US4056441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bracing device for a bundle of parallel pins in a nuclear reactor assembly
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1976-01-19
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Granted: 1977-11-01
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Expires: 1996-01-19
Abstract
Abstract The device comprises at least one compartment grid formed by tube elements of small height placed in juxtaposed relation and each traversed axially by one pin of the bundle. The tube elements are rigidly fixed to each other at successive points in the grid and relatively displaced along the height of the pins so as to be distributed in at least one helix.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Marmonier
- 👤 Bernard Mesnage
- 👤 Jean Skok
- 👤 Jean Vayra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:21
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/34; G21C3/344; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A bracing device for a bundle of parallel pins in nuclear reactor assembly, comprising at least one compartment grid formed by multisided cylinder elements of small height placed in juxtaposed relation and each traversed axially by one pin of the bundle, said elements being rigidly fixed to each other at successive points in the grid, wherein said elements are displaced along the height of said pins so as to be distributed in at least one helix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A bracing device for a bundle of parallel pins in nuclear reactor assembly, comprising at least one compartment grid formed by multisided cylinder elements of small height placed in juxtaposed relation and each traversed axially by one pin of the bundle, said elements being rigidly fixed to each other at successive points in the grid, wherein said elements are displaced along the height of said pins so as to be distributed in at least one helix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bracing device according to claim 1, wherein each element provides three lines of contact with the lateral surface of the can of the pin which passes through said tube element and three other lines of contact with three adjacent elements in the grid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A bracing device according to claim 1, wherein each element has a cross-section in the shape of a regular hexagon provided internally on one side out of two with a small deformable lateral tongue in contact with the external surface of the can of the pin which passes through said tube element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bracing device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a plurality of compartment grids which are superposed along the height of the pins of the bundle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bracing device according to claim 4, wherein the compartment grids are joined together so as to form a single structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A bracing device according to claim 4, wherein the compartment grids are disposed in spaced relation, the connection between the successive grids being provided by means of parallel longitudinal tie-rods which replace some of the pins of the bundle and on which are fixed the elements traversed by said tie-rods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A bracing device according to claim 4, wherein a certain number of elements of each compartment grid are welded to an intermediate plug provided at least at one predetermined level in some of the pins of the bundle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bracing device according to claim 7, wherein an intermediate plug serves as a bearing point for a number of portions of grids which extend in coaxial helices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bracing device according to claim 7, wherein said elements have top and bottom surfaces at an oblique angle with respect to the direction of the axis of the pins of the bundle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1497083A
Cited
US3439737A
Cited
US3629067A
Cited
GB1306939A
Cited
US3772148A
Cited
US3764471A
Cited
US3816247A
Cited
US3886038A
Cited
US3944468A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-31 | 1981-05-02 | 1981-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-31 | 1985-05-02 | 1985-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-31 | 1989-05-02 | 1989-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |