Patent US3735550A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3735550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Loading of fuel rods
Assignee: Babcock and Wilcox Co
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Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of loading fuel rods of the nuclear variety with radioactive pellets wherein the rod is evacuated, subsequently filled with an inert gaseous atmosphere, loaded with such pellets in linear array, and sealed. The pellets in this method are brought in linear array from a supply station to a predetermined situs and then are transferred in such array into a linear bed which is subsequently sealed, evacuated of atmosphere and then filled with helium. The pellets are then transferred in such linear array from the bed to a communicating fuel rod and the latter is sealed in form for use in the core of a nuclear reactor.
Inventors
- 👤 C Moore
- 👤 W Heer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:56
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C21/00; G21C21/02; G21C21/08; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A process of loading fuel rods with pellets of a radioactive variety comprising: Transporting said pellets along a pivotal longitudinal path from a supply station, Transferring said pellets transversely from said path to an adjacent open V-shaped trough which communicates with the open end of said fuel rod, Sealing said trough and said open end of said fuel rod in communicating engagement and evacuating the voids throughout, Subsequently introducing an inert gaseous medium to said voids, Transferring said pellets from said trough to said fuel rod, and Sealing said open end of said fuel rod with a closure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process of loading fuel rods with pellets of a radioactive variety comprising: Transporting said pellets along a pivotal longitudinal path from a supply station, Transferring said pellets transversely from said path to an adjacent open V-shaped trough which communicates with the open end of said fuel rod, Sealing said trough and said open end of said fuel rod in communicating engagement and evacuating the voids throughout, Subsequently introducing an inert gaseous medium to said voids, Transferring said pellets from said trough to said fuel rod, and Sealing said open end of said fuel rod with a closure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said V-shaped trough is longitudinally adjacent said longitudinal path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said pellets are transferred to said V-shaped trough by pivoting said path transversely along its longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said trough is sealed in communicating relationship with said open end of said fuel rod by an overlay prior to evacuation of the voids of both.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 4 wherein helium is introduced into the voids of said trough and said fuel rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said pellets are longitudinally transferred from said trough to said fuel rod by means of a pusher.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for use in loading fuel rods with pellets of a radioactive variety comprising: A base, A V-shaped longitudinal trough mounted on said base and adapted to receive said pellets in linear array, said trough having one end adapted to axially receive an open end of said fuel rod, A movable longitudinal path of the U-shaped variety pivotally mounted in longitudinal relationship along one side of said V-shaped trough, said path utilized for transferring said pellets from a supply station to said V-shaped trough, A sealing overlay pivotally mounted along the other side of said V-shaped trough for separable overhead engagement with said trough, said overlay provided with means for providing in sequence a vacuum and inert gaseous medium to said trough, and Transfer means adapted for longitudinal movement of said pellets along said V-shaped trough into said fuel rod.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for use in loading fuel rods with pellets of a radioactive variety comprising: A base, A V-shaped longitudinal trough mounted on said base and adapted to receive said pellets in linear array, said trough having one end adapted to axially receive an open end of said fuel rod, A movable longitudinal path of the U-shaped variety pivotally mounted in longitudinal relationship along one side of said V-shaped trough, said path utilized for transferring said pellets from a supply station to said V-shaped trough, A sealing overlay pivotally mounted along the other side of said V-shaped trough for separable overhead engagement with said trough, said overlay provided with means for providing in sequence a vacuum and inert gaseous medium to said trough, and Transfer means adapted for longitudinal movement of said pellets along said V-shaped trough into said fuel rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said trough is provided with a V-shaped channel having means for sealing said fuel rod in communicating relationship when said overlay is sealed to said trough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said sealing means is a receptive slot for snugly fitting around the outer peripheral end portion of a fuel rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said movable longitudinal path is provided, in adjacent linear relationship, with a guard rail and guide means both of which form a U-shape with said path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said path is tilted to transversely transfer said linear array of pellets to said trough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the surface of said sealing overlay abutting said trough is provided with a maze of interconnected channels for use in evacuating and providing an inert atmosphere to the voids of said trough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said transfer means is a movable linear ram operatively sealed in the free end of said V-shaped channel of said trough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3212226A
Cited
US3364958A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |