Patents by Inventor Simon C. Middleburgh

Simon C. Middleburgh 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).

  • Annular nuclear fuel pellets with central burnable absorber
    Patent number: 11367537
    Abstract: An annular nuclear fuel pellet in combination with an inserted discrete neutron absorber. The pellet/absorber may be compatible with existing or future nuclear fuel assembly designs. The concept involves the use of nuclear fuel (e.g., uranium dioxide or uranium silicide) formed into annular fuel pellets which can then have a discrete absorber material inserted into the center of the pin. Preferably, the discrete absorber is a non-parasitic absorber. The resulting pellet/absorber can then be stacked into a fuel rod which is arranged in a nuclear fuel assembly. Dimensioning of the annular pellet and absorber and selection of the absorber material and density can allow the concept to be tailored for various nuclear fuel applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Anghel Enica, Scott J. Vrtiska, Simon C. Middleburgh
  • ANNULAR NUCLEAR FUEL PELLETS WITH DISCRETE BURNABLE ABSORBER PINS
    Publication number: 20180330832
    Abstract: An annular nuclear fuel pellet in combination with an inserted discrete neutron absorber. The pellet/absorber may be compatible with existing or future nuclear fuel assembly designs. The concept involves the use of nuclear fuel (e.g., uranium dioxide or uranium silicide) formed into annular fuel pellets which can then have a discrete absorber material inserted into the center of the pin. Preferably, the discrete absorber is a non-parasitic absorber. The resulting pellet/absorber can then be stacked into a fuel rod which is arranged in a nuclear fuel assembly. Dimensioning of the annular pellet and absorber and selection of the absorber material and density can allow the concept to be tailored for various nuclear fuel applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: ANGHEL ENICA, Scott J. Vrtiska, Simon C. Middleburgh