US3603415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thulium oxide heat source and method for forming same
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1968-08-09
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1988-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An internally shielded radioisotopic heat block with the preferred fuel, thulium oxide rods, separated from the coolant by a metal heat-exchange medium. The fuel elements may be removed from the heat block with only moderate shielding and reirradiated while still clad.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H Allen
- 👤 Charles E Leach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:44
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21H; G21H3/00; G21G; G21G4/00; G21G4/04; G21G4/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of removable plugs in the upper head mating with the fuel elements and maintaining said fuel elements in the fuel tubes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the fuel elements comprise a gripping portion at the top thereof, an encapsulated fuel portion shorter than the distance between the upper and lower heads an means for projecting the gripping portion at least part way through the upper head upon removal of the mating plug therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the fuel elements have a slotted connecting member of smaller diameter than the encapsulating material connected to the end of the encapsulating material closest to the upper head; a sheath of the same diameter as the encapsulating material positioned over said connecting member and slidable in relation thereto, said sheath having an internal roll pin positioned within the slot in the connecting member and slidable therewith; and a spring positioned about the connecting member between the encapsulating material and the sheath urging the sheath away from the encapsulating material, whereby removal of the mating plug from the upper head results in movement of the sheath and gripping portion through the upper head until the roll pin contacts one end of the slot preventing further movement of the sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the heat-exchange medium is compacted powdered metal and the thulium oxide rods are about 0.171 inches in diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the heat-exchange medium is tungsten and the encapsulating material is selected from the class consisting of titanium, beryllium and zirconium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fuel element comprising a cladding material encapsulating a rod greater than 0.04 inch in diameter containing a radioisotope of thulium oxide substantially uniformly distributed throughout the rod and further comprising a slotted connecting member of smaller diameter than the cladding material connected to one end of the cladding material; a sheath of the same diameter as the cladding material positioned over said connecting member and slidable in relation thereto, said sheath having an internal roll pin positioned within the slot in the connecting member and slidable therewith; and a spring positioned about the connecting member between the cladding material and the sheath luring the sheath away from the cladding material until the roll pin contacts one end of the slot preventing further movement of the sheath.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of utilizing thulium for heating comprising: encapsulating and forming 169Tm2O3 into elongated rods greater than 0.04 inches in diameter; irradiating the encapsulated rods in a neutron flux comprising at least one-third epithermal neutrons to produce 170Tm2O3 substantially evenly distributed throughout the rods; maintaining the irradiated rods in heat exchange relationship to a coolant; and reirradiating the rods by introducing the encapsulated rods into a neutron flux comprising at least one-third epithermal neutrons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the rod is about 0.171 inches in diameter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3350231A
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US3306045A
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US3378449A
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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) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |