US3940314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor fuel element
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1972-03-02
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Granted: 1976-02-24
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Expires: 1992-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear reactor fuel element comprised of a plurality of fuel rods disposed in a plurality of spacers in which the tubular casing for each fuel rod is designed without regard to the mechanical stress produced by the spacers and has a reinforced wall thickness adjacent to the spacers which is thicker than the wall thickness of the tubular casing in other areas not adjacent to the spacers. The spacers are arranged in a circular mesh with a center support rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Diethelm Knodler
- 👤 Hans Kropfl
- 👤 Peter Rau
- 👤 Theodor Wittmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:41
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/34; G21C3/3408; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element comprising fuel rods having outsides and spacers contacting said outsides and maintaining said rods in spatial relationship; wherein the improvement comprises said rods each comprising a casing having one continuous hollow tubular wall having a length and having at least one tubular section along said length where said wall is of increased thickness, said sections forming said outsides contacted by said spacers and said casings containing nuclear fuel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element comprising fuel rods having outsides and spacers contacting said outsides and maintaining said rods in spatial relationship; wherein the improvement comprises said rods each comprising a casing having one continuous hollow tubular wall having a length and having at least one tubular section along said length where said wall is of increased thickness, said sections forming said outsides contacted by said spacers and said casings containing nuclear fuel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element according to claim 1, wherein said spacers are arranged in a circular mesh and are connected together by webs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element according to claim 1, wherein said spacers are arranged in a circular mesh and are connected together by concentric ring straps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element according to claim 1, wherein said spacers each have a plurality of projections therein for making contact with the reinforced wall thickness of the tubular casing of the fuel rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element according to claim 1, wherein said spacers each have an insertable ring connected to the spacer for making contact with the reinforced wall thickness of the tubular casing of the fuel rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element according to claim 2, wherein said spacer mesh is provided on its outer circumference with outwardly pointing pads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element according to claim 2, wherein the spacer mesh is surrounded by a strap and the strap is provided on its outer circumference with a plurality of pads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element according to claim 2, wherein the spacers are mounted on a support rod which is arranged in the center of the mesh.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A nuclear fuel element according to claim 8, wherein the spacers are mounted on support rods by means of welds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A nuclear fuel element according to claim 8, wherein the spacers are mounted on a support rod in the center of the mesh by use of additional sheet metal straps above and below the spacers at the support rod.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-23 | 1979-08-25 | 1980-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-23 | 1983-08-25 | 1984-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-23 | 1987-08-25 | 1988-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |