Patent US5404383A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5404383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spacer for nuclear reactor fuel assembly
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
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Filing: 1993-02-16
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Granted: 1995-04-04
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Expires: 2013-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A spacer for retaining a number of elongated fuel rods into a bundle to be placed in a nuclear reactor of BWR or PWR type. The bundle is intended to be traversed in the longitudinal direction by a coolant. The spacer includes a number of cells for the fuel rods surrounded by an outer frame which is formed from a first band standing on edge. This band has possibly been extended by a skirt arranged on the upstream side of the spacer. The band or skirt edge of the spacer located on the upstream side thereof is provided with guiding tabs which are formed from plate flaps which lie in planes which extend in parallel with the flow direction of the coolant and one side edge of which slantingly extends from the first band or skirt edge in an upstream direction towards the center of the spacer.
Inventors
- 👤 Olov Nylund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:47
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/322; G21C3/34; G21C3/356; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A spacer for retaining a number of elongated fuel rods in a bundle for placement in a nuclear reactor, said bundle being intended to be traversed in longitudinal direction by a flow of coolant, said spacer comprising a number of cells for the fuel rods surrounded by an outer frame which is formed from a first band, standing on edge, the first band being provided with guiding tabs, wherein each guiding tab is formed from a plate flap lying in a plane which extends in parallel with said flow direction of the coolant and one side edge of which slantingly extends from said first band in an upstream direction towards a centre of the spacer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A spacer for retaining a number of elongated fuel rods in a bundle for placement in a nuclear reactor, said bundle being intended to be traversed in longitudinal direction by a flow of coolant, said spacer comprising a number of cells for the fuel rods surrounded by an outer frame which is formed from a first band, standing on edge, the first band being provided with guiding tabs, wherein each guiding tab is formed from a plate flap lying in a plane which extends in parallel with said flow direction of the coolant and one side edge of which slantingly extends from said first band in an upstream direction towards a centre of the spacer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A spacer according to claim 1, wherein each guiding tab is formed from a flap projecting upstream from the first band with an oblique edge extending up to a folding axis and arranged folded towards the centre of the spacer around said folding axis which extends in parallel with the flow direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A spacer according to claim 1, including second bands standing on edge and arranged crosswise of said outer frame to provide said cells, wherein at least certain of said second bands, at ends thereof fixed in the outer frame, are formed with a guiding tab projecting upstream and arranged in the same plane as the plane of the associated second band.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A spacer according to claim 1, wherein a downstream edge of the outer frame is provided with guiding tabs that lie in planes that extend in parallel with the flow direction of the coolant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A spacer for retaining a number of elongated fuel rods in a bundle for placement in a nuclear reactor, said bundle being intended to be traversed in a longitudinal direction by a flow of coolant, said spacer comprising a number of cells for the fuel rods surrounded by an outer frame which is formed from a first band, standing on edge, and a skirt which extends from the first band in an upstream direction, the skirt being provided with guiding tabs, wherein each guiding tab is formed from a plate flap lying in a plane which extends in parallel with said flow direction of the coolant and one side edge of which slantingly extends from said skirt in an upstream direction towards a centre of the spacer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
A spacer for retaining a number of elongated fuel rods in a bundle for placement in a nuclear reactor, said bundle being intended to be traversed in a longitudinal direction by a flow of coolant, said spacer comprising a number of cells for the fuel rods surrounded by an outer frame which is formed from a first band, standing on edge, and a skirt which extends from the first band in an upstream direction, the skirt being provided with guiding tabs, wherein each guiding tab is formed from a plate flap lying in a plane which extends in parallel with said flow direction of the coolant and one side edge of which slantingly extends from said skirt in an upstream direction towards a centre of the spacer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A spacer according to claim 1, wherein each guiding tab is formed from a flap projecting upstream from the skirt with an oblique edge extending up to a folding axis and arranged folded towards the centre of the spacer around said folding axis which extends in parallel with the flow direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A spacer according to claim 1, including second bands standing on edge and arranged crosswise of said outer frame to provide said cells, wherein at least certain of said second bands, at ends thereof fixed in the outer frame, are formed with a guiding tab projecting upstream and arranged in the same plane as the plane of the associated second band.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A spacer according to claim 1, wherein a downstream edge of the outer frame is provided with guiding tabs that lie in planes that extend in parallel with the flow direction of the coolant.
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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) | 1998-04-03 | 1998-10-03 | 1999-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-03 | 2002-10-03 | 2003-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-03 | 2006-10-03 | 2007-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |