Patent · US Expired

Getter for nuclear fuel elements

US3993453A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
8References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 13, 1975
Grant dateNov 23, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 13, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/12979
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A nuclear fuel element for use in the core of a nuclear reactor is disclosed and has disposed therein an improved getter capable of gettering reactive gases including a source of hydrogen. The getter comprises a composite with a substrate having thereon a coating capable of gettering reactive gases. The substrate has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than does the coating, and over a period of time at reactor operating temperatures any protective film on the coating is fractured at various places and fresh portions of the coating are exposed to getter reactive gases. With further passage of time at reactor operating temperatures a fracture of the protective film on the coating will grow into a crack in the coating exposing further portions of the coating capable of gettering reactive gases.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.