Patents by Inventor William P. McDowell

William P. McDowell 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: 4277308
    Abstract: There is provided a nuclear reactor count-factor-increase time monitoring circuit which includes a pulse-type neutron detector, and means for counting the number of detected pulses during specific time periods. Counts are compared and the comparison is utilized to develop a reactor scram signal, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Gordon K. Rusch, Donald J. Keefe, William P. McDowell
  • Patent number: 3942014
    Abstract: Logic elements are provided for a reactor period meter trip circuit. For one element, first and second inputs are applied to first and second chopper comparators, respectively. The output of each comparator is O if the input applied to it is greater than or equal to a trip level associated with each input and each output is a square wave of frequency f if the input applied to it is less than the associated trip level. The outputs of the comparators are algebraically summed and applied to a bandpass filter tuned to f. For another element, the output of each comparator is applied to a bandpass filter which is tuned to f to give a sine wave of frequency f. The outputs of the filters are multiplied by an analog multiplier whose output is 0 if either input is 0 and a sine wave of frequency 2f if both inputs are a frequency f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
    Inventors: William P. McDowell, James P. Bobis