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US4174369A
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Fluid pressure method for recovering fuel pellets from nuclear fuel elements
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1977-11-01
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Granted: 1979-11-13
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Expires: 1997-11-01
Abstract
Abstract Method for removing fuel pellets from a nuclear fuel element without damaging the fuel pellets or fuel element sheath so that both may be reused. The method comprises holding the fuel element while a high pressure stream internally pressurizes the fuel element to expand the fuel element sheath away from the fuel pellets therein so that the fuel pellets may be easily removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence D. John, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:10
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/34; G21C19/36; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of removing fuel pellets from a metallic sheath of a fuel element comprising the steps of: opening at least one end of said fuel element; arranging a high pressure tube into contact with said opened end; conducting water at a high pressure through said opened end and into said metallic sheath thereby internally pressuring said metallic sheath and expanding said metallic sheath away from said fuel pellets; and inclining said fuel element to the horizontal thereby allowing said fuel pellets to slide out of said metallic sheath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of removing fuel pellets from a metallic sheath of a fuel element comprising the steps of: opening at least one end of said fuel element; arranging a high pressure tube into contact with said opened end; conducting water at a high pressure through said opened end and into said metallic sheath thereby internally pressuring said metallic sheath and expanding said metallic sheath away from said fuel pellets; and inclining said fuel element to the horizontal thereby allowing said fuel pellets to slide out of said metallic sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the step of vibrating said metallic sheath while said pressure is applied to facilitate the removal of said fuel pellets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the method further comprises: positioning a portion of said fuel element in a collet mechanism for holding said fuel element during the pressurization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the method further comprises: positioning a split die around the portion of said fuel element that extends beyond said collet mechanism; and tightening a clamping mechanism around said split die thereby holding said split die around said fuel element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the water is conducted at a pressure of approximately 16,000 pounds per square inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2891840A
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US2827405A
Cited
US3316065A
Cited
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Cited
US4000039A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-12 | 1983-05-14 | 1983-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-12 | 1987-05-14 | 1987-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-12 | 1991-05-14 | 1991-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |