Patent US20120021646A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3963566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear fuel column retainer
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-07-24
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1994-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A barrier member fixed in the end of a fuel column retaining spring to prevent contact between the retaining spring and the adjacent end plug of the fuel element whereby contamination of the weld between the cladding tube and end plug with retaining spring material is avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F. MacMillan
- 👤 Bart A. Smith
- 👤 Richard P. Dubrule
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:45
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel element comprising a tube, end plugs sealing the ends of said tube and a column of nuclear fuel disposed in a part of said tube thereby forming a plenum free of said nuclear fuel adjacent one of said end plugs, said one of said end plugs having a surface within said tube, the improvement comprising: a retaining spring extending through said plenum with one end adjacent said column of fuel and its other end short of said surface of said one of said end plugs; and a barrier member formed of a helical coil having a plurality of turns mated inside a plurality of turns of said other end of said retaining spring and extending to said surface of said one of said end plugs, said barrier member being formed of a material different from the material of said retaining spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel element comprising a tube, end plugs sealing the ends of said tube and a column of nuclear fuel disposed in a part of said tube thereby forming a plenum free of said nuclear fuel adjacent one of said end plugs, said one of said end plugs having a surface within said tube, the improvement comprising: a retaining spring extending through said plenum with one end adjacent said column of fuel and its other end short of said surface of said one of said end plugs; and a barrier member formed of a helical coil having a plurality of turns mated inside a plurality of turns of said other end of said retaining spring and extending to said surface of said one of said end plugs, said barrier member being formed of a material different from the material of said retaining spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fuel element of claim 1 wherein said barrier member is formed of a material similar to the material of said one of said end plugs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel element of claim 1 wherein said barrier member said one of said end plugs and said tube are formed of similar materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel element of claim 1 wherein the mating turns of said barrier member and said retaining spring are close wound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fuel element of claim 4 wherein the turns of said helical coil of said barrier member between said other end of said retaining spring and said surface of said end plugs are space wound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel element of claim 1 wherein said helical coil is formed of wire having zirconium as its primary constituent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel element comprising a tube, end plugs sealing the ends of said tube and a column of nuclear fuel disposed in a part of said tube thereby forming a plenum free of said nuclear fuel adjacent one of said end plugs, said one of said end plugs having a surface within said tube, the improvement comprising a retaining spring extending through said plenum with one end adjacent said column of fuel and its other end short of said surface of said one of said end plugs; and a and a barrier member formed of thin-walled tubing having a portion at one end thereof extending into said other end of said retaining spring, having a circumferential outwardly extending shoulder seated on said other end of said retaining spring and having a portion at the other end thereof extending to said inner surface of said one of said end plugs, said barrier member being formed of a material different from the material of said plenum spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel element comprising a tube, end plugs sealing the ends of said tube and a column of nuclear fuel disposed in a part of said tube thereby forming a plenum free of said nuclear fuel adjacent one of said end plugs, said one of said end plugs having a surface within said tube, the improvement comprising a retaining spring extending through said plenum with one end adjacent said column of fuel and its other end short of said surface of said one of said end plugs; and a and a barrier member formed of thin-walled tubing having a portion at one end thereof extending into said other end of said retaining spring, having a circumferential outwardly extending shoulder seated on said other end of said retaining spring and having a portion at the other end thereof extending to said inner surface of said one of said end plugs, said barrier member being formed of a material different from the material of said plenum spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fuel element of claim 7 wherein said barrier member is formed of a material similar to the material of said one of said end plugs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel element of claim 7 wherein said barrier member, said one of said end plugs and said tube are formed of similar materials.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel element of claim 7 wherein zirconium is the primary constituent of said similar materials.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fuel element of claim 7 wherein the outside diameter of said one end of said tubing is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the end turns of said other end of said retaining spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fuel element of claim 7 wherein said one end of tubing is formed with a helical groove mating with the end turns of said other end of said retaining spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |