US4229260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor fuel element
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1976-06-02
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1996-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear reactor fuel element is described which has an outer cladding, a central core of fissionable or mixed fissionable and fertile fuel material and a layer of oxygen gettering material on the inner surface of the cladding. The gettering material reacts with oxygen released by the fissionable material during irradiation of the core thereby preventing the oxygen from reacting with and corroding the cladding. Also described is an improved method for coating the inner surface of the cladding with a layer of gettering material.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl E. Johnson
- 👤 Carl E. Crouthamel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:08
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element comprising: a tubular-shaped outer metallic cladding having an inner surface and sealed ends; a layer of chromium bonded to the inner surface of the cladding to form an integral member, said chromium acting as an oxygen getter to protect the cladding from corrosion; a central core of actinide fuel material disposed within the cladding, said core being movable relative to the cladding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A nuclear reactor fuel element comprising: a tubular-shaped outer metallic cladding having an inner surface and sealed ends; a layer of chromium bonded to the inner surface of the cladding to form an integral member, said chromium acting as an oxygen getter to protect the cladding from corrosion; a central core of actinide fuel material disposed within the cladding, said core being movable relative to the cladding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel element of claim 1 wherein the chromium layer is 0.5 to 1.0 mils thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fuel element of claim 2 wherein the cladding is stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel element of claim 3 wherein the cladding walls are 10 to 15 mils thick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fuel element of claim 4 wherein the actinide fuel material is selected from the group consisting of plutonium oxide, uranium oxide, plutonium oxide and uranium oxide, and plutonium oxide and thorium oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel element of claim 5 wherein the core of actinide fuel material consists of a plurality of right circular cylinders.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The fuel element of claim 6 wherein the cladding is a tube having a 1/4" interior diameter and walls 15 mils thick, the chromium layer is about 1 mil thick and the actinide fuel material is a mixture of plutonium oxide and uranium oxide in the form of 1/4" right circular cylinders.
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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) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |