Suspended Fuel Assembly Patents (Class 376/363)
  • Patent number: 8582714
    Abstract: A fixed cluster for the core of pressurized-water nuclear reactor including rods and a holder for rods. The holder includes: an upper head; fins extending radially towards the outside from the upper head; systems for mounting the rods and distributed on the fins; and at least two abutment elements on the upper plate of the core, each of the abutment elements protruding longitudinally from a respective fin beyond the mounting systems so as to be vertically oriented towards the top when the fixed cluster is provided on a nuclear fuel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Areva NP
    Inventors: Michel Monchanin, Thierry Delannoy, Didier Pergue, Roman Ferry
  • Patent number: 8483348
    Abstract: A hold-down spring unit for a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly. The hold-down spring unit is coupled to the upper end of the top nozzle of the nuclear fuel assembly. The hold-down spring unit includes a first spring which provides a hold-down force upon the nuclear fuel assembly under start-up conditions or hot full power conditions of a nuclear reactor, and a second spring which provides an additional hold-down force upon the nuclear fuel assembly under start-up conditions of the nuclear reactor. The hold-down margin under start-up conditions or hot full power conditions is reduced, thus enhancing the mechanical and structural stability of the nuclear fuel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon Kyoo Park, Jin Seok Lee, Kyeong Lak Jeon, Jung Min Suh, Gi-Jun Gwon, Nam Gyu Park, Kyong Bo Eom, Jin Sun Kim, Dong Geun Ha, Kyoung Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 5289514
    Abstract: A gap between a foot part and a channel of a boiling water fuel assembly is sealed against a coolant flow by a spring being supported by a central part thereof against the channel and by sides thereof against the foot part and being clipped and/or clamped on at that location even when all of the fuel rods are removed. For this purpose, the upper edge can extend around the foot part edge or the spring may be constructed as a spring band running entirely around the foot part and being fitted into a lateral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Lippert, Werner Meier
  • Patent number: 4717527
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a pressurized water nuclear reactor incorporating fluid moderator spectral shift control means. During the first part of the fuel cycle when there is excess reactivity, neutron moderation may be decreased by replacing a portion of the water within the core with a less effective moderator such as heavy water. During the life of the fuel, the heavy water is gradually replaced with regular water. The fuel assembly incorporates the necessary means and apparatus to effectuate such control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Robert K. Gjertsen, Elmer A. Bassler, Edgar A. Huckestein, Robert B. Salton, Stephen N. Tower
  • Patent number: 4652422
    Abstract: A supporting device for a member formed of at least part of an elongated nuclear reactor fuel element, the supporting device having an elongated receiving sleeve mounted vertically on a base surface and having an upper end formed with an opening and a holding device located at the upper end of the sleeve for suspending the member inside the receiving sleeve includes a removable cover closing the opening at the upper end of the receiving sleeve, the holding device being secured to the inside of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Reaktor Brennelement Union GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Vogt, Hans-Peter Schonwitz, Walter Dassbach
  • Patent number: 4643868
    Abstract: A support arrangement is provided for the core modules of a nuclear reactor which provides support access through the control drive mechanisms of the reactor. This arrangement provides axial support of individual reactor core modules from the pressure vessel head in a manner which permits attachment and detachment of the modules from the head to be accomplished through the control drive mechanisms after their leadscrews have been removed. The arrangement includes a module support nut which is suspended from the pressure vessel head and screw threaded to the shroud housing for the module. A spline lock prevents loosening of the screw connection. An installation tool assembly, including a cell lifting and preloading tool and a torquing tool, fits through the control drive mechanism and provides lifting of the shroud housing while disconnecting the spline lock, as well as application of torque to the module support nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Bollinger
  • Patent number: 4299661
    Abstract: In a nuclear fuel reactor core, fuel elements are arranged in a closely packed hexagonal configuration, each fuel element having diametrically opposed vents permitting 180.degree. rotation of the fuel elements to counteract bowing. A grid plate engages the fuel elements and forms passages for communicating sets of three, four or six individual vents with respective monitor lines in order to communicate vented radioactive gases from the fuel elements to suitable monitor means in a manner readily permitting detection of leakage in individual fuel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Robert J. Campana
  • Patent number: 4294661
    Abstract: In a nuclear reactor of the pool kind the primary vessel and fuel assembly are carried from the roof of the containment vault by tie straps. The primary vessel incorporates an annular yoke of `K` cross-section the tie straps being attached to the upwardly directed vertical leg and the downwardly directed inclined leg. The upper and lower strakes of the primary vessel are extensions of the remaining legs. Load supporting welds therefore are of intermittent nature thereby limiting the effects of weld crack propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Nuclear Power Company Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Seed, Graham Chesworth, John R. Hind, Donald Hodgson