Patents Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
  • Patent number: 10665352
    Abstract: A core plate assembly for a boiling water reactor, and a method of performing work thereon are disclosed. The core plate assembly comprises a core plate having through-going apertures, and a beam structure comprising parallel first beams and parallel second beams being perpendicular to the first beams. The beams enclose a plurality of rectangular areas each enclosing four of the through-going apertures. Control rod guide tubes are aligned with a respective one of the through-going apertures. A transition pieces is received in a respective one of the control rod guide tubes, and has four passages for communicating with a respective fuel assembly. Each passage permits a coolant flow into the respective fuel assembly. A flow inlet is provided for the coolant into each passage. At least one of the flow inlets has a cross-sectional shape deviating from a circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Sven Perzon, Yann Le Moigne, Henrik Remahl, Tobias Strömgren
  • Patent number: 10395780
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a nuclear power boiling water reactor, including: a fuel channel defining a central fuel channel axis, fuel rods, each having a central fuel rod axis, at least 3 water channels for non-boiling water, each water channel having a central water channel axis and each water channel having a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of (the average) fuel rod. The fuel rods comprise a first group of full length fuel rods and a second group of shorter fuel rods. The fuel assembly comprises at least 5 fuel rods which belong to said second group and which are positioned such that the central fuel rod axis of each of these at least 5 fuel rods is closer to the central fuel channel axis than any of the water channel axes of the water channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Uffe Bergmann, Jonas Aurén, Lars-Erik Johansson
  • Publication number: 20190228869
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor having an upstream minor portion defining an upstream end, a main portion, and a downstream minor portion defining a downstream end. Fuel rods extend in a flow interspace permitting a flow of coolant through the fuel assembly in contact with the fuel rods. Two elongated tubes form a respective internal passage extending in parallel with the fuel rods and enclosing a stream of the coolant. Each elongated tube having a bottom, an inlet at the upstream minor portion and an outlet at the downstream minor portion. Each elongated tube having an inlet pipe having an inlet end and an outlet end in the internal passage at a distance from the bottom, thereby forming a space in the internal passage between the outlet end and the bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Sture Helmersson, Jeremy King
  • Patent number: 10361008
    Abstract: A method of making a nuclear fuel pellet for a nuclear power reactor. The method includes: providing a nuclear fuel material in powder form, the nuclear material is based on UO2; providing an additive; forming a green pellet, wherein said additive is added either to said nuclear fuel material or to the green pellet; and sintering the green pellet, wherein said additive causes larger grains in the nuclear fuel pellet, and wherein said additive is made of or includes a substance which causes the larger grains and which substantially leaves at least an outer portion of the pellet before and/or during the sintering step, wherein said substance is made of, or comprises, B and/or Cr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Hans Widegren, Edward J. Lahoda, Lars Hallstadius
  • Patent number: 10361007
    Abstract: A method of making a nuclear fuel pellet for a nuclear power reactor. The method includes: providing a nuclear fuel material in powder form, pressing the powder such that a green pellet is obtained; providing a liquid that comprises an additive which is to be added to the green pellet; contacting the green pellet with the liquid so the liquid, with the additive, penetrates into the pellet; and sintering the treated green pellet. The additive is such that larger grains in the nuclear fuel material are obtained with the additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventor: Hans Widegren
  • Publication number: 20190198183
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a nuclear water reactor having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a flow interspace between the upstream and downstream ends. Fuel rods are provided in the flow interspace between the upstream and downstream ends. The flow interspace permits a flow of coolant through the fuel assembly along a flow direction from the upstream end to the downstream end. A filter device is provided to catch debris particles in the flow of coolant. The filter device has a first filter zone for a major part of the flow of coolant, and a second filter zone for a minor part of the flow of coolant. The first filter zone has a first filtering efficiency and the second filter zone has a second filtering efficiency. The second filtering efficiency is higher than the first filtering efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Håkan Söderberg, Sven Pettersson, Anders Söderlund
  • Patent number: 10269459
    Abstract: A fuel channel for a nuclear power boiling water reactor is configured to include a bundle of fuel rods with nuclear fuel. The fuel channel is made of a sheet material and has a plurality of sides which have an elongated shape and which are connected to each other such that a corner with an elongated shape is formed where two adjacent sides meet. In one or more corners, the sheet materials from the two adjacent sides overlap with each other such that there is a corner region with double sheet material consisting of the overlapping sheet material from one of the two sides and the overlapping sheet material from the other of the two sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mats Dahlbäck, Sture Helmersson
  • Patent number: 10269461
    Abstract: A device for submersibly cleaning surfaces inside a nuclear reactor includes a pump and a nozzle connected to said pump. The nozzle is arranged to face surfaces to be cleaned. The device includes cleaning means capable of removing debris on surfaces to be cleaned. The device includes adjustable flotation means, capable of adjusting the flotation capability of the device depending on a type of cleaning application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventor: John Klintberg
  • Publication number: 20180182499
    Abstract: A core plate assembly for a boiling water reactor, and a method of performing work thereon are disclosed. The core plate assembly comprises a core plate having through-going apertures, and a beam structure comprising parallel first beams and parallel second beams being perpendicular to the first beams. The beams enclose a plurality of rectangular areas each enclosing four of the through-going apertures. Control rod guide tubes are aligned with a respective one of the through-going apertures. A transition pieces is received in a respective one of the control rod guide tubes, and has four passages for communicating with a respective fuel assembly. Each passage permits a coolant flow into the respective fuel assembly. A flow inlet is provided for the coolant into each passage. At least one of the flow inlets has a cross-sectional shape deviating from a circular shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Sven PERZON, Yann LE MOIGNE, Henrik REMAHL, Tobias STRÖMGREN
  • Patent number: 9984776
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a nuclear power boiling water reactor including a fuel channel defining a central fuel channel axis, fuel rods, each having a central fuel rod axis, at least 3 water channels for non-boiling water, each water channel having a central water channel axis and each water channel having a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of (the average) fuel rod. The fuel rods include a first group of full length fuel rods and a second group of shorter fuel rods. The fuel assembly comprises 3 or 4 fuel rods which belong to said second group and which are positioned such that the central fuel rod axis of each of these 3 or 4 fuel rods is closer to the central fuel channel axis than any of the water channel axes of the water channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jonas Aurén, Uffe Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20180096744
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a nuclear power boiling water reactor including a fuel channel defining a central fuel channel axis, fuel rods, each having a central fuel rod axis, at least 3 water channels for non-boiling water, each water channel having a central water channel axis and each water channel having a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of (the average) fuel rod. The fuel rods include a first group of full length fuel rods and a second group of shorter fuel rods. The fuel assembly comprises 3 or 4 fuel rods which belong to said second group and which are positioned such that the central fuel rod axis of each of these 3 or 4 fuel rods is closer to the central fuel channel axis than any of the water channel axes of the water channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jonas Aurén, Uffe Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20180082758
    Abstract: A method and a system includes controlling and monitoring the gas pressure in a nuclear fuel rod during filling of the fuel rod with a gas, and subsequent sealing of the fuel rod. The system includes a control unit and a length measuring system, which control unit is communicatively connected to the length measuring system. The length measuring system is configured to monitor the length of the fuel rod, and the control unit is configured to receive measurements from the length measuring system and to determine the gas pressure inside the fuel rod on the basis of variations of the length of the fuel rod. The method includes positioning an open first end of the fuel rod inside a pressure chamber, allowing gas to enter the fuel rod; pressurizing the gas in the pressure chamber at a first pressure level; closing the fuel rod; and sealing the fuel rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Thomas Rostvall, Pontus Löf Helmersson
  • Publication number: 20180047466
    Abstract: A method of making a fuel channel for a fuel assembly for a nuclear power boiling water reactor includes providing at least one first sheet of a Zr-based material of a first thickness, providing at least one second sheet of a Zr-based material of a second thickness, which is less than said first thickness, assembling at least said at least one first sheet and said at least one second sheet, such that a fuel channel is formed and such that said at least one first sheet forms a lower part of the fuel channel and such that said at least one second sheet forms a higher part of the fuel channel and such that said lower part is joined with said higher part, wherein said lower part constitutes 20-75% of the length of the fuel channel. The invention also concerns a fuel channel and a fuel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Anders Söderlund, Markus Månsson
  • Publication number: 20170330637
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a nuclear power boiling water reactor, including: a fuel channel defining a central fuel channel axis, fuel rods, each having a central fuel rod axis, at least 3 water channels for non-boiling water, each water channel having a central water channel axis and each water channel having a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of (the average) fuel rod. The fuel rods comprise a first group of full length fuel rods and a second group of shorter fuel rods. The fuel assembly comprises at least 5 fuel rods which belong to said second group and which are positioned such that the central fuel rod axis of each of these at least 5 fuel rods is closer to the central fuel channel axis than any of the water channel axes of the water channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Uffe BERGMANN, Jonas AURÉN, Lars-Erik JOHANSSON
  • Publication number: 20170309352
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor, having fuel rods, a tie plate, a handle device, and at least two water rods attached to the tie plate and to the handle device. A plurality of spacers, define first passages for some of the fuel rods, and second passages for the water rods. Each water rod comprises a tube part attached to the tie plate, and a solid part attached to the handle device. The tube part permits a flow of coolant. The spacers include primary spacers and a secondary spacer. The primary spacers are attached to the tube parts. The tie plate, the water rods, the primary spacers and the handle device form a support structure carrying the weight of the fuel rods. The secondary spacer is positioned at the solid part of the respective water rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Sture HELMERSSON, Markus MÅNSSON, Anders SÖDERLUND
  • Publication number: 20170287574
    Abstract: A method of making a nuclear fuel pellet for a nuclear power reactor. The method includes providing a nuclear fuel material in powder form, providing an additive, forming a so-called green pellet, wherein said additive is added either to said nuclear fuel material in powder form or to the green pellet, sintering the green pellet, wherein said additive is such that it causes larger grains in the nuclear fuel pellet, and wherein said additive is made of or includes a substance which causes the larger grains and which substantially leaves at least an outer portion of the pellet before and/or during the sintering step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Hans WIDEGREN, Edward J. LAHODA, Lars HALLSTADIUS
  • Publication number: 20170271034
    Abstract: A method of making a nuclear fuel pellet for a nuclear power reactor. The method includes providing a nuclear fuel material in powder form, pressing the powder such that a so-called green pellet is obtained, providing a liquid that comprises an additive which is to be added to the green pellet, contacting the green pellet with the liquid such that the liquid, with the additive, penetrates into the pellet, and sintering the so treated green pellet, wherein the additive is such that larger grains in the nuclear fuel material are obtained with the additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Hans WIDEGREN
  • Patent number: 9586287
    Abstract: A method of welding a fuel rod includes the following steps. An end plug and a cladding tube of the fuel rod are brought together to abut each other, and welded by applying a laser beam directed to a welding zone to melt material of the end plug and the cladding tube. The welding is sensed by sensing radiation within a first wavelength range, which includes the wavelength of the laser beam coming from reflections from the welding zone, sensing radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, which includes infrared radiation from melted material, and sensing radiation within a third wavelength range different from the first and second wavelength ranges, which includes radiation from plasma. The welding and melting of material is monitored by monitoring the sensed radiations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Sten Borell, Tomas Rostvall
  • Patent number: 9490036
    Abstract: A control rod for a nuclear boiling water reactor is described. The control rod has a longitudinal centre axis and control rod blades, each control rod blade having a first and a second side and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal center axis. Each control rod blade comprises an absorber material which extends from a first absorber end to a second absorber end, the distance between the first absorber end and the second absorber end defining an active length. The control rod blades are provided with distance means on the first and second sides of the control rod blades, the distance means extending a distance of at least a third of the active length of the control rod blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Sture Helmersson, Lars Hallstadius
  • Patent number: 9296497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device designed to capture the detached particles from an object being processed by the tool. The device includes an inlet opening to an internal space. The device includes guiding means configured to lead particles, which is detached during a machining process, the inner space of the container via the inlet opening and the inner space comprises a first material that has a consistency such that it has the ability to receive and retain detached particles, which are led into the inner space during the machining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Arto Suoniemi, Magnus Emerius