Patent US5810809A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3715274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Nuclear fuel assembly with reinforced flow channel
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1969-08-15
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1989-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear fuel assembly wherein the lower portion of the flow channel is reinforced or stiffened in the region of its interface with the lower tie plate for improved control of bypass flow of coolant into the spaces between the fuel assemblies of a nuclear reactor.
Inventors
- 👤 D Venier
- 👤 B Smith
- 👤 J Lass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:23
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/324; G21C15/00; G21C15/02; G21C15/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A fuel assembly comprising a plurality of fuel rods positioned in a spaced array by upper and lower tie plates, said lower tie plate having means to receive therethrough a flow of coolant, an open-ended tubular flow channel surrounding said array for conducting said coolant upward past said fuel rods, a portion of the lower end of said channel closely surrounding a peripheral surface of said lower tie plate to limit leakage of said coolant therebetween, said channel being attached to said assembly solely at the top of said assembly with readily releasable attachment means and said channel being freed from and detached from said lower tie plate so that said channel readily is removable from said assembly, means separate from said channel connecting said upper and lower tie plates together and maintaining said fuel rods in said spaced array independent of said flow channel, said flow channel being formed with a reinforced portion in the region of interface with said lower tie plate for added resistance to deflection of said portion of said flow channel away from said lower tie plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A fuel assembly comprising a plurality of fuel rods positioned in a spaced array by upper and lower tie plates, said lower tie plate having means to receive therethrough a flow of coolant, an open-ended tubular flow channel surrounding said array for conducting said coolant upward past said fuel rods, a portion of the lower end of said channel closely surrounding a peripheral surface of said lower tie plate to limit leakage of said coolant therebetween, said channel being attached to said assembly solely at the top of said assembly with readily releasable attachment means and said channel being freed from and detached from said lower tie plate so that said channel readily is removable from said assembly, means separate from said channel connecting said upper and lower tie plates together and maintaining said fuel rods in said spaced array independent of said flow channel, said flow channel being formed with a reinforced portion in the region of interface with said lower tie plate for added resistance to deflection of said portion of said flow channel away from said lower tie plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fuel assembly of claim 1 wherein said lower tie plate is formed with at least one bypass coolant flow passage directly from the interior of said lower tie plate to the exterior of said fuel assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel assembly of claim 1 wherein said reinforced portion of said flow channel is formed with circumferential corrugations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fuel assembly of claim 1 wherein the walls of said reinforced portion of said flow channel are formed of thicker material than the remainder of the walls of said flow channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel assembly of claim 4 wherein the outer surface of the thicker wall portion of said flow channel is circumferentially grooved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel assembly of claim 1 wherein said reinforced portion of said flow channel is surrounded by a reinforcing sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fuel assembly of claim 6 wherein said sleeve is circumferentially corrugated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuel assembly of claim 1 wherein said reinforced portion of said flow channel is surrounded by each of a plurality of spaced sleeves extending circumferentially around said portion
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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) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |