Patents by Inventor William C. Dawn

William C. Dawn 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: 12062459
    Abstract: Nozzles mix coolant from different sources together in an outlet to prevent differences in coolant output. Different flow path configurations are useable in the nozzle, including a multiple-path configuration with flows from different sources jacketed or concentrically arranged around flows from other sources. Swirl vanes may be installed in the nozzle to impart mixing or filtering the fluid flow. Diffusers may be used to passively suction or accelerate flow and mixing the same like a jet pump. Nozzles can be combined with filtration systems like trap filters that capture debris based on a momentum difference between the denser debris and fluid. Filters can use magnetic, adhesive, or porous materials to capture debris without blocking a flow path. Filters can be disengaged, such as when clogged, such that coolant flows around the system. Nozzles can be installed on feedwater sparger assemblies in varying manner to distribute coolant from multiple nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Robin D. Sprague, Theron D. Marshall, Joel P. Melito
  • Patent number: 11525717
    Abstract: Vibration-based flowmeters are useable in inaccessible nuclear reactor spaces. Pipe-organ-type flowmeters include a passage with an opening constricted, and subsequent widening section. An extension and outlet that create turbulence in the flow at the outlet create a standing wave and vibration in the extension and/or entire flowmeter. A flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter can be calculated using length of the passage and/or known properties of the fluid. Multiple flowmeters of customized physical properties and types are useable together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, William J. Garcia, Oscar L. Meek, Patrick K. Day
  • Patent number: 11380450
    Abstract: Damper systems selectively reduce coolant fluid flow in nuclear reactor passive cooling systems, including related RVACS. Systems include a damper that blocks the flow in a coolant conduit and is moveable to open, closed, and intermediate positions. The damper blocks the coolant flow when closed to prevent heat loss, vibration, and development of large temperature gradients, and the damper passively opens, to allow full coolant flow, at failure and in transient scenarios. The damper may be moveable by an attachment extending into the coolant channel that holds the damper in a closed position. When a transient occurs, the resulting loss of power and/or overheat causes the attachment to stop holding the damper, which may be driven by gravity, pressure, a spring, or other passive structure into the open position for full coolant flow. A power source and temperature-dependent switch may detect and stop holding the damper closed in such scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Eric P. Loewen
  • Publication number: 20210319921
    Abstract: Damper systems selectively reduce coolant fluid flow in nuclear reactor passive cooling systems, including related RVACS. Systems include a damper that blocks the flow in a coolant conduit and is moveable to open, closed, and intermediate positions. The damper blocks the coolant flow when closed to prevent heat loss, vibration, and development of large temperature gradients, and the damper passively opens, to allow full coolant flow, at failure and in transient scenarios. The damper may be moveable by an attachment extending into the coolant channel that holds the damper in a closed position. When a transient occurs, the resulting loss of power and/or overheat causes the attachment to stop holding the damper, which may be driven by gravity, pressure, a spring, or other passive structure into the open position for full coolant flow. A power source and temperature-dependent switch may detect and stop holding the damper closed in such scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Eric P. Loewen
  • Patent number: 10937557
    Abstract: Damper systems selectively reduce coolant fluid flow in nuclear reactor passive cooling systems, including related RVACS. Systems include a damper that blocks the flow in a coolant conduit and is moveable to open, closed, and intermediate positions. The damper blocks the coolant flow when closed to prevent heat loss, vibration, and development of large temperature gradients, and the damper passively opens, to allow full coolant flow, at failure and in transient scenarios. The damper may be moveable by an attachment extending into the coolant channel that holds the damper in a closed position. When a transient occurs, the resulting loss of power and/or overheat causes the attachment to stop holding the damper, which may be driven by gravity, pressure, a spring, or other passive structure into the open position for full coolant flow. A power source and temperature-dependent switch may detect and stop holding the damper closed in such scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Eric P. Loewen
  • Publication number: 20200273590
    Abstract: Vibration-based flowmeters are useable in inaccessible nuclear reactor spaces. Flowmeters include an extension that blocks fluid flow in a path and a detector that detects vibrations caused by vortex shedding in the fluid flow around the extension. The detected frequency of the vibrations determines the flow rate. A Strouhal number may be used to calculate the flow speed using extension surface diameter and detected vortex shedding frequency. Several extensions may cover a range of frequencies and flow speeds. Pipe-organ-type flowmeters include a passage with an opening constricted, and subsequent widening section. An extension and outlet that create turbulence in the flow at the outlet create a standing wave and vibration in the extension and/or entire flowmeter. A flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter can be calculated using length of the passage and/or known properties of the fluid. Multiple, flowmeters of customized physical properties and types are useable together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, William J. Garcia, Oscar L. Meek, Patrick K. Day
  • Publication number: 20200251232
    Abstract: Nozzles mix coolant from different sources together in an outlet to prevent differences in coolant output. Different flow path configurations are useable in the nozzle, including a multiple-path configuration with flows from different sources jacketed or concentrically arranged around flows from other sources. Swirl vanes may be installed in the nozzle to impart mixing or filtering the fluid flow. Diffusers may be used to passively suction or accelerate flow and mixing the same like a jet pump. Nozzles can be combined with filtration systems like trap filters that capture debris based on a momentum difference between the denser debris and fluid. Filters can use magnetic, adhesive, or porous materials to capture debris without blocking a flow path. Filters can be disengaged, such as when clogged, such that coolant flows around the system. Nozzles can be installed on feedwater sparger assemblies in varying manner to distribute coolant from multiple nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Robin D. Sprague, Theron D. Marshall, Joel P. Melito
  • Patent number: 10650931
    Abstract: Vibration-based flowmeters are useable in inaccessible nuclear reactor spaces. Flowmeters include an extension that blocks fluid flow in a path and a detector that detects vibrations caused by vortex shedding in the fluid flow around the extension. The detected frequency of the vibrations determines the flow rate. A Strouhal number may be used to calculate the flow speed using extension surface diameter and detected vortex shedding frequency. Several extensions may cover a range of frequencies and flow speeds. Pipe-organ-type flowmeters include a passage with an opening constricted, and subsequent widening section. An extension and outlet that create turbulence in the flow at the outlet create a standing wave and vibration in the extension and/or entire flowmeter. A flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter can be calculated using length of the passage and/or known properties of the fluid. Multiple, flowmeters of customized physical properties and types are useable together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, William J. Garcia, Oscar L. Meek, Patrick K. Day
  • Patent number: 10566097
    Abstract: Nozzles mix coolant from different sources together in an outlet to prevent differences in coolant output. Different flow path configurations are useable in the nozzle, including a multiple-path configuration with flows from different sources jacketed or concentrically arranged around flows from other sources. Swirl vanes may be installed in the nozzle to impart mixing or filtering the fluid flow. Diffusers may be used to passively suction or accelerate flow and mixing the same like a jet pump. Nozzles can be combined with filtration systems like trap filters that capture debris based on a momentum difference between the denser debris and fluid. Filters can use magnetic, adhesive, or porous materials to capture debris without blocking a flow path. Filters can be disengaged, such as when clogged, such that coolant flows around the system. Nozzles can be installed on feedwater sparger assemblies in varying manner to distribute coolant from multiple nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Robin D. Sprague, Theron D. Marshall, Joel P. Melito
  • Publication number: 20190115114
    Abstract: Damper systems selectively reduce coolant fluid flow in nuclear reactor passive cooling systems, including related RVACS. Systems include a damper that blocks the flow in a coolant conduit and is moveable to open, closed, and intermediate positions. The damper blocks the coolant flow when closed to prevent heat loss, vibration, and development of large temperature gradients, and the damper passively opens, to allow full coolant flow, at failure and in transient scenarios. The damper may be moveable by an attachment extending into the coolant channel that holds the damper in a closed position. When a transient occurs, the resulting loss of power and/or overheat causes the attachment to stop holding the damper, which may be driven by gravity, pressure, a spring, or other passive structure into the open position for full coolant flow. A power source and temperature-dependent switch may detect and stop holding the damper closed in such scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Eric P. Loewen
  • Publication number: 20180277265
    Abstract: Nozzles mix coolant from different sources together in an outlet to prevent differences in coolant output. Different flow path configurations are useable in the nozzle, including a multiple-path configuration with flows from different sources jacketed or concentrically arranged around flows from other sources. Swirl vanes may be installed in the nozzle to impart mixing or filtering the fluid flow. Diffusers may be used to passively suction or accelerate flow and mixing the same like a jet pump. Nozzles can be combined with filtration systems like trap filters that capture debris based on a momentum difference between the denser debris and fluid. Filters can use magnetic, adhesive, or porous materials to capture debris without blocking a flow path. Filters can be disengaged, such as when clogged, such that coolant flows around the system. Nozzles can be installed on feedwater sparger assemblies in varying manner to distribute coolant from multiple nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, Robin D. Sprague, Theron D. Marshall, Joel P. Melito
  • Publication number: 20180277267
    Abstract: Vibration-based flowmeters are useable in inaccessible nuclear reactor spaces. Flowmeters include an extension that blocks fluid flow in a path and a detector that detects vibrations caused by vortex shedding in the fluid flow around the extension. The detected frequency of the vibrations determines the flow rate. A Strouhal number may be used to calculate the flow speed using extension surface diameter and detected vortex shedding frequency. Several extensions may cover a range of frequencies and flow speeds. Pipe-organ-type flowmeters include a passage with an opening constricted, and subsequent widening section. An extension and outlet that create turbulence in the flow at the outlet create a standing wave and vibration in the extension and/or entire flowmeter. A flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter can be calculated using length of the passage and/or known properties of the fluid. Multiple, flowmeters of customized physical properties and types are useable together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, James P. Sineath, Dean D. Molinaro, William C. Dawn, William J. Garcia, Oscar L. Meek, Patrick K. Day