Patents by Inventor Ronald D. Mitchell

Ronald D. Mitchell 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).

  • Method and apparatus for remote tube crevice detection by current and voltage probe resistance measurement
    Patent number: 5166627
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the extent of contact between an electrically conducting tube and an electrically conductive tubesheet surrounding the tube, based upon the electrical resistance of the tube and tubesheet. A constant current source is applied to the interior of the electrically conducting tube by probes and a voltmeter is connected between other probes to measure the voltage at the point of current injection, which is inversely proportional to the amount of contact between the tube and tubesheet. Namely, the higher the voltage measured by the voltmeter, the less contact between the tube and tubesheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kikta, Ronald D. Mitchell