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).

  • Patent number: 11551824
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: 10950358
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20200395136
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: 10726961
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20200075186
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: 10446280
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G Graham
  • Publication number: 20180053571
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: 9779840
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BWXT MPOWER, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: 9620252
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G Graham
  • Patent number: 9524804
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G Graham
  • Publication number: 20150117586
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20130294560
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas G. GRAHAM
  • Patent number: 5371323
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Pina R. Schneider, Thomas G. Graham, Stanley B. Krawiec
  • Patent number: 5297199
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Graham, Patrick J. Epple
  • Patent number: 5229582
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Thermaflex Limited
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: 4979209
    Abstract: 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 determin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Collins, Pina Schneider, Anthony L. Nieves, Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: 4945559
    Abstract: 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 f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Collins, Pina Schneider, Anthony L. Nieves, Thomas G. Graham
  • Patent number: D312244
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Collins, Thomas G. Graham, Victor P. Kaminski, Theodore M. Monette
  • Patent number: D313417
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Graham, Thomas J. Collins, Joseph J. Paddock
  • Patent number: D742537
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Graham