US3644174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressurized fuel element
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1968-06-19
•
Granted: 1972-02-22
•
Expires: 1988-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A metallic clad sealed fuel element for a nuclear reactor is internally pressurized to resist creep collapse in the early stage of burnup. The fuel element has a normally sealed plenum chamber which is rupturable when a predetermined increased pressure is reached during burnup to provide a void space for fission gases.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry M Ferrari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/17; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A fuel element for nuclear reactors which comprises: a sealed generally tubular sheath containing nuclear fuel, said sealed sheath being internally pressurized initially with a gaseous atmosphere at a selected pressure above 100 p.s.i., a sealed chamber totally contained within the sheath, said chamber being isolated from the internal pressure within the sheath, the interior of said chamber being at a lower pressure than that to which the sheath is pre-pressurized, and means rupturable for providing access to the interior of said chamber after a predetermined increase in the pressure within the sheath due to the accumulation of fission products.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fuel element for nuclear reactors which comprises: a sealed generally tubular sheath containing nuclear fuel, said sealed sheath being internally pressurized initially with a gaseous atmosphere at a selected pressure above 100 p.s.i., a sealed chamber totally contained within the sheath, said chamber being isolated from the internal pressure within the sheath, the interior of said chamber being at a lower pressure than that to which the sheath is pre-pressurized, and means rupturable for providing access to the interior of said chamber after a predetermined increase in the pressure within the sheath due to the accumulation of fission products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel element of claim 8 wherein said access providing means comprises a wall forming a part of said normally isolated chamber, said wall having a section rupturable at a predetermined pressure lower than that at which the remainder of the wall ruptures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel element of claim 2 wherein said wall separates the normally sealed chamber from said nuclear fuel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel element of claim 3 wherein the tubular sheath forms a wall of the normally isolated chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel element of claim 2 wherein said wall forms a wall of a sealed can which enclosed the low-pressure chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel element of claim 2 wherein said sheath includes a plurality of normally isolated chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel element of claim 6 wherein the rupturable section of each normally sealed chamber ruptures at a different predetermined pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |