US4246783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring-force measuring device
Assignee: Kraftwerk Union AG
•
Filing: 1978-11-02
•
Granted: 1981-01-27
•
Expires: 1998-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Device for measuring the spring-force of resilient spacer projections set into spacer grids of nuclear reactor fuel assemblies to push fuel rods surrounded by spacer meshes against at least two oppositely disposed rigid spacer projections, including a force measuring plug having a diameter equal to the diameter of a fuel rod to be fixed in the spacer grid, and a flexible beam integral with the force measuring plug, the flexible beam having a free end in contact with a first resilient spacer projection to be measured, and another end firmly connected to the force measuring plug and having at least one wire strain gage disposed thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef Steven
- 👤 Helmut Bezold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/04; G01L5/10; G01L5/106; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G01L1/22; G01L5/0057; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/34; G21C3/356; G21C3/3563; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Handheld device for measuring the spring-force of resilient spacer projections set into spacer grids of nuclear reactor fuel assemblies to push fuel rods surrounded by spacer meshes against at least two oppositely disposed rigid spacer projections, comprising a force measuring plug having a diameter equal to the diameter of a fuel rod to be fixed in the spacer grid, and a flexible beam integral with said force measuring plug, said flexible beam having a free end in contact with a first resilient spacer projection to be measured, and another end firmly connected to said force measuring plug and having at least one wire strain gage disposed thereon, said flexible beam being formed by a stress-free slot formed in said force measuring plug.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Handheld device for measuring the spring-force of resilient spacer projections set into spacer grids of nuclear reactor fuel assemblies to push fuel rods surrounded by spacer meshes against at least two oppositely disposed rigid spacer projections, comprising a force measuring plug having a diameter equal to the diameter of a fuel rod to be fixed in the spacer grid, and a flexible beam integral with said force measuring plug, said flexible beam having a free end in contact with a first resilient spacer projection to be measured, and another end firmly connected to said force measuring plug and having at least one wire strain gage disposed thereon, said flexible beam being formed by a stress-free slot formed in said force measuring plug.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein a second resilient spacer projection is disposed at a 90° shift from the first resilient spacer projection in the spacer grid, said slot forming said flexible beam being formed step-like whereby said second resilient spacer projection contacts said force measuring plug exclusively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
167 words
Hand-held device for measuring the spring-force of resilient spacer projections set into spacer grids of nuclear reactor fuel assemblies to push fuel rods surrounded by spacer meshes against at least two oppositely disposed rigid spacer projections, comprising a force measuring plug having a diameter equal to the diameter of a fuel rod to be fixed in the spacer grid, and a flexible beam integral with said force measuring plug, said flexible beam having a free end in contact with a first resilient spacer projection to be measured, and another end firmly connected to said force measuring plug and having at least one wire strain gage disposed thereon, said force measuring plug being hollow and having a lateral hole formed therein, said other end of said flexible beam being centered within said hollow force measuring plug, and including a pin disposed on said free end of said flexible beam extending radially through said lateral hole, said pin having a rounded end contactable with said first resilient spacer projection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
167 words
Hand-held device for measuring the spring-force of resilient spacer projections set into spacer grids of nuclear reactor fuel assemblies to push fuel rods surrounded by spacer meshes against at least two oppositely disposed rigid spacer projections, comprising a force measuring plug having a diameter equal to the diameter of a fuel rod to be fixed in the spacer grid, and a flexible beam integral with said force measuring plug, said flexible beam having a free end in contact with a first resilient spacer projection to be measured, and another end firmly connected to said force measuring plug and having at least one wire strain gage disposed thereon, said force measuring plug being hollow and having a lateral hole formed therein, said other end of said flexible beam being centered within said hollow force measuring plug, and including a pin disposed on said free end of said flexible beam extending radially through said lateral hole, said pin having a rounded end contactable with said first resilient spacer projection.
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) | 1984-01-27 | 1984-07-28 | 1985-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-27 | 1988-07-28 | 1989-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-27 | 1992-07-28 | 1993-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |