Patent US4728488A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4728488A
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Wear resistant zirconium base alloy article for water reactors
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1985-11-14
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Granted: 1988-03-01
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Expires: 2005-11-14
Abstract
Abstract Slender water displacer rods for use in water reactors are provided with rings of a wear resistant coating spaced along the length of the rod. Each coating contains Cr 2 C 3 and is metallurgically applied and bonded to the zirconium base alloy forming the outer portion of the rod by electrospark-deposition (ESD) technique.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Gillett
- 👤 Donald G. Sherwood
- 👤 Larry A. Shockling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:18
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/04; B23K9/044; B23K9/046; B23K9/048; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/07; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S376/00; Y10S376/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
In a water reactor operating environment, the combination having improved fretting wear resistance comprising: an elongated tubular water displacer rod; having a low neutron absorption cross section guide support plates distributed along the length of said water displacer rod; said water displacer rod intersecting said guide support plates through apertures in said guide support plates; said water displacer rod having a plurality of spaced apart annular electrospark deposited coatings, each said coating facing the wall of a respective said aperture, said electrospark deposited coatings comprising Cr 2 C 3 ; wherein said water displacer rod has a tube wall composed of a zirconium base alloy; and wherein said guide support plates are composed of a stainless steel alloy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a water reactor operating environment, the combination having improved fretting wear resistance comprising: an elongated tubular water displacer rod; having a low neutron absorption cross section guide support plates distributed along the length of said water displacer rod; said water displacer rod intersecting said guide support plates through apertures in said guide support plates; said water displacer rod having a plurality of spaced apart annular electrospark deposited coatings, each said coating facing the wall of a respective said aperture, said electrospark deposited coatings comprising Cr 2 C 3 ; wherein said water displacer rod has a tube wall composed of a zirconium base alloy; and wherein said guide support plates are composed of a stainless steel alloy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination according to claim 1 further comprising: a second electrospark deposited coating metallurgically bonded to said walls of said apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said coating is about 0.001 to about 0.002 inches thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said zirconium base alloy is selected from the group consisting of Zircaloy-2, Zircaloy-4 and zirconium-niobium alloys.
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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) | 1991-03-01 | 1991-08-31 | 1992-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-01 | 1995-08-31 | 1996-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-01 | 1999-08-31 | 2000-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |