Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Cunningham

Thomas G. Cunningham 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).

  • Method of welding control rod tube ends and end caps
    Patent number: 5674411
    Abstract: A control rod tube and end plug are disposed in a weld chamber. A fixed welding torch with a tungsten electrode is disposed adjacent the weld area. A collet grips the tube and an inflatable seal seals the weld chamber. By rotating the collet, the tube and end plug are seal-welded to one another without loss of fusion, porosity or suck-back effects. The weld chamber is maintained under a positive pressure of between 5 to 10 psi gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George R. Hanson, Lester J. LaSure, Thomas G. Cunningham, Richard R. Miller