Patents by Inventor Roger L. Marechal

Roger L. Marechal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fuel element rod for a water-cooled nuclear reactor
    Patent number: 4957696
    Abstract: Fuel element rod for a pressurized water-cooled nuclear reactor having a cylindrical can (2) made from an alloy which is transparent to neutrons and closed at each of its ends by a plug (3, 4), namely an upper plug (3) and a lower plug (4) and having a first portion in which are stacked fuel material pellets (6), which is optionally inserted between two insulating pellets (7, 8), and a second portion or expansion chamber (5) containing a compressed spring (9) bearing at one end on the upper plug (3) and at the other end on the stack of fuel pellets (6) which it maintains in position, characterized in that the spring is made from hafnium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Roger L. Marechal, Pierre Mauny