Michael C Gasparro

US Patent:

48184764, Apr 4, 1989

Filed:

Feb 25, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/160452

Inventors:

Michael R. Gasparro - Penn Hills PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1302

US Classification:

376294

Abstract:

The reactor vessel thread protector is a metal cover that is placed over the exposed stud, nut and washer projecting above the closure head to protect the threads from accidental corrosive leakage impingement emitted from mechanical seals on the top of the reactor vessel head. The stud protector includes a drip pan to collect any such fluid being emitted from the reactor vessel. Additionally, the reactor vessel stud thread protector will provide protection from accidental deformation to a stud due to operator maintenance around adjacent studs. The reactor vessel stud thread protector can be in the form of a cylinder which would cover a single stud bolt or a curved box having a rectangular cross-section that would cover a plurality of stud bolts.

US Patent:

47160128, Dec 29, 1987

Filed:

Oct 7, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/785307

Inventors:

Michael R. Gasparro - Penn Hills PA
Richard E. Tome - Murrysville PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 900
G21C 1500

US Classification:

376352

Abstract:

An upwardly convex resilient annular strainer, fixed to the secondary core support base plate in a PWR, bends to remain in contact with the lower hemispherical head section of the pressure vessel as the gap between the internals and the lower hemispherical head section varies in size with reactor temperature to prevent debris from lodging in the gap where it could lead to reactor damage.

US Patent:

46108386, Sep 9, 1986

Filed:

Jul 26, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/634726

Inventors:

Michael R. Gasparro - Penn Hills PA
Anthony P. Besterci - Monroeville PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700
G21C 1942

US Classification:

376248

Abstract:

A method for extracting debris from the bottom of a water-filled nuclear reactor vessel. The method includes steps of removing the vessel closure head, upper internals and at least some fuel assemblies from the reactor vessel to expose a flow hole which is contained in the lower core plate and which has a perimeter, wherein imaginary vertical projection lines extending from the perimeter define an obstructed volume between the lower core plate and the bottom of the vessel, lowering a pipe having an open free end into the vessel so that the pipe extends through the exposed flow hole in the lower core plate and has its free end in close proximity to the bottom of the vessel, applying suction to the end of the pipe remote from the open free end to withdraw water and debris from the bottom of the vessel through the pipe, and removing the debris from the water withdrawn from the vessel and discharging the debris-free water into a reservoir.

US Patent:

47160047, Dec 29, 1987

Filed:

Feb 6, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/826522

Inventors:

Daniel Merkovsky - Monroeville PA
Michael R. Gasparro - Penn Hills PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700

US Classification:

376203

Abstract:

A thimble guide extender for use in a nuclear power plant provides a shielded passage beteewn the guide and the bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly to protect the thimble from turbulence. The extender includes a hollow element having an upper portion which contacts the bottom nozzle, a lower portion which extends around the sides of the thimble guide, and a thimble passage through which the thimble movably extends. In one embodiment the thimble passage is aligned with a channel in the thimble guide by being permanently attached to the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly. For this purpose the hollow element is provided with locking fingers which extend into flow openings in the bottom nozzle. In another embodiment the thimble passage of the hollow element is aligned with the channel of the thimble guide by being operatively mounted on the thimble guide, with spring fingers having enlarged regions or with locking balls fitting into an annular groove in the thimble guide. The enlarged regions or locking balls are locked into place to prevent the extender from becoming detached.

US Patent:

47786477, Oct 18, 1988

Filed:

Feb 14, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/829733

Inventors:

Michael R. Gasparro - Penn Hills PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700

US Classification:

376347

Abstract:

A thimble guide extender for use in a nuclear power plant shields the thimble from turbulence and absorbs vibration from it to reduce wear. The extender includes an extension element which is secured to the thimble guide, a spring bushing which is attached to the extension element and which contacts the thimble, and a cap. In one embodiment the cap clamps the spring bushing, and in other embodiments it simply shields the bushing from turbulence. In one embodiment the spring bushing is an element having a cylindrical portion on one side and dimpled spring legs on the other, in another embodiment the spring bushing is an element having bent spring legs on either side, and in another embodiment the spring bushing is provided by dimpled spring legs that are integral with the extension element. The extension element is provided with locking fingers which secure the extension element to the thimble guide.