Thomas M Dunlap

US Patent:

57486956, May 5, 1998

Filed:

Nov 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/551769

Inventors:

Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Robert B. Elkins - Wilmington NC
Mark J. Colby - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 3322

US Classification:

376446

Abstract:

A latch pin assembly is configured to enable selective engagement with at least one of the fuel assembly channel and the coolant rod such that the fuel assembly channel and the coolant rod can be selectively utilized to support the fuel assembly load, thereby eliminating the need for fuel tie rods. The latch pin assembly includes a latch pin selectively engageable with the fuel assembly channel and the coolant rod, and an anchoring assembly cooperating with the latch pin, wherein the anchoring assembly anchors the latch pin in a selected position such that the latch pin engages at least one of the fuel assembly channel and the coolant rod. The latch pin may be alternatively engageable with the fuel assembly channel and the coolant rod or simultaneously engageable with the fuel assembly channel and the coolant rod. With this arrangement, the bail handle can be used both to remove the entire assembly including the fuel assembly channel from the reactor vessel or to remove only the fuel bundle from the reactor vessel, leaving the fuel assembly channel in place.

US Patent:

58091017, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

May 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/655875

Inventors:

Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Gerald M. Latter - Wilmington NC
Mark J. Colby - Wilmington NC
Michael R. Stepp - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 332

US Classification:

376446

Abstract:

A fuel bundle assembly for a nuclear reactor includes a modified channel and a handle unit that improves pressure drop performance. With the modified channel, one approach is to vary the outside dimension of the fuel channel along the length of the channel, but maintain a constant channel wall thickness. Another approach is to maintain the external dimensions of the fuel channel and vary the wall thickness along the length of the channel. The handle unit is formed including a handle member and a separate rod support member releasably engageable with the handle member. The handle member includes channels for receiving latch pin assemblies, coolant rods and a spacer assembly. The rod support member includes a plurality of fuel rod support chambers providing lateral support for the fuel rods of the fuel assembly. The rod support member also includes a main chamber that is sized to receive a portion of the handle member in a friction fit. In addition to providing improved pressure drop performance, the arrangement eliminates the need to realign the fuel rods in an upper tie plate or an upper spacer when access to the fuel rods is necessary.

US Patent:

57871400, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

May 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/654957

Inventors:

Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Gerald M. Latter - Wilmington NC
Mark J. Colby - Wilmington NC
Michael R. Stepp - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 332

US Classification:

376313

Abstract:

A fuel bundle assembly for a nuclear reactor includes a modified channel that improves pressure drop performance and a handle assembly that includes structure for preventing a broken end plug from escaping the fuel bundle. In modifying the channel, one approach is to vary the outside dimension of the fuel channel along the length of the channel, but maintain a constant channel wall thickness. Another approach is to maintain the external dimensions of the fuel channel and vary the wall thickness along the length of the channel. The handle assembly replaces the conventional upper tie plate and is provided with structure for preventing debris such as a broken fuel rod end plug from escaping the fuel bundle. The structure preferably includes a plurality of gridwork cross members forming a substantially square grid including gridwork windows that are sized smaller than the fuel rod end plugs.

US Patent:

56278667, May 6, 1997

Filed:

Oct 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/542382

Inventors:

Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Robert B. Elkins - Wilmington NC
Christian D. Frederickson - Wilmington NC
Russell P. Higgins - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 3322

US Classification:

376446

Abstract:

A fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor vessel includes a plurality of fuel rods, at least one coolant rod, a lower tie plate supporting the fuel rods and coolant rod, and a channel surrounding the fuel rods, coolant rod and tie plate. The lower tie plate is supported by the channel such that the channel carries a load of the fuel assembly. In one aspect of the invention, an upper tie plate includes two spring loaded latch pins engageable with corresponding apertures in the channel. A transition member supports the lower tie plate and is rigidly secured to the channel. Thus, when lifting the fuel assembly from the reactor, the channel bears the load of the fuel assembly. End gussets or clips are welded to the channel and inserted into the transition member, which serve as a secondary support for the transition member in the event that its primary connection to the channel fails. A channel guide member is secured to the, upper tie plate and includes two ears that are received in ear apertures in the channel. The channel guide and ears thus provide a redundant attachment between the tie plate and the channel in the event that the spring loaded latch pins fail.

US Patent:

58839313, Mar 16, 1999

Filed:

Dec 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/982023

Inventors:

James E. Holden - Wilmington NC
Gary S. Martin - Wilmington NC
Robert B. Elkins - Wilmington NC
Dennis D. Kessen - Wilmington NC
Locksley V. Hampton - Wilmington NC
Ararat Pogosian - Wilmington NC
Michael J. Sullivan - Wilmington NC
Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Richard E. Kingston - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 7113

US Classification:

376327

Abstract:

A control rod includes four panels in cruciform section each containing a plurality of absorber tubes. The absorber tubes are mounted between upper and lower mounting structures having generally T-shaped slots opening toward one another. The absorber tubes have generally T-shaped end plugs for reception in the slots. The slots and end plugs are configured to permit limited axial movement of each absorber tube relative to the control rod and to adjacent tubes. The absorber tubes are maintained in tension during all nuclear operations including during a scram.

US Patent:

56469730, Jul 8, 1997

Filed:

Oct 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/542254

Inventors:

Richard A. Proebstle - San Jose CA
Christian D. Frederickson - Wilmington NC
Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Edward A. Croteau - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 332

US Classification:

376434

Abstract:

A fuel bundle assembly for a nuclear reactor includes a lower tie plate; a transition piece underlying the lower tie plate; a plurality of fuel rods and at least one water rod seated on the lower tie plate and extending in substantially parallel relationship toward an upper end of the fuel bundle assembly, wherein a fuel bundle assembly lifting load is carried by load bearing members including certain of the fuel rods or by the at least one water rod; a plurality of spacers axially spaced along the at least one water rod and including means for laterally supporting each of the fuel rods; and a handle bar assembly at the upper end of the fuel bundle assembly connected to the load bearing members such that the plurality of non-load bearing fuel rods are supported only by the lower tie plate and the plurality of spacers.

US Patent:

56087683, Mar 4, 1997

Filed:

Jan 17, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/373373

Inventors:

Bruce Matzner - San Jose CA
Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Richard A. Proebstle - San Jose CA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 310

US Classification:

376451

Abstract:

In a fuel bundle assembly for a nuclear reactor wherein a plurality of fuel rods and tie rods extend between upper and lower tie plates and wherein some of the fuel rods are partial length fuel rods extending between the lower tie plate and a spacer located between the upper and lower tie plates, an improved end plug is provided for at least each of the partial length fuel rods, each end plug secured between a respective partial length fuel rod and the lower tie plate. The end plug includes an upper portion constructed of a first alloy material and including an exterior fuel rod receiving surface and a tapped hole in a lower end thereof, and a lower portion constructed of a second alloy material and including upper and lower threaded sections, the upper threaded section receivable within the tapped hole and the lower threaded section receivable within a tapped hole in the lower tie plate. The threaded end plug may be used with full length fuel rods as well as bundle tie rods. A related method of removing the fuel rod with the improved end plug from the lower tie plate is also disclosed.

US Patent:

56109610, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Dec 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/567152

Inventors:

Thomas G. Dunlap - Wilmington NC
Richard A. Proebstle - Wrightsville Beach NC
Robert B. Elkins - Wilmington NC
Christian D. Frederickson - Wilmington NC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 3322

US Classification:

376446

Abstract:

A fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor vessel includes a plurality of fuel rods, at least one coolant rod, a lower tie plate supporting the fuel rods and coolant rod, and a channel surrounding the fuel rods, coolant rod and tie plate. The lower tie plate is supported by the channel such that the channel carries a load of the fuel assembly. In one aspect of the invention, a conventional upper tie plate is removed and a handle assembly is provided that includes two spring loaded latch pins engageable with corresponding apertures in the channel. A transition member supports the lower tie plate and is rigidly secured to the channel. Thus, when lifting the fuel assembly from the reactor, the channel bears the load of the fuel assembly. If it is desired to remove the fuel bundle from the channel, the handle assembly is released from the assembly by releasing the latch pins. The bundle can then be removed from the channel by attaching a grapple head to the coolant rod ends, which are specially shaped to facilitate an attachment tool.