US4125434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor-fuel element
Assignee: Kraftwerk Union AG
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Filing: 1977-01-19
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Granted: 1978-11-14
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Expires: 1997-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear reactor-fuel element with cylindrical fuel rods and a fuel element skeleton formed of a head and foot member and cylindrical control rod-guide tubes connecting the members includes a plurality of mesh-forming spacing holder-grids for the fuel rods fastened to the guide tubes, the control rod-guide tubes being received respectively in the mesh formed by the spacing holder-grids, and flow guide means in vicinity of at least one of the spacing holder-grids largely closing, from a flow-technology standpoint, the cross section of the respective mesh surrounding the guide tube received therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Gustav Fromel
- 👤 Peter Suchy
- 👤 Gerhard Ulrych
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:25
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/34; G21C3/356; G21C3/3563; G21C3/322; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a nuclear reactor-fuel element with cylindrical fuel rods and a fuel element skeleton formed of a head and foot member and cylindrical control rod-guide tubes connecting said members, a plurality of mesh-forming spacing holder-grids for the fuel rods fastened to the guide tubes, the control rod-guide tubes being received in respective mesh formed by said spacing holder-grids, the respective mesh wherein the control rod-guide tubes are received having a given flow cross section surrounding the respective guide tubes, and flow guide means closing at least three-fourths of the flow cross section of the respective mesh surrounding the guide tube received therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a nuclear reactor-fuel element with cylindrical fuel rods and a fuel element skeleton formed of a head and foot member and cylindrical control rod-guide tubes connecting said members, a plurality of mesh-forming spacing holder-grids for the fuel rods fastened to the guide tubes, the control rod-guide tubes being received in respective mesh formed by said spacing holder-grids, the respective mesh wherein the control rod-guide tubes are received having a given flow cross section surrounding the respective guide tubes, and flow guide means closing at least three-fourths of the flow cross section of the respective mesh surrounding the guide tube received therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 wherein said flow guide means are formed by flow guide members mounted on the respective guide tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 wherein said flow guide means comprise devices integral with the spacing holder-grid, the respective mesh of which surrounds the guide tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 including additional flow guide means carried by the respective guide tube between two adjacent spacing holder-grids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 wherein said flow guide means closes less than all of the flow cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 wherein said flow guide means closes up to four-fifths of the flow cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 wherein said flow guide means completely block the flow cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 wherein said flow guide means are formed by at least one guide member mounted on the respective guide tube and in engagement with one of said spacing holder-grids.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
Nuclear reactor-fuel element according to claim 1 wherein said spacing holder-grids are mutually spaced in axial direction of the respective guide tube and wherein said flow guide means are formed by at least one guide member mounted on the respective guide tube and disposed between said mutually spaced spacing holder-grids.
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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) | 1981-11-13 | 1982-05-15 | 1982-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-13 | 1986-05-15 | 1986-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-13 | 1990-05-15 | 1990-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |