US4626402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the storage and transport of radioactive materials
Assignee: GNS Gesellschaft fuer Nuklearservice mbH
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Filing: 1983-12-16
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Granted: 1986-12-02
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Expires: 2003-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Spherolitic cast iron or cast steel containers or nuclear steel elements are modified by replacement of the complex boron steel baskets with stainless steel or austenitic manganese steel lattices therefor and the lattices define vertical compartments in which the fuel rods removed from the elements are received in densest-packed relationship directly or via the intermediary of thin-walled metal sleeves.
Inventors
- 👤 Henning Baatz
- 👤 Dieter Rittscher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:00
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F5/00; G21F5/005; G21F5/008; G21F5/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a system for the transport and storage of the radioactive material contained in the form of fuel rods of nuclear fuel elements irradiated in the core of a nuclear reactor, wherein said elements can be accommodated in an upwardly open chamber of a container composed of a cast iron or steel and receiving at least one sliding cover, the improvement wherein: said chamber is provided with a grid-shaped metal lattice defining vertically extending compartments, and said fuel rods after removal from said elements are disposed in said compartments in a closest-packed configuration wherein said fuel rods have line contact along their length with adjacent fuel rods with the closest possible packing that minimizes free-space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a system for the transport and storage of the radioactive material contained in the form of fuel rods of nuclear fuel elements irradiated in the core of a nuclear reactor, wherein said elements can be accommodated in an upwardly open chamber of a container composed of a cast iron or steel and receiving at least one sliding cover, the improvement wherein: said chamber is provided with a grid-shaped metal lattice defining vertically extending compartments, and said fuel rods after removal from said elements are disposed in said compartments in a closest-packed configuration wherein said fuel rods have line contact along their length with adjacent fuel rods with the closest possible packing that minimizes free-space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein the fuel rods in each compartment are enclosed in a thin-wall sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said material is composed of boron-free steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement defined in claim 3 wherein said lattice is composed of a stainless steel or an austenitic manganese steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said material is composed of boron-free steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement defined in claim 5 wherein said lattice is composed of a stainless steel or an austenitic manganese steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said sleeve and the respective compartment have diameters greater than that of said elements and the portions of the lattice between said sleeves are of correspondingly reduced thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement defined in claim 6 wherein said sleeve and the respective compartment have diameters greater than that of said elements and the portions of the lattice between said sleeves are of correspondingly reduced thickness.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4034227A
Cited
US4209420A
Cited
US4474727A
Cited
US4382060A
Cited
US4441242A
Cited
US4446098A
Cited
US4457888A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-01 | 1990-06-02 | 1990-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-01 | 1994-06-02 | 1994-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-01 | 1998-06-02 | 1998-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |