Patent US3240680A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3240680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor fuel assemblies
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1962-12-31
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Granted: 1966-03-15
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Expires: 1982-12-31
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Laithwaite John Michael
- 👤 Watson Eric
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:08
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/36; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR CASING, A PACK OF PLAIN-FACED CLAD FUEL PLATES EXTENDING AXIALLY WITHIN SAID CASING, UNFUELED SHEET METAL SPACERS, SAID SPACERS BEING GENERALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH AND INTERLEAVED BETWEEN SAID PLATES AND BETWEEN THE OUTER PLATES OF SAID PACK OF PLATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVELY OPPOSING CASING WALLS, SAID SPACERS BEING CORRUGATED TO GIVE LINES OF CONTACT WITH PLATES FROM ONE END OF SAID PACK TO THE OTHER END OF SAID PACK, SAID SPACERS BEING RESILIENTLY COMPRESSIBLE BY VIRTUE OF THE CORRUGATIONS AND BEING IN A STATE OF COMPRESSION WITHIN SAID ASSEMBLY TO HOLD SAID PACK OF PLATES TIGHTLY IN SAID CASING, AND WHEN IN SAID COMPRESSED STATE, THE SPACING OF SAID LINES OF CONTACT DOES NOT EXCEED SEVEN TIMES THE DISTANCE OF SEPARATION BETWEEN THE OPPOSED FACES OF ADJACENT FUEL PLATES.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR CASING, A PACK OF PLAIN-FACED CLAD FUEL PLATES EXTENDING AXIALLY WITHIN SAID CASING, UNFUELED SHEET METAL SPACERS, SAID SPACERS BEING GENERALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH AND INTERLEAVED BETWEEN SAID PLATES AND BETWEEN THE OUTER PLATES OF SAID PACK OF PLATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVELY OPPOSING CASING WALLS, SAID SPACERS BEING CORRUGATED TO GIVE LINES OF CONTACT WITH PLATES FROM ONE END OF SAID PACK TO THE OTHER END OF SAID PACK, SAID SPACERS BEING RESILIENTLY COMPRESSIBLE BY VIRTUE OF THE CORRUGATIONS AND BEING IN A STATE OF COMPRESSION WITHIN SAID ASSEMBLY TO HOLD SAID PACK OF PLATES TIGHTLY IN SAID CASING, AND WHEN IN SAID COMPRESSED STATE, THE SPACING OF SAID LINES OF CONTACT DOES NOT EXCEED SEVEN TIMES THE DISTANCE OF SEPARATION BETWEEN THE OPPOSED FACES OF ADJACENT FUEL PLATES.
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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 |