US4155808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear fuel rod inspection structure
Assignee: Babcock and Wilcox Co
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Filing: 1976-11-15
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Granted: 1979-05-22
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Expires: 1996-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A typical embodiment of the invention provides a fitting for stabilizing the burnable poison rods and the like within a nuclear reactor fuel element. An illustrative orifice rod assembly fitting is assembled inexpensively from stamped metal strips which expose the ends of the fuel rods within the fuel element for inspection and simplify rearrangement of partially used fuel elements within a reactor core.
Inventors
- 👤 Felix S. Jabsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/326; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A fuel element comprising a plurality of generally parallel fuel rods, each of said rods having transverse ends, a plurality of hollow control rod guide tubes interspersed within and generally parallel with said fuel rods, an end fitting disposed in a direction that is generally transverse to said fuel rods and guide tubes, said end fitting having a plurality of grooves formed therein, a first array of parallel, spaced plates on said end fitting, at least some of said plates having members formed thereon that are received in respective grooves, a second array of parallel, spaced plates on said end fitting, generally perpendicular to and interlocking with said first array to form a plurality of cells, at least some of said second array plates having members formed thereon that are received in respective grooves, and said cells being in longitudinal alignment with said hollow control rod guide tubes and said fuel rods to provide direct access to at least one of said ends of each of said fuel rods in order to expose said rod ends for inspection purposes to determine the structural integrity of each of the inspected rods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A fuel element comprising a plurality of generally parallel fuel rods, each of said rods having transverse ends, a plurality of hollow control rod guide tubes interspersed within and generally parallel with said fuel rods, an end fitting disposed in a direction that is generally transverse to said fuel rods and guide tubes, said end fitting having a plurality of grooves formed therein, a first array of parallel, spaced plates on said end fitting, at least some of said plates having members formed thereon that are received in respective grooves, a second array of parallel, spaced plates on said end fitting, generally perpendicular to and interlocking with said first array to form a plurality of cells, at least some of said second array plates having members formed thereon that are received in respective grooves, and said cells being in longitudinal alignment with said hollow control rod guide tubes and said fuel rods to provide direct access to at least one of said ends of each of said fuel rods in order to expose said rod ends for inspection purposes to determine the structural integrity of each of the inspected rods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fuel element according to claim 1 further comprising "burnable poison" rods, the ends thereof being engaged in respective cells and the balance of said "burnable poison" rods being received in said respective guide tubes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fuel element according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sealed plugs, the ends thereof being engaged in respective cells and the balance of each of said plugs being received in said respective guide tubes.
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) | 1982-05-21 | 1982-11-20 | 1983-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-21 | 1986-11-20 | 1987-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-21 | 1990-11-20 | 1991-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |