US4035233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Channel follower leakage restrictor
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-06-18
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Granted: 1977-07-12
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Expires: 1995-06-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved means is provided to control coolant leakage between the flow channel and the lower tie plate of a nuclear fuel assembly. The means includes an opening in the lower tie plate and a movable element adjacent thereto. The coolant pressure within the tie plate biases the movable means toward the inner surface of the surrounding flow channel to compensate for any movement of the flow channel away from the lower tie plate to thereby control the leakage of coolant flow from the fuel assemblies to the spaces among the fuel assemblies of the core.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Eugene Williamson
- 👤 Bart Alan Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:14
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/322; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In a fuel assembly comprising a plurality of fuel rods positioned in a spaced array by engagement with upper and lower tie plates, said lower tie plate having means to receive therethrough a flow of pressurized coolant, an open-ended tubular flow channel surrounding said array and said tie plates for conducting said coolant upwardly past said fuel rods, and a leakage control means positioned between said lower tie plate and said flow channel to limit the leakage of said coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel, the improvement wherein said leakage control means comprises an opening in said lower tie plate and movable leakage control members positioned in the path of coolant flow through said opening from inside said lower tie plate and between said opening and said flow channel whereby the coolant pressure within said lower tie plate biases said control members toward said flow channel to limit the leakage of coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a fuel assembly comprising a plurality of fuel rods positioned in a spaced array by engagement with upper and lower tie plates, said lower tie plate having means to receive therethrough a flow of pressurized coolant, an open-ended tubular flow channel surrounding said array and said tie plates for conducting said coolant upwardly past said fuel rods, and a leakage control means positioned between said lower tie plate and said flow channel to limit the leakage of said coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel, the improvement wherein said leakage control means comprises an opening in said lower tie plate and movable leakage control members positioned in the path of coolant flow through said opening from inside said lower tie plate and between said opening and said flow channel whereby the coolant pressure within said lower tie plate biases said control members toward said flow channel to limit the leakage of coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said leakage control members are supported by said lower tie plate and substantially cover said opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said members are secured to said lower tie plate by rivets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said members comprise finger springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said opening comprises a series of holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said finger springs have an upper portion formed with holes and said finger springs are held in place by capture between lower ends of said fuel rods and said lower tie plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor core comprising a plurality of fuel rods positioned in a spaced array by engagement with upper and lower tie plates, said lower tie plate having means to receive therethrough a flow of pressurized coolant, a removable open-ended tubular flow channel adapted to surround said array and said tie plates for conducting said coolant upwardly past said fuel rods when said fuel assembly is installed in said core surrounded by said flow channel, and a leakage control means positioned adjacent said lower tie plate for limiting leakage of said coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel during operation in said nuclear reactor, the improvement wherein said leakage control means comprises an opening in said lower tie plate and movable leakage control members positioned adjacent said opening in the path of coolant flow through said opening from inside said lower tie plate whereby coolant pressure within said lower tie plate biases said control members outward, whereby said control members are forced into contact with said flow channel to limit the leakage of coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel during operation in said nuclear reactor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor core comprising a plurality of fuel rods positioned in a spaced array by engagement with upper and lower tie plates, said lower tie plate having means to receive therethrough a flow of pressurized coolant, a removable open-ended tubular flow channel adapted to surround said array and said tie plates for conducting said coolant upwardly past said fuel rods when said fuel assembly is installed in said core surrounded by said flow channel, and a leakage control means positioned adjacent said lower tie plate for limiting leakage of said coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel during operation in said nuclear reactor, the improvement wherein said leakage control means comprises an opening in said lower tie plate and movable leakage control members positioned adjacent said opening in the path of coolant flow through said opening from inside said lower tie plate whereby coolant pressure within said lower tie plate biases said control members outward, whereby said control members are forced into contact with said flow channel to limit the leakage of coolant between said lower tie plate and said flow channel during operation in said nuclear reactor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said movable leakage control members comprise a plurality of members supported by said lower tie plate and substantially covering said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said members are secured to said lower tie plate by rivets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said members comprise finger springs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said opening comprises a series of holes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said finger springs have an upper portion formed with holes and said finger springs are held in place by capture between lower ends of said fuel rods and said lower tie plate.
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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) | 1980-07-11 | 1981-01-10 | 1981-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-11 | 1985-01-10 | 1985-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-11 | 1989-01-10 | 1989-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |