US4659540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite construction for nuclear fuel containers
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1984-02-09
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Granted: 1987-04-21
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Expires: 2004-02-09
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for producing nuclear fuel containers of a composite construction having components providing therein a barrier system for resisting destructive action by volatile fission products or impurities and also interdiffusion of metal constituents, and the product thereof. The composite nuclear fuel containers of the method comprise a casing of zirconium or alloy thereof with a layer of copper overlying an oxidized surface portion of the zirconium or alloy thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Bo-Ching Cheng
- 👤 Herman S. Rosenbaum
- 👤 Joseph S. Armijo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:09
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: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A container for nuclear fuel for service in nuclear fission reactors, comprising: (a) a casing of metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys; (b) a composite lining of at least two individually deposited copper layers superimposed over the inside surface of said metal casing in sufficient thickness to provide a composite copper lining providing an effective chemical and physical barrier to reactor fuel fission products and conditions; (c) a layer of oxide of the metal of the casing selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys on the inside surface of said metal casing and intermediate said inside surface and the individually deposited composite lining of layers of copper superimposed over said inside surface; and, (d) said composite lining of layers of copper being composed of an underlying steam permeable, thin porous layer of copper having been initially deposited on the inside surface of the metal casing while said surface was substantially oxide free, and an overlying second layer of subsequently deposited copper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A container for nuclear fuel for service in nuclear fission reactors, comprising: (a) a casing of metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys; (b) a composite lining of at least two individually deposited copper layers superimposed over the inside surface of said metal casing in sufficient thickness to provide a composite copper lining providing an effective chemical and physical barrier to reactor fuel fission products and conditions; (c) a layer of oxide of the metal of the casing selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys on the inside surface of said metal casing and intermediate said inside surface and the individually deposited composite lining of layers of copper superimposed over said inside surface; and, (d) said composite lining of layers of copper being composed of an underlying steam permeable, thin porous layer of copper having been initially deposited on the inside surface of the metal casing while said surface was substantially oxide free, and an overlying second layer of subsequently deposited copper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The container for nuclear fuel of claim 1, wherein the underlying steam permeable, thin porous layer of copper of the composite lining is up to about 5 microns thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The container for nuclear fuel of claim 1, wherein the underlying steam permeable, thin porous layer of copper of the composite lining is about 0.5 to about 5 microns thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The container for nuclear fuel of claim 1, wherein the overlying second layer of copper of the composite lining is about 1 to about 9 microns thick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The container for nuclear fuel of claim 1, wherein the overlying second layer of copper of the composite lining is about 5 to about 9 microns thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container for nuclear fuel of claim 1, wherein the composite lining of at least two individually deposited copper layers is approximately 10 microns thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The container for nuclear fuel of claim 1, wherein the layer of oxide of the metal of the casing intermediate the inside surface of the casing and the composite lining of layers of copper deposited thereon is about 0.5 to about 1 micron thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The container for nuclear fuel of claim 1, wherein said container includes a body of nuclear fuel material selected from uranium compounds, plutonium compounds, thorium compounds, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
198 words
A container for nuclear fuel for service in nuclear fission reactors, comprising: (a) a casing of metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys; (b) a composite lining of at least approximately 10 microns thick of two individually deposited copper layers superimposed over the inside surface of said metal casing to provide a composite copper lining of suitable thickness providing an effective chemical and physical barrier to reactor fuel fission products and conditions; (c) a layer of oxide of the metal of the casing selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys about 0.5 to about 1 micron thick formed in situ on the inside surface of said metal casing and intermediate said inside surface and the individually deposited composite lining of layers of copper superimposed over said inside surface; and, (d) said composite lining of layers of copper being composed of an underlying steam permeable, thin porous layer of copper about 2 to about 5 microns thick having been initially deposited on the inside surface of the metal casing while said surface was substantially oxide free, and an overlying second layer about 5 to about 8 microns thick of subsequently deposited copper.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
198 words
A container for nuclear fuel for service in nuclear fission reactors, comprising: (a) a casing of metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys; (b) a composite lining of at least approximately 10 microns thick of two individually deposited copper layers superimposed over the inside surface of said metal casing to provide a composite copper lining of suitable thickness providing an effective chemical and physical barrier to reactor fuel fission products and conditions; (c) a layer of oxide of the metal of the casing selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium alloys about 0.5 to about 1 micron thick formed in situ on the inside surface of said metal casing and intermediate said inside surface and the individually deposited composite lining of layers of copper superimposed over said inside surface; and, (d) said composite lining of layers of copper being composed of an underlying steam permeable, thin porous layer of copper about 2 to about 5 microns thick having been initially deposited on the inside surface of the metal casing while said surface was substantially oxide free, and an overlying second layer about 5 to about 8 microns thick of subsequently deposited copper.
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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) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-10-20 | 1991-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-20 | 1994-10-20 | 1995-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-20 | 1998-10-20 | 1999-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |