US3816248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear fuel pin
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1971-06-16
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1991-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear fuel pin for a fast reactor comprising a can closed by end-plugs and containing a column of pellets of fissile material, the fuel pin being fitted with a spacer wire which is helically wound on the can and the extremities of which are attached to the end-plugs. The diameter of the can section which contains the fissile material is substantially constant along its entire length and slightly smaller than the diameter of the terminal portions which carry the end-plugs, the length of each terminal portion being at least equal to one-half the winding pitch of the spacer wire.
Inventors
- 👤 J Ratier
- 👤 A Cayol
- 👤 G Clottes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:39
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/17; G21C3/06; G21C3/12; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/336; G21C3/338; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A nuclear fuel pin for a fast reactor comprising an elongated generally open ended tube shaped can having open end portions, said can having at least one large diameter section and at least one small diameter section, end plugs sealingly closing the open end portions of said can, a spacer wire helically wound on the can with end portions of the wire attached to the end plugs, a column of pellets of fertile material positioned within the large diameter section of the can, a column of pellets of fissile material positioned within the small diameter section of said can, the small diameter section of the can containing the fissile material being of a substantially constant diameter along its entire length and of a slightly smaller diameter than the large diameter section of the can, the diameter of the end plugs being substantially identical with that of the large diameter section of the can, the length of each of the end portions of said can being at least equal to one-half of a winding pitch of the spacer wire on said can, whereby the small diameter section of the can containing the fissile material being smaller than that containing the fertile material compensates for a greater and increased expansion of the fissile material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A nuclear fuel pin for a fast reactor comprising an elongated generally open ended tube shaped can having open end portions, said can having at least one large diameter section and at least one small diameter section, end plugs sealingly closing the open end portions of said can, a spacer wire helically wound on the can with end portions of the wire attached to the end plugs, a column of pellets of fertile material positioned within the large diameter section of the can, a column of pellets of fissile material positioned within the small diameter section of said can, the small diameter section of the can containing the fissile material being of a substantially constant diameter along its entire length and of a slightly smaller diameter than the large diameter section of the can, the diameter of the end plugs being substantially identical with that of the large diameter section of the can, the length of each of the end portions of said can being at least equal to one-half of a winding pitch of the spacer wire on said can, whereby the small diameter section of the can containing the fissile material being smaller than that containing the fertile material compensates for a greater and increased expansion of the fissile material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fuel pin according to claim 1, having a fIssion-gas collecting chamber within the large-diameter section of the can containing fertile material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A fuel pin according to claim 1 for use in vertical condition for a reactor having an upward coolant flow, wherein the can section containing the fertile material is adjacent the bottom of the can and includes a fission-gas collection space and a spacer rigidly fixed to the can, the column of pellets of fertile material being supported on said spacer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fuel pin according to claim 1, having an intermediate plug formed with passageway for the fission gases secured to the can between the sections which contain the fertile material and the fissile material, respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3238108A
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US3140983A
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US3310474A
Cited
US3215606A
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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) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |