Carlton Chance Clark

US Patent:

7577230, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

Dec 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/644498

Inventors:

Birol Aktas - Wilmington NC, US
Robert James - Wilmington NC, US
Carlton W. Clark - Wilmington NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

G21C 3/06

US Classification:

376453, 376454, 376438, 376439

Abstract:

Fuel supports for a nuclear reactor and methods of modifying fluid flow in a reactor using a fuel support. The fuel supports include a plurality of lumens and a plurality of fuel support apertures with each fuel support aperture being dimensioned for receiving a lower tie plate of a fuel assembly. Each lumen is fluidly coupled to a different fuel support aperture. At least one lumen is configured for attenuating a fluid flow differently than the fluid flow in at least one other of the lumen.

US Patent:

8009791, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Aug 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/542301

Inventors:

Birol Aktas - Wilmington NC, US
Robert James - Wilmington NC, US
Carlton W. Clark - Wilmington NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

G21C 3/06

US Classification:

376453, 376454, 376438, 376439

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.

US Patent:

8102961, Jan 24, 2012

Filed:

Mar 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/715521

Inventors:

Birol Aktas - Wilmington NC, US
Carlton W. Clark - Wilmington NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376260, 376230, 376353

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.

US Patent:

8109400, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Dec 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/987843

Inventors:

Andrew K. Langston - Wilmington NC, US
Carlton Wayne Clark - Wilmington NC, US
David Grey Smith - Leland NC, US
Thomas C. Ware - Carolina Beach NC, US
William A. Scott - Rocky Point NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC. - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

B65D 88/00

US Classification:

220 15, 220263, 220526, 220646, 220652, 220694, 220849

Abstract:

Example embodiments are directed toward industrial packages. Example embodiments may meet several packaging requirements for different modes of transport, including both roadway and flight regulations such as Department of Transportation (DOT) Class 7 requirements for ground transport of radioactive materials and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations for air transport of radioactive materials. Example embodiments may include integrated bumpers, specialized bottom tube skids, lid lattice support, multiple gasket pressurization seal, corner reinforcement, and/or multiple shielding and modular interior components.

US Patent:

8385497, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Dec 29, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/340079

Inventors:

Paul Everett Cantonwine - Wilmington NC, US
Andrew K. Langston - Wilmington NC, US
Johnny R. Skipper - Leland NC, US
Alexander Michael Hay - Endicott NY, US
Carlton Wayne Clark - Wilmington NC, US
David Grey Smith - Leland NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, LLC - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

G21C 19/42
G21C 19/00
G21C 15/00
G21C 9/00
G21F 5/00
B01D 29/00

US Classification:

376313, 376310, 376272, 376302, 376364, 2505061, 2505071, 210237

Abstract:

A method to confine a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: inserting a lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly into an open end of a lower fuel particle barrier; supporting the lower portion of the fuel bundle with the lower fuel particle barrier; grasping the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly with the lower fuel particle barrier; lowering an upper fuel particle barrier over an upper tie plate of the fuel bundle assembly; moving at least a portion of a handle fixed to the upper tie plate through an open slot in the upper fuel particle barrier; closing the open slot with a closure device after the handle passes through the slot, and preventing fuel particles being released from the nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly by the upper and lower fuel particle barriers.

US Patent:

8396182, Mar 12, 2013

Filed:

Nov 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/323739

Inventors:

David Smith - Leland NC, US
Michael DeFilippis - Wilmington NC, US
Gerald A. Luciano - Wilmington NC, US
Michael Kiernan - Wilmington NC, US
Carlton Clark - Wilmington NC, US
Andrew K. Langston - Wilmington NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel—Americas, LLC - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376260, 376268, 376277

Abstract:

A method to capture, retain and remove debris falling into a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including a bundle of fuel rods mounted below an upper tie plate and housed in a hollow metal channel, the method includes: inserting a debris shield in the upper tie plate; maintaining the shield in the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, and water rods, while the fuel bundle assembly is in an operating nuclear reactor core; capturing debris falling in the fuel assembly on the debris shield; after capturing the debris, removing the fuel bundle assembly with the inserted debris shield from the nuclear reactor core to a maintenance/fuel inspection pool and thereafter removing the debris shield from the upper tie plate, cleaning and then reinserting the cleaned debris shield back into the upper tie plate, and moving the fuel bundle assembly from the maintenance/fuel inspection pool back into the nuclear reactor core.

US Patent:

8208597, Jun 26, 2012

Filed:

Jul 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/183667

Inventors:

Paul Everett Cantonwine - Wilmington NC, US
Andrew K. Langston - Wilmington NC, US
Johnny R. Skipper - Leland NC, US
Alexander Michael Hay - Endicott NY, US
Carlton Wayne Clark - Wilmington NC, US
David Grey Smith - Leland NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel - Americas, LLC - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

G21C 19/00
G21C 15/00
G21C 9/00
G21F 5/00
B01D 29/00

US Classification:

376272, 376302, 376362, 376364, 2505061, 2505071, 210237

Abstract:

A nuclear reactor fuel bundle confinement system including: a fuel bundle with an upper tie plate; a channel enclosing the fuel bundle; a handle for the fuel bundle extending above the fuel bundle; an upper fuel particle barrier positioned over the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, wherein the fuel particle barrier has a permeable panel at least co-extensive with an open area of the upper tie plate; a slot in the permeable panel through which passes the handle, and a closure device on the fuel particle barrier having a closed position which covers the slot and an open position that leaves the slot open; a lower fuel particle barrier positioned over the lower tie plate and below the fuel rods, wherein the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly is grasped by the lower fuel particle barrier.

US Patent:

20080152068, Jun 26, 2008

Filed:

Dec 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/644485

Inventors:

Birol Aktas - Wilmington NC, US
Carlton W. Clark - Wilmington NC, US
William Earl Russell - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G01C 19/20

US Classification:

376362

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.