US3787285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor and a nuclear reactor core comprising such fuel assemblies
Assignee: Atomenergikommissionen
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Filing: 1971-02-08
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1991-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A fuel assembly in which the fuel rods are arranged in a hexagonal or square, regular pattern, but in which single rods are omitted systematically and deflectors substituted therefor, each deflector normally being situated in a duct, the partition of which consists of six or eight fuel rods, respectively. The deflectors are rigidly connected to grids between the fuel rods so that the rods may expand freely in the grids.
Inventors
- 👤 J Marstrand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:01
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/322; G21C3/34; G21C3/344; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A fuel assembly for a boiling water nuclear reactor comprising: a plurality of parallel fuel rods arranged in groups in a regular repeating geometric figure, each group having a center, an elongated deflector surrounded at a distance by at least six fuel rods for deflecting a steam-water mixture flowing in its axial direction and thereby causing a substantial separation of water from steam by that deflector, the axis of said elongated deflector containing said centers and being generally parallel with axes of the surrounding fuel rods, a plurality of grids axially spaced apart on the assembly interconnecting said groups so as to permit axial expansion of the rods while supporting them against movement perpendicular to their axes, said grids having a pluraltiy of annular parts into which the deflectors fit, said elongated deflector passing through said plurality of grids.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A fuel assembly for a boiling water nuclear reactor comprising: a plurality of parallel fuel rods arranged in groups in a regular repeating geometric figure, each group having a center, an elongated deflector surrounded at a distance by at least six fuel rods for deflecting a steam-water mixture flowing in its axial direction and thereby causing a substantial separation of water from steam by that deflector, the axis of said elongated deflector containing said centers and being generally parallel with axes of the surrounding fuel rods, a plurality of grids axially spaced apart on the assembly interconnecting said groups so as to permit axial expansion of the rods while supporting them against movement perpendicular to their axes, said grids having a pluraltiy of annular parts into which the deflectors fit, said elongated deflector passing through said plurality of grids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claiM 1 in which said geometric figure is an isosceles triangle, each deflector being in the vertex of a group having six surrounding fuel rods, each of which also forms part of an adjacent group.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said geometric figure is a square, each deflector being in a group having eight surrounding fuel rods, each of which is also a part of an adjacent group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which comprise a plurality of annular parts into which the said annular parts are joined together by segments which define positions for holding said fuel rods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which the deflectors are generally helical in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 5 in which the deflectors are helical so as to force water to their peripheries while permitting generally axial passage of steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which the deflectors are of approximately the same length as the rods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which the deflectors are extruded sections having at least three vanes twisted in a helical pitch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2948517A
Cited
GB942591A
Cited
FR1434932A
Cited
US3393128A
Cited
US3379619A
Cited
FR1519657A
Cited
US3607639A
Cited
US3663367A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |