US3665586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear fuel rod supporting arrangements
Assignee: Babcock and Wilcox Co
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Filing: 1968-11-07
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1988-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A combination of a frame for holding a movable nuclear fuel bearing member in place within a nuclear reactor, wherein the frame includes at least one open-ended cell which forms a passageway within which the member may be held and resilient means for holding the member within the passageway; and means for temporarily enlarging the passageway to enable the member to be freely moved within the passageway. In addition, there is provided a method of assembling a nuclear fuel rod with a grid structure of the type which has resilient means for firmly supporting the fuel rod within a nuclear reactor, wherein the improvement comprises, temporarily deflecting the resilient means to allow the fuel rod to be moved within the grid structure without being fretted thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 Felix S Jabsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:51
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/334; G21C3/34; G21C3/356; G21C3/3563; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/4987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of assembling a nuclear fuel rod with a grid member having wall structure, including a resilient portion, forming a passageway and supporting the fuel rod, the grid structure being adapted to receive rod means, said rod means having a camming surface, comprising the steps of, positively outwardly deflecting the resilient portion of the wall structure and holding it in this position by forcing the camming surface of the rod means against the resilient portion of the wall structurE to allow relatively free longitudinal movement of the fuel rod within the passageway; then, while the resilient portion of the wall structure is in the deflected state, inserting and positioning the fuel rod in the passageway; and, after the fuel rod is positioned, removing the rod means to release the resilient portion of the wall structure, whereby the wall structure firmly engages the fuel rod and supports it within the passageway.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of assembling a nuclear fuel rod with a grid member having wall structure, including a resilient portion, forming a passageway and supporting the fuel rod, the grid structure being adapted to receive rod means, said rod means having a camming surface, comprising the steps of, positively outwardly deflecting the resilient portion of the wall structure and holding it in this position by forcing the camming surface of the rod means against the resilient portion of the wall structurE to allow relatively free longitudinal movement of the fuel rod within the passageway; then, while the resilient portion of the wall structure is in the deflected state, inserting and positioning the fuel rod in the passageway; and, after the fuel rod is positioned, removing the rod means to release the resilient portion of the wall structure, whereby the wall structure firmly engages the fuel rod and supports it within the passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the rod means includes two rod members each having a camming surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the resilient portion of the wall structure includes two resilient sections substantially normal to one another and wherein each of the resilient sections is held in a deflected state by the camming surface of one of the rod members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3380890A
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US3369973A
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US3379617A
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US3350275A
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US3379619A
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US3442763A
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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) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |