US3278388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Braces for fuel element clusters
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
•
Filing: 1964-05-07
•
Granted: 1966-10-11
•
Expires: 1984-05-07
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Thome Paul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:24
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/33; G21C3/34; G21C3/344; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
AN IMPROVED BRACE FOR SUPPORTING AND SPACING APART A PLURALITY OF FUEL PENCILS ARRANGED IN AT LEAST TWO RINGS AROUND A CENTRAL MEMBER AND FORMING A FUEL CLUSTER FOR A NUCLEAR REACTOR OF THE TYPE WHICH IS COOLED BY A HEATTRANSPORTING FLUID, SAID BRACE COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ANNULAR SUPPORT MEMBERS DISPOSED IN A COMMON PLANE AND ARRANGED IN AT LEAST TWO RINGS AROUND A CENTRAL SUPPORT MEMBER, EACH OF THE SUPPORT MEMBERS FORMING SAID RINGS HAVING SPACER MEMBERS EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM SPACING SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS APART RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, AT LEAST ALL OF THE SPACER MEMBERS CARRIED BY AND SPACING APART THE OUTER RING OF SUPPORT MEMBERS BEING WELDED TO EACH OTHER FORMING A SINGLE-PIECE OUTER RING.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
AN IMPROVED BRACE FOR SUPPORTING AND SPACING APART A PLURALITY OF FUEL PENCILS ARRANGED IN AT LEAST TWO RINGS AROUND A CENTRAL MEMBER AND FORMING A FUEL CLUSTER FOR A NUCLEAR REACTOR OF THE TYPE WHICH IS COOLED BY A HEATTRANSPORTING FLUID, SAID BRACE COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ANNULAR SUPPORT MEMBERS DISPOSED IN A COMMON PLANE AND ARRANGED IN AT LEAST TWO RINGS AROUND A CENTRAL SUPPORT MEMBER, EACH OF THE SUPPORT MEMBERS FORMING SAID RINGS HAVING SPACER MEMBERS EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM SPACING SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS APART RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, AT LEAST ALL OF THE SPACER MEMBERS CARRIED BY AND SPACING APART THE OUTER RING OF SUPPORT MEMBERS BEING WELDED TO EACH OTHER FORMING A SINGLE-PIECE OUTER RING.
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) | 1969-10-10 | 1970-04-11 | 1970-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-10-10 | 1974-04-11 | 1974-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-10-10 | 1978-04-11 | 1978-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |