Patent US3925965A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3925965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel rod pellet loading assembly
Assignee: Framatome ANP Richland Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-22
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An assembly for loading nuclear fuel pellets into a fuel rod comprising a glove box including means for weighing and measuring the fuel pellets to be loaded and having at its loading end a block for receiving the open end of a fuel rod and a fuel pellet holder spaced from the block and carrying a pellet loading spring member which bridges the space between the holder and the block. The spring member can be adjusted so that the pellets are loaded properly into the fuel rod.
Inventors
- 👤 George E Rushworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:06
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C21/00; G21C21/02; G21C21/08; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
An assembly for the loading of nuclear fuel pellets into a fuel rod comprising in combination: a. a main housing having an inert atmosphere and adapted to receive fuel pellets for loading into fuel rods; b. a trough of predetermined length for receiving said pellets in end-to-end relationship; c. a weighing station including balance means for weighing said pellet-loaded trough; d. means for determining the length of said fuel pellets; and e. a pellet loader assembly disposed for alignment with said trough and said fuel rod, said trough arranged to longitudinally receive a predetermined load of said fuel pellets for passage from said trough through said assembly into said fuel rod, said pellet loader assembly comprising a tube supporting member and a fuel pellet holder member for longitudinally receiving said fuel pellets from said trough spaced from said tube supporting member to define a gap therebetween, and pellet loading insert means having a first circular pellet entry end and an opposite circular pellet exit end bridging said gap, said insert means Carried at said pellet entry end by said fuel pellet holder member and in operable communication and axial alignment with said fuel rod at said pellet exit end for facilitating transfer of said fuel pellets from said pellet holder member into said fuel rod with a minimum amount of chipping of said pellets, said insert means comprising a plurality of spring-like fingers disposed in a circular array and tapered in the direction from said pellet entry end toward said pellet exit end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
An assembly for the loading of nuclear fuel pellets into a fuel rod comprising in combination: a. a main housing having an inert atmosphere and adapted to receive fuel pellets for loading into fuel rods; b. a trough of predetermined length for receiving said pellets in end-to-end relationship; c. a weighing station including balance means for weighing said pellet-loaded trough; d. means for determining the length of said fuel pellets; and e. a pellet loader assembly disposed for alignment with said trough and said fuel rod, said trough arranged to longitudinally receive a predetermined load of said fuel pellets for passage from said trough through said assembly into said fuel rod, said pellet loader assembly comprising a tube supporting member and a fuel pellet holder member for longitudinally receiving said fuel pellets from said trough spaced from said tube supporting member to define a gap therebetween, and pellet loading insert means having a first circular pellet entry end and an opposite circular pellet exit end bridging said gap, said insert means Carried at said pellet entry end by said fuel pellet holder member and in operable communication and axial alignment with said fuel rod at said pellet exit end for facilitating transfer of said fuel pellets from said pellet holder member into said fuel rod with a minimum amount of chipping of said pellets, said insert means comprising a plurality of spring-like fingers disposed in a circular array and tapered in the direction from said pellet entry end toward said pellet exit end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said pellet loading insert means comprises a unitary member having said spring-like fingers integral therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said pellet loading insert means comprises a frusto-conical configuration axially aligned with said fuel rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
A pellet loader assembly for use in the loading of pellets into a rod comprising, in combination, means for supporting said rod and pellet holding means spaced a predetermined distance from said rod supporting means to define a gap therebetween and a pellet-carrying trough portion for substantial axial alignment with said rod, said pellet holding means including a pellet loading insert supported at one end by said pellet holding means and in operable communication with said rod at its opposite end for bridging said gap between said holding means and said rod supporting means to enable the transfer of pellets therebetween, said insert comprising tapered spring-like means having a circular opening of different size at each end thereof wherein the end of said spring means at the end closest said rod is adapted to be disposed in operable loading contact with the inner diameter of said rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
A pellet loader assembly for use in the loading of pellets into a rod comprising, in combination, means for supporting said rod and pellet holding means spaced a predetermined distance from said rod supporting means to define a gap therebetween and a pellet-carrying trough portion for substantial axial alignment with said rod, said pellet holding means including a pellet loading insert supported at one end by said pellet holding means and in operable communication with said rod at its opposite end for bridging said gap between said holding means and said rod supporting means to enable the transfer of pellets therebetween, said insert comprising tapered spring-like means having a circular opening of different size at each end thereof wherein the end of said spring means at the end closest said rod is adapted to be disposed in operable loading contact with the inner diameter of said rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said insert comprises a frustoconical configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said insert comprises a circular array of fingers tapered in the direction away from said pellet holding means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said insert comprises a unitary member including a base for supporting a plurality of extended fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said tube supporting member includes abutment means for maintaining said fuel rod at a predetermined distance from the proximate end of said fuel pellet holder member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein said abutment means comprises a shoulder extending radially inward of said tube supporting member for preventing said fuel rod from being pushed completely through said tube supporting member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein said abutment means comprises a pair of coaxial bores of different diameter, the one of said bores closest said fuel pellet holder having a smaller diameter than the other of said bores.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said means for supporting said rod includes abutment means for locating said rod therein at a predetermined distance from the proximate end of said pellet holding means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said pellet holding means comprises means for adjusting the alignment with said trough and for axially aligning said pellet loading insert relative to said fuel rod.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
180 words
A pellet loading assembly for use in the loading of nuclear fuel pellets into a tubular fuel rod comprising, in combination, means for supporting said fuel rod, pellet holding means spaced a predetermined distance from said means for supporting said rod such that a gap is created therebetween, said pellet holding means including a trough for alignment with said fuel rod to facilitate the transfer of pellets from said trough to said fuel rod, said pellet holding means including a pellet loading insert having a pellet entry end and a pellet exit end disposed concentric relative with said fuel rod, said pellet loading insert secured at its pellet entry end to said pellet holding means and being tapered in the direction from said pellet entry end toward said pellet exit end for bridging said gap, said pellet loading insert comprising resilient means and having said pellet exit end in Operable pellet loading contact with said nuclear fuel rod for avoiding a substantial amount of chipping of said fuel pellets during transfer from said pellet holding means to said fuel rod.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
A pellet loading assembly for use in the loading of nuclear fuel pellets into a tubular fuel rod comprising, in combination, means for supporting said fuel rod, pellet holding means spaced a predetermined distance from said means for supporting said rod such that a gap is created therebetween, said pellet holding means including a trough for alignment with said fuel rod to facilitate the transfer of pellets from said trough to said fuel rod, said pellet holding means including a pellet loading insert having a pellet entry end and a pellet exit end disposed concentric relative with said fuel rod, said pellet loading insert secured at its pellet entry end to said pellet holding means and being tapered in the direction from said pellet entry end toward said pellet exit end for bridging said gap, said pellet loading insert comprising resilient means and having said pellet exit end in Operable pellet loading contact with said nuclear fuel rod for avoiding a substantial amount of chipping of said fuel pellets during transfer from said pellet holding means to said fuel rod.
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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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |