Patents by Inventor Robert A. Rands

Robert A. Rands 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: 20080219394
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a nuclear reactor that include developing a first peaking factor at a first burnup threshold for one or more fuel rods. A second peaking factor is developed at a second burnup threshold for the fuel rods. The second burnup threshold is greater than the first burnup threshold. A third peaking factor is developed and is associated with a peak average power threshold for the fuel rods. An adjusted peak nodal power is generated for the fuel rods as a function of a base peak nodal power, the first peaking factor, the second peaking factor, and the third peaking factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Richard D. McCord, James E. Fawks, Robert A. Rand
  • Patent number: 7363567
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for testing electronic devices which uses a random pattern for testing electronic devices. In one embodiment there is communicated to a device under test (DUT) a test sequence causing the DUT to exercise certain parameters in a controlled pattern of operation. The test sequence is randomly created. In one embodiment this random creation is controlled by a random looping algorithm which controls both the order of and the magnitude of each parameter. Included, if desired, is the ability to selectively retransmit previously communicated test sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Rands
  • Patent number: 6181762
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel bundle has differential peak power limits for the edge or peripheral fuel rods and the interior fuel rods. Also, the magnitude of nuclear fuel in the edge or peripheral rods is decreased in comparison with the magnitude of nuclear fuel in the interior rods. The nuclear reactor can thus operate at higher power output by decreasing the margins between the power outputs and peak power limit of the interior rods, as well as by decreasing the margins between the power outputs of the edge or peripheral rods and the increased peak power limit of those rods. The outer or peripheral edge rods can also be enriched for enhanced power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sten O. Akerlund, Robert A. Rand, Roland O. Jackson, Anthony P. Reese, Russell M. Fawcett, John F. Schardt, Robert B. Elkins, Peter J. Savoia, Cary L. Kunz, Russell E. Stachowski