Location History:
- Sagamihara, JP (1980 - 1981)
- Katsuta, JP (1987 - 1995)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1980-1995
Title: Kunitoshi Kurihara: Innovator in Fuel Assembly Technology
Introduction
Kunitoshi Kurihara is a prominent inventor based in Katsuta, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of nuclear engineering, particularly in the design of fuel assemblies and reactor cores. With a total of 10 patents to his name, Kurihara's work has advanced the efficiency and safety of nuclear reactors.
Latest Patents
Kurihara's latest patents focus on innovative designs for fuel assemblies. One notable patent describes a fuel assembly that comprises fuel rods arranged in a square lattice pattern of 10 rows and 10 columns. This design includes three large-diameter water rods positioned along a diagonal line, which accommodates 10 fuel rods. The arrangement of partial length fuel rods in the outermost layer enhances the assembly's performance by reducing the void coefficient and improving reactivity control. Another patent details a second fuel rod design that features a smaller outer diameter than ordinary first fuel rods. This design allows for a narrower pitch between the second fuel rods, which helps to maintain a lower power per unit length and enhances thermal neutron flux around the first fuel rods.
Career Highlights
Kunitoshi Kurihara has built a successful career at Hitachi, Ltd., where he has been instrumental in developing advanced nuclear technologies. His innovative approaches have not only improved fuel economy but have also contributed to safer reactor operations. His expertise in fuel assembly design has positioned him as a key figure in the nuclear engineering community.
Collaborations
Kurihara has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Motoo Aoyama and Junichi Yamashita. Their combined efforts have led to significant advancements in the field, showcasing the importance of teamwork in driving innovation.
Conclusion
Kunitoshi Kurihara's contributions to fuel assembly technology have made a lasting impact on the nuclear engineering sector. His innovative designs and collaborative spirit continue to inspire advancements in reactor safety and efficiency.