Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Graham
Thomas G. Graham 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: 11551824Abstract: A reactor control interface includes a home screen video display unit (VDU) displaying blocks representing functional components of a nuclear power plant and connecting arrows that connect blocks that are providing the current heat sinking path for the nuclear power plant. Directions of the connecting arrows represent the direction of heat flow along the current heat sinking path. If the current heat flow path of the plant changes, the connecting arrows are updated accordingly. Additional VDUs include: a mimic VDU displaying a mimic of a plant component; a procedures VDU displaying a stored procedure executable by the plant; a multi-trend VDU trending various plant data; and an alarms VDU displaying side-by-side alarms registries sorted by time and priority respectively. If a VDU fails, the displays are shifted to free up one VDU to present the display of the failed VDU, and one display is shifted to an additional VDU.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: 10950358Abstract: In conjunction with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a pressurizer configured to control pressure in the reactor pressure vessel, a decay heat removal system comprises a pressurized passive condenser, a turbine-driven pump connected to suction water from at least one water source into the reactor pressure vessel; and steam piping configured to deliver steam from the pressurizer to the turbine to operate the pump and to discharge the delivered steam into the pressurized passive condenser. The pump and turbine may be mounted on a common shaft via which the turbine drives the pump. The at least one water source may include a refueling water storage tank (RWST) and/or the pressurized passive condenser. A pressurizer power operated relief valve may control discharge of a portion of the delivered steam bypassing the turbine into the pressurized passive condenser to control pressure in the pressurizer.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Publication number: 20200395136Abstract: In conjunction with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a pressurizer configured to control pressure in the reactor pressure vessel, a decay heat removal system comprises a pressurized passive condenser, a turbine-driven pump connected to suction water from at least one water source into the reactor pressure vessel; and steam piping configured to deliver steam from the pressurizer to the turbine to operate the pump and to discharge the delivered steam into the pressurized passive condenser. The pump and turbine may be mounted on a common shaft via which the turbine drives the pump. The at least one water source may include a refueling water storage tank (RWST) and/or the pressurized passive condenser. A pressurizer power operated relief valve may control discharge of a portion of the delivered steam bypassing the turbine into the pressurized passive condenser to control pressure in the pressurizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: 10726961Abstract: In conjunction with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a pressurizer configured to control pressure in the reactor pressure vessel, a decay heat removal system comprises a pressurized passive condenser, a turbine-driven pump connected to suction water from at least one water source into the reactor pressure vessel; and steam piping configured to deliver steam from the pressurizer to the turbine to operate the pump and to discharge the delivered steam into the pressurized passive condenser. The pump and turbine may be mounted on a common shaft via which the turbine drives the pump. The at least one water source may include a refueling water storage tank (RWST) and/or the pressurized passive condenser. A pressurizer power operated relief valve may control discharge of a portion of the delivered steam bypassing the turbine into the pressurized passive condenser to control pressure in the pressurizer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Publication number: 20200075186Abstract: A reactor control interface includes a home screen video display unit (VDU) displaying blocks representing functional components of a nuclear power plant and connecting arrows that connect blocks that are providing the current heat sinking path for the nuclear power plant. Directions of the connecting arrows represent the direction of heat flow along the current heat sinking path. If the current heat flow path of the plant changes, the connecting arrows are updated accordingly. Additional VDUs include: a mimic VDU displaying a mimic of a plant component; a procedures VDU displaying a stored procedure executable by the plant; a multi-trend VDU trending various plant data; and an alarms VDU displaying side-by-side alarms registries sorted by time and priority respectively. If a VDU fails, the displays are shifted to free up one VDU to present the display of the failed VDU, and one display is shifted to an additional VDU.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: 10446280Abstract: A reactor control interface includes a home screen video display unit (VDU) displaying blocks representing functional components of a nuclear power plant and connecting arrows that connect blocks that are providing the current heat sinking path for the nuclear power plant. Directions of the connecting arrows represent the direction of heat flow along the current heat sinking path. If the current heat flow path of the plant changes, the connecting arrows are updated accordingly. Additional VDUs include: a mimic VDU displaying a mimic of a plant component; a procedures VDU displaying a stored procedure executable by the plant; a multi-trend VDU trending various plant data; and an alarms VDU displaying side-by-side alarms registries sorted by time and priority respectively. If a VDU fails, the displays are shifted to free up one VDU to present the display of the failed VDU, and one display is shifted to an additional VDU.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventor: Thomas G Graham
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Publication number: 20180053571Abstract: In conjunction with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a pressurizer configured to control pressure in the reactor pressure vessel, a decay heat removal system comprises a pressurized passive condenser, a turbine-driven pump connected to suction water from at least one water source into the reactor pressure vessel; and steam piping configured to deliver steam from the pressurizer to the turbine to operate the pump and to discharge the delivered steam into the pressurized passive condenser. The pump and turbine may be mounted on a common shaft via which the turbine drives the pump. The at least one water source may include a refueling water storage tank (RWST) and/or the pressurized passive condenser. A pressurizer power operated relief valve may control discharge of a portion of the delivered steam bypassing the turbine into the pressurized passive condenser to control pressure in the pressurizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: 9779840Abstract: In conjunction with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a pressurizer configured to control pressure in the reactor pressure vessel, a decay heat removal system comprises a pressurized passive condenser, a turbine-driven pump connected to suction water from at least one water source into the reactor pressure vessel; and steam piping configured to deliver steam from the pressurizer to the turbine to operate the pump and to discharge the delivered steam into the pressurized passive condenser. The pump and turbine may be mounted on a common shaft via which the turbine drives the pump. The at least one water source may include a refueling water storage tank (RWST) and/or the pressurized passive condenser. A pressurizer power operated relief valve may control discharge of a portion of the delivered steam bypassing the turbine into the pressurized passive condenser to control pressure in the pressurizer.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: BWXT MPOWER, INC.Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: 9620252Abstract: A nuclear power plant comprises a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a steam generator driving a turbine driving an electric generator. A condenser condenses steam after flowing through the turbine. Responsive to a station blackout, the nuclear power plant is electrically isolated and a bypass valve is opened to convey bypass steam flow from the steam generator to the condenser without flowing through the turbine. The thermal power output of the PWR is gradually reduced over the transition time interval. After opening, the bypass valve is gradually closed over the transition time interval. A supplemental bypass valve may also be opened responsive to the station blackout to convey supplemental bypass steam flow from the steam generator to a feedwater system supplying secondary coolant feedwater to the steam generator. The supplemental bypass steam flow does not flow through the turbine and does not flow through the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventor: Thomas G Graham
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Patent number: 9524804Abstract: A control room for a nuclear power plant including two or more nuclear reactor units includes a central workstation providing monitoring capability for both nuclear reactor units, a first operator at the controls (OATC) workstation in front of and to one side of the central workstation providing monitoring and control capabilities for the first nuclear reactor unit, a second OATC workstation in front of and to the other side of the central workstation providing monitoring and control capabilities for the second nuclear reactor unit, and a common control workstation directly in front of the central workstation providing monitoring and control capabilities for systems serving both the first nuclear reactor unit and the second nuclear reactor unit. The central and common control workstations do not provide control capabilities for either nuclear reactor unit. The common control workstation does not include any control capabilities that must be performed by a licensed operator.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventor: Thomas G Graham
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Publication number: 20150117586Abstract: In conjunction with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a pressurizer configured to control pressure in the reactor pressure vessel, a decay heat removal system comprises a pressurized passive condenser, a turbine-driven pump connected to suction water from at least one water source into the reactor pressure vessel; and steam piping configured to deliver steam from the pressurizer to the turbine to operate the pump and to discharge the delivered steam into the pressurized passive condenser. The pump and turbine may be mounted on a common shaft via which the turbine drives the pump. The at least one water source may include a refueling water storage tank (RWST) and/or the pressurized passive condenser. A pressurizer power operated relief valve may control discharge of a portion of the delivered steam bypassing the turbine into the pressurized passive condenser to control pressure in the pressurizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Publication number: 20130294560Abstract: A reactor control interface includes a home screen video display unit (VDU) displaying blocks representing functional components of a nuclear power plant and connecting arrows that connect blocks that are providing the current heat sinking path for the nuclear power plant. Directions of the connecting arrows represent the direction of heat flow along the current heat sinking path. If the current heat flow path of the plant changes, the connecting arrows are updated accordingly. Additional VDUs include: a mimic VDU displaying a mimic of a plant component; a procedures VDU displaying a stored procedure executable by the plant; a multi-trend VDU trending various plant data; and an alarms VDU displaying side-by-side alarms registries sorted by time and priority respectively. If a VDU fails, the displays are shifted to free up one VDU to present the display of the failed VDU, and one display is shifted to an additional VDU.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventor: Thomas G. GRAHAM
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Patent number: 5371323Abstract: Splice housing apparatus are provided on its interior with spacers or spacing members for engaging the splice or splices contained by the apparatus and for maintaining the splice or splices substantially out of engagement with the interior of the apparatus and generally suspended therein whereby a body of material for preventing water damage to the splice or splices can substantially surround the splice or splices and prevent water damage thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Keptel, Inc.Inventors: Pina R. Schneider, Thomas G. Graham, Stanley B. Krawiec
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Patent number: 5297199Abstract: A telephone jack includes a first pair of contact wires for connection to a subscriber premises line and a second pair of contact wires for connection to an incoming telephone company line, a pair of bridging members are mounted for insertion in the jack and into engagement with the first and second pairs of contact wires to interconnect the subscriber premises line and the incoming telephone company line and are for being withdrawn from the jack and from engagement with the first and second pairs of contact wires to disconnect the subscriber premises line from the incoming telephone company line to provide a demarcation point therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1992Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Assignee: Keptel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Graham, Patrick J. Epple
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Patent number: 5229582Abstract: A flexible heating element is constructed by securing a flexible layer of conductive material constituting an electric heater to a flexible sheet. The layer of conductive material is connected to an electrical supply means by at least one electrode which has an embossed surface with protuberances that make direct contact with the layer of conductive material. A thermoplastic polymeric based adhesive at the interface between the embossed surface and the conductive layer secures the latter to the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1991Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: Thermaflex LimitedInventor: Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: 4979209Abstract: Individual security subscriber line module including a generally rectangular, hollow box-like structure including a top, bottom, opposed sides and opposed first and second ends, such structure providing an internal space for receiving an individual circuit; a pair of subscriber wiring terminals mounted on the top for connection to a subscriber line, a plug connected to the pair of subscriber wiring terminals by first electrical conductors; a jack mounted on the top and provided with second electrical conductors for connecting the jack to the incoming telephone company line, the jack for having the plug plugged therein to interconnect the pair of subscriber wiring terminals and thereby the subscriber line to the incoming telephone company line and the plug for being unplugged from the jack to provide a demarcation point between the subscriber line and incoming telephone company line, and upon the plug being unplugged from the jack the jack for receiving the plug of an operating telephone to facilitate determinType: GrantFiled: October 30, 1989Date of Patent: December 18, 1990Assignee: Keptel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Collins, Pina Schneider, Anthony L. Nieves, Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: 4945559Abstract: Telephone network interface apparatus for interconnecting incoming telephone company wiring to subscriber premises wiring including a base including a bottom and an outwardly extending wall circumscribing the bottom, the wall includes opposed first and second wall portions and the bottom and wall provide a compartment divided generally into opposed first and second compartment portions, the first compartment portion is adjacent the first wall portion and the second compartment portion is adjacent the second wall portion, the first compartment portion is for having first terminals mounted therein for connection to the telephone company wiring and the second compartment is for having second terminals mounted therein for connection to the subscriber premises wiring; a telephone company cover mounted pivotally to the second wall portion and for overlying the entire compartment, the telephone company cover includes opposed first and second portions, the first portion is solid and is for overlying and closing the fType: GrantFiled: November 7, 1989Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Assignee: Keptel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Collins, Pina Schneider, Anthony L. Nieves, Thomas G. Graham
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Patent number: D312244Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1988Date of Patent: November 20, 1990Assignee: Keptel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Collins, Thomas G. Graham, Victor P. Kaminski, Theodore M. Monette
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Patent number: D313417Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1988Date of Patent: January 1, 1991Assignee: Keptel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Graham, Thomas J. Collins, Joseph J. Paddock
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Patent number: D742537Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.Inventor: Thomas G. Graham