US4119488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor fuel element employing Zr2 Ni as a getter metal
Assignee: SAES Getters SpA
•
Filing: 1977-05-02
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Granted: 1978-10-10
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Expires: 1997-05-02
Abstract
Abstract Zr 2 Ni sorbs both oxygen and hydrogen from water making its use advantageous as a getter metal in a nuclear reactor fuel element.
Inventors
- 👤 Aldo Barosi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:25
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/04; C01B3/042; C01B13/00; C01B13/02; C01B13/0229; C01B13/0248; C01B13/0259; C01B13/0281; C01B3/0005; C01B3/001; C01B3/0018; C01B3/0031; C01B3/50; C01B3/508; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/17; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y02E60/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element comprising: A. a container defining a chamber, B. a fissionable material in the chamber, C. a getter metal within the chamber, said getter metal consisting essentially of Zr 2 Ni
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element comprising: A. a container defining a chamber, B. a fissionable material in the chamber, C. a getter metal within the chamber, said getter metal consisting essentially of Zr 2 Ni
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 1 wherein the fissionable material is UO 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 1 wherein the Zr 2 Ni is present in the form of finely-divided particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 1 wherein the Zr 2 Ni is present as particles having a size between 1 and 100 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 4 wherein the particles are pressed into a coherent porous mass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 1 wherein the greater metal is present in the chamber near one end cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 1 wherein the getter metal is maintained at a temperature of 200° to 500° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 1 having helium in the chamber to an extent such that the total gas pressure in the chamber is 1 to 30 atmospheres.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element of claim 1 comprising: A. a sealed container comprising a tube and two end caps closing the tube and defining a chamber, B. uo 2 in the chamber, C. a getter metal in the chamber said getter metal consisting essentially of Zr 2 Ni wherein: 1. the Zr 2 Ni is present as finely-divided particles, 2. the particles have a size between 1 and 120 microns, 3. the particles are pressed into a coherent porous mass, 4. the getter metal is in the chamber near one end cap, 5. the getter metal is maintained at a temperature of 200° to 500° C., D. helium in the chamber to an extent such that the total gas pressure in the chamber is 1 to 20 atmospheres.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-09 | 1982-04-10 | 1982-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-09 | 1986-04-10 | 1986-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-09 | 1990-04-10 | 1990-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |