US4082607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel subassembly leak test chamber for a nuclear reactor
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1976-09-30
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1996-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A container with a valve at one end is inserted into a nuclear reactor coolant pool. Once in the pool, the valve is opened by a mechanical linkage. An individual fuel subassembly is lifted into the container by a gripper; the valve is then closed providing an isolated chamber for the subassembly. A vacuum is drawn on the chamber to encourage gaseous fission product leakage through any defects in the cladding of the fuel rods comprising the subassembly; this leakage may be detected by instrumentation, and the need for replacement of the assembly ascertained.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J. Divona
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:49
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/06; G21C17/07; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A test chamber for isolating fuel subassemblies inside the primary tank of a nuclear reactor to detect leakage of fission products therefrom comprising: a cylindrical container pipe having an open end, means for drawing a vacuum in the pipe and means for sealably extending a gripper through the container pipe, an actuator pipe surrounding the container pipe and slidable thereon, the surface of the container pipe acting as a bearing for the actuator pipe, said actuator pipe being small enough in diameter to be inserted into the primary tank through a pipe nozzle in the cover thereof, a shutter valve consisting of a circular disc for sealing the open end of the container pipe, and means connected to said actuator pipe and operable thereby for operating the shutter valve to allow the gripper to lift a fuel assembly into the container pipe and to seal the container pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A test chamber for isolating fuel subassemblies inside the primary tank of a nuclear reactor to detect leakage of fission products therefrom comprising: a cylindrical container pipe having an open end, means for drawing a vacuum in the pipe and means for sealably extending a gripper through the container pipe, an actuator pipe surrounding the container pipe and slidable thereon, the surface of the container pipe acting as a bearing for the actuator pipe, said actuator pipe being small enough in diameter to be inserted into the primary tank through a pipe nozzle in the cover thereof, a shutter valve consisting of a circular disc for sealing the open end of the container pipe, and means connected to said actuator pipe and operable thereby for operating the shutter valve to allow the gripper to lift a fuel assembly into the container pipe and to seal the container pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
151 words
The test chamber in claim 1 wherein the means connected to the container pipe consists of, a pair of diametrically opposed container pins projecting radically outward from the container pipe near the open end, a pair of valve arms which connect the shutter valve to the container pipe, each of which has a J-shaped groove therein surrounding one of the container pins, a pair of links which are pivotably attached to the actuator pipe and to the valve arms, whereby sliding the actuator pipe toward the open end of the container pipe will transmit motion to the shutter valve via the links and valve arms, the motion of the shutter valve being initially linear due to the movement of the grooves in the valve arms about the container pins, and then curvilinear so that the shutter valve is moved to one side presenting unobstructed access to the container pipe open end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The test chamber in claim 2 wherein the open end of the cylindrical container pipe has a knife edge and the shutter valve has a sealing surface for engagement with the knife edge for sealing the open end of the container pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The test chamber in claim 3 wherein the nuclear reactor is a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor which is submerged in a pool of liquid sodium, the test chamber thereby being partially submerged in liquid sodium when in position in the primary tank of a nuclear reactor.
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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) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |