Patents by Inventor Robert J. Law
Robert J. Law 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: 6714618Abstract: Method for controlling the amount of metal atoms deposited into an oxide layer present on a metal surface, which metal atoms increase the corrosion resistance of metal when present in the oxide film, wherein the metal surface is submerged in water at a selected temperature within the range of about to 200° to 550° F.; and a solution of a compound containing the metal which increases the corrosion resistance of the metal surface when present in the oxide film is injected into the water. The compound decomposes at the selected temperature to release atoms of the metal which incorporate in the oxide film at a desired loading.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samson Hettiarachchi, Robert J. Law, David P. Siegwarth, Thomas P. Diaz, Robert L. Cowan
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Patent number: 6697449Abstract: Method for controlling the amount of metal atoms deposited into an oxide layer present on a metal surface, which metal atoms increase the corrosion resistance of metal when present in the oxide film, wherein the metal surface is submerged in water at a selected temperature within the range of about to 200° to 550° F.; and a solution of a compound containing the metal which increases the corrosion resistance of the metal surface when present in the oxide film is injected into the water. The compound decomposes at the selected temperature to release atoms of the metal which incorporate in the oxide film at a desired loading.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samson Hettiarachchi, Robert J. Law, David P. Siegwarth, Thomas P. Diaz, Robert L. Cowan
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Publication number: 20030063702Abstract: A non-steady state computer model of water in a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) primary water flow circuit is used to represent the water chemistry and noble metal loading during, for example, an in situ noble metal application process. The modeling software is provided on a laptop or portable computer for real-time use in the field at different reactor sites. After inputting data representing the initial state of reactor water chemistry and operating conditions of the reactor, the model determines the water chemistry, pH, conductivity and noble metal loading throughout the BWR primary water flow circuit, including selected sample locations, as a function of time. Results are used to determine whether technical specifications on conductivity or other chemistry-related parameters will be exceeded during the noble metal application process. Values of rate constants used for modeling noble metal reactions may be changed on site at the reactor during the application process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: General Electric Company.Inventors: Richard M. Kruger, Robert J. Law
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Publication number: 20020181644Abstract: Method for controlling the amount of metal atoms deposited into an oxide layer present on a metal surface, which metal atoms increase the corrosion resistance of metal when present in the oxide film, wherein the metal surface is submerged in water at a selected temperature within the range of about to 200° to 550° F.; and a solution of a compound containing the metal which increases the corrosion resistance of the metal surface when present in the oxide film is injected into the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samson Hettiarachchi, Robert J. Law, David P. Siegwarth, Thomas P. Diaz, Robert L. Cowan
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Patent number: 6473480Abstract: A non-steady state computer model of water in a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) primary water flow circuit is used to represent the water chemistry and noble metal loading during, for example, an in situ noble metal application process. The modeling software is provided on a laptop or portable computer for real-time use in the field at different reactor sites. After inputting data representing the initial state of reactor water chemistry and operating conditions of the reactor, the model determines the water chemistry, pH, conductivity and noble metal loading throughout the BWR primary water flow circuit, including selected sample locations, as a function of time. Results are used to determine whether technical specifications on conductivity or other chemistry-related parameters will be exceeded during the noble metal application process. Values of rate constants used for modeling noble metal reactions may be changed on site at the reactor during the application process.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard M. Kruger, Robert J. Law
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Publication number: 20020118787Abstract: Method for controlling erosion and cracking in a metal component of a nuclear reactor, particularly in the highly concentrated primary and secondary systems of a PWR, comprising creating a catalytic surface on the component; and generating a stoichiometric excess of reductant the water of the reactor to reduce the oxidant concentration at the surface to substantially zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: General Electric Company.Inventors: Peter L. Andresen, Young Jin Kim, Robert L. Cowan, Robert J. Law, Samson Hettiarachchi
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Publication number: 20020101953Abstract: Method for reducing corrosion of alloy components in a water cooled nuclear reactor or associated components comprising the step of injecting into the water of the reactor in the presence of zinc a noble metal cation-releasing compound which releases noble metal cations or cationic species containing noble metal species into the reactor water under operating reactor thermal conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2002Publication date: August 1, 2002Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Samson Hettiarachchi, David P. Siegwarth, Robert L. Cowan, Robert J. Law, Thomas P. Diaz
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Publication number: 20020080906Abstract: Method for controlling erosion and cracking in a metal component of a nuclear reactor, particularly in the highly concentrated primary and secondary systems of a PWR, comprising creating a catalytic surface on the component; and generating a stoichiometric excess of reductant the water of the reactor to reduce the oxidant concentration at the surface to substantially zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Peter L. Andresen, Young Jin Kim, Robert L. Cowan, Robert J. Law, Samson N. M. N. Hettiarachchi
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Patent number: 5625656Abstract: A method for ensuring the distribution of noble metal in the reactor circuit during plant application without measuring the reactor water for noble metal content by chemical analysis. The method involves the measurement of electrochemical corrosion potential in an autoclave or a high-flow test section that is connected to the reactor water circuit through sample lines downstream of the injection port, preferably the point in the reactor circuit which is furthest from the injection port. If the noble metal flows into the autoclave or test section at these distant points in the reactor circuit, then the noble metal will deposit on the test specimens inside the autoclave or test section.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samson Hettiarachchi, Robert L. Cowan, II, Robert J. Law, Thomas P. Diaz
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Patent number: 5571394Abstract: An electrode probe for measuring the electrochemical potential of a surface at a location of interest in a boiling water reactor. The probe has a monolithic sensor configuration built into a single stainless steel mineral insulated (MI) cable. This monolithic sensor can be used as a switch to detect when the appropriate concentration of dissolved hydrogen required to provide IGSCC mitigation is present at any location inside the reactor. Using the sensor switch, it is possible to in situ instantly determine the minimum hydrogen level required to reach the IGSCC protection potential. The sensor configuration consists of a metal/metal oxide/ZrO.sub.2 sensor and a noble metal sensor in a combination wherein the outer sheath of a mineral insulated cable acts as the conductor for the noble metal and the central conductor of the MI cable acts as the conductor for the metal/metal oxide/ZrO.sub.2. The metal/metal oxide/ZrO.sub.2 sensor acts as a reference electrode in the BWR environment (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1995Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samson Hettiarachchi, Maurice E. Indig, Robert J. Law
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Patent number: 5515406Abstract: A passive catalytic ammonia converter operating in the water/steam mixture exiting the core of a boiling water reactor. The catalytic ammonia converter is made of catalytic material arranged and situated such that substantially all of the water/steam mixture entering the water/steam separator device flows over the surface of the catalytic material. The catalytic surfaces react ammonia and/or NO with O.sub.2 or H.sub.2 O.sub.2 in the water/steam mixture to form nitrite or nitrate. The passive catalytic ammonia converter is constructed to ensure that the pressure drop of the reactor water across the device is very small. The catalytic ammonia converter can include a plurality of stainless steel flow-through housings packed with catalytic ammonia converter material, which could take the form of tangled wire or strips, crimped ribbon, porous sintered metal composite or any other structure having a high surface area-to-volume ratio.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1993Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert L. Cowan, II, Gerald M. Gordon, Robert J. Law, Beth A. McAllister
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Patent number: 5287392Abstract: An internal passive catalytic device operating in the water phase of a boiling water reactor vessel downstream of the steam/water separator location. The device consists of catalytic material arranged and situated such that all (except perhaps a small leakage flow) water phase exiting the water/steam separator device flows over the surface of the catalytic material. The catalytic surfaces decompose dissolved hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. When the substrate of the catalytic material is plated or alloyed with a water recombination catalyst such as a noble metal, the catalytic surfaces also catalyze the recombination of dissolved hydrogen and oxygen molecules into water. The passive catalytic device is constructed to ensure that the pressure drop of the reactor water across the device is very small.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1992Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Lee Cowan II, Robert J. Law, James E. Charnley, Robert J. Brandon
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Patent number: 5285486Abstract: A passive decomposer operating in the water/steam mixture exiting the core of a boiling water reactor. The decomposer comprises a catalytic material arranged and situated such that substantially all of the water/steam mixture entering the water/steam separator device flows over the surface of the catalytic material. The catalytic decomposing surfaces decompose hydrogen peroxide molecules dissolved in the liquid phase to form water and oxygen molecules. The passive catalytic decomposer is constructed to ensure that the pressure drop of the reactor water across the device is very small. The decomposer can include a plurality of stainless steel flow-through housings packed with stainless steel catalytic decomposer material, which could take the form of tangled wire or strips, crimped ribbon, porous sintered metal composite or any other structure having a high surface area-to-volume ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1992Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert L. Cowan, II, Robert J. Law, James E. Charnley
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Patent number: 5208165Abstract: Water testing means for monitoring circulating water coolant in service within a water cooled nuclear reactor system is disclosed. The invention is an improvement in such water testing means and comprises a preconditioning of selected sample specimens of water with a pH adjustment for inhibiting unbalancing an equilibrium in solution of water coolant with ion solutes.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1991Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert J. Law, Michel N. Robles, Dane T. Snyder
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Patent number: 5151244Abstract: Water testing apparatus for monitoring circulating water coolant in service within a water cooled nuclear reactor system is disclosed. The invention is an improvement in such water testing apparatus and comprises filtering and a preconditioning of selected sample specimens of the coolant water with a pH adjustment for inhibiting unbalancing an equilibrium in solution of water coolant with ion solutes.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1991Date of Patent: September 29, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert J. Law, Michel N. Robles, Dane T. Snyder
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Patent number: 4992232Abstract: In a boiling water reactor nuclear plant, hydrogen is injected into the feed water to neutralize radiolysis which causes stress corrosion in stainless steel components. It has been discovered that by inhibiting volatile ammonia, and other gaseous nitrogen compounds from leaving the liquid phase portions of the plant to the steam phase portions of the plant, radiation is reduced to acceptable levels. Formation of ammonia is inhibited chemically, by altering the reaction paths for volatile nitrogen species with trace additives in the parts per billion range, suitable additives include nitrous oxide, copper, zinc, carbon dioxide, and other components. It has also been found that by manipulating the pH, the formation of the voltage nitrogen compounds, especially ammonia, is decreased. Similarly, by physically altering plant operating conditions to reduce sparging or scrubbing of the gases from areas of high radiation, confinement of the N-16 within the liquid phase of the plant within the reactor vessel occurs.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1989Date of Patent: February 12, 1991Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert L. Cowan, II, Dragomir Duitna, Robert J. Law, Chien-Chang Lin, Carl P. Ruiz, James L. Simpson
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Patent number: 4882122Abstract: In a boiling water reactor, provision is made to sample the core bypass region immediate the top guide to determine the physical and chemical constituents of the moderating water. A conduit for a local power range monitor is fitted with a measurement assembly. The conduit and measurement assembly are inserted up to the vicinity of the top guide. A tube opening is provided to the bypass region immediate the top guide. During reactor operation, the saturated liquid in this region flashes to a steam water mixture (18% steam) at constant enthalpy and is rapidly removed from the reactor to measuring equipment in the reactor building. During removal, the radiolytic disassociated gases (namely hydrogen and oxygen) partition to the steam phase where their recombination is retarded and accurate measurement of their constituent content can be made. Also, temperature of the steam water mixture decreases thereby preserving unstable species like hydrogen peroxide that degrade much more rapidly a high temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1988Date of Patent: November 21, 1989Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert A. Head, Robert L. Cowan, Robert J. Law