US3856622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High temperature nuclear reactor fuel
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1972-04-18
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1992-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear fuel comprising a kernel containing a dispersion of a uranium compound within a carbon or graphite matrix, said kernel containing less than 0.5 weight percent oxygen and an amebainhibiting concentration of sulfur and at least one pyrolytic carbon coating encasing said kernel, and a process for making same.
Inventors
- 👤 C Pollock
- 👤 J Scott
- 👤 J Leitnaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:06
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/42; G21C3/58; G21C3/62; G21C3/64; G21C3/626; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A NUCLEAR FUEL KERNEL COMPRISING A MATRIX PHASE OF CARBON OR GRAPHITE AND A DISPERSED PHASE OF A CRYSTALLINE URANIUM COMPOUND CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF URANIUM, CARBON, AN AMEBA-INHIBITING CONCENTRATION OF FROM 2 TO 10 WEIGHT PERCENT SULFUR, AND UP TO 0.5 WEIGHT PERCENT OXYGEN, SAID FUEL KERNEL FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT SHOWS INHIBITION OF URANIUM MIGRATION ACROSS A TEMPERATURE GRADIENT AT A TEMPERATURE IN EXCESS OF 1200*C. AND HAS AN X-RAY DIFFRACTION PATTERN WHICH IS DISTINGUISHABLE FROM UO2, UC, OR US.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A NUCLEAR FUEL KERNEL COMPRISING A MATRIX PHASE OF CARBON OR GRAPHITE AND A DISPERSED PHASE OF A CRYSTALLINE URANIUM COMPOUND CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF URANIUM, CARBON, AN AMEBA-INHIBITING CONCENTRATION OF FROM 2 TO 10 WEIGHT PERCENT SULFUR, AND UP TO 0.5 WEIGHT PERCENT OXYGEN, SAID FUEL KERNEL FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT SHOWS INHIBITION OF URANIUM MIGRATION ACROSS A TEMPERATURE GRADIENT AT A TEMPERATURE IN EXCESS OF 1200*C. AND HAS AN X-RAY DIFFRACTION PATTERN WHICH IS DISTINGUISHABLE FROM UO2, UC, OR US.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nuclear fuel kernel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the oxygen content is in the range 0.02 to 0.2 weight percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fuel kernel of claim 1 which has an X-ray diffraction pattern as shown in FIG. 1D at 2600*C. and an X-ray diffraction pattern as shown in FIG. 1E at 3000*C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3194745A
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US3264223A
Cited
US3334050A
Cited
US3298921A
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US3438749A
Cited
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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) | 1977-12-23 | 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 |