Vernon W Pence

US Patent:

6856663, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Feb 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

09/683823

Inventors:

Dennis Colditz - Downingtown PA, US
Vernon Walter Pence - San Jose CA, US
Terry L. Chapman - Los Gatos CA, US
Michael Jamie Baron - New Lenox IL, US
Robert David Geier - Woodridge IL, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C019/00

US Classification:

376260, 376261

Abstract:

A reactor servicing platform for a nuclear reactor is provided. The nuclear reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel positioned in a primary containment and at least one refuel bridge. The primary containment includes a refueling floor. The servicing platform, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a frame, a support structure, and a floor covering the frame. The floor includes a reactor access opening sized to permit access to the reactor pressure vessel.

US Patent:

6856664, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

May 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/429121

Inventors:

Vernon Walter Pence - San Jose CA, US
Terry L. Chapman - Los Gatos CA, US
John Edward Maslakowski - Westlake Village CA, US
Henry Peter Offer - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C019/00

US Classification:

376260, 376261

Abstract:

A modular reactor servicing platform for a nuclear reactor is provided. The modular servicing platform includes a plurality of modular sections coupled together, a support structure coupled to the coupled together modular sections, a center access opening, and a refuel access channel extending from the center access opening to an outer edge of the platform forming a substantially C-shaped servicing platform. Each modular section includes a plurality of interconnecting beams, and at least one floor panel attached to and covering the beams.

US Patent:

7139357, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Dec 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/005977

Inventors:

Dennis Colditz - Downingtown PA, US
Vernon Walter Pence - San Jose CA, US
Terry L. Chapman - Los Gatos CA, US
Michael Jamie Baron - New Lenox IL, US
Robert David Geier - Woodridge IL, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 19/00

US Classification:

376260, 376268, 376263

Abstract:

A method of servicing a nuclear reactor during a reactor outage is provided. The reactor includes a primary containment vessel and a reactor pressure vessel positioned in the primary containment vessel. The method includes positioning a servicing platform above the reactor pressure vessel and performing predetermined servicing operations on the reactor. The servicing platform includes a frame having a plurality of interconnected beams, a support structure attached to the frame, and a floor attached to a top of the frame. The floor includes a reactor access opening sized to permit access to the reactor pressure vessel. The servicing platform also includes at least one auxiliary platform movably coupled to the frame and extending into the access opening. The at least one auxiliary platform is movable along a perimeter of the access opening of the floor.

US Patent:

58021264, Sep 1, 1998

Filed:

May 8, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/848434

Inventors:

Jack T. Matsumoto - Sunnyvale CA
Benedict Kazirskis - Barto PA
Vernon W. Pence - San Jose CA
James F. Kasik - San Jose CA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 1900

US Classification:

376260

Abstract:

A remotely operated drilling tool is configured to produce holes in a core shroud support plate inside of a nuclear reactor vessel. The tool includes a support base that is securely mounted directly above the location where the hole will be formed. In a first operation, a drilling tool is secured to the support base and drills a hole through about 90% of the shroud support plate. The drilling tool includes chip capturing structure to prevent chip created by the machining process from contaminating the water in the reactor vessel. After about 90% of the hole is drilled with the drilling tool, an EDM tool is secured to the support base to machine the remainder of the hole using an EDM process. The EDM tool includes structure for machining the remainder of the hole, removing the slug from the hole, and performing a spotface on the underside of the shroud support plate. The underwater drilling tool is capable of producing high quality holes faster and more efficiently than the current EDM process, while maintaining control of all foreign material, minimizing the deleterious effects on the material being drilled, and reducing the risk associated with poor tool reliability and breakage.

US Patent:

56872054, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Sep 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/529229

Inventors:

Jack T. Matsumoto - Sunnyvale CA
Benedict Kazirskis - Barto PA
Vernon W. Pence - San Jose CA
James F. Kasik - San Jose CA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 1900

US Classification:

376260

Abstract:

A remotely operated drilling tool is configured to produce holes in a core shroud support plate inside of a nuclear reactor vessel. The tool includes a support base that is securely mounted directly above the location where the hole will be formed. In a first operation, a drilling tool is secured to the support base and drills a hole through about 90% of the shroud support plate. The drilling tool includes chip capturing structure to prevent chip created by the machining process from contaminating the water in the reactor vessel. After about 90% of the hole is drilled with the drilling tool, an EDM tool is secured to the support base to machine the remainder of the hole using an EDM process. The EDM tool includes structure for machining the remainder of the hole, removing the slug from the hole, and performing a spotface on the underside of the shroud support plate. The underwater drilling tool is capable of producing high quality holes faster and more efficiently than the current EDM process, while maintaining control of all foreign material, minimizing the deleterious effects on the material being drilled, and reducing the risk associated with poor tool reliability and breakage.

US Patent:

6309147, Oct 30, 2001

Filed:

May 6, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/073820

Inventors:

Jack T. Matsumoto - Sunnyvale CA
Benedict Kazirskis - Barto PA
Vernon W. Pence - San Jose CA
James F. Kasik - San Jose CA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B23B 4734

US Classification:

408 67

Abstract:

A remotely operated drilling tool is configured to produce holes in a core shroud support plate inside of a nuclear reactor vessel. The tool includes a support base that is securely mounted directly above the location where the hole will be formed. In a first operation, a drilling tool is secured to the support base and drills a hole through about 90% of the shroud support plate. The drilling tool includes chip capturing structure to prevent chip created by the machining process from contaminating the water in the reactor vessel. After about 90% of the hole is drilled with the drilling tool, an EDM tool is secured to the support base to machine the remainder of the hole using an EDM process. The EDM tool includes structure for machining the remainder of the hole, removing the slug from the hole, and performing a spotface on the underside of the shroud support plate. The underwater drilling tool is capable of producing high quality holes faster and more efficiently than the current EDM process, while maintaining control of all foreign material, minimizing the deleterious effects on the material being drilled, and reducing the risk associated with poor tool reliability and breakage.