US3993453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Getter for nuclear fuel elements
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1975-06-13
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1995-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear fuel element for use in the core of a nuclear reactor is disclosed and has disposed therein an improved getter capable of gettering reactive gases including a source of hydrogen. The getter comprises a composite with a substrate having thereon a coating capable of gettering reactive gases. The substrate has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than does the coating, and over a period of time at reactor operating temperatures any protective film on the coating is fractured at various places and fresh portions of the coating are exposed to getter reactive gases. With further passage of time at reactor operating temperatures a fracture of the protective film on the coating will grow into a crack in the coating exposing further portions of the coating capable of gettering reactive gases.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfred T. Ross
- 👤 Harold E. Williamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:19
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/17; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12014; Y10T428/12028; Y10T428/12063; Y10T428/1209; Y10T428/12389; Y10T428/12396; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12806; Y10T428/12812; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12944; Y10T428/12951; Y10T428/12972; Y10T428/12979
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A composite getter comprising a metallic substrate having thereon a coating of a material capable of gettering reactive gases covering at least a portion of the substrate with the substrate having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the coating and being capable of producing tensile stress in said coating during said thermal expansion whereby said coating is intermittantly fractured by changes in temperature of said composite getter to thereby expose fresh gettering surfaces in said coating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A composite getter comprising a metallic substrate having thereon a coating of a material capable of gettering reactive gases covering at least a portion of the substrate with the substrate having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the coating and being capable of producing tensile stress in said coating during said thermal expansion whereby said coating is intermittantly fractured by changes in temperature of said composite getter to thereby expose fresh gettering surfaces in said coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the coating is comprised of zirconium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the coating is comprised of a zirconium alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A getter according to claim 3 in which the zirconium alloy has a component selected from the group consisting of niobium, titanium, nickel, yttrium and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the substrate is comprised of nickel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the substrate is comprised of a nickel alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the substrate is comprised of a ferrous alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the substrate is comprised of stainless steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the substrate is comprised of titanium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A getter according to claim 1 in which the substrate is comprised of a titanium alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A getter according to claim 1 in the form of a strip with the substrate having a coating on each side thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A getter according to claim 1 in the form of a strip with the substrate having one side covered by the coating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A getter according to claim 1 in the form of a discrete particle and the coating substantially covers the substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3141830A
Cited
US3406094A
Cited
US3344036A
Cited
US3649452A
Cited
US3898125A
Cited
US3899392A
Cited
US3845177A
Cited
US3804709A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |