Patent FR2402985B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3801449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Nuclear reactor fuel element
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1971-05-11
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1991-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A fuel element which is constituted by a vertically-disposed leak-tight can containing a column of pellets of fissile or fertile material carried by a rigidly fixed bearing member having at least one axial duct essentially comprises an intermediate component which is slidably mounted between the column and the bearing member. Longitudinal grooves are formed in the cylindrical wall of the intermediate component and communicate with radial grooves formed in the flat end faces of the component.
Inventors
- 👤 A Cayol
- 👤 G Clottes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:01
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A nuclear reactor vertical fuel element comprising an elongated leak-tight can, a bearing member rigidly fixed in said can, at least one axial passage in said member, a column of fuel pellets carried by said bearing member said passage opening into a gas-collection space beneath said bearing member, an intermediate component slidably mounted within said can between said column of fuel pellets and said bearing member, a cylindrical wall and flat end faces for said intermediate component, longitudinal grooves in said cylindrical wall of said intermediate component establishing communication past said component and radial grooves in the flat end faces of said component opening into said longitudinal grooves and said radial grooves opening into said axial passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A nuclear reactor vertical fuel element comprising an elongated leak-tight can, a bearing member rigidly fixed in said can, at least one axial passage in said member, a column of fuel pellets carried by said bearing member said passage opening into a gas-collection space beneath said bearing member, an intermediate component slidably mounted within said can between said column of fuel pellets and said bearing member, a cylindrical wall and flat end faces for said intermediate component, longitudinal grooves in said cylindrical wall of said intermediate component establishing communication past said component and radial grooves in the flat end faces of said component opening into said longitudinal grooves and said radial grooves opening into said axial passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
A nuclear reactor vertical fuel element comprising an elongated leak-tight can, a bearing member rigidly fixed in said can, at least one axial passage in said member, a column of fuel pellets carried by said bearing member, said passage opening into a gas-collection space beneath said bearing member, an intermediate component slidably mounted within said can between said column of fuel pellets and said bearing member, a cylindrical wall and flat end faces for said intermediate component, longitudinal grooves in said cylindrical wall of said intermediate component establishing communication past said intermediate component and radial grooves in the flat end faces of said intermediate component opening into said longitudinal grooves and said radial grooves opening into said axial passage, said intermediate component being a thick cylindrical disc provided on each face with two crossed radial grooves opening into longitudinal grooves which are parallel to the axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
A nuclear reactor vertical fuel element comprising an elongated leak-tight can, a bearing member rigidly fixed in said can, at least one axial passage in said member, a column of fuel pellets carried by said bearing member, said passage opening into a gas-collection space beneath said bearing member, an intermediate component slidably mounted within said can between said column of fuel pellets and said bearing member, a cylindrical wall and flat end faces for said intermediate component, longitudinal grooves in said cylindrical wall of said intermediate component establishing communication past said intermediate component and radial grooves in the flat end faces of said intermediate component opening into said longitudinal grooves and said radial grooves opening into said axial passage, said intermediate component being a thick cylindrical disc provided on each face with two crossed radial grooves opening into longitudinal grooves which are parallel to the axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A nuclear fuel element according to claim 2, said bearing member being an intermediate plug interconnecting two can sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A nuclear fuel element according to claim 2 for a reactor of the upward coolant flow type, wherein said fuel element includes a plurality of columns of pellets each resting on a bearing member and separated therefrom by an intermediate component, a lowermost bearing member and a single fission-gas collection space located beneath the lowermost bearing member of the fuel element, the pellets of the column which rest on said lowermost bearing member having an axial duct.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |