Patents by Inventor Stephen E. Thompson

Stephen E. Thompson 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).

  • Publication number: 20230082771
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting a spent nuclear fuel system with a neutron absorbing apparatus. The method includes inserting a neutron absorbing apparatus into a first cell of an array of cells each configured to hold a spent nuclear fuel assembly. The neutron absorbing apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall supported by a corner spine to form a chevron shape and a first locking tab protruding outwardly from the first wall towards a first cell wall of the first cell. The method includes cutting a half-sheared second locking tab in the first cell wall of the first cell adjacent to and above the first locking tab of the neutron absorbing apparatus. Finally, the second locking tab is positioned to locking engage the first locking tab to retain the neutron absorbing apparatus in the first cell during removal of one of the fuel assemblies from the first cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Krishna P. SINGH, Stephen J. AGACE, Stephen E. THOMPSON, John D. GRIFFITHS, Richard M. SPRINGMAN, Charles W. BULLARD, II, P. Stefan ANTON
  • Patent number: 11515054
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting a spent nuclear fuel system with a neutron absorbing apparatus. The method includes inserting a neutron absorbing apparatus into a first cell of an array of cells each configured to hold a spent nuclear fuel assembly. The neutron absorbing apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall supported by a corner spine to form a chevron shape and a first locking tab protruding outwardly from the first wall towards a first cell wall of the first cell. The method includes cutting a half-sheared second locking tab in the first cell wall of the first cell adjacent to and above the first locking tab of the neutron absorbing apparatus. Finally, the second locking tab is positioned to locking engage the first locking tab to retain the neutron absorbing apparatus in the first cell during removal of one of the fuel assemblies from the first cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen J. Agace, Stephen E. Thompson, John D. Griffiths, Richard M. Springman
  • Publication number: 20210074444
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting a spent nuclear fuel system with a neutron absorbing apparatus. The method includes inserting a neutron absorbing apparatus into a first cell of an array of cells each configured to hold a spent nuclear fuel assembly. The neutron absorbing apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall supported by a corner spine to form a chevron shape and a first locking tab protruding outwardly from the first wall towards a first cell wall of the first cell. The method includes cutting a half-sheared second locking tab in the first cell wall of the first cell adjacent to and above the first locking tab of the neutron absorbing apparatus. Finally, the second locking tab is positioned to locking engage the first locking tab to retain the neutron absorbing apparatus in the first cell during removal of one of the fuel assemblies from the first cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Krishna P. SINGH, Stephen J. AGACE, Stephen E. THOMPSON, John D. GRIFFITHS, Richard M. SPRINGMAN, Charles W. BULLARD, II, P. Stefan ANTON
  • Publication number: 20200243209
    Abstract: A neutron absorbing apparatus, for insertion into a fuel cell storage system, includes a corner spine, a first wall and a second wall, each wall being affixed to the corner spine to form a chevron shape. Each wall includes an absorption sheet affixed to the corner spine, each absorption sheet being formed of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement, and a guide sheet affixed to and covering a fractional upper portion of the absorption sheet and extending over a top of the absorption sheet. The absorption sheet extends along the corner spine a greater length than the guide sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen J. Agace, Stephen E. Thompson, John D. Griffiths, Richard M. Springman
  • Patent number: 10535440
    Abstract: A neutron absorbing apparatus, for insertion into a fuel cell storage system, includes a corner spine, a first wall and a second wall, each wall being affixed to the corner spine to form a chevron shape. Each wall includes an absorption sheet affixed to the corner spine, each absorption sheet being formed of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement, and a guide sheet affixed to and covering a fractional upper portion of the absorption sheet and extending over a top of the absorption sheet. The absorption sheet extends along the corner spine a greater length than the guide sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HOLTEC INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Stephen J. Agace, Stephen E. Thompson, John D. Griffiths, Richard M. Springman
  • Publication number: 20170316843
    Abstract: A neutron absorbing apparatus, for insertion into a fuel cell storage system, includes a corner spine, a first wall and a second wall, each wall being affixed to the corner spine to form a chevron shape. Each wall includes an absorption sheet affixed to the corner spine, each absorption sheet being formed of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement, and a guide sheet affixed to and covering a fractional upper portion of the absorption sheet and extending over a top of the absorption sheet. The absorption sheet extends along the corner spine a greater length than the guide sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen J. Agace, Stephen E. Thompson, John D. Griffiths, Richard M. Springman
  • Patent number: 9685248
    Abstract: A neutron absorbing apparatus, for insertion into a fuel cell storage system, includes a corner spine, a first all and a second wall, each wall being affixed to the corner spine to form a chevron shape. Each wall includes an absorption sheet affixed to the corner spine, each absorption sheet being formed of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement, and a guide sheet affixed to and covering a fractional upper portion of the absorption sheet and extending over a top of the absorption sheet. The absorption sheet extends along the corner spine a greater length than the guide sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen J. Agace, Stephen E. Thompson, John D. Griffiths, Richard M. Springman
  • Publication number: 20130343503
    Abstract: A neutron absorbing apparatus, for insertion into a fuel cell storage system, includes a corner spine, a first all and a second wall, each wall being affixed to the corner spine to form a chevron shape. Each wall includes an absorption sheet affixed to the corner spine, each absorption sheet being formed of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement, and a guide sheet affixed to and covering a fractional upper portion of the absorption sheet and extending over a top of the absorption sheet. The absorption sheet extends along the corner spine a greater length than the guide sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen J. AGACE, Stephen E. THOMPSON, John D. GRIFFITHS, Richard M. SPRINGMAN
  • Patent number: 5493178
    Abstract: A liquid cooled collector for an electron beam tube. The collector includes a dielectric body through which is formed a central cavity. Within the central cavity are disposed at least one electrode that dissipates the impinging electron beam. The electrodes are thermally coupled to the dielectric body. As such, when the electrodes absorb the electron beam, the resulting heat is conducted into the dielectric body. A plurality of fluid conduits are disposed around the dielectric body wherein at least one side of each conduit is defined by the dielectric body. Furthermore, an input manifold and an output manifold are also partially defined by the dielectric body and interconnect each of the fluid conduits. Each of the fluid conduits extend separately from a point along the input manifold to a point along the output manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Triton Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody L. Byram, Stephen E. Thompson, Kenneth S. Karsten, Jr., Richard C. Wertman
  • Patent number: 4041606
    Abstract: A chain saw including a flexible, resilient skid mounted by means providing torsional and axial stress relieving action whereby enhanced vibration isolation is obtained and certain resonant vibration is eliminated.A skid for use in a chain saw powered by a vibration inducing drive assembly. The skid has a flat portion for resting the saw on a surface, a foot rest portion, and an upwardly directed rear portion, and is connected to the remainder of the chain saw structure by a pair of attachment means. The first attachment means connects a front portion of the skid and a front handle to the drive assembly and provides for axial stress relieving relative motion between the skid and drive assembly. A second attachment means connects the upwardly directed rear portion of the skid to a rear handle and provides for torsional stress relieving relative motion between the skid and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: McCulloch Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen E. Thompson