US4824634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Element with burnable poison coating
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
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Filing: 1987-08-05
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Granted: 1989-04-25
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Expires: 2007-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A fuel element for a nuclear reactor having a zirconium-tin alloy cladding tube, with a thin coating of particles of enriched boron-containing compound burnable poison particles, such as ZrB 2 deposited from a liquid suspension which includes an acrylic polymer binder material and isopropanol. Graphite lubricant particles can be included in the coating.
Inventors
- 👤 Nathan Fuhrman
- 👤 Wlliam J. Bryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:15
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/18; G21C21/00; G21C21/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
In a fuel element for use in a nuclear reactor which includes a fission material contained within a zirconium-alloy cladding tube, the improvement which comprises: a coating on the inside of the zirconium-alloy cladding tube, said coating including boron-containing compound burnable poison particles deposited from a liquid suspension which includes an acrylic polymer binder material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a fuel element for use in a nuclear reactor which includes a fission material contained within a zirconium-alloy cladding tube, the improvement which comprises: a coating on the inside of the zirconium-alloy cladding tube, said coating including boron-containing compound burnable poison particles deposited from a liquid suspension which includes an acrylic polymer binder material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fuel element of claim 1 in which the coating's boron-containing compound includes boron enriched to at least an 80% level of B 10 to give a desired nuclear poison level for use in the nuclear reactor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fuel element of claim 1 in which the coating's boron-containing compound includes zirconium diboride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel element of claim 1 in which the zirconium-alloy includes tin in the approximate range of from 1.20 to 1.70.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The fuel element of claim 1 in which the particles range in size below 1.5 microns in a distribution in which 20% of the particles are of a size greater than 1 micron and 80% of the particles are of a size less than 1 micron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel element of claim 1 in which the coating includes residual acrylic polymer binder material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fuel element of claim 1 in which the coating includes particles of graphite as well as particles of a boron-containing compound deposited from the liquid suspension which includes the acrylic polymer binder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3625821A
Cited
US4541984A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-24 | 1992-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-24 | 1996-10-24 | 1997-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-24 | 2000-10-24 | 2001-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |