John L Harmon

US Patent:

45766541, Mar 18, 1986

Filed:

Nov 1, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/438515

Inventors:

Fletcher C. Eddens - Wilmington NC
David W. White - Wilmington NC
John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

International Classification:

C22F 118

US Classification:

148 115F

Abstract:

There is provided a nuclear fuel element having a zirconium alloy cladding tube with improved corrosion resistance. The cladding tube comprises a metallurgical gradient across the width of the tube wall wherein the tube has a more corrosion-resistant metallurgical condition at the outer circumference and a less corrosion-resistant metallurgical condition at the inner circumference. The metallurgical gradient can be generated by heating an outer circumferential portion of the tube to the high alpha or mixed alpha plus beta range while maintaining the inner surface at a lower temperature, followed by cooling of the tube.

US Patent:

50698885, Dec 3, 1991

Filed:

Jul 31, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/387187

Inventors:

Richard I. Larson - Wilmington NC
Abdul G. Dada - Wilmington NC
John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

International Classification:

C01G 4300

US Classification:

423260

Abstract:

A method of passivating the surface of particulate uranium oxides is disclosed comprising a process of continuously contacting uranium oxide particles with an oxygen containing and cooling counter flowing gas stream. The treatment produces a protective surface which inhibits subsequent oxygen chemisorption of the particulate uranium oxides.

US Patent:

59582677, Sep 28, 1999

Filed:

Jul 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/897142

Inventors:

Andrew A. Lingenfelter - Wilmington NC
James M. Gehr - Wilmington NC
Johnny R. Skipper - Leland NC
Robert J. Sziemkiewicz - Wilmington NC
Jeffrey P. Johnson - Castle Hayne NC
Robert A. Haughton - Wilmington NC
Harry L. Batson - Winnabow NC
Jaime A. Zuloaga - Wilmington NC
Michael T. Kiernan - Wilmington NC
John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC
Edward G. Apple - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B23K 2612

US Classification:

21912163

Abstract:

A high pressure laser welding method and apparatus enables seam welding of a nuclear fuel rod at hyperbaric pressure. In an automatic process, a loaded fuel rod and an upper end plug are mated within a sealable weld box. A pressure within the weld box is controlled relative to a pressure within the fuel rod, and a laser assembly welds the seam at hyperbaric pressure. Helium flowing through a laser window nozzle during welding prevents soot contamination of the laser window glass and prevents formation of ionic plasma. The upper end plug fuel rod welding operation is thus reduced to a single step and eliminates inspection related tasks with respect to a sealed hole.

US Patent:

57270392, Mar 10, 1998

Filed:

Mar 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/616509

Inventors:

John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC
Richard G. Patterson - Wilmington NC
Robert B. Elkins - Wilmington NC
Russell P. Higgins - Wilmington NC
Edward A. Croteau - Mukwonago WI
Harold B. King - Wrightsville Beach NC
Christian D. Frederickson - Wilmington NC
Gerald M. Latter - Wilmington NC
Anthony P. Reese - Wilmington NC
David W. White - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 334

US Classification:

376442

Abstract:

In a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly having a plurality of fuel rods and a non-round water rod extending between upper and lower tie plates, and having at least one fuel rod spacer located along the non-round water rod, an improvement which includes cooperating components on the fuel rod spacer and on the water rod for permitting movement of the spacer along the water rod to a desired axial location and for thereafter preventing further axial movement of the spacer in at least one of two opposite axial directions, the cooperating components including at least one spring on one of the spacer and the water rod.

US Patent:

53864441, Jan 31, 1995

Filed:

Jan 15, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/004012

Inventors:

Harold B. King - Wrightsville Beach NC
Eric B. Johansson - Wrightsville Beach NC
John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G21C 2100
G21C 1900

US Classification:

376261

Abstract:

An apparatus for loading nuclear fuel rods through spacer grid cells of a fuel bundle includes a handle having at least one elongate clip joined thereto, and a flexible tubular sleeve joined to the clip. The clip rigidly supports the sleeve along its longitudinal axis while allowing the sleeve to unfurl perpendicularly thereto for disassembly from a fuel rod. In several embodiments of the invention, the clip may include a slot for bridging adjacent grid cells during assembly, or the clip may be removably fixedly joined to the handle for allowing easy replacement of the sleeves.

US Patent:

50664298, Nov 19, 1991

Filed:

Oct 12, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/596433

Inventors:

Richard I. Larson - Wilmington NC
Richard P. Ringle - Scotts Hill NC
John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

International Classification:

C01G 4300

US Classification:

264 05

Abstract:

A process for controlling the oxidation reaction of oxides of uranium and fixing the ratio of oxygen to uranium in uranium oxide compounds by means of a passification process, and the stabilized uranium oxide compounds produced therefrom. The method is especially useful in the production of uranium oxide fuel for nuclear reactors.

US Patent:

53355776, Aug 9, 1994

Filed:

May 13, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/060133

Inventors:

Steven J. Babb - Wilmington NC
John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

International Classification:

F42B 320
F23N 522

US Classification:

86 21

Abstract:

A one-shot thermal fuse mounted directly on the casing of a centrifugal pump to prevent overheating and concentration of ammonium nitrate. The thermal fuse is screwed into a standard pipe coupling welded to a designated location on the pump casing. The thermal fuse has an electrical contact connected in the pump control circuit. A compressed spring is prevented from urging the electrical contact into an open position by a pellet of fusible material which is designed to melt at a desired threshold temperature below the temperature at which ammonium nitrate explodes. If the heat produced by the pump melts the pellet of fusible material, the spring is released, thereby opening the electrical contact and shutting off the pump. Alternatively, the temperature-sensitive element mounted on the pump casing can be a thermocouple or a temperature switch having a bimetallic element.

US Patent:

49894331, Feb 5, 1991

Filed:

Feb 28, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/317244

Inventors:

John L. Harmon - Wilmington NC
Charles Schiltz - Wilmington NC
Gerald W. McKenzie - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

B21D 3920

US Classification:

72 38

Abstract:

An improved method and means for sizing metal configuration through the application of thermal expansion and contraction of a shaping mandrel. The thermally induced changes in the shaping mandrel are produced from within the body at the mandrel.