Kenneth J Swidwa

US Patent:

43115578, Jan 19, 1982

Filed:

Oct 12, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/084036

Inventors:

Edward F. Kowalski - Glen Hazel PA
Kenneth J. Swidwa - Cheswick PA
Leonard P. Hornak - North Huntington PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1920

US Classification:

376271

Abstract:

A refueling machine for inserting and removing fuel assemblies from a nuclear reactor including a pair of concentrically disposed stationary masts mounted on a movable bridge which spans the containment walls of the reactor. The bridge supports a trolley movable transversely to bridge movement thus providing an arrangement wherein the masts can be precisely positioned over a fuel assembly in the reactor core. A hoist mounted on the outer of the masts supports a vertically movable inner mast of a size sufficient to enclose a fuel assembly. An actuator tube inside the inner mast moves gripper fingers on the bottom thereof into engagement with the top nozzle of a fuel assembly prior to lifting it upwardly out of the reactor core.

US Patent:

49198815, Apr 24, 1990

Filed:

Jul 5, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/215116

Inventors:

Michael F. Hankinson - Monroeville PA
Kenneth J. Swidwa - North Versailles PA
Robert B. Salton - Plum Borough PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1920

US Classification:

376260

Abstract:

A remotely operated device which attaches to an existing internals lifting rig to safely lift and transport nuclear reactor internals structures. The device includes a grapple assembly uniquely formed to maximize the effective bearing surface of an annular shoulder disposed on the grapple assembly to engage the internal structure. The annular shoulder comprises a first outer diameter, the annular shoulder defining a second outer diameter disposed thereabove. The grapple assembly comprises a plurality of fingers circumferentially disposed about an actuator rod which has a diameter essentially equal to a first inner diameter of the grapple assembly. The lower end of the grapple assembly has a second inner diameter smaller than the first and axially adjacent to the annular shoulder. In order to maximize the bearing surface, the fingers of the grapple assembly are formed such that the first inner and outer diameters are machined with respect to a first axis, whereas the second inner and outer diameters are formed with respect to a second axis parallel to the first. These machining axes are offset from each other by a distance which is equal to the desired amount of radial expansion of the fingers.

US Patent:

20220229111, Jul 21, 2022

Filed:

May 7, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/595118

Inventors:

- Cranberry Township PA, US
Daniel G. GRUBER - White Oak PA, US
Mark A. BARTELS - Greensburg PA, US
Kenneth J. SWIDWA - North Huntingdon PA, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G01R 31/3185
G01R 35/00

Abstract:

A calibration system is disclosed. The calibration system includes a waveform generator configured to generate a periodic waveform and a control circuit in signal communication with the waveform generator. The control circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the periodic waveform to digital values and an electronic device in signal communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The electronic device is configured to verify calibration of (1) timing of the control circuit and (2) voltage levels of the control circuit based on the periodic waveform.