Ronald P Knott

US Patent:

20090238322, Sep 24, 2009

Filed:

Mar 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/053771

Inventors:

Jin LIU - Elgin SC, US
Ronald Knott - Columbia SC, US
Ronald Kesterson - Columbia SC, US
Ivan Fiero - Columbia SC, US
David Mitchell - Columbia SC, US
David Stucker - Irmo SC, US
Yixing Sung - Monroeville PA, US
Robert Fetterman - Murrysville PA, US
Lars Hallstadius - Vasteras, SE

International Classification:

G21C 3/10

US Classification:

376451

Abstract:

A fuel assembly () for a nuclear reactor contains fuel rods () which contain nuclear fuel pellets () held in place by a spring means or a like device () and end plugs () where a hollow gas absorber structure () is also disposed within the fuel rods () where at least one surface of the absorber structure () is coated with a catalyst material () that absorbs and retains at least one of hydrogen and tritium.

US Patent:

45856168, Apr 29, 1986

Filed:

Mar 9, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/473515

Inventors:

Edmund E. DeMario - Penn Hills PA
Ronald P. Knott - North Huntingdon PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 334

US Classification:

376442

Abstract:

A nuclear fuel spacer grid with improved outer straps. The grid has an egg-crate array of interleaved grid straps creating cells for enclosing the fuel rods. The grid also has four outer straps connected together in a square-shaped array surrounding the grid strap's heightwise edges. The outer straps have a central portion to which is attached the grid straps' heightwise edges. The outer straps also have a top and a bottom resilient lengthwise border portion extending vertically beyond and horizontally outwardly beyond their associated outer straps central portions.

US Patent:

51417111, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

Jul 18, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/732373

Inventors:

Robert K. Gjertsen - Columbia SC
Ronald P. Knott - Columbia SC
James A. Sparrow - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 710

US Classification:

376327

Abstract:

A reconstitutable control assembly has a spider structure which supports control rods by detachable attachment joints. Each attachment joint includes a hollow connecting finger on the spider structure and an elongated detachable split upper end plug on each control rod. The split upper end plug includes a pair of separate upper and lower plug portions. The upper plug portion has upper, middle and lower sections, whereas the lower plug portion has upper, middle and lower segments. The upper section of the upper plug portion is rigidly attached to the connecting finger on the spider structure, whereas the lower segment of the lower plug portion is rigidly connected to the control rod. Also, the lower section of the upper plug portion and the middle segment of the lower plug portion have complementary threads defined thereon for rigidly threadably attaching the upper and lower plug portions to one another. Two embodiments of locking features can be used in conjunction with the upper and lower plug portions for locking them together so as to resist their unthreading from one another.

US Patent:

48881511, Dec 19, 1989

Filed:

Dec 15, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/284566

Inventors:

Robert K. Gjertsen - Columbia SC
Ronald P. Knott - Irmo SC
James A. Sparrow - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 710

US Classification:

376327

Abstract:

A reconstitutable control assembly has a spider structure which supports control rods by detachable attachment joints. Each attachment joint includes a hollow connecting finger on the spider structure and an elongated detachable split upper end plug on each control rod. The split upper end plug includes a pair of separate upper and lower plug portions. The upper plug portion has upper, middle and lower sections, whereas the lower plug portion has upper, middle and lower segments. The upper section of the upper plug portion is rigidly attached to the connecting finger on the spider structure, whereas the lower segment of the lower plug portion is rigidly connected to the control rod. Also, the lower section of the upper plug portion and the middle segment of the lower plug portion have complementary threads defined thereon for rigidly threadably attaching the upper and lower plug portions to one another. Two embodiments of locking features can be used in conjunction with the upper and lower plug portions for locking them together so as to resist their unthreading from one another.

US Patent:

49938649, Feb 19, 1991

Filed:

Oct 26, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/426939

Inventors:

Robert K. Gjertsen - Columbia SC
Ronald P. Knott - Irmo SC
James A. Sparrow - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B25G 300
G21C 710

US Classification:

403343

Abstract:

A reconstitutable control assembly has a spider structure which supports control rods by detachable attachment joints. Each attachment joint includes a hollow connecting finger on the spider structure and an elongated detachable split upper end plug on each control rod. The split upper end plug includes a pair of separate upper and lower plug portions. The upper plug portion has upper, middle and lower sections, whereas the lower plug portion has upper, middle and lower segments. The upper section of the upper plug portion is rigidly attached to the connecting finger on the spider structure, whereas the lower segment of the lower plug portion is rigidly connected to the control rod. Also, the lower section of the upper plug portion and the middle segment of the lower plug portion have complementary threads defined thereon for rigidly threadably attaching the upper and lower plug portions to one another. Two embodiments of locking features can be used in conjunction with the upper and lower plug portions for locking them together so as to resist their unthreading from one another.

US Patent:

46559957, Apr 7, 1987

Filed:

May 11, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/609252

Inventors:

Thomas R. Freeman - New Alexandria PA
John F. Wilson - Murrysville PA
Ronald P. Knott - North Huntingdon PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1900

US Classification:

376267

Abstract:

A fuel assembly, particularly advantageous for use with a BWR, wherein the fuel bundle is adapted to be inserted into an envelope formed from a flow channel and a lower nozzle assembly. The fuel bundle is essentially axially symmetrical having identical top and bottom tie plates. Within the fuel bundle, alternate fission gas plenums are disposed at the top and bottom of the bundle respectively. During the refueling operation, the fuel bundle is removed from the reactor core, axially inverted and reinserted into the core for continued burn up. The invention takes advantage of the reactivity increase possible in a BWR when a partially burned fuel bundle is inverted.

Author:

Ronald Alan Knott

ISBN #:

0608217166

Author:

Ronald Alan Knott

ISBN #:

0816313229