3D printed features on nuclear fuel cladding for optimized heat transfer
US11996206B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A nuclear fuel cladding with improved thermomechanical properties is provided. The nuclear fuel cladding includes a double-walled construction having inner and outer hexagonal sidewalls. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall are spaced apart from each other to form a cooling channel therebetween, and the inner sidewall surrounds a nuclear fuel and is spaced apart from the nuclear fuel by a small gap. Helical fins extend into the cooling channel to interconnect the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall. Resilient fingers extend toward the nuclear fuel through the small gap to comply with variations in the size of the nuclear fuel due to fabrication tolerances as well as thermal expansion and swelling of the nuclear fuel, for example UO2, when undergoing fission. The nuclear fuel cladding is formed according to an additive manufacturing process, for example laser powder bed fusion printing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.