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US3717765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for non-destructive consumption testing of reactor fuel elements
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1971-03-30
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1991-03-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the non-destructive consumption testing of nuclear fuel elements in a basin includes inserting at least one gamma ray collimator through the wall of the basin and having one end thereof connected to a gamma spectrometer. The other end of the collimator is coupled to a water evacuated tube connected with the guide structure of the fuel element being tested. The fuel element is vertically moved past the collimator so that the consumption state of the element can be tested.
Inventors
- 👤 S Hiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:36
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/06; G21C17/063; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for non-destructive consumption testing of nuclear reactor fuel elements in a fuel element decay basin wherein said decay basin has a wall comprising a gamma spectrometer, a gamma radiation collimator, said wall having a through-hole in which said collimator is positioned, said spectrometer communicating with one end of said collimator, a guide structure vertically disposed in said basin for holding the fuel element to be tested, said fuel cell being moved past the other end of said collimator, said collimator being directed towards said fuel element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for non-destructive consumption testing of nuclear reactor fuel elements in a fuel element decay basin wherein said decay basin has a wall comprising a gamma spectrometer, a gamma radiation collimator, said wall having a through-hole in which said collimator is positioned, said spectrometer communicating with one end of said collimator, a guide structure vertically disposed in said basin for holding the fuel element to be tested, said fuel cell being moved past the other end of said collimator, said collimator being directed towards said fuel element.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for non-destructive consumption testing of nuclear reactor fuel elements in a fuel element decay basin wherein said decay basin has a wall comprising a gamma spectrometer, a gamma radiation collimator, said wall having a through-hole in which said collimator is positioned, said spectrometer communicating with one end of said collimator, a guide structure vertically disposed in said basin for holding the fuel element to be tested, said fuel cell being moved past the other end of said collimator, said collimator being directed towards said fuel element.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for non-destructive consumption testing of nuclear reactor fuel elements in a fuel element decay basin wherein said decay basin has a wall comprising a gamma spectrometer, a gamma radiation collimator, said wall having a through-hole in which said collimator is positioned, said spectrometer communicating with one end of said collimator, a guide structure vertically disposed in said basin for holding the fuel element to be tested, said fuel cell being moved past the other end of said collimator, said collimator being directed towards said fuel element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said through-hole terminates in said wall approximately at the top of said guide structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, comprising a water-evacuated tube connected to said guide structure and being directed towards said collimator, said tube preventing absorption of radiation in the water in the basin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fuel element is rectangular in cross-section, the sides of said fuel element being supported by said guide structure to be at approximately a 45* angle with respect to the axis of said collimator, said collimator being directed towards a corner fuel rod in said element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said tube is axially aligned with said collimator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, comprising at least two collimators and respective gamma spectrometers, said two collimators located in said wall and being directed toward the fuel element perpendicularly to each other, said two collimators being at the same height with respect to said basin and being directed toward different corner fuel rods of said fuel element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, comprising at least two water-evacuated tubes coaxial with respective ones of said two collimators.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collimator is provided with diaphragm means for adjusting the cross-sectional area of said collimator, said collimator being embedded in said wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for vertically moving said fuel element past said collimator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |