface of a pump that can be driven by a biasing element to seat against a shaft of the pump to seal or reduce fluid flow through a breakdown of the pump. The biasing element engages only at threshold temperatures, such as those associated with breakdown orifice failure when additional sealing may be necessary. Clamp arms of any number and shape can be used to achieve the desired seal and based on the pump geometry. A sealant surface and/or keeping mechanism are useable with the leakage mitigation device to enhance fluid flow blockage throughout a pump failure transient scenario. Pump leakage mitigation devices are installed on an outside of a variety of different pump types and can thus be installed, actuated, manipulated, disengaged, and/or removed without having to destroy or disassemble the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: John R. BASS, Robert A. Ayer, Robert J. Ginsberg, Curt J. Robert