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Patent US4582676A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4582676A
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Coating a uranium dioxide nuclear fuel with a zirconium diboride burnable poison
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1983-02-22
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Granted: 1986-04-15
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Expires: 2003-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for coating a uranium dioxide nuclear fuel with a zirconium diboride burnable poison. First, a layer of niobium is bonded to the nuclear fuel. Then, a layer of zirconium diboride is deposited by chemical vapor deposition on the niobium layer. A zirconium diboride coated nuclear fuel having a layer of niobium between a uranium dioxide substrate and the zirconium diboride layer also is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Walston Chubb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:27
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/20; G21C7/00; G21C7/02; G21C7/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for coating a uranium dioxide containing nuclear fuel pellet with a zirconium diboride containing burning poison, comprising: (a) bondably depositing a layer containing niobium on at least a portion of said nuclear fuel pellet; and (b) then bondably depositing, by chemical vapor deposition, a layer of said burnable poison on at least a part of said niobium containing layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for coating a uranium dioxide containing nuclear fuel pellet with a zirconium diboride containing burning poison, comprising: (a) bondably depositing a layer containing niobium on at least a portion of said nuclear fuel pellet; and (b) then bondably depositing, by chemical vapor deposition, a layer of said burnable poison on at least a part of said niobium containing layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said nuclear fuel pellet consists essentially of uranium dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said niobium containing layer consists essentiallly of niobium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said niobium containing layer is deposited by chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said burnable poison layer consists essentially of zirconium diboride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said nuclear fuel pellet comprises generally cylindrical pellets each having a diameter of about one-third inch and a length of about one-half inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said niobium containing layer has a thickness of between about 3 microns and about 6 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said burnable poison layer has a thickness of between about 8 microns and about 16 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel assembly having a fuel rod containing a burnable poison coated nuclear fuel pellet, said fuel pellet comprising: (a) a generally cylindrical substrate containing uranium dioxide; (b) a bondably deposited layer containing niobium covering at least a portion of said substrate; and (c) a bondably deposited burnable poison layer containing zirconium diboride covering at least a part of said niobium containing layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel assembly having a fuel rod containing a burnable poison coated nuclear fuel pellet, said fuel pellet comprising: (a) a generally cylindrical substrate containing uranium dioxide; (b) a bondably deposited layer containing niobium covering at least a portion of said substrate; and (c) a bondably deposited burnable poison layer containing zirconium diboride covering at least a part of said niobium containing layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel assembly having a fuel rod containing a burnable poison coated nuclear fuel pellet, said fuel pellet comprising: (a) a generally cylindrical substrate consisting essentially of uranium dioxide; (b) a bondably deposited layer consisting essentially of niobium circumferentially surrounding said substrate; and (c) a bondably deposited burnable poison layer consisting essentially of zirconium diboride circumferentially surrounding said niobium layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a nuclear reactor fuel assembly having a fuel rod containing a burnable poison coated nuclear fuel pellet, said fuel pellet comprising: (a) a generally cylindrical substrate consisting essentially of uranium dioxide; (b) a bondably deposited layer consisting essentially of niobium circumferentially surrounding said substrate; and (c) a bondably deposited burnable poison layer consisting essentially of zirconium diboride circumferentially surrounding said niobium layer.
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) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |