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).

  • Publication number: 20200395139
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Bass, Robert A. Ayer, Robert J. Ginsberg, Curt J. Robert
  • Patent number: 10777329
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: John R. Bass, Robert A. Ayer, Robert J. Ginsberg, Curt J. Robert
  • Patent number: 10224120
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Bass, Ted Gordon Bahensky, Sean Wilson Miers, Robert A. Ayer
  • Publication number: 20170162279
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: John Robert BASS, Ted Gordon BAHENSKY, Sean Wilson MIERS, Robert A. AYER
  • Publication number: 20160118148
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. AYER, Robert J. GINSBERG, John R. BASS
  • Publication number: 20140072089
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. GINSBERG, John R. BASS, Robert A. AYER, Richard M. ROGERS
  • Publication number: 20130308738
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. AYER, Robert J. GINSBERG, John R. BASS
  • Publication number: 20130170594
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: John R. BASS, Robert A. Ayer, Robert J. Ginsberg, Curt J. Robert