David L Major

US Patent:

20210225533, Jul 22, 2021

Filed:

Nov 30, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/107878

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US
Randy M. Brown - Wilmington NC, US
Gerald A. Deaver - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 7/14
G21C 7/12

Abstract:

Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through secured magnetic elements subject to magnetic fields. Induction coils may generate magnetic fields and be moveable across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. A motor may spin a linear screw to move the induction coils on a vertical travel nut. A control rod assembly may house the magnetic elements and directly, removably join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Operation includes moving the induction coils with a linear screw to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization. No direct connection may penetrate the isolation barrier.

US Patent:

20210225542, Jul 22, 2021

Filed:

Dec 11, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/120097

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
Earl F. Saito - Wilmington NC, US
Eric Paul Loewen - Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US
Shirly Rodriguez Rojas - Wilmington NC, US
Kenneth E. Karcher - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21F 5/10
G21F 5/06

Abstract:

Casks shield materials and passively remove heat via heat transport paths from deep inside to outside the cask. The transport path may be heat pipes and conductive rods that are non-linear so that radiation is always shielded by the cask. A damper may surround an end of the heat transport path to control heat loss from the cask. A jacket of fluid or meltable material that conducts heat by convection may surround stored materials ensure an even temperature within the cask, and the heat transport path may absorb heat from the jacket. Casks are useable to safely store, transport, and dispose of any sensitive or heat-generating material. Casks may be opened or closed to simultaneously load and offload materials at a consistent operating temperature provided by heaters in the cask.

US Patent:

20200388407, Dec 10, 2020

Filed:

Aug 27, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/004406

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US
Randy M. Brown - Wilmington NC, US
Gerald A. Deaver - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 7/14
G21C 7/12

Abstract:

Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through a motor and rotor powering a linear screw internal to an isolation barrier. Induction coils may generate magnetic fields and be moveable across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. The magnetic fields hold closed a releasable latch to disconnect the control elements from the linear drives. A control rod assembly may join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Operation includes moving the magnetic fields and releasable latch together on opposite sides of an isolation barrier to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization.

US Patent:

20190115115, Apr 18, 2019

Filed:

Oct 22, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/167461

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
Gerald A. Deaver - Wilmington NC, US
David A. Rickard - Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 15/26
G21C 13/02
G21C 19/19
G21C 19/02
G21C 19/07

Abstract:

Chimneys include several combinable parts useable in nuclear reactors. The parts are modular and removably joinable without destruction for use in directing flow in an operating nuclear reactor and directly fit in storage area during non-operation. Chimney parts are joinable through flanges and connecting structures. Chimney parts may include partitions that divide or direct energetic coolant flow from a nuclear core as well as steam separating and drying structures. The parts each individually fit within storage areas of the nuclear plant, including equipment or buffer pools in the refueling floor of the plant. Methods move the chimney parts between the reactor and storage areas, and multiple parts may be stacked or nested in such moves. Methods are useable underwater and with storage pools to prevent exposure of chimney parts during an outage. During operation, chimneys are useable in place of existing single-piece chimneys.

US Patent:

20180019026, Jan 18, 2018

Filed:

Jun 30, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/640428

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US
Randy M. Brown - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 7/14
H02K 9/19
G21C 15/02
H02K 41/02
G21C 13/02

Abstract:

Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through secured magnetic elements subject to magnetic fields. Induction coils may generate the magnetic fields across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. A closed coolant loop may cool the induction coils, which may be in a vacuum outside the isolation barrier. A control rod assembly may house the magnetic elements and directly, removably join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Methods of operation include selectively energizing or de-energizing induction coils to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization. No direct connection may penetrate the isolation barrier.

US Patent:

20180019027, Jan 18, 2018

Filed:

Jul 10, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/644908

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US
Randy M. Brown - Wilmington NC, US
Gerald A. Deaver - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 7/14
G21C 15/02

Abstract:

Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through secured magnetic elements subject to magnetic fields. Induction coils may generate magnetic fields and be moveable across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. A motor may spin a linear screw to move the induction coils on a vertical travel nut. A control rod assembly may house the magnetic elements and directly, removably join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Operation includes moving the induction coils with a linear screw to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization. No direct connection may penetrate the isolation barrier.

US Patent:

20180019028, Jan 18, 2018

Filed:

Jul 11, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/646117

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US
Randy M. Brown - Wilmington NC, US
Gerald A. Deaver - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 7/14
G21C 13/02
H02K 7/116
H01F 7/08
F16B 1/00

Abstract:

Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through a motor and rotor powering a linear screw internal to an isolation barrier. Induction coils may generate magnetic fields and be moveable across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. The magnetic fields hold closed a releasable latch to disconnect the control elements from the linear drives. A control rod assembly may join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Operation includes moving the magnetic fields and releasable latch together on opposite sides of an isolation barrier to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization.

US Patent:

20170011812, Jan 12, 2017

Filed:

Jul 6, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/792512

Inventors:

- Wilmington NC, US
Gerald A. Deaver - Wilmington NC, US
David A. Rickard - Wilmington NC, US
David L. Major - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 15/26
G21C 19/02
G21C 19/07

Abstract:

Chimneys include several combinable parts usable in nuclear reactors. The parts are modular and removably joinable without destruction for use in directing flow in an operating nuclear reactor and directly fit in storage area during non-operation. Chimney parts are joinable through flanges and connecting structures. Chimney parts may include partitions that divide or direct energetic coolant flow from a nuclear core as well as steam separating and drying structures. The parts each individually fit within storage areas of the nuclear plant, including equipment or buffer pools in the refueling floor of the plant. Methods move the chimney parts between the reactor and storage areas, and multiple parts may be stacked or nested in such moves. Methods are usable underwater and with storage pools to prevent exposure of chimney parts during an outage. During operation, chimneys are usable in place of existing single-piece chimneys.