Nuclear fuel rod having pellet stack holding means
US4699757A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 1986 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A nuclear fuel rod has a sheath closed by end plugs and a stack of fuel pellets in the sheath. The stack is retained in abutment against one of the end plugs during handling of the fuel rod by a radially expandable element having a cross-sectional area in rest condition such as it frictionally engages an internal surface of said sheath. When the fuel rod is brought to the reactor operating temperature, the radially expandable element is contracted clear of frictional contact by temperature responsive means of a shape memory alloy operatively associated with said radially expandable element and having a transformation temperature above atmospheric temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.