US3928130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheath for nuclear fuel elements
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1973-06-19
•
Granted: 1975-12-23
•
Expires: 1993-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear fuel element for use in a nuclear reactor is provided with a high strength sheath to limit the effects of forces acting internally and externally on the element when in service within a reactor.
Inventors
- 👤 John Pawliw
- 👤 Jarda Zabrodsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:24
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT WHICH COMPRISES AN ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL METALLIC CONTAINER, A COLUMN OF NECLEAR FUEL MATERIAL-DISPOSED IN AND PARTIALLY FILLING SAID CONTAINER THUS LEAVING AN INTERNAL CAVITY AT ONE END OF SAID CONTAINER, AND END PLUG SECURED AND SEALED AT EACH END OF SAID CONTAINER, A FUEL COLUMN RETAINING MEMBER POSITIONED IN SAID CAVITY, AND A NONMETALLIC SHEATH IN WRAPPED RELATION WITH SAID COLUMN OF SAID FUEL MATERIAL TO CONTAIN AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE MECHANICAL LOADS ACTING ON SAID ELENENT DURING NUCLEAR FISSION, SAID SHEATH
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT WHICH COMPRISES AN ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL METALLIC CONTAINER, A COLUMN OF NECLEAR FUEL MATERIAL-DISPOSED IN AND PARTIALLY FILLING SAID CONTAINER THUS LEAVING AN INTERNAL CAVITY AT ONE END OF SAID CONTAINER, AND END PLUG SECURED AND SEALED AT EACH END OF SAID CONTAINER, A FUEL COLUMN RETAINING MEMBER POSITIONED IN SAID CAVITY, AND A NONMETALLIC SHEATH IN WRAPPED RELATION WITH SAID COLUMN OF SAID FUEL MATERIAL TO CONTAIN AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE MECHANICAL LOADS ACTING ON SAID ELENENT DURING NUCLEAR FISSION, SAID SHEATH
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which the non-metallic sheath includes a bonding agent sealed in fluid proofing relation with the fibers of said sheath and the sheath extends in an abrasion protective relation about said fuel material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which the sheath contains carbonaceous filaments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which the sheath contains boron filaments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which said container is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which the nuclear fuel material is selected from the group consisting of uranium compounds, plutonium compounds, thorium compounds and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which the nuclear fuel material is comprised of uranium dioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which the nuclear fuel material is a mixture comprising uranium dioxide and plutonium dioxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3108936A
Cited
US3166614A
Cited
US3212989A
Cited
US3212988A
Cited
US3290223A
Cited
US3427222A
Cited
US3775249A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |