US3072552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel element interlocking arrangement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1959-05-14
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Granted: 1963-01-08
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Expires: 1979-05-14
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Fortescue Peter
- 👤 Nicoll David
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:39
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
IN A FUEL ELEMENT FOR A NEUTRONIC REACTOR, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING AN INTERLOCKING MEANS SECURED TO SAID FUEL ELEMENT ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF AND INCLUDING PORTIONS PROJECTTING LATERALLY AWAY FROM THE FUEL ELEMENT CASING, SAID PROJECTING PORTIONS ALTERNATELY DEFINING MALE AND FEMALE ELEMENTS ADAPTED FOR LATERAL INTERLOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH SIMILAR FEMALE ELEMENTS AND MALE ELEMENTS, RESPECTIVELY, ON ADJACENT FUEL ELEMENTS, WHEREBY SAID FUEL ELEMENTS ARE POSITIVELY INTERLOCKED AGAINST LATERAL DISPLACEMENT WHILE ANY FUEL ELEMENT IS LONGITUDINALLY REMOVABLE OUT OF THE REACTOR AND THE LATERAL STABILITY OF THE ADJOINING FUEL ELEMENTS IS UNDISTURBED.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
IN A FUEL ELEMENT FOR A NEUTRONIC REACTOR, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING AN INTERLOCKING MEANS SECURED TO SAID FUEL ELEMENT ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF AND INCLUDING PORTIONS PROJECTTING LATERALLY AWAY FROM THE FUEL ELEMENT CASING, SAID PROJECTING PORTIONS ALTERNATELY DEFINING MALE AND FEMALE ELEMENTS ADAPTED FOR LATERAL INTERLOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH SIMILAR FEMALE ELEMENTS AND MALE ELEMENTS, RESPECTIVELY, ON ADJACENT FUEL ELEMENTS, WHEREBY SAID FUEL ELEMENTS ARE POSITIVELY INTERLOCKED AGAINST LATERAL DISPLACEMENT WHILE ANY FUEL ELEMENT IS LONGITUDINALLY REMOVABLE OUT OF THE REACTOR AND THE LATERAL STABILITY OF THE ADJOINING FUEL ELEMENTS IS UNDISTURBED.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1966-01-07 | 1966-07-09 | 1967-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1970-01-07 | 1970-07-09 | 1971-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1974-01-07 | 1974-07-09 | 1975-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |