Benjamin W Fisher

US Patent:

20220293291, Sep 15, 2022

Filed:

May 23, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/750655

Inventors:

- Lynchburg VA, US
Benjamin D. Fisher - Lynchburg VA, US

International Classification:

G21C 23/00
G21G 1/02
G21C 3/326

Abstract:

A fuel bundle surrogate for the irradiation of a target material, having a plurality of tube sheaths, each tube sheath being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the fuel bundle surrogate, a plurality of end caps, a pair of end plates, wherein the end plates are disposed at opposing ends of the plurality of tube sheaths, and a first target comprised of a first target material suitable for producing the isotope by way of a neutron capture event, wherein the first target is disposed in a first tube sheath, and wherein the first tube sheath of the plurality of tube sheaths comprises an elongated thickened wall portion and a pair of annular end portions, each annular end portion being disposed on a corresponding end of the thickened wall portion and having a wall thickness that is less than a wall thickness of the thickened wall portion.

US Patent:

20220208407, Jun 30, 2022

Filed:

Dec 28, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/563211

Inventors:

- Lynchburg VA, US
Christopher Sean Fewox - Forest VA, US
Benjamin Daniel Fisher - Lynchburg VA, US
Bryan Blake Wiggins - Forest VA, US

International Classification:

G21G 4/06
G21G 1/00

Abstract:

An elution generator including an elution column having a container defining an interior volume and a septum, a radiation shield having an upper shield portion defining a central recess and a coaxial flow needle extending downwardly into the central recess, and a lower shield portion having body portion defining a central recess, wherein the elution column is disposed in the central recess of the lower shield portion, the body portion of the lower shield portion is disposed in the central recess of the upper shield portion, and the coaxial flow needle extends downwardly through the septum into the internal volume of the elution column.

US Patent:

20210304909, Sep 30, 2021

Filed:

Aug 21, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/999244

Inventors:

- Lynchburg VA, US
Benjamin D. FISHER - Lynchburg VA, US

Assignee:

BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC - Lynchburg VA

International Classification:

G21C 17/10
G21C 3/04
G21C 19/30

Abstract:

Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to upper and lower core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

US Patent:

20200090824, Mar 19, 2020

Filed:

Aug 26, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/551185

Inventors:

- Lynchburg VA, US
Mark A. Alboino - Toronto, CA
Benjamin D. Fisher - Lynchburg VA, US
Andrew F. Long - Peterborough, CA

International Classification:

G21G 1/08
G21G 1/00
G21G 1/02

Abstract:

A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target elevator assembly including a body portion defining a central bore and an open bottom end, a center tube that is disposed within the central bore of the body portion, a target basket that is slidably receivable within the center tube, and a winch that is connected to the target basket by a cable, wherein the target basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target.

US Patent:

20200075180, Mar 5, 2020

Filed:

Aug 23, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/548952

Inventors:

- Lynchburg VA, US
Mark A. Alboino - Toronto, CA
Benjamin D. Fisher - Lynchburg VA, US
Andrew F. Long - Peterborough, CA

International Classification:

G21C 1/30
G21K 5/08

Abstract:

A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target delivery assembly including a body defining a central bore, a basket that is slidably receivable within the central bore of the body, and a winch that is connected to the basket by a cable, the target delivery assembly being affixed to the vessel penetration of the reactor, and a target passage that is in fluid communication with the target delivery assembly, wherein the basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein via the target passage and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the target delivery system forms a portion of the pressure boundary of the reactor when in fluid communication with the reactor.

US Patent:

20200027618, Jan 23, 2020

Filed:

Jul 15, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/511453

Inventors:

- Lynchburg VA, US
Benjamin D. Fisher - Lynchburg VA, US

International Classification:

G21G 1/00
G21C 1/02

Abstract:

A target irradiation system including an irradiated target removal system having a body defining a central bore, an elevator received within the central bore, and a docking surface for placing the irradiated target removal system in fluid communication with a vessel penetration of a reactor. A target canister slidably receives the radioisotope target therein, and the elevator is configured to receive the target canister. The elevator is lowered into the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the irradiated target removal system forms a portion of a pressure boundary of the reactor during target irradiation.

US Patent:

20180257183, Sep 13, 2018

Filed:

Mar 8, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/916145

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Fisher - Lynchburg VA, US
Jeff D. Gilreath - Anderson SC, US
Thomas A. Pritchett - Ooltewah TN, US

International Classification:

B23P 6/04

Abstract:

A bolt repair platform includes a frame and a tool module. The tool module includes a tool having a first end configured to rotationally engage a bolt. The tool module also includes an actuator disposed between the tool and the frame so that actuation of the actuator moves the tool with respect to the frame. The frame is removably disposed on the structure, and the tool is movable with respect to the frame, so that, at each of a plurality of positions, the second end of the tool is capable of engagement with a respective bolt disposed in an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel.