Patents by Inventor William Earl

William Earl 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).

  • Publication number: 20120193222
    Abstract: Electrochemical reactors are provided that operate on the carbonate cycle at extremely low temperatures (e.g., less than 50° C.), thereby allowing operation in as many as three (3) modes, namely as: (i) a room temperature carbonate fuel cell; (ii) an electrochemically assisted CO2 membrane separator; and (iii) a CO2 conversion device. Electrocatalysts are also provided that have the ability to selectively form carbonate anions over hydroxide anions under fully humidified conditions. Exemplary electrocatalysts according to the present disclosure include pyrochlores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
    Inventors: William Earl Mustain, JR., Jose Angel Vega, Neil Scott Spinner
  • Patent number: 8186955
    Abstract: A rotating machine includes a stationary member and a rotating member moveable relative to the stationary member. The rotating member includes at least one balancing member assembly receiving portion having a plurality of internal threads. The rotating machine also includes a balancing member assembly including first and second interlocking balancing members. The balancing member assembly also includes a plurality of external threads that are operatively connected to the internal threads of the balancing member assembly receiving portion. With this arrangement, the balancing member assembly provides a dynamic balance for the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Steven Buskirk, William Earl Fish, Karsten Johannes Tessarzik
  • Patent number: 8182103
    Abstract: A millimeter wave power source module may include N submodules, each of which includes M circuit devices, where M and N are greater than one. Each circuit device may have an output connected to a corresponding radiating element. Each submodule may include a power divider having K input ports and M output ports, where K is a factor of M. Each input port may be coupled to a corresponding receiving element, and each output port may be coupled to an input of a corresponding circuit device. Each submodule may include a heat spreader for removing heat from the circuit devices. The power source module may include a combination RF feed network and heat sink. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may include a wavefront expander to expand the RF input wavefront along at least one axis, and to direct the expanded wavefront to the receiving elements of the N submodules. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may also include a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat spreaders of the N submodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Brown, Andrew Kent Brown, William Earl Dolash, Darin Michael Gritters, Thomas Lee Obert, Michael John Sotelo
  • Publication number: 20120105290
    Abstract: A millimeter wave power source module may include N submodules, each of which includes M circuit devices, where M and N are greater than one. Each circuit device may have an output connected to a corresponding radiating element. Each submodule may include a power divider having K input ports and M output ports, where K is a factor of M. Each input port may be coupled to a corresponding receiving element, and each output port may be coupled to an input of a corresponding circuit device. Each submodule may include a heat spreader for removing heat from the circuit devices. The power source module may include a combination RF feed network and heat sink. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may include a wavefront expander to expand the RF input wavefront along at least one axis, and to direct the expanded wavefront to the receiving elements of the N submodules. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may also include a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat spreaders of the N submodules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth William Brown, Andrew Kent Brown, William Earl Dolash, Darin Michael Gritters, Thomas Lee Obert, Michael John Sotelo
  • Patent number: 8126871
    Abstract: Systems and computer program products that identify data that is related to and associated with data that has been selected from a multidimensional database. The overwhelming amount of data in a multidimensional database that may be viewed by a user, such as a data analyst, is reduced to the selected and associated data by use of index data and related index data, according to the present invention. The views of selected data and related data may be highlighted and formatted for presentation to the user. Further, irrelevant data is filtered out and not presented to the user. Existing systems have not been able to efficiently and adequately identify data that is related to and associated with selected data in a multidimensional database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Earl Malloy, Ken Qian Pu
  • Patent number: 8109766
    Abstract: In the method for reactor simulation, a user modifies one or more design inputs used in creating a response surface. The response surface defines relationships between the design inputs and operational outputs of at least one or more aspects of a core design. A reactor simulation is then generated based on the response surface for the core design and the modified design input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas LLC
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, David Joseph Kropaczek
  • Publication number: 20120027415
    Abstract: A media converter for interfacing an optical fiber bus to an electrical interface of an electronic device is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Eric Y. Chan, Tuong Kien Truong, William Earl Lawrence, Clete M. Boldrin
  • Patent number: 8102961
    Abstract: Control rod guide tubes for a nuclear reactor having a body with an axial length that defines a lower end portion and an upper end portion and a cavity within a substantial length of the body. Orifices are included at the upper and lower end portions of the body. A control rod chamber is located within the cavity and is configured for receiving a control rod. A plurality of ports is coupled to the cavity and is positioned at a substantial length from the upper end portion of the body. Also included are at least two flow channels within the cavity that extend a substantial portion of the axial length of the body. Each flow channel is fluidly coupled to one or more of the ports for receiving fluid flow from outside the body and an outlet proximate to the upper end portion of the body for providing the received fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Birol Aktas, Carlton W. Clark, William Earl Russell, II
  • Publication number: 20120016814
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for a non-industrialized, sustainable, minimally processed organic dairy industry that provides the highest quality milk and milk derivative products that is end-to-end from ground-to-cow-to-dairy-to-distribution-to-consumer, and centered on low temperature batch or vat pasteurization in which the product is minimally processed, for which product certificates, which include a numerical score and/or a corresponding color code that rank organic, minimally processed products as the high quality. The product certificates can also be applied to non-milk products, such as, but not limited to, meats, fowl, fish, vegetables, nuts, fruits, eggs, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: OPEN GATES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: WILLIAM EARL EVANS
  • Publication number: 20110298409
    Abstract: A human-operated system comprises a positioning system and an input shaper. The positioning system moves an object from one location to another. The positioning system includes a computing device that controls the movement of the positioning system responsive to receiving a user command. The input shaper is coupled to the computing device of the positioning system. The computing device estimates an overtravel of the positioning system and determines an overtravel constraint that is factored into the movement of the positioning device. The computing device moves the positioning system based on the overtravel constraint in a manner that limits the overtravel, deflection and vibration of the object as the object is moved from one location to another. The human-operated system includes a predictive element that represents a predictor location responsive to the user command provided by the human operator, which aids the human operator position the positioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Singhose William Earl, Joshua Vaughen
  • Publication number: 20110295558
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for operating an electrical machine. The method includes the steps of, providing a brushless excitation system including a diode rectifier having at least one diode, sensing heat energy generated by at least one resistor connected in parallel with the diode, and detecting a deviation of the generated heat energy from the at least one resistor. Another step generates a signal indicating an error in a diode or a failed or faulty diode if the deviation in generated heat energy exceeds a predetermined threshold deviation level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Earl Fish, John Harold Parslow, Albert Eugene Steinbach
  • Patent number: 8050377
    Abstract: Example embodiments and methods are directed to irradiation target retention devices that may be inserted into conventional nuclear fuel rods and assemblies. Example embodiment devices may hold several irradiation targets for irradiation during operation of a nuclear core containing the assemblies and fuel rods having example embodiment irradiation target retention devices. Irradiation targets may substantially convert to useful radioisotopes upon exposure to neutron flux in the operating nuclear core and be removed and harvested from fuel rods after operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, David Grey-Smith, Michael S. DeFilippis
  • Publication number: 20110250107
    Abstract: At least one system for eluting a radioactive material and a method of eluting a radioactive material is provided. The system for eluting a radioactive material may include an elution column configured to enclose an radioactive material, a first sealing member sealing a first end of the elution column, a second sealing member sealing a second end of the elution column, an elution supply source connected to the first end of the elution column via a first needle, a collection system connected to the second end of the elution column via a second needle, and a filter in the elution column, the filter being configured to support the radioactive material and prevent the radioactive material from contacting the second needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Jennifer Varnedoe, William Earl Russell, II, Bradley D. Bloomquist, Melissa Allen, James Edward Paine, Alan Anthony Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20110216868
    Abstract: Example embodiments and methods are directed to irradiation target positioning devices and systems that are configurable to permit accurate irradiation of irradiation targets and accurate production of daughter products, including isotopes and radioisotopes, therefrom. These include irradiation target plates having precise loading positions for irradiation targets, where the targets may be maintained in a radiation field. These further include a target plate holder for retaining and positioning the target plates and irradiation targets therein in the radiation field. Example embodiments include materials with known absorption cross-sections for the radiation field to further permit precise, desired levels of exposure in the irradiation targets. Example methods configure irradiation target retention systems to provide for desired amounts of irradiation and daughter product production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Heather J. Hatton, Melissa Allen, Melissa L. Hladik, Samuel John Lafountain, Luis Alberto Torres, Erick W. Dittmer
  • Patent number: 8009791
    Abstract: A fuel support for a nuclear reactor may include: a plurality of fuel support apertures, each fuel support aperture dimensioned for receiving a lower tie plate of a fuel assembly; and a plurality of lumens, each lumen being coupled to a different fuel support aperture. At least one lumen may be configured for attenuating a fluid flow differently than the fluid flow in at least one other of the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Birol Aktas, Robert James, Carlton W. Clark, William Earl Russell, II
  • Publication number: 20110206175
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to tie plate attachments having irradiation targets and/or fuel assemblies having example embodiment tie plate attachments with irradiation targets and methods of using the same to generate radioisotopes. Example embodiment tie plate attachments may include a plurality of retention bores that permit irradiation targets to be contained in the retention bores. Irradiation targets may be irradiated in an operating nuclear core including the fuel assemblies, generating radioisotopes that may be harvested from the spent nuclear fuel assembly by removing example embodiment tie plate attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: David Grey Smith, William Earl Russell, II
  • Patent number: 7970095
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to tie plate attachments having irradiation targets and/or fuel assemblies having example embodiment tie plate attachments with irradiation targets and methods of using the same to generate radioisotopes. Example embodiment tie plate attachments may include a plurality of retention bores that permit irradiation targets to be contained in the retention bores. Irradiation targets may be irradiated in an operating nuclear core including the fuel assemblies, generating radioisotopes that may be harvested from the spent nuclear fuel assembly by removing example embodiment tie plate attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GE - Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: David Grey Smith, William Earl Russell, II
  • Patent number: 7953694
    Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and program for specifying multidimensional calculations. Selection of a subset of a cube model metadata object that is generated from a facts metadata object and one or more dimension metadata objects is received. The facts metadata object references one or more measure metadata objects. A statement is generated for retrieving multidimensional information using metadata in the cube model metadata object and the measure metadata objects, wherein each of the measure metadata objects specifies one or more aggregations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Gevaerd Colossi, William Earl Malloy, Mir Hamid Pirahesh, Craig Reginald Tomlyn
  • Patent number: 7941305
    Abstract: The apparatus for creating and editing a nuclear reactor core template includes a graphical user interface and a processor controlling the graphical user interface to allow a user to selectively populate a loading map with fuel bundles residing in at least one fuel pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Joseph Kropaczek, Steven Barry Sutton, Christian Carlos Oyarzun, Carey Reid Merritt, John Dean Fuller, William Earl Russell, II, Margaret Estelle Harding
  • Publication number: 20110051872
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include irradiation targets for producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more irradiation targets useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery into instrumentation tubes. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while producing desired isotopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: David Allan RICKARD, Bradley BLOOMQUIST, Melissa ALLEN, Nicholas R. GILMAN, Jennifer M. BOWIE, William Earl RUSSELL, II