Patents by Inventor William P. Kovacik

William P. Kovacik 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: 5232657
    Abstract: A flux trap neutron absorber arrangement for use in a fuel storage body between a pair of fuel storage cans which receive and store nuclear fuel assemblies includes separate pockets spaced from one another and extending vertically along and attached to the exterior of each of the adjacent side walls of adjacent spaced storage cans, an elongated flat plate of a thermal neutron absorber material mounted in each pocket, the plates of thermal neutron absorber material being likewise spaced from one another and defining a fast neutron slow-down region therebetween, a slab of a metal hydride disposed in the fast neutron slow-down region between the plates of thermal neutron absorber material and the separate pockets on the adjacent side walls, a canister containing the slab of the metal hydride being disposed in the fast neutron slow-down region, the canister being connected to at least one of the adjacent side walls of the adjacent storage cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: William P. Kovacik, Donald E. Mueller