Fuel rod having heat transfer liquid filling the gap between fuel pellets and cladding tube
US12412672B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
2References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improvement in a nuclear fuel rod is disclosed. The improved fuel rod includes a cladding tube, a plurality of fuel pellets stacked within the cladding tube, and a liquid material filling the gap between the fuel pellets and the cladding tube. The liquid material is selected from those having a thermal conductivity higher than that of helium, a melting point lower than about 400° C., a boiling point higher than 1600° C., and which are capable of wetting both the fuel pellets and the cladding sufficient to form a protective layer over the pellets and to wick into openings that may form in the cladding.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.