Patents Examined by R. J. Palabrica
  • Aluminum composite material, manufacturing method therefor, and basket and cask using the same
    Patent number: 7177384
    Abstract: A basket has a lattice-like section for accommodating individual used nuclear fuel in predetermined positions in a cask. The basket is made from aluminum composite material having good neutron absorption ability, excellent mechanical property and workability. The aluminum composite material is made by having, in an Al or Al alloy base phase, B or B compound with a neutron absorption ability and an additive element, e.g. Zr or Ti, for giving a high strength property, and subjecting to a sintering under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Murakami, Tomikane Saida, Yasuhiro Sakaguchi
  • Nuclear reactor fuel assemblies
    Patent number: 7085340
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly having a parallel array of elongated fuel elements supported between an upper and lower nozzle. Main support grids are substantially evenly spaced along the elongated dimension of the assembly to maintain the spacing between fuel elements. A plurality of auxiliary vibration-resistant grids respectively positioned between the main support grids in the middle third elongated dimension of the fuel elements, that are smaller in height and provide a larger fuel element contact area than the main support grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co, LLC
    Inventors: Mark P. Goldenfield, Quang M. Nguyen, Gregory E. Settle, Radu O. Pomirleanu, Abdelaziz M. Elmahdi, Lewis A. Walton, Raymond W. Brashier