LARRY ANTHONY SHOCKLING
Engineers in Pittsburgh, PA

4863678, Sep 5, 1989

Aug 27, 1987

7/091056

Larry A. Shockling - Pittsburgh PA
Trevor A. Francis - Colombia SC

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

G21C 700

376327

A spider assembly for supporting a corresponding rod cluster in a pressurized water reactor vessel, through which the core outlet flow passes in a predetermined direction. Each spider assembly comprises a generally cylindrical, central hub disposed in parallel axial relationship to the predetermined direction of the core outlet flow and a plurality of vane assemblies. Each vane assembly comprises means for mounting at least one rod to the assembly and at least one vane element connecting the rod mounting means to the hub. Each vane element has generally parallel, major planar surfaces disposed parallel to the predetermined direction of flow and a square trailing edge configuration which mitigates the shedding forcing function on the spider resulting from the core outlet flow thereover, while maximizing material content and thereby the strength thereof. Further, each vane element defines a plane of symmetry intermediate the major planar surfaces thereof and a leading edge cross-sectional configuration which is non-symmetrical relative to the associated plane of symmetry and preferably which is substantially uniform and defines a flow stagnation line which is off-set from the plane of symmetry. Corresponding vane elements, extending in generally diametrically opposite directions from the hub and having aligned planes of symmetry, have flow stagnation lines which are offset in a common direction from the aligned, respective planes of symmetry; alternatively, adjacent pairs of equiangularly displaced vane elements may have oppositely directed such offsets, commonly for all such pairs.

6025083, Feb 15, 2000

Feb 25, 1998

9/030316

Stephen Emery Veyo - Murrysville PA
Jeffrey Todd Dederer - Valencia PA
John Thomas Gordon - Ambridge PA
Larry Anthony Shockling - Pittsburgh PA

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation - Orlando FL

H01M 800

429 13

An apparatus and method are disclosed for eliminating the chemical energy of fuel remaining in a fuel cell generator when the electrical power output of the fuel cell generator is terminated. During a generator shut down condition, electrically resistive elements are automatically connected across the fuel cell generator terminals in order to draw current, thereby depleting the fuel inventory in the generator. The invention provides a safety function in eliminating the fuel energy, and also provides protection to the fuel cell stack by eliminating overheating.