KEITH JEFFREY DRUDY
Engineering in New Kensington, PA
License number
Pennsylvania ET011935
Category
Engineers
Type
Engineer in Training
Address
Address
New Kensington, PA 15068
Professional information
Method Of Achieving Automatic Axial Power Distribution Control
US Patent:
2013010, Apr 25, 2013
Filed:
Oct 24, 2011
Appl. No.:
13/279596
Inventors:
Keith J. Drudy - New Kensington PA, US
Norman P. Mueller - Trafford PA, US
Elijah A. Richter - Pittsburgh PA, US
Norman P. Mueller - Trafford PA, US
Elijah A. Richter - Pittsburgh PA, US
Assignee:
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC - Cranberry Township PA
International Classification:
G21C 7/08
US Classification:
376237
Abstract:
A control strategy for a pressurized water nuclear reactor that employs separate, independent control rod banks for respectively controlling Tand axial offset within corresponding deadbands. The strategy does not permit the control banks controlling reactor core power and the control banks controlling axial offset to move together, but normally gives preference to the control banks controlling the Texcept when a demand signal is received simultaneously by both independent control rod banks to move in a same direction, in which case, the control bank compensating for the axial offset is given preference.
Advanced Gray Rod Control Assembly
US Patent:
8537962, Sep 17, 2013
Filed:
Feb 8, 2008
Appl. No.:
12/028119
Inventors:
Keith J. Drudy - New Kensington PA, US
William R. Carlson - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael E. Conner - Elgin SC, US
Mark Goldenfield - Columbia SC, US
Michael J. Hone - New Alexandria PA, US
Jerod Parkinson - Lexington SC, US
Radu O. Pomirleanu - Monroeville PA, US
William R. Carlson - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael E. Conner - Elgin SC, US
Mark Goldenfield - Columbia SC, US
Michael J. Hone - New Alexandria PA, US
Jerod Parkinson - Lexington SC, US
Radu O. Pomirleanu - Monroeville PA, US
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC - Cranberry Township PA
International Classification:
G21C 7/08, G21C 7/10, G21C 7/103
US Classification:
376327, 376339
Abstract:
An advanced gray rod control assembly (GRCA) for a nuclear reactor. The GRCA provides controlled insertion of gray rod assemblies into the reactor, thereby controlling the rate of power produced by the reactor and providing reactivity control at full power. Each gray rod assembly includes an elongated tubular member, a primary neutron-absorber disposed within the tubular member said neutron-absorber comprising an absorber material, preferably tungsten, having a 2200 m/s neutron absorption microscopic capture cross-section of from 10 to 30 barns. An internal support tube can be positioned between the primary absorber and the tubular member as a secondary absorber to enhance neutron absorption, absorber depletion, assembly weight, and assembly heat transfer characteristics.