US3629066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel assembly for nuclear reactors and helical spacers have bundles of fuel pins
Assignee: ABB Norden Holding AB
•
Filing: 1968-08-09
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1988-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A fuel assembly for nuclear reactors is formed of a polygonal sheathing tube and a bundle of fuel pins inside the tube. The pins are provided with helically wound spacer elements of equal pitch. The fuel pins are of two different types, pins of type B having one more spacer element than those of type A. Each pin of type A is surrounded by six pins of type B, and each fuel pin of type B, except those at the sides of the bundle, is surrounded by alternate pins of types A and B.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Olof Andersson
- 👤 Per Anders Ekwall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:11
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/336; G21C3/338; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
30 words
A fuel assembly according to claim 1, each fuel comprising ceramic nuclear fuel surrounded by a cladding tube, said spacer elements consisting of the same material as the cladding tubes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fuel assembly according to claim 1, wherein each spacer element consists of a wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fuel assembly according to claim 3, wherein the wire is attached to fuel pin only at the ends of the wire and under prestress.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fuel assembly according to claim 2, wherein each spacer element consists of a fin manufactured in one piece with the cladding tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fuel assembly according to claim 1, wherein each fuel pin carries a narrow resilient pin arranged as an extension of the fuel pin, the free end of the extension pin being attached to the grid plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A fuel assembly according to claim 1, in which the fuel pins are spaced apart by a nominal distance, wherein each fuel pin combination B carries a single spacer element, the spacer element in radial direction having a height substantially equal to the nominal distance between two Adjacent fuel pins.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A fuel assembly according to claim 1, which the fuel pins are spaced apart by a nominal distance, wherein each fuel pin combination B carries two diametrically opposite spacer elements and each fuel pin A carries one single spacer element, the spacer elements in radial direction having a height substantially equal to half the nominal distance between two adjacent fuel pins.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2902422A
Cited
US3096264A
Cited
US3179571A
Cited
US3318778A
Cited
US3290224A
Cited
US3330736A
Cited
US3310474A
Cited
US3309283A
Cited
US3361640A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |