Patents by Inventor Scott PFEFFER

Scott PFEFFER 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).

  • Passive visual fuel temperature indicator
    Patent number: 10403408
    Abstract: A fuel bundle temperature sensing device may include an indicating rod made of a first material; an outer housing having an upper opening, the outer housing being made of a second material and surrounding at least a portion of the indicating rod; and a rod holder attached to an inner surface of the outer housing, the rod holder being made of a third material and being configured to support the indicating rod such that a top surface of the rod extends out of the upper opening of the outer housing, the third material having a lower melting point than the first and second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth Umhoefer, Scott Pfeffer, Maria Pfeffer
  • Seismic slip joint, seismic-mitigating piping system, and method of mitigating seismic effects on a piping system
    Patent number: 9945506
    Abstract: A seismic slip joint may include a fixed sealing surface, a moveable sealing surface, and a solenoid device. The moveable sealing surface is configured to engage the fixed sealing surface to form a sealing interface during a deactivated state. The sealing interface may be a juncture that precludes passage of a fluid therethrough. The solenoid device is configured to switch between the deactivated state and an activated state. The solenoid device may include a piston and a spring structure. The piston is connected to the moveable sealing surface. The spring structure exerts a force on the piston so as to press the moveable sealing surface against the fixed sealing surface to form the sealing interface during the deactivated state. The piston may be configured to compress the spring structure and retract during the activated state so as to separate the moveable sealing surface from the fixed sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GE—Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, Scott Pfeffer, Maria E. Pfeffer
  • PASSIVE VISUAL FUEL TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
    Publication number: 20140177774
    Abstract: A fuel bundle temperature sensing device may include an indicating rod made of a first material; an outer housing having an upper opening, the outer housing being made of a second material and surrounding at least a portion of the indicating rod; and a rod holder attached to an inner surface of the outer housing, the rod holder being made of a third material and being configured to support the indicating rod such that a top surface of the rod extends out of the upper opening of the outer housing, the third material having a lower melting point than the first and second materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Elizabeth UMHOEFER, Scott PFEFFER, Maria PFEFFER