US3828868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor
Assignee: Babcock International Ltd
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Filing: 1973-01-12
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear reactor fuel assembly in which both fuel rods and control rod guide tubes are held in a predetermined parallel spacing relation by a pair of spaced end grids. The guide tubes are secured to the end grids by releaseable connection means that allow the tubes to be installed and individually replaced with the fuel rods already installed in the assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 F Jabsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:22
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/334; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor having a plurality of fuel rods and at least one control rod guide tube having a first and a second end held in parallel spaced apart relation by a first and a second grid, the improvement comprising the separable engagement of said guide tubes from each of said grids for removal of said guide tubes without altering the posture, position or attitude of said fuel rods in said grids, a threaded sleeve integral with the first guide tube end, first securing means for separable engagement with said threaded sleeve after passage of the first guide tube end through said first grid which it engages, a shank integrally provided on the second end of the guide tube, a bushing having an interior for mating engagement with said shank, at least one spacer ring positioned within said grid, said ring having an interior surface for separable engagement with the outer surface of said bushing, a shoulder formed on Said shank to limit the movement of said bushing on said shank and, second securing means on the extremital end of said shank facilitate release of the connections between said first and second grids for removal of the guide tube therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor having a plurality of fuel rods and at least one control rod guide tube having a first and a second end held in parallel spaced apart relation by a first and a second grid, the improvement comprising the separable engagement of said guide tubes from each of said grids for removal of said guide tubes without altering the posture, position or attitude of said fuel rods in said grids, a threaded sleeve integral with the first guide tube end, first securing means for separable engagement with said threaded sleeve after passage of the first guide tube end through said first grid which it engages, a shank integrally provided on the second end of the guide tube, a bushing having an interior for mating engagement with said shank, at least one spacer ring positioned within said grid, said ring having an interior surface for separable engagement with the outer surface of said bushing, a shoulder formed on Said shank to limit the movement of said bushing on said shank and, second securing means on the extremital end of said shank facilitate release of the connections between said first and second grids for removal of the guide tube therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The fuel assembly of claim 1 further comprising another bushing having an inner surface for engaging the first grid, a shoulder stop formed on said sleeve in order to engage said another bushing and directly limit the mating movement of said first securing means on said sleeve.
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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |