Patent US3840155A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3840155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Nuclear fuel handling powder container
Assignee: BOARDMAN CO
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Filing: 1972-04-18
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1992-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear fuel handling powder container especially suitable for conveying nuclear fuel in powder form consisting of air-tight vacuum load/unload containers used in an overhead rail system and incorporating structure and means for inducing the extremely heavy and active powdered metal to flow from the container. A discharge hopper is incorporated which virtually eliminates any bridging or plugging beneath an aerating vane which serves as a feeder vane for the material and means are provided to prevent atmospheric air from entering or dust from leaving the container while vacuum lines for loading or unloading the container are being attached or withdrawn.
Inventors
- 👤 J Frye
- 👤 R Morton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/54; B65D88/64; B65D88/70; B65D90/00; B65D90/54; B65D90/62; B65D90/626; B65D2590/00; B65D2590/54; B65D2590/66; B65D2590/664
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container comprising: A. a hollow container body; B. a powder inlet opening in said body proximate the top thereof; C. a powder discharge hopper at the bottom of said body; D. a hollow conical shaped powder feeder vane having openings therethrough mounted in said body above said discharge hopper and forming a powder feed passage therebetween and said body into said discharge hopper; E. aeratiNg means for passing air under pressure through said openings in said feeder vane into powder thereabove to break up masses of the material, fluidize the material, and cause it to fall upon siad vane and pass into said discharge hopper; F. means for vacuumizing said body interior to induce powder flow from a source into the container; G. vacuum operated powder withdrawal means operatively connectable with said discharge hopper for withdrawal of powder material therefrom; H. valve means for controlling powder inlet and outlet flow to and from said container, said valve including: i. a valve body having inlet and outlet powder flow conduits of cylindrical configuration; ii. a plenum chamber in said valve body interconnecting said inlet and outlet passages; iii. a plug body having an opening therethrough of the same size as said passageways; and iv. said plug rotatable in sid plenum chamber to intercommunicate said passageways for material flow therethrough or alternatively close the passageway openings into said plenum chamber to discontinue flow therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container comprising: A. a hollow container body; B. a powder inlet opening in said body proximate the top thereof; C. a powder discharge hopper at the bottom of said body; D. a hollow conical shaped powder feeder vane having openings therethrough mounted in said body above said discharge hopper and forming a powder feed passage therebetween and said body into said discharge hopper; E. aeratiNg means for passing air under pressure through said openings in said feeder vane into powder thereabove to break up masses of the material, fluidize the material, and cause it to fall upon siad vane and pass into said discharge hopper; F. means for vacuumizing said body interior to induce powder flow from a source into the container; G. vacuum operated powder withdrawal means operatively connectable with said discharge hopper for withdrawal of powder material therefrom; H. valve means for controlling powder inlet and outlet flow to and from said container, said valve including: i. a valve body having inlet and outlet powder flow conduits of cylindrical configuration; ii. a plenum chamber in said valve body interconnecting said inlet and outlet passages; iii. a plug body having an opening therethrough of the same size as said passageways; and iv. said plug rotatable in sid plenum chamber to intercommunicate said passageways for material flow therethrough or alternatively close the passageway openings into said plenum chamber to discontinue flow therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container as claimed in claim 1 and vibrating means associated with said vane to facilitate flow of powder therearound into the vacuum pickup point in said discharge hopper, the rate of vibration and the position of the vane in respect to the discharge hopper being adjustable for controlled variation in feed rate of material from the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container as claimed in claim 2, said powder discharge hopper including an upper conical section inwardly tapering from the inner cylindrical wall of said container body and merging to and forming a transition to a four sided faired chute including faired sides and defining a main slide path for material therethrough to the discharge outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sides forming a faired chute include a most shallow chute side at an angle of approximately 30* and a vibrator on said shallow chute side to facilitate controlled flow of material from the container into the discharge hopper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container as claimed in claim 4, including a plurality of pneumatic vibrators connected along the side of said container and being connected in series, and adjustable air supply means for each vibrator operable to obtain a variation in frequency at the level of each said vibrator to produce a more uniform feed and minimize packing of powder therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container as claimed in claim 1, said plenum chamber and said plug body being of truncated conical mating configurations for sealing engagement of the plug body in said plenum chamber, said plug body being axially displaceable with respect to said plenum chamber to permit said rotation thereof to open and closed positions, said passageways and said opening respectively being sized to permit passage therethrough of discharge conduits for the powder, and a plug valve insertable in a said passageway for closure thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
162 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container comprising: A. a hollow container body; B. a powder inlet opening into said body proximate the top thereof; C. a powder discharge hopper at the bottom of said body; D. means for vacuumizing said body interior to induce powder flow from a source into the container; E. vacuum operated powder withdrawal means operatively connectable with said discharge hopper for withdrawal of powder material therefrom; F. valve means for controlling powder inlet and outlet flow to and from said container, said valve including: i. a valve body having inlet and outlet powder flow conduits of cylindrical configuration; ii. a plenum chamber in said valve body interconnecting said inlet and outlet passages; iii. a plug body having an opening therethrough of the same size as said passagewayS; and iv. said plug rotatable in said plenum chamber to intercommunicate said passageways for material flow therethrough or alternatively close the passageway openings into said plenum chamber to discontinue flow therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container comprising: A. a hollow container body; B. a powder inlet opening into said body proximate the top thereof; C. a powder discharge hopper at the bottom of said body; D. means for vacuumizing said body interior to induce powder flow from a source into the container; E. vacuum operated powder withdrawal means operatively connectable with said discharge hopper for withdrawal of powder material therefrom; F. valve means for controlling powder inlet and outlet flow to and from said container, said valve including: i. a valve body having inlet and outlet powder flow conduits of cylindrical configuration; ii. a plenum chamber in said valve body interconnecting said inlet and outlet passages; iii. a plug body having an opening therethrough of the same size as said passagewayS; and iv. said plug rotatable in said plenum chamber to intercommunicate said passageways for material flow therethrough or alternatively close the passageway openings into said plenum chamber to discontinue flow therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A nuclear fuel handling powder container as claimed in claim 7, said plenum chamber and said plug body being of truncated conical mating configurations for sealing engagement of the plug body in said plenum chamber, said plug body being axially displaceable with respect to said plenum chamber to permit said rotation thereof to open and closed positions, said passageways and said opening respectively being sized to permit passage therethrough of discharge conduits for the powder, and a plug valve insertable in a said passageway for closure thereof.
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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) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |