US4306938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reactor core element with pad
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1979-02-02
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Granted: 1981-12-22
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Expires: 1999-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A pad of a fuel assembly with a wrapper tube is pressed out from the interior of the wrapper tube to provide a band-like pad. The pad is reinforced by a reinforcing member fitted in a hollow portion of the pad. The pad is joint to the reinforcing member, or made so that swelling of the pad does not exceed that of the reinforcing material.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsuneyasu Yamanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:15
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/324; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/12; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A core element having a hexagonal tube extending in an axial direction and arranged in adjacent relation to another core element, the improvement comprising a pad having a pad portion which is a pressed out part of the hexagonal tube, the pad portion including six flat side faces forming a hexagonal continuous band-like configuration with gradient portions at the axial ends of the side faces, and a band member fitted in a hollow made in the hexagonal tube opposite to the pad portion pressed out for reinforcing the pad portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A core element having a hexagonal tube extending in an axial direction and arranged in adjacent relation to another core element, the improvement comprising a pad having a pad portion which is a pressed out part of the hexagonal tube, the pad portion including six flat side faces forming a hexagonal continuous band-like configuration with gradient portions at the axial ends of the side faces, and a band member fitted in a hollow made in the hexagonal tube opposite to the pad portion pressed out for reinforcing the pad portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A core element having a wrapper tube extending in an axial direction and arranged in adjacent relation to another core element, the improvement comprising a portion of the wrapper tube pressed out to provide a pad on the periphery of the wrapper tube, the pad having a hexagonal shape forming a continuous band about the periphery of the wrapper tube and being provided with gradient portions at the axial ends of the pad, and a reinforcing band plate fitted in a band-like hollow portion formed in the interior of the pad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A core element having a wrapper tube extending in an axial direction and arranged in adjacent relation to another core element, the improvement comprising a portion of the wrapper tube pressed out to provide a pad on the periphery of the wrapper tube, the pad having a hexagonal shape forming a continuous band about the periphery of the wrapper tube and being provided with gradient portions at the axial ends of the pad, and a reinforcing band plate fitted in a band-like hollow portion formed in the interior of the pad.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A core element as defined in claim 2, wherein the wrapper tube is joined to the reinforcing band plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A core element as defined in claim 2, wherein the pad presents smaller swelling than the reinforcing band plate when the core element is subjected to neutron radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A core element as defined in claim 3, wherein the pad and the reinforcing band plate has at least a plug welding portion at a flat portion of the pad.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A core element as defined in claim 3, wherein a welding portion is provided on all contacting faces between the pad and the reinforcing band plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A core element as defined in claim 4, wherein nickel content of the wrapper tube is more than that of the reinforcing band plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A core element as defined in claim 4, wherein cold reduction of the wrapper tube is larger than that of the reinforcing band plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A core element as defined in claim 8, wherein the cold reduction of the wrapper tube is more than 15% and the cold reduction of the reinforcing band plate is less than 15%.
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) | 1984-12-21 | 1985-06-22 | 1985-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-21 | 1989-06-22 | 1989-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-21 | 1993-06-22 | 1993-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |