Patents by Inventor William J. Heilker

William J. Heilker 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: 20140116360
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for securing tubes within a steam generator against vibration with a metallic anti-vibration bar in a tube bundle. The tube bundle has a plurality of tubes, arranged in rows and columns, with lanes between the tube columns. The method comprises the steps of: inserting the anti-vibration bar in the tube bundle; plastically expanding the wall of the anti-vibration bar from an unexpanded position to an expanded position. In the unexpanded position there are a plurality of gaps between the anti-vibration bar and the tubes of the tube bundle. The gaps decrease in size as the wall of the anti-vibration bar moves from the unexpanded position to the expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, William J. Heilker, Padmanabha J. Prabhu
  • Patent number: 6467439
    Abstract: An array grid includes a plurality of interlocking elongate strips. The strips are structured and configured to provide sufficient lateral support for steam generator tubing while minimizing the risk of attack by stress corrosion cracking to the steam generator tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: John P. Cook, William J. Heilker, Daniel A. Peck