Patents by Inventor Thomas Caine

Thomas Caine 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).

  • Patent number: 10290381
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a deposition solution injector for a nuclear reactor that may inject an ambient temperature deposition solution into a high temperature, high pressure feed-water flow line. The method and the apparatus ensures that the deposition solution is delivered in a location within the feed-water that is beyond a boundary layer of flowing water, to prevent smearing of the solution and prevent clogging of the deposition solution within the injector. The axial cross-sectional profile of the injector, and the location of an injection slot on the injector, may reduce vortex eddy flow of the feed-water into the injector to further reduce injector blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Caine, Adrian Mistreanu, Russell Alexander Seeman
  • Publication number: 20180374596
    Abstract: Irradiation target holders are configured to fit in open locations inside of an operating commercial nuclear core. Holders can be placed with ends at vertical bottom and top of the core or any position therebetween to directly expose holders to nuclear fuel reactions. Holders have ends and overall shape that can join with existing reactor structures, while fitting closely with fuel and moderator and being easily removable from the same. Holders are fabricated of any reactor-compatible material that will retain irradiation targets and daughter products. Holders securely retain irradiation targets and daughter products of any shape or phase throughout reactor operation. Holders can be installed during reactor outages and irradiated during operation without risk of movement or interference with operation. After a desired period of operation and irradiation, holders can be harvested from the core independent of other core structures and fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas A. Caine, Russell E. Stachowski, Dana C. Miranda
  • Patent number: 10026515
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor is operated with irradiation target holders fit in open locations inside of an operating commercial nuclear core and placed with ends at vertical bottom and top of the core or any position therebetween to directly expose holders to nuclear fuel reactions. Holders have ends and overall shape that are joined with existing reactor structures, while fitting closely with fuel and moderator and being easily removable from the same. Holders are fabricated of any reactor-compatible material that will retain irradiation targets and daughter products. Holders securely retain irradiation targets and daughter products of any shape or phase throughout reactor operation. Holders can be installed during reactor outages and irradiated during operation without risk of movement or interference with operation. After a desired period of operation and irradiation, holders can be harvested from the core independent of other core structures and fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Caine, Russell E. Stachowski, Dana C. Miranda
  • Publication number: 20170062085
    Abstract: Irradiation target holders are configured to fit in open locations inside of an operating commercial nuclear core. Holders can be placed with ends at vertical bottom and top of the core or any position therebetween to directly expose holders to nuclear fuel reactions. Holders have ends and overall shape that can join with existing reactor structures, while fitting closely with fuel and moderator and being easily removable from the same. Holders are fabricated of any reactor-compatible material that will retain irradiation targets and daughter products. Holders securely retain irradiation targets and daughter products of any shape or phase throughout reactor operation. Holders can be installed during reactor outages and irradiated during operation without risk of movement or interference with operation. After a desired period of operation and irradiation, holders can be harvested from the core independent of other core structures and fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas A. Caine, Russell E. Stachowski, Dana C. Miranda
  • Patent number: 9443621
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of adjusting an oxygen concentration of a reactor water side stream in a nuclear plant. The method may include injecting demineralized water into the reactor water side stream to produce an oxygenated stream with an increased oxygen concentration. The oxygenated stream may be tested to determine the effect of a process treatment on the reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Caine
  • Publication number: 20130170602
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a deposition solution injector for a nuclear reactor that may inject an ambient temperature deposition solution into a high temperature, high pressure feed-water flow line. The method and the apparatus ensures that the deposition solution is delivered in a location within the feed-water that is beyond a boundary layer of flowing water, to prevent smearing of the solution and prevent clogging of the deposition solution within the injector. The axial cross-sectional profile of the injector, and the location of an injection slot on the injector, may reduce vortex eddy flow of the feed-water into the injector to further reduce injector blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Caine, Adrian Mistreanu, Russell A. Seeman
  • Publication number: 20130077726
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of adjusting an oxygen concentration of a reactor water side stream in a nuclear plant. The method may include injecting demineralized water into the reactor water side stream to produce an oxygenated stream with an increased oxygen concentration. The oxygenated stream may be tested to determine the effect of a process treatment on the reactor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Caine
  • Publication number: 20080063134
    Abstract: In a method of monitoring deposition of a noble metal in an intergranular stress corrosion crack (IGSCC) in a metal reactor shroud wall of a nuclear reactor, a metal sample may be placed at a location within near an inner surface of the metal reactor shroud wall. The sample may be submerged below a water line in the reactor and includes at least one thermal fatigue crack. The sample is maintained at the location for a given duration, and a given amount of the noble metal is added into the reactor water while the sample is maintained at the location. The sample is then removed. In an example, a surface crevice deposition monitor for a reactor includes a flow conditioner arranged between a top guide clamp and an anchor clamp, and at least one sample holder connected between the top guide clamp and flow conditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Russell Seeman, Thomas Caine, Thanh Tu