US3878040A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Failed fuel detector
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1973-09-20
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A failed fuel detection apparatus for a nuclear reactor having a liquid cooled core comprising a gas collection hood adapted to engage the top of the suspect assembly and means for delivering a stripping gas to the vicinity of the bottom of the suspect fuel assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 John Anthony Martucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:37
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/02; G21C17/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A FAILED FUEL DETECTION APPARATUS FOR A NUCLEAR REACTOR HAVING A LIQUID COOLED CORE COMPOSED OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED FUEL ASSEMBLIES, SAID FUEL ASSEMBLIES CONSISTING OF A SPACED ARRAY OF SAID CLAD, VERTICALLY DISPOSED, FUEL ELEMENTS WITH COOLANT CHANNELS THEREBETWEEN AND SAID FUEL ASSEMBLIES ADDITIONALLY HAVING LONGITUDINAL PASSAGES THERETHROUGH FOR THE INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF NEUTRON ADSORPTION ELEMENTS, SAID FAILED FUEL DETECTION MEANS COMPRISING: A. MEANS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE TOP OF ONE OF SAID FUEL ASSEMBLIES FOR COLLECTING GAS EXITING FROM THE TOP OF SAID FUEL ASSEMBLY; AND B. MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID GAS COLLECTION MEANS FOR DELIVERING GAS TO THE VICINITY OF THE BOTTOM OF SAID FUEL ASSEMBLY, SAID GAS BEING CAPABLE OF ENTRAINING GASEOUS FISSION PRODUCTS CONTAINED IN SAID LIQUID COOLANT.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A FAILED FUEL DETECTION APPARATUS FOR A NUCLEAR REACTOR HAVING A LIQUID COOLED CORE COMPOSED OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED FUEL ASSEMBLIES, SAID FUEL ASSEMBLIES CONSISTING OF A SPACED ARRAY OF SAID CLAD, VERTICALLY DISPOSED, FUEL ELEMENTS WITH COOLANT CHANNELS THEREBETWEEN AND SAID FUEL ASSEMBLIES ADDITIONALLY HAVING LONGITUDINAL PASSAGES THERETHROUGH FOR THE INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF NEUTRON ADSORPTION ELEMENTS, SAID FAILED FUEL DETECTION MEANS COMPRISING: A. MEANS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE TOP OF ONE OF SAID FUEL ASSEMBLIES FOR COLLECTING GAS EXITING FROM THE TOP OF SAID FUEL ASSEMBLY; AND B. MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID GAS COLLECTION MEANS FOR DELIVERING GAS TO THE VICINITY OF THE BOTTOM OF SAID FUEL ASSEMBLY, SAID GAS BEING CAPABLE OF ENTRAINING GASEOUS FISSION PRODUCTS CONTAINED IN SAID LIQUID COOLANT.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said gas delivery means includes a longitudinal sleeve adapted to be inserted into one of said longitudinal passages of said fuel assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal passages through said fuel assemblies are comprised of guide tubes for said neutron absorption elements and wherein said gas delivery means includes means adapted to engage at least one of said guide tubes thereby enabling said gas to be forced through said guide tubes to the vicinity of the bottom of said fuel assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including: a. means for measuring the activity of said gaseous fission products collected by said gas collection means; and b. means connected to said gas collection means for conducting said collected gas containing said gaseous fission products to said activity measuring means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3234101A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |