Charles G Pennington

US Patent:

6452994, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Dec 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/748333

Inventors:

Charles W. Pennington - Alpharetta GA

Assignee:

NAC International, Inc. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G21C 1940

US Classification:

376272, 2505071, 2505181

Abstract:

A system for storing exothermic materials to enhance heat removal is provided that includes a first canister and a second canister. Preferably, the first canister incorporates a canister wall defining a first storage volume that is adapted to receive exothermic material therein. The second canister incorporates an inner wall and an outer wall, with the inner wall defining a canister-receiving, volume that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the first canister therein. Additionally, the outer wall and the inner wall may define a second storage volume which is adapted to receive exothermic material therein.

US Patent:

6544606, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

May 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/570980

Inventors:

Charles W. Pennington - Alpharetta GA
Willington J. Lee - Marietta GA

Assignee:

NAC International - Norcross GA

International Classification:

B29D 2200

US Classification:

428 341, 428336, 428457, 428698, 2505061, 250515, 376252, 976DIG 1

Abstract:

A preferred embodiment may generally be construed as providing a method for storing fissile material, such as spent nuclear fuel (SNF), and includes the steps of: providing a storage container configured to receive the fissile material therein; and applying a coating to a surface of the storage container. Preferably, the coating is formed, at least in part, of a neutron-absorbing material and is adapted to reduce neutron multiplication and/or provide a shielding of the fissile material received within the storage container. Systems also are provided.

US Patent:

6784443, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/746156

Inventors:

Charles W. Pennington - Alpharetta GA
George C. Carver - Suwanee GA

Assignee:

NAC International, INC - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G21F 500

US Classification:

2505061, 2505071, 2505181, 376403

Abstract:

A preferred storage system includes a container, a closure lid, and a compression link. Preferably, the container includes an outer wall, which defines an interior, and a first open end. The closure lid is configured to be inserted within the open end of the container, and is adapted to engage in a sealing relationship with the outer wall of the container. Preferably, the compression link includes a container engagement surface and a closure lid engagement surface. The compression link is configured to engage between the closure lid and the outer wall of the container to retain the closure lid in sealing engagement with the container. The container engagement surface and the closure lid engagement surface are configured to extend outwardly from each other, with the container engagement surface being adapted to engage the outer wall of the container and the closure lid engagement surface being adapted to engage the closure lid. Methods also are provided.

US Patent:

7342989, Mar 11, 2008

Filed:

Jun 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/159788

Inventors:

Charles W. Pennington - Alpharetta GA, US
George Carver - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

NAC International, Inc. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376272, 376293, 376294, 2505061, 2505181, 220 404

Abstract:

A transport or storage cask comprises a cask body, a modular thermal conducting and shielding system and a mechanical attachment. The modular thermal conducting and shielding system includes a modular fin and a modular neutron shield. The mechanical attachment retains the modular thermal conducting and shielding system to the cask body. The modular fin is disposed between the modular neutron shield and the cask body. The modular fin is capable of dissipating thermal energy from the cask body.

US Patent:

8437444, May 7, 2013

Filed:

Jan 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/034622

Inventors:

Charles W. Pennington - Alpharetta GA, US
George Carver - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

NAC International, Inc. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G21C 13/00
G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376203, 2505061, 376272

Abstract:

Disclosed are the apparatus and methods for closing a canister that stores and transports spent nuclear fuel. In one embodiment, the canister includes a canister shell that includes an open end. A closure lid is inserted within the open end of the canister shell. The closure lid engages the open end of the canister shell to provide a weld area that is substantially on the outer circumference of the closure lid. The weld area includes a first weld layer and a second weld layer. The first weld layer welds the closure lid to the canister shell at the weld area and closes the canister. The second weld layer also welds the closure lid to the canister shell at the weld area, providing a redundant closure seal, and is disposed substantially on top of the first weld layer. The method for closing the canister is provided herein.

US Patent:

20060188054, Aug 24, 2006

Filed:

Feb 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/051726

Inventors:

Charles Pennington - Alpharetta GA, US

International Classification:

G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376272000

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for transporting and canistering nuclear spent fuel. In one embodiment, the method for transporting and canistering nuclear spent fuel comprises providing a canister that includes a mechanical closure for a lid on a container. The canister containing the nuclear spent fuel is loaded into a transport cask, and the transport cask is sealed at the power plant. It is preferred that the lid is not installed on the canister at the power plant. The transport cask containing the canister and nuclear spent fuel is transported to a remote facility. At the remote facility, the transport cask is opened and the lid of the canister is installed using the mechanical closure to seal the canister after the canister is transported to the remote facility. The canister containing the spent nuclear fuel is placed into an overpack, which is stored at the remote facility.

US Patent:

20060222139, Oct 5, 2006

Filed:

Mar 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/092261

Inventors:

Charles Pennington - Alpharetta GA, US

International Classification:

G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376272000

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for assuring that requirements for fissile material transportation are met to comply with the double contingency principle for preventing nuclear criticality by excluding moderator in-leakage. In one embodiment, a method includes designing and fabricating a canister to achieve an acceptable application, and verifying pre-shipment operation to assure that a transport system is properly assembled to meet its licensed transport configuration.

US Patent:

20080137794, Jun 12, 2008

Filed:

Dec 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/291727

Inventors:

Gary Tjersland - Atlanta GA, US
Tom Danner - Norcross GA, US
George Carver - Norcross GA, US
Charles W. Pennington - Alpharetta GA, US

International Classification:

G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376272

Abstract:

Disclosed are systems and methods for loading and transferring spent nuclear fuel. In one embodiment, among others, the system comprises a transfer cask that contains spent nuclear fuel and shields radioactivity of the spent nuclear fuel, and an immersion tank that receives transfer casks within. The immersion tank has fluid that is circulated in the immersion tank, thereby cooling and providing shielding for the received transfer cask containing the spent nuclear fuel.