US3268411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closure method and means for the ends of nuclear fuel rods having a very thin sheath
Assignee: European Atomic Energy Community Euratom
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Filing: 1965-02-15
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Granted: 1966-08-23
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Expires: 1985-02-15
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfille Lucien
- 👤 Bocquet Jean-Pierre
- 👤 Chaignon Roger
- 👤 Pramaggiore Aime
- 👤 Valentin Georges
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:50
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A METHOD OF CLOSING AN END OF A NUCLEAR ROD HAVING AN OUTER THIN FLEXIBLE SHEATH INTO WHICH NUCLEAR FUEL IS INSERTED, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: (A) INSERTING THE FUEL IN THE SHEATH SO THAT ONE END OF THE SHEATH EXTENDS BEYOND ONE END OF THE FUEL; (B) INSERTING IN SAID END OF THE SHEATH AND OVER SAID FUEL A METAL PLUG HAVING A PERIPHERAL OUTWARDLY RAISED EDGE UNTIL SAID SHEATH PROJECTS FROM THE EDGE OF SAID PLUG; (C) MOUNTING A FERRULE AROUND SAID END OF SAID SHEATH IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH SAID EDGE OF SAID PLUG WHEREBY SAID SHEATH EXTENDS BEYOND BOTH SAID PLUG EDGE AND FERRULE, AND (D) HEATNG SAID EXTENDING END OF SAID SHEATH AND THE ADJOINING PARTS OF SAID FERRULE AND EDGE TO WELD SAID SHEATH, FERRULE AND PLUG TOGETHER; (E) THE THICKNESS OF SAID EDGE AND FERRULE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THAT OF SAID SHEATH WHEREBY A PORTION OF THE WELDING HEAT MAY BE DISSIPATED IN THE FERRULE AND EDGE WHICH IS SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT BREAK-DOWN OF THE SHEATH.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A METHOD OF CLOSING AN END OF A NUCLEAR ROD HAVING AN OUTER THIN FLEXIBLE SHEATH INTO WHICH NUCLEAR FUEL IS INSERTED, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: (A) INSERTING THE FUEL IN THE SHEATH SO THAT ONE END OF THE SHEATH EXTENDS BEYOND ONE END OF THE FUEL; (B) INSERTING IN SAID END OF THE SHEATH AND OVER SAID FUEL A METAL PLUG HAVING A PERIPHERAL OUTWARDLY RAISED EDGE UNTIL SAID SHEATH PROJECTS FROM THE EDGE OF SAID PLUG; (C) MOUNTING A FERRULE AROUND SAID END OF SAID SHEATH IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH SAID EDGE OF SAID PLUG WHEREBY SAID SHEATH EXTENDS BEYOND BOTH SAID PLUG EDGE AND FERRULE, AND (D) HEATNG SAID EXTENDING END OF SAID SHEATH AND THE ADJOINING PARTS OF SAID FERRULE AND EDGE TO WELD SAID SHEATH, FERRULE AND PLUG TOGETHER; (E) THE THICKNESS OF SAID EDGE AND FERRULE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THAT OF SAID SHEATH WHEREBY A PORTION OF THE WELDING HEAT MAY BE DISSIPATED IN THE FERRULE AND EDGE WHICH IS SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT BREAK-DOWN OF THE SHEATH.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
CLOSING MEANS FOR AN END OF A NUCLEAR FUEL ROF HAVING A THIN SHEATH, GENERALLY THINNER THAN 0.1 MM., AND A PLUG IN ONE END OF SAID SHEATH FOR CLOSING SAID END, SAID PLUG FORMED PERIPHERALLY THEREOF WITH AN OUTWARDLY TURNED RAISED EDGE FOR OVERLAP WELDING WITH SAID SHEATH, SAID EDGE OF A THICKNESS ESSENTIALLY GREATER THAN THE THICKNESS OF SAID SHEATH, CHARACTERIZED BY A SECURING FERRULE MOUNTED OUTWARDLY OF SAID ONE END OF SAID SHEATH AND HAVING AN EXTREMITY OF A THICKNESS AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THAT OF THE CORRESPONDING EXTREMITY OF THE RAISED EDGE; THE EXTREMITIES OF THE FERRULE, SHEATH AND RAISED EDGE BEING WELDED TOGETHER.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
CLOSING MEANS FOR AN END OF A NUCLEAR FUEL ROF HAVING A THIN SHEATH, GENERALLY THINNER THAN 0.1 MM., AND A PLUG IN ONE END OF SAID SHEATH FOR CLOSING SAID END, SAID PLUG FORMED PERIPHERALLY THEREOF WITH AN OUTWARDLY TURNED RAISED EDGE FOR OVERLAP WELDING WITH SAID SHEATH, SAID EDGE OF A THICKNESS ESSENTIALLY GREATER THAN THE THICKNESS OF SAID SHEATH, CHARACTERIZED BY A SECURING FERRULE MOUNTED OUTWARDLY OF SAID ONE END OF SAID SHEATH AND HAVING AN EXTREMITY OF A THICKNESS AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THAT OF THE CORRESPONDING EXTREMITY OF THE RAISED EDGE; THE EXTREMITIES OF THE FERRULE, SHEATH AND RAISED EDGE BEING WELDED TOGETHER.
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) | 1969-08-22 | 1970-02-21 | 1970-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-08-22 | 1974-02-21 | 1974-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-08-22 | 1978-02-21 | 1978-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |