Patents by Inventor Seth Ryan Paul STREGE
Seth Ryan Paul STREGE 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: 11798695Abstract: The method includes configuring a nuclear reactor to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in the nuclear reactor in response to an at least partial failure of a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) within a reactor pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor being liquid metal-cooled, the primary EMP configured to circulate liquid metal coolant through at least a reactor core of the nuclear reactor, the configuring including, installing a backflow EMP within the reactor pressure vessel, such that when selectively activated, the backflow EMP at least partially mitigates liquid metal coolant backflow through the primary EMP.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 11170906Abstract: An electro-technical device, includes an input electrical connection supplied with an input signal and electrically isolated from an output electrical connection. A bar magnet is pivotally mounted on a pedicel between the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection. A pair of coils disposed on opposite sides of the bar magnet and each being supplied with an electronic signal from a sensor, the bar magnet being responsive to an electromagnetic filed generated by the pair of coils to cause the bar magnet to contact the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection and complete a circuit and send out a control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, David W. Webber, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Maria E. Pfeffer, Scott L. Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20210287814Abstract: The method includes configuring a nuclear reactor to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in the nuclear reactor in response to an at least partial failure of a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) within a reactor pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor being liquid metal-cooled, the primary EMP configured to circulate liquid metal coolant through at least a reactor core of the nuclear reactor, the configuring including, installing a backflow EMP within the reactor pressure vessel, such that when selectively activated, the backflow EMP at least partially mitigates liquid metal coolant backflow through the primary EMP.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL, Colin Christopher O'CONNOR, Chelsea Ann CURTIN, Edwin WU
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Patent number: 11107594Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first housing portion electrically isolated from a second housing portion with a point source being disposed within the first housing portion. A movable conductor is connected to the first portion and is responsive to an electric field generated by the point source to cause the movable conductor to contact the second housing portion to complete a circuit and send out a control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, David W. Webber, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Maria E. Pfeffer, Scott L. Pfeffer
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Patent number: 11049624Abstract: A liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor includes, within a reactor pressure vessel, a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) circulating liquid metal coolant through the reactor core and a backflow EMP. The nuclear reactor may be configured to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in response to a primary EMP failure. The backflow EMP is coupled in series with the primary EMP within the reactor pressure vessel. The backflow EMP may be selectively activated in response to failure of the primary EMP to mitigate liquid metal backflow through the primary EMP. The primary EMP and backflow EMP may receive power from separate power sources. Multiple backflow EMPs may be coupled in parallel to the primary EMP via parallel liquid metal coolant lines. A nuclear reactor may include multiple primary EMPs and multiple sets of backflow EMPs, where each separate set of backflow EMPs is coupled to a separate primary EMP.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 11037426Abstract: Devices work as both area lighting and ionizing radiation detectors. The lighting is adjustable in response to radiation detection, warning nearby users about radiation. Multiple devices can be plugged into electrical outlets throughout a plant or building to replace conventional lighting like lightbulbs or CFLs. Each device can transmit alerts to notify nearby users and transmit data to processors for aggregation and analysis. The data can be sent wirelessly, over fiber optic cable, as power line communications or otherwise. The data can be multiplexed along a single line. The devices may be in known locations or located based on an ID in the data. This data can be used to locate radiation sources and facilitate analysis and alerting at the location. Operators may respond to the radiation detection by issuing commands to the devices to change lighting output, adjust radiation detection parameters, and take corrective or ameliorative action in the facility.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Scott L. Pfeffer, Maria E. Pfeffer, Seth Ryan Paul Strege
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Patent number: 10971275Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a circuit including a coil connected to a voltage source for receiving a predetermined current therefrom and connected to an output device. The circuit includes a breakable junction and a photodiode for receiving a light signal from a fiber optic cable. The photodiode receives a light signal from a sensor. A permanent magnet includes a pole end opposing a common pole end of the coil, wherein when the coil receives an increased current from the photodiode, the coil creates an magnetic flux that repels against the common pole of the permanent magnet in order to cause the breakable junction to break and disrupt a connection between the voltage source and the output device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, David W. Webber, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Maria E. Pfeffer, Scott L. Pfeffer
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Patent number: 10755825Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first coil connected to a first sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the first coil being anchored at first and second ends. A second coil is connected to a second sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the second coil being anchored at first and second ends and being adjacent to the first coil. When the first and second coils receive an increased current from the first and second sensors, the first and second coils each create a magnetic flux that repel one another in order to cause at least one of the coils to break so that a shutdown signal can be sent.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, David W. Webber, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Maria E. Pfeffer, Scott L. Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20200135347Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first housing portion electrically isolated from a second housing portion with a point source being disposed within the first housing portion. A movable conductor is connected to the first portion and is responsive to an electric field generated by the point source to cause the movable conductor to contact the second housing portion to complete a circuit and send out a control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, David W. WEBBER, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Maria E. PFEFFER, Scott L PFEFFER
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Publication number: 20200135353Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first coil connected to a first sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the first coil being anchored at first and second ends. A second coil is connected to a second sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the second coil being anchored at first and second ends and being adjacent to the first coil. When the first and second coils receive an increased current from the first and second sensors, the first and second coils each create a magnetic flux that repel one another in order to cause at least one of the coils to break so that a shutdown signal can be sent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Eric P. LOEWEN, David W. WEBBER, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Maria E. PFEFFER, Scott L. PFEFFER
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Publication number: 20200135354Abstract: An electro-technical device, includes an input electrical connection supplied with an input signal and electrically isolated from an output electrical connection. A bar magnet is pivotally mounted on a pedicel between the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection. A pair of coils disposed on opposite sides of the bar magnet and each being supplied with an electronic signal from a sensor, the bar magnet being responsive to an electromagnetic filed generated by the pair of coils to cause the bar magnet to contact the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection and complete a circuit and send out a control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Eric P LOEWEN, David W. Webber, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Maria E. Pfeffer, Scott L. Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20200135352Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a circuit including a coil connected to a voltage source for receiving a predetermined current therefrom and connected to an output device. The circuit includes a breakable junction and a photodiode for receiving a light signal from a fiber optic cable. The photodiode receives a light signal from a sensor. A permanent magnet includes a pole end opposing a common pole end of the coil, wherein when the coil receives an increased current from the photodiode, the coil creates an magnetic flux that repels against the common pole of the permanent magnet in order to cause the breakable junction to break and disrupt a connection between the voltage source and the output device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Eric P. LOEWEN, David W. WEBBER, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Maria E. PFEFFER, Scott L. PFEFFER
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Publication number: 20190333652Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'neill, Colin Christopher O'connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 10354763Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 10340048Abstract: A passive safety system for removing decay heat from a nuclear power system may comprise a shroud structure and a heat generator that is within the shroud structure. A thermoelectric device may be disposed in thermal contact with the heat generator. The thermoelectric device is configured to generate a voltage based on a temperature difference between opposite parts of the thermoelectric device. A fan arrangement is disposed above the heat generator and in electrical connection with the thermoelectric device. The fan arrangement is configured to increase a coolant flow through the coolant passage to the outlet opening based on the voltage from the thermoelectric device.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Levon Pierre Keusseyan
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Patent number: 10319483Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
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Patent number: 10209139Abstract: A temperature change detection apparatus for monitoring temperature change in various portions of a large space includes a trip logic unit configured to execute a trip operation based on receipt of a trip signal at the trip logic unit; a plurality of temperature sensors each including a sensing portion composed of optical fiber cable and each being configured to generate light information indicating an amount of Brillouin scattering that occurs within the sensing portion; a plurality of monitoring units configured such that each monitoring unit determines a temperature value corresponding to each temperature sensor connected to the monitoring unit based on an amount of Brillouin scattering indicated by the light information generated by each of the connected temperature sensors, an each monitoring unit generates a trip signal when a determined temperature value exceeds a running average by more than a threshold amount.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brett J. Dooies, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill
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Publication number: 20180261068Abstract: Devices work as both area lighting and ionizing radiation detectors. The lighting is adjustable in response to radiation detection, warning nearby users about radiation. Multiple devices can be plugged into electrical outlets throughout a plant or building to replace conventional lighting like lightbulbs or CFLs. Each device can transmit alerts to notify nearby users and transmit data to processors for aggregation and analysis. The data can be sent wirelessly, over fiber optic cable, as powerline communications or otherwise. The data can be multiplexed along a single line. The devices may be in known locations or located based on an ID in the data. This data can be used to locate radiation sources and facilitate analysis and alerting at the location. Operators may respond to the radiation detection by issuing commands to the devices to change lighting output, adjust radiation detection parameters, and take corrective or ameliorative action in the facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2017Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, Scott L. Pfeffer, Maria E. Pfeffer, Seth Ryan Paul Strege
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Publication number: 20180202869Abstract: A temperature change detection apparatus for monitoring temperature change in various portions of a large space includes a trip logic unit configured to execute a trip operation based on receipt of a trip signal at the trip logic unit; a plurality of temperature sensors each including a sensing portion composed of optical fiber cable and each being configured to generate light information indicating an amount of Brillouin scattering that occurs within the sensing portion; a plurality of monitoring units configured such that each monitoring unit determines a temperature value corresponding to each temperature sensor connected to the monitoring unit based on an amount of Brillouin scattering indicated by the light information generated by each of the connected temperature sensors, an each monitoring unit generates a trip signal when a determined temperature value exceeds a running average by more than a threshold amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric P. LOEWEN, Brett J. DOOIES, Seth Ryan Paul STREGE, Nicholas Francis O'NEILL
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Patent number: 10004929Abstract: A passive fire response system is configured to suppress a metallic fire. The system includes a reservoir containing an ionic liquid, at least one outlet in communication with the reservoir, a valve arranged between the reservoir and the outlet, a sensor configured to sense at least one of a hydrogen concentration and a temperature and/or heat, and a controller configured to open the valve and release the ionic liquid if an output from the sensor indicates that the at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the temperature equals or exceeds at least one of a threshold hydrogen concentration and a threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLCInventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Brett Jameson Dooies, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Dana Christine Miranda, Haley Michelle Cowen