US3640844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power-flattened seed-blanket reactor core
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
•
Filing: 1969-11-07
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1989-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A seed-blanket breeder reactor core having a flattened power density distribution resulting from selective loading of fissile material in the reactor core to achieve a desired radial reactivity distribution. The seed geometry of fuel modules near the periphery of the core is altered so that their reactivity worth is greater than centrally located fuel modules. The increased reactivity of the peripheral modules causes the gross power distribution in the core to flatten.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Shank
- 👤 Carl E Zucker
- 👤 David H Jones
- 👤 Harry F Raab Jr
- 👤 Robert T Bayard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:58
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/005; G21C5/00; G21C5/18; G21C5/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
34 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the annular seed region thickness of said peripheral fuel modules is 1.2 to 1.8 inches greater than the annular seed region thickness of the centrally located fuel modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 1 further comprising a uranium-233 oxide bearing thoria blanket surrounding the peripheral fuel modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said uranium-233 oxide bearing thoria blanket comprises 1.5 weight percent of uranium-233 oxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3158543A
Cited
US3338790A
Cited
US3252867A
Cited
US3335060A
Cited
US3351532A
Cited
US3341420A
Cited
US3432389A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |