Robert E Witkowski

US Patent:

39772322, Aug 31, 1976

Filed:

Mar 30, 1972

Appl. No.:

5/239614

Inventors:

William M. Hickam - Pittsburgh PA
Robert E. Witkowski - West Mifflin PA
Edgar Berkey - Murrysville PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01N 710

US Classification:

73 19

Abstract:

A system for measuring and controlling the concentration of hydrogen in liquid sodium and in gaseous environments is disclosed. The system comprises a reinforced hollow tube-like membrane which is positioned in the sodium or the gaseous environment such that the hydrogen diffuses through the membrane. Hydrogen diffusing through the membrane is removed by an ion pump to maintain a vacuum inside the membrane. The electrical current flowing through the ion pump is an indication of the hydrogen concentration. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be permitted to diffuse through the membrane until an equilibrium condition is established and a high pressure ionization gauge can be used to determine the hydrogen concentration. The membrane includes integral reinforcing sections permitting the membrane to be thin to achieve high sensitivity and withstand a high differential pressure. Valves are included which isolate the membrane from the sodium or gaseous environment so that the membrane can be easily changed.

US Patent:

54141958, May 9, 1995

Filed:

Jun 17, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/899962

Inventors:

Steven H. Peterson - Murrysville PA
Edward J. Lahoda - Edgewood Borough PA
David C. Grant - Gibsonia PA
Edward F. Sverdrup - North Huntingdon PA
Thomas V. Congedo - Edgewood PA
John Bartko - State College PA
Robert E. Witkowski - West Mifflin PA
Arthur L. Wolfe - Murrysville PA
William D. Partlow - Forest Hills PA
Michael C. Skriba - Irvine CA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21F 900
B07C 534

US Classification:

588 1

Abstract:

The concentrations of residual heavy metal contaminants in the particulate material in a slurry produced in a particulate material washing process are monitored on-line and can be used to control the washing process. In alternative embodiments of the invention, x-rays, thermal neutrons or laser beams are directed at the slurry as it flows through a flow cell to induce emission of secondary x-rays, gamma rays or light, respectively, characteristic of the heavy metal contaminants and constituents representative of the solids contents of the slurry. These characteristic energies are measured and used to determine the concentration in ppm of the residual heavy metal contaminants in the particulate material within the slurry.

US Patent:

43250297, Apr 13, 1982

Filed:

Sep 10, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/073827

Inventors:

John Hrizo - Monroeville PA
James E. Bauerle - Plum Borough PA
Robert E. Witkowski - West Mifflin PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01N 2762
G01R 3500

US Classification:

324468

Abstract:

A calibration filament containing a sodium-bearing compound is included in combination with the sensing filament and ion collector plate of a sodium ionization detector to permit periodic generation of sodium atoms for the in-situ calibration of the detector.

US Patent:

51339013, Jul 28, 1992

Filed:

Mar 1, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/663962

Inventors:

Steven H. Peterson - Murrysville PA
Edward J. Lahoda - Edgewood Borough PA
David C. Grant - Gibsonia PA
Edward F. Sverdrup - North Huntingdon PA
Thomas V. Congedo - Edgewood PA
John Bartko - State College PA
Robert E. Witkowski - West Mifflin PA
Arthur L. Wolfe - Murrysville PA
William D. Partlow - Forest Hills PA
Michael C. Skriba - Irvine CA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21F 1900

US Classification:

252626

Abstract:

The concentrations of residual heavy metal contaminants in the particulate material in a slurry produced in a particulate material washing process are monitored on-line and can be used to control the washing process. In alternative embodiments of the invention, x-rays, thermal neutrons or laser beams are directed at the slurry as it flows through a flow cell to induce emission of secondary x-rays, gamma rays or light, respectively, characteristic of the heavy metal contaminants and constituents representative of the solids contents of the slurry. These characteristic energies are measured and used to determine the concentration in ppm of the residual heavy metal contaminants in the particulate material within the slurry.