US3742367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non destructive detection process for nuclear fuel rods
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-09-22
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1990-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of detecting moisture and reactive gases in assembled nuclear fuel rods is disclosed in which an alloy of zirconium, nickel and titanium is added to the fuel rod. The fuel rod is uniformly heated for a sufficient time to vaporize moisture in the fuel rod enabling reaction between the alloy and the moisture and reactive gases. The presence of reaction products containing hydrogen can be detected by neutron radiography.
Inventors
- 👤 L Grossman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:58
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/06; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06; G01N23/09; G01N23/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the heating step is performed at a temperature in the range of about 200* to about 650*C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 in which the heating step is performed at a temperature of about 400*C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the alloy has from about 3 to about 12 weight percent nickel, from about 3 to about 30 weight percent titanium and the balance is zirconium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 4 in which the alloy has a nickel content of about 4 weight percent and a titanium content of about 11 weight percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 4 in which the alloy has a nickel content of about 12 weight percent and a titanium content of about 11 weight percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the heating step is performed for a time period of about one-tenth of an hour to about 10 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the alloy is fabricated into sheet form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 8 in which the sheet form of the alloy is in thin strips positioned in a coil of a coil hold-down spring in the fuel rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the examination by neutron radiography is conducted using neutron radiographic transmission.
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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |