DAVID ALLEN HOWELL
Engineers in Murrysville, PA
License number
Pennsylvania PE036656E
Category
Engineers
Type
Professional Engineer
Address
Address
Murrysville, PA 15668
Professional information
System For Automatic Refueling Of A Nuclear Reactor
US Patent:
5490185, Feb 6, 1996
Filed:
Jul 23, 1993
Appl. No.:
8/096316
Inventors:
Thomas H. Dent - Greensburg PA
David A. Howell - Murrysville PA
Louis J. Tylman - Penn Township, Westmoreland County PA
David A. Howell - Murrysville PA
Louis J. Tylman - Penn Township, Westmoreland County PA
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA
International Classification:
G21C 1902
US Classification:
376268
Abstract:
A refueling system for a nuclear power plant utilizing a data network to provide for automatic control and enhanced monitoring of the entire fuel transfer process. The refueling system of this invention provides integrated control of the refueling machine within the containment building, the spent fuel handling machine within the fuel storage building, and the fuel transfer system between the buildings. The system provides supervisory control of the overall system operation via a remote control station, while at the same time, having the capability for local on-line control of each element of the system in the event of network failure. The system may automatically identify individual fuel assemblies with an optical scanner. An in-mast sipper connected to the network automatically tests for leaking fuel assemblies. A revised core load pattern and a revised sequence plan can be calculated by the system in the event of the discovery of a leaking fuel assembly.