Michael D Conner

US Patent:

8537962, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Feb 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/028119

Inventors:

Keith J. Drudy - New Kensington PA, US
William R. Carlson - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael E. Conner - Elgin SC, US
Mark Goldenfield - Columbia SC, US
Michael J. Hone - New Alexandria PA, US
Jerod Parkinson - Lexington SC, US
Radu O. Pomirleanu - Monroeville PA, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 7/08
G21C 7/10
G21C 7/103

US Classification:

376327, 376339

Abstract:

An advanced gray rod control assembly (GRCA) for a nuclear reactor. The GRCA provides controlled insertion of gray rod assemblies into the reactor, thereby controlling the rate of power produced by the reactor and providing reactivity control at full power. Each gray rod assembly includes an elongated tubular member, a primary neutron-absorber disposed within the tubular member said neutron-absorber comprising an absorber material, preferably tungsten, having a 2200 m/s neutron absorption microscopic capture cross-section of from 10 to 30 barns. An internal support tube can be positioned between the primary absorber and the tubular member as a secondary absorber to enhance neutron absorption, absorber depletion, assembly weight, and assembly heat transfer characteristics.

US Patent:

43085016, Dec 29, 1981

Filed:

Oct 9, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/621706

Inventors:

Thomas E. Tuccinardi - Silver Spring MD
Michael Conner - Washington DC

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

H03K 5153
F42C 1308

US Classification:

328150

Abstract:

A digital circuit for sensing peaks exceeding a predetermined threshold in nalog signals employs clock and control oscillators arranged such that their frequencies vary in opposite senses in response to changes in the sensed signal. The clock oscillator frequency is counted during sample intervals of durations which vary inversely with the control oscillator frequency. A count increase (or decrease) of predetermined amount from one sample interval to the next, followed by a count decrease (or increase) from another sample interval to the next, results in an output signal. In a preferred embodiment, the clock frequency is counted in an up/down counter which, for each sample interval, is counted up and down for equal numbers of control oscillator cycles. The net count at the end of a sample interval is therefore an indication of the magnitude and polarity of changes in the sensed signal. In a particular utilization the circuit serves in a mine fuze and senses the peak of a magnetic field signal such as is associated with a tank or other vehicle.