Patent US3789476A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3789476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel assembly spacer
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-03-15
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for manufacturing an expanded sheet spacer for nuclear fuel rod assemblies is presented. In general the method has the first step of forming a plurality of spaced slits along parallel lines on a sheet material so that each slit has a length of at least two times the distance between pairs of slits and the center of each slit is located adjacent the space between slits of the next line of slits. The second step of the method is bending the sheet below each slit perpendicular to the slits so that a portion of the sheet below each slit is displaced in the same direction away from the original plane of said sheet and a plurality of channels having axes substantially parallel to each other and to the plane of the sheet are formed.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ripley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:40
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D47/00; B21D53/00; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/34; G21C3/3424; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/18; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/496
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of manufacturing a spacer for a nuclear reactor comprising the steps of: a. forming a plurality of slits regularly spaced along parallel lines on a sheet material, each slit having a length of at least two times the distance between pairs of slits, the center of each slit being located adjacent the space between slits of the next line of slits; and b. simultaneously bending the sheet below each slit perpendicular to said slits displacing each portion of the sheet below each slit in the same direction away from the original plane of said sheet whereby a plurality of channels having axes substantially parallel to each other and to the plane of said sheet are formed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of manufacturing a spacer for a nuclear reactor comprising the steps of: a. forming a plurality of slits regularly spaced along parallel lines on a sheet material, each slit having a length of at least two times the distance between pairs of slits, the center of each slit being located adjacent the space between slits of the next line of slits; and b. simultaneously bending the sheet below each slit perpendicular to said slits displacing each portion of the sheet below each slit in the same direction away from the original plane of said sheet whereby a plurality of channels having axes substantially parallel to each other and to the plane of said sheet are formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein each of said slits has a length of about three times the distance between pairs of adjacent slits and said sheet is bent into a plurality of channels each having a hexagonal cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein each slit has a length of about twice the distance between pairs of adjacent slits and said sheet is bent into a plurality of channels each of which has a square cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of forming strain-relief holes in said sheet at the ends of each slit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of forming a plurality of dimples in said sheet, at least one of said dimples projecting into each channel.
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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) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |