Patent US3240673A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3240673A
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Nuclear reactor fuel element leak detection
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1961-12-04
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Granted: 1966-03-15
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Expires: 1981-12-04
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Stubbs Frederick John
- 👤 Walton Gilbert Northcott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:14
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/02; G21C17/04; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A METHOD OF OPERATING A GAS-COOLED NUCLEAR REACTOR OF THE KIND IN WHICH THE FUEL ELEMENTS THEREOF COMPRISE NUCLEAR FUEL MEMBERS EACH ENCLOSED IN A PROTECTIVE SHEATH AND IN WHICH MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR MONITORING THE COOLANT GAS PASSING THROUGH INDIVIDUAL COOLANT CHANNELS IN THE REACTORS FOR THE PRESENCE OF FISSION PRODUCTS EMITTED FROM FUEL ELEMENTS IN SAID CHANNELS, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEP OF RAISING THE TEMPERATURE OF FUEL ELEMENTS IN A COOLANT CHANNEL IN THE REACTOR BY AT LEAST 4*C. PER MINUTE TO A FINAL TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 400* C., WHILST THE REACTOR IS OPERATED AT POWER, WHEREBY A TRANSIENT BURST OF FISSION PRODUCTS IS EMITTED FROM ANY EXISTING LEAKS IN THE FUEL ELEMENT SHEATHS INTO THE COOLANT PASSING THROUGH SAID CHANNEL, AND MEASURING THE ACTIVITY OF THE COOLANT GAS FROM SUCH CHANNEL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A METHOD OF OPERATING A GAS-COOLED NUCLEAR REACTOR OF THE KIND IN WHICH THE FUEL ELEMENTS THEREOF COMPRISE NUCLEAR FUEL MEMBERS EACH ENCLOSED IN A PROTECTIVE SHEATH AND IN WHICH MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR MONITORING THE COOLANT GAS PASSING THROUGH INDIVIDUAL COOLANT CHANNELS IN THE REACTORS FOR THE PRESENCE OF FISSION PRODUCTS EMITTED FROM FUEL ELEMENTS IN SAID CHANNELS, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEP OF RAISING THE TEMPERATURE OF FUEL ELEMENTS IN A COOLANT CHANNEL IN THE REACTOR BY AT LEAST 4*C. PER MINUTE TO A FINAL TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 400* C., WHILST THE REACTOR IS OPERATED AT POWER, WHEREBY A TRANSIENT BURST OF FISSION PRODUCTS IS EMITTED FROM ANY EXISTING LEAKS IN THE FUEL ELEMENT SHEATHS INTO THE COOLANT PASSING THROUGH SAID CHANNEL, AND MEASURING THE ACTIVITY OF THE COOLANT GAS FROM SUCH CHANNEL.
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) | 1969-03-14 | 1969-09-13 | 1970-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-03-14 | 1973-09-13 | 1974-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-03-14 | 1977-09-13 | 1978-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |