US3855684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear fuel rod bundle handling means useful in an irradiated fuel reprocessing system
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1973-03-21
•
Granted: 1974-12-24
•
Expires: 1993-03-21
Abstract
Abstract Nuclear Fuel Rod Bundle Handling Means Useful in an Irradiated Fuel Reprocessing System is disclosed. The nuclear fuel rod bundle handling means has a plurality of rollers for supporting a fuel bundle, a fixed clamp member extending from the plurality of rollers, a movable clamp member substantially parallel to the fixed clamp member and extending from the plurality of rollers, means to move the movable clamp member and means to remove components from the fuel bundle. The clamp members serve to hold a fuel bundle therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 W Kendall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:29
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/34; G21C19/36; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/929; Y10S83/93; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5136; Y10T29/5137; Y10T29/5139; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/531
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
Nuclear fuel rod bundle handling means capable of holding a nuclear fuel rod bundle in alignment with a nuclear fuel rod bundle disassembly means, said nuclear fuel rod bundle including fuel rod end securing means holding at least one nuclear fuel rod in said nuclear fuel bundle, said nuclear fuel rod bundle handling means comprising a. a plurality of rollers in a horizontal parallel array adapted to support a fuel bundle; b. a fixed clamp member extending upwardly along a first side of said roller array; c. a movable clamp member substantially parallel to said fixed clamp member extending upwardly along a second side of said roller array and mounted for movement toward and away from said fixed clamp member, adapted to clamp a fuel bundle therebetween; d. means to move said movable clamp member toward and away from said fixed clamp member; and e. means to remove said fuel rod end securing means from at least one end of a fuel bundle positioned on said roller array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
Nuclear fuel rod bundle handling means capable of holding a nuclear fuel rod bundle in alignment with a nuclear fuel rod bundle disassembly means, said nuclear fuel rod bundle including fuel rod end securing means holding at least one nuclear fuel rod in said nuclear fuel bundle, said nuclear fuel rod bundle handling means comprising a. a plurality of rollers in a horizontal parallel array adapted to support a fuel bundle; b. a fixed clamp member extending upwardly along a first side of said roller array; c. a movable clamp member substantially parallel to said fixed clamp member extending upwardly along a second side of said roller array and mounted for movement toward and away from said fixed clamp member, adapted to clamp a fuel bundle therebetween; d. means to move said movable clamp member toward and away from said fixed clamp member; and e. means to remove said fuel rod end securing means from at least one end of a fuel bundle positioned on said roller array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fuel rod bundle handling means of claim 1 further including a pivoted bucket means located adjacent one end of said roller array, adapted to support one end of a fuel bundle as it is tilted and lowered onto said roller array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fuel rod bundle handling means of claim 1 further including hoods to enclose the ends of fuel bundles during removal of said fuel rod end securing means from said bundle, said hoods further containing abrasive saw means to sever bundle ends as necessary.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3293734A
Cited
US3621742A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |