US4751045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
PCI resistant light water reactor fuel cladding
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
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Filing: 1987-04-29
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Granted: 1988-06-14
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Expires: 2007-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear fuel cladding tube composed of a single zirconium base alloy is provided preferably with a cold worked and stress relieved microstructure throughout. The cladding is characterized by excellent aqueous corrosion resistance as well as excellent resistance to PCI crack propagation. The alloy is selected from a group of zirconium base alloys containing tin, iron, chromium, and/or nickel and low levels of impurities.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Foster
- 👤 George P. Sabol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/07; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A tubular nuclear fuel element cladding tube, said fuel element cladding tube forming the entire fuel element cladding and consisting of: a single continuous wall, said single continuous wall consisting of a single alloy selected from the group consisting of zirconium base alloys A, B, C, D, and E; said single continuous wall characterized by a cold worked and stress relieved microstructure throughout; wherein said zirconium base alloy A contains 0.2-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.03-0.11 w/o sum of Fe and Cr, § 600 ppm O and § 1500 ppm total impurities; said zirconium base alloy B contains 0.1-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.04-0.24 w/o Fe, 0.05-0.15 w/o Cr, § 0.08 w/o Ni, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; said zirconium base alloy C contains 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.04-0.24 w/o Fe, 0.05-0.15 w/o Cr, § 0.08 w/o Ni, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; said zirconium base alloy D contains 0.15-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.15-0.5 w/o Fe, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; and said zirconium base alloy E contains 0.4-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.1-0.3 w/o Fe, 0.03-0.07 w/o Ni, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A tubular nuclear fuel element cladding tube, said fuel element cladding tube forming the entire fuel element cladding and consisting of: a single continuous wall, said single continuous wall consisting of a single alloy selected from the group consisting of zirconium base alloys A, B, C, D, and E; said single continuous wall characterized by a cold worked and stress relieved microstructure throughout; wherein said zirconium base alloy A contains 0.2-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.03-0.11 w/o sum of Fe and Cr, § 600 ppm O and § 1500 ppm total impurities; said zirconium base alloy B contains 0.1-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.04-0.24 w/o Fe, 0.05-0.15 w/o Cr, § 0.08 w/o Ni, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; said zirconium base alloy C contains 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.04-0.24 w/o Fe, 0.05-0.15 w/o Cr, § 0.08 w/o Ni, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; said zirconium base alloy D contains 0.15-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.15-0.5 w/o Fe, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; and said zirconium base alloy E contains 0.4-0.6 w/o Sn, 0.1-0.3 w/o Fe, 0.03-0.07 w/o Ni, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein oxygen is less than 400 ppm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein total impurities are less than 1000 ppm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube in accordance with claim 3 wherein oxygen is less than 400 ppm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube according to claim 1 wherein said single alloy is zirconium base alloy C, containing 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.07-0.20 w/o Fe, 0.05-0.15 w/o Cr, 0.03-0.08 w/o Ni, <600 ppm O, and less than 1500 ppm total impurities.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube according to claim 1 wherein said single alloy is zirconium base alloy C containing 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.18-0.24 w/o Fe, 0.07-0.13 w/o Cr, <600 ppm O, and <1500 ppm total impurities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube according to claim 1 having an anisotropic crystallographic texture characterized by a Kearns f number in the radial direction of greater than 0.65.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube according to claim 1 having an anisotropic crystallographic texture characterized by a contractile strain ratio of greater than 2.0.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A nuclear fuel element cladding tube consisting of: a single continuous wall, said single continuous wall consisting of a single zirconium base alloy; said alloy consisting essentially of 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.07-0.20 w/o Fe, 0.05-0.15 w/o Cr, 0.03-0.08 w/o Ni; § 600 ppm O; and less than 1500 ppm total impurities; and said single continuous wall of said fuel element cladding tube having a partially or fully recrystallized microstructure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A nuclear fuel element cladding tube consisting of: a single continuous wall, said single continuous wall consisting of a single zirconium base alloy; said alloy consisting essentially of 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.07-0.20 w/o Fe, 0.05-0.15 w/o Cr, 0.03-0.08 w/o Ni; § 600 ppm O; and less than 1500 ppm total impurities; and said single continuous wall of said fuel element cladding tube having a partially or fully recrystallized microstructure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A nuclear fuel element cladding tube consisting of: a single continuous wall, said single continuous wall consisting of a single zirconium base alloy; said alloy consisting essentially of 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.18-0.24 w/o Fe, 0.07-0.13 w/o Cr, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; and said single continuous wall of said fuel element cladding tube having a partially or fully recrystallized microstructure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A nuclear fuel element cladding tube consisting of: a single continuous wall, said single continuous wall consisting of a single zirconium base alloy; said alloy consisting essentially of 1.2-1.7 w/o Sn, 0.18-0.24 w/o Fe, 0.07-0.13 w/o Cr, § 600 ppm O, and § 1500 ppm total impurities; and said single continuous wall of said fuel element cladding tube having a partially or fully recrystallized microstructure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube according to claim 9 having an anisotropic crystallographic texture characterized by a contractile strain ratio of greater than 2.0.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nuclear fuel element cladding tube according to claim 10 having an anisotropic crystallographic texture characterized by a contractile strain ratio of greater than 2.0.
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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) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-12-14 | 1992-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-14 | 1995-12-14 | 1996-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-14 | 1999-12-14 | 2000-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |