Jack C Yates

US Patent:

47088460, Nov 24, 1987

Filed:

Apr 10, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/850104

Inventors:

John F. Patterson - Richland WA
Robert B. MacDuff - Richland WA
Jack Yates - Richland WA

Assignee:

Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc. - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

G21C 332

US Classification:

376444

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a fuel assembly for boiling water reactors incorporating an advanced type of "water rod. ".

US Patent:

47568780, Jul 12, 1988

Filed:

Dec 1, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/936448

Inventors:

Peter P. King - Richland WA
John F. Patterson - Richland WA
Jack Yates - Richland WA
Charles A. Brown - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Advanced Nuclear Fuels Corporation - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

G21C 334

US Classification:

376439

Abstract:

A marked reduction in the pressure drop of cooling liquid through a grid spacer of a nuclear fuel assembly is attained by convexly contouring the upstream (usually the lower) edges of the grid members. Preferably, they are made streamlined or semicylindrical. This can be done by first beveling and then etching them, by directing a stream of mixture of abrasive and an organic polymer against them, or by traversing an electron or laser beam along them at a power and velocity such as to cause local melting. A lesser improvement is secured by beveling alone. A still further improvement can be obtained by also tapering the downstream (usually upper) edges.

US Patent:

52157075, Jun 1, 1993

Filed:

Sep 10, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/758988

Inventors:

Jack Yates - Richland WA

Assignee:

Siemens Power Corporation - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

G21C 1700

US Classification:

376254

Abstract:

An instrument thimble tube shroud is disclosed which has a central cup surrounding an instrument thimble tube to prevent fluid flow about the thimble tube from causing excessive vibration and wear. A plurality of arms extend radially from the cup and have locking pads disposed at the end of each arm, springs extending from the pads engaging recesses in an adjacent fuel assembly nozzle to lock the shroud in position and prevent movement of the shroud or rotation due to aggressive fluid flow. Utilizing the inventive shroud prevents vibration and damage to the instrument thimble tube passing therethrough, enhancing life of the instrumentation and allowing continued observation of dynamics within a nuclear reactor.

US Patent:

53751531, Dec 20, 1994

Filed:

Dec 17, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/995633

Inventors:

John F. Patterson - Richland WA
George C. Cooke - Richland WA
Jack Yates - Richland WA

Assignee:

Siemens Power Corporation - Richland WA

International Classification:

G21C 3322

US Classification:

376435

Abstract:

An improved fuel rod is provided having a part-length fuel rod portion that improves performance with respect to typical part-length fuel rods without significant degradation of the benefits that are achieved by using such a system, e. g. , improved fuel utilization, stability, and shut down margin. The present invention provides a fuel rod for a light water nuclear reactors that comprises a part-length fuel rod and an extension tube having at least one wall member defining an enclosed flow path therethrough, the extension tube being coupled to a portion of the part-length fuel rod so as to be disposed axially above the part-length fuel rod, and including at least one inlet opening, for allowing fluid that surrounds the rod and initially comprises a two phase mixture of steam and liquid, to enter the enclosed fluid path and at least one outlet opening located above the inlet opening, the extension tube includes means for separating at least some of the steam located in the fluid from the liquid located therein. The improved fuel rod allows steam to bypass the upper active portions of the fuel assembly. A nuclear fuel rod for a light water reactor having a part length fuel rod and a reflex upper end fitting which functions to separate the liquid and vapor steam portions of two phase flow.

US Patent:

49512994, Aug 21, 1990

Filed:

Jan 11, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/295966

Inventors:

John F. Patterson - Richland WA
Richard H. Ewing - West Richland WA
Jack Yates - Richland WA

Assignee:

Advanced Nuclear Fuels Corporation - Richland WA

International Classification:

G21C 334

US Classification:

376439

Abstract:

An intermediate mixing grid for nuclear reactor fuel assemblies is made without the usual perimeter strip. The ends of the grid members are formed so that they hold the fuel rods at the edges of the assembly in place.

US Patent:

47269260, Feb 23, 1988

Filed:

Feb 19, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/016432

Inventors:

John F. Patterson - Richland WA
Wayne A. VonOlnhausen - Kennewick WA
Jack Yates - Richland WA

Assignee:

Advanced Nuclear Fuels Corporation - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

G21C 334
G21C 330

US Classification:

376439

Abstract:

A grid for use in nuclear fuel assemblies is made up of double grid members which are deformed so as to provide channels for the coolant. At least the upper portions of these channels are inclined relative to the axes of the fuel rods and are disposed in such a manner as to cause circulation of fluid about each individual rod and within the assembly. In one embodiment the grid is positioned between the positioning grids and serves primarily as a coolant deflector. In another embodiment so constructed as to serve the positioning grid, as well as a flow deflector, the channels are straight in their lower portions i. e. parallel to the axes of the fuel rods. In their upper portions they curve to provide the desired deflection of the cooling fluid and the straight sections have a slight bow outward, relative to the plane of the grid member of which they are a part. This outwardly bowed portion engages the fuel rod and acts as a positioning spring. The grid members are cut away adjacent the straight sections to give the necessary flexibility.

US Patent:

54917336, Feb 13, 1996

Filed:

May 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/065727

Inventors:

John F. Patterson - Richland WA
George C. Cooke - Richland WA
Jack Yates - Richland WA
Trond A. Bjornard - Richland WA

Assignee:

Siemens Power Corporation - Richland WA

International Classification:

G21C 3322

US Classification:

376443

Abstract:

The present invention provides a fuel rod for a light water nuclear reactors that comprises a part-length fuel rod and an extension tube having at least one wall member defining an enclosed flow path therethrough, the extension tube being coupled to a portion of the part-length fuel rod so as to be disposed axially above the part-length fuel rod, and including at least one inlet opening, for allowing fluid that surrounds the rod and initially comprises a two phase mixture of steam and liquid, to enter the enclosed fluid path and at least one outlet opening located above the inlet opening, the extension tube includes means for separating at least some of the steam located in the fluid from the liquid located therein. The improved fuel rod allows steam to bypass the upper active portions of the fuel assembly. A coolant diverter is positioned in a spacer of a nuclear fuel rod assembly in the large subchannel above a part length fuel rod for increasing the hydraulic resistance of the large subchannel and for separating liquid from two phase flow.

US Patent:

52746852, Dec 28, 1993

Filed:

Sep 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/950879

Inventors:

Jack Yates - Richland WA

Assignee:

Siemens Power Corporation - Richland WA

International Classification:

G21C 1500

US Classification:

376364

Abstract:

An arrangement for supporting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor has upper and lower reactor core support plates, upper and lower tie plates for supporting fuel rods and a coolant path through the assembly. The improvement comprises a redesigned lower tie plate for providing an upward biasing force to the assembly for forcing the upper tie plate against the upper reactor core support plate. The biasing force is in the same direction as a levitation force caused by coolant flow through the assembly. In a preferred form, the tie plate includes an upper and lower section with hold-up springs disposed between the two sections.