Patent US4024406A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4024406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spent fuel storage improvement
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1976-02-17
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1996-02-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the safe storage of a plurality of fissionable masses including an array of discrete neutron absorbing shields which utilizes the principle of the neutron trap to reduce the multiplication factor of the storage array to a subcritical value when immersed in a neutron moderating medium. Each discrete neutron absorbing shield is spaced such that the encircled fissionable mass is spaced from the next adjacent neutron absorbing shield by a distance determined by the enrichment of the fissonable masses and attenuation of the moderating medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Bevilacqua
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:18
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/40; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for the safe yet compact storage of a plurality of fissionable masses of uniform size and shape, said fissionable masses having lateral cross-sections which fit within the confines of a polygon, wherein the apparatus comprising: a. a first series of structural members aligned in spaced parallel rows; b. a second series of structural members aligned in spaced parallel rows, said second series of members crossing said first series of members at an angle equal to the angle between two non-parallel sides of said polygon, said first and second series of spaced crossed members forming a plurality of passages transverse to said first and second series of members; and c. a plurality of discrete neutron absorbing shields, each one of which is adapted to perimetrically encircle one of said plurality of fissionable masses, each of said discrete neutron absorbing shields being positioned in one of said plurality of passages and being rigidly fastened to one member of said first series of members and one member of said second series of members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for the safe yet compact storage of a plurality of fissionable masses of uniform size and shape, said fissionable masses having lateral cross-sections which fit within the confines of a polygon, wherein the apparatus comprising: a. a first series of structural members aligned in spaced parallel rows; b. a second series of structural members aligned in spaced parallel rows, said second series of members crossing said first series of members at an angle equal to the angle between two non-parallel sides of said polygon, said first and second series of spaced crossed members forming a plurality of passages transverse to said first and second series of members; and c. a plurality of discrete neutron absorbing shields, each one of which is adapted to perimetrically encircle one of said plurality of fissionable masses, each of said discrete neutron absorbing shields being positioned in one of said plurality of passages and being rigidly fastened to one member of said first series of members and one member of said second series of members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first series of structural members is at a first elevation and said second series of structural members is at a second elevation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 further including: a. a third series of structural members aligned in spaced parallel rows at a third elevation and fastened to said discrete neutron absorbing shields; and b. a fourth series of structural members crossing said third series of structural members and aligned in spaced parallel rows at a fourth elevation, said fourth series of structural members fastened to said discrete neutron absorbing shields.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said third and fourth series of structural members are positioned at one end of said plurality of discrete neutron absorbing shields and said first and second series of structural members are positioned at the opposite end of said plurality of discrete neutron absorbing shields.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second series of structural members are welded to said discrete neutron absorbing shields.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second series of structural members and said discrete neutron absorbing shields are stainless steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said discrete neutron absorbing shields have lateral cross-sections which are square and wherein said angle at which said first series of structural members crosses said second series of structural members is 90° so that said passages formed by said first and second series of structural members are square.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and second series of structural members are welded to said discrete neutron absorbing shields.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and second series of structural members and said discrete neutron absorbing shields are stainless steel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said discrete neutron absorbing shields have lateral cross-sections which are square and wherein said angle at which said first series of bands crosses said second series of structural members is 90° so that said passages formed by said first and second series of structural members are square.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the spacing between adjacent members of the first series of structural members and the spacing between adjacent members of the second series of structural members are not smaller than a diameter of one of said discrete neutron absorbing shields plus a minimum neutron attenuation distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the spacing between adjacent members of the first series of structural members and the spacing between adjacent members of the second series of structural members are not smaller than a diameter of one of said discrete neutron absorbing shields plus a minimum neutron attenuation distance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said members of said first series each have a plurality of cuts therein and said members of said second series each have a plurality of cuts therein and said apparatus is assembled by inserting said first series of members into said cuts of said second series and by inserting said second series of members into said cuts of said first series.
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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) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |