Patents by Inventor William Francis Splichal, JR.

William Francis Splichal, JR. 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: 11428564
    Abstract: A remote pulse TDR liquid level measurement system and method may include inserting a probe into a body of water. The probe has a probe/air interface, and the body of water includes an air/water interface. A narrow pulse is remotely transmitted to the probe via a coaxial cable. A first impedance mismatch is received from the probe/air interface in a form of a positive reflected pulse, and a second impedance mismatch is received from the air/water interface in a form of a negative reflected pulse. A time between the positive reflected pulse and the negative reflected pulse is calculated, and the time is converted to a distance, the distance being indicative of the water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Yogeshwar Dayal, William Francis Splichal, Jr., Steven D. Sawyer, Eric Rankin Gardner, Bruce John Lentner, Philip O. Eisermann
  • Patent number: 11280660
    Abstract: A system for measuring a level of a liquid may include a receptacle, a probe, a pulsing unit, and a digitizer. The receptacle has a top and a bottom and is configured to contain the liquid. The probe may extend into the receptacle through the bottom. The pulsing unit is configured to transmit a pulse to the probe. The digitizer is configured to receive at least a first reflected pulse and a second reflected pulse from the probe. The time between the first reflected pulse and the second reflected pulse may be calculated and converted to a distance that is indicative of the level of the liquid in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: William Francis Splichal, Jr., Yogeshwar Dayal, Jonathan R. Earnhart, Andrew F. Fidler, Steven D. Sawyer, Keith D. Requard
  • Publication number: 20200386603
    Abstract: A system for measuring a level of a liquid may include a receptacle, a probe, a pulsing unit, and a digitizer. The receptacle has a top and a bottom and is configured to contain the liquid. The probe may extend into the receptacle through the bottom. The pulsing unit is configured to transmit a pulse to the probe. The digitizer is configured to receive at least a first reflected pulse and a second reflected pulse from the probe. The time between the first reflected pulse and the second reflected pulse may be calculated and converted to a distance that is indicative of the level of the liquid in the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: William Francis Splichal, JR., Yogeshwar Dayal, Jonathan R. Earnhart, Andrew F. Fidler, Steven D. Sawyer, Keith D. Requard
  • Patent number: 9324465
    Abstract: An apparatus may include two or more electrical conductors, one or more signal devices, and an analyzer. The one or more signal devices may be adapted to apply one or more signals to the two or more electrical conductors and receive one or more signals from the two or more electrical conductors. The analyzer may be adapted to determine power level in the nuclear reactor using at least one of the applied signals and at least one of the received signals. A method of determining power level in a nuclear reactor may include: measuring impedance values of two or more electrical conductors disposed in the nuclear reactor and using the measured impedance values to determine the power level. A method of operating a nuclear reactor may include: measuring the impedance values and using the measured impedance values to determine parameters of the nuclear reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventor: William Francis Splichal, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100254505
    Abstract: An apparatus may include two or more electrical conductors, one or more signal devices, and an analyzer. The one or more signal devices may be adapted to apply one or more signals to the two or more electrical conductors and receive one or more signals from the two or more electrical conductors. The analyzer may be adapted to determine power level in the nuclear reactor using at least one of the applied signals and at least one of the received signals. A method of determining power level in a nuclear reactor may include: measuring impedance values of two or more electrical conductors disposed in the nuclear reactor and using the measured impedance values to determine the power level. A method of operating a nuclear reactor may include: measuring the impedance values and using the measured impedance values to determine parameters of the nuclear reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: William Francis Splichal, JR.