US3936348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detection of nuclear fuel rod failures
Assignee: US Tool and Die Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-05
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Granted: 1976-02-03
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Expires: 1993-02-05
Abstract
Abstract The present invention generally relates to nuclear fuel reactors, and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus, based upon vibration detection and analysis techniques, for detecting a failure or rupture of fuel elements or tubes containing nuclear fuel.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Wachter
- 👤 Wesley M. Rohrer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:24
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/06; G21C17/07; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01H3/12; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for detecting a defective nuclear fuel rod in an assembly of such fuel rods immersed in a liquid, comprising a probe having a lower end adapted to engage said assembly of rods, a vibration detector attached to said probe, the lower end of said probe contacting a fuel assembly immersed in said liquid whereby vibrations resulting from boiling or turbulent liquid which has leaked into a fuel rod will be transmitted through said probe to the vibration detector which will indicate the existence of a defective fuel rod, and an inverted bell connected to the lower end of said probe and adapted to slide down over a fuel rod assembly, whereby the bell displaces liquid within its interior such that the vibrations due to defective fuel rods will not be damped materially by the surrounding liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for detecting a defective nuclear fuel rod in an assembly of such fuel rods immersed in a liquid, comprising a probe having a lower end adapted to engage said assembly of rods, a vibration detector attached to said probe, the lower end of said probe contacting a fuel assembly immersed in said liquid whereby vibrations resulting from boiling or turbulent liquid which has leaked into a fuel rod will be transmitted through said probe to the vibration detector which will indicate the existence of a defective fuel rod, and an inverted bell connected to the lower end of said probe and adapted to slide down over a fuel rod assembly, whereby the bell displaces liquid within its interior such that the vibrations due to defective fuel rods will not be damped materially by the surrounding liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3240674A
Cited
US3264863A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-02 | 1979-08-04 | 1980-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-02 | 1983-08-04 | 1984-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-02 | 1987-08-04 | 1988-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |