Nuclear reactor grid strip cantilever spring with nonuniform material characteristics
US5350161A · kind A · utility
3Cited by
7References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A metal component (10) having non-uniform material characteristics which cause the component to undergo differential growth upon exposure to a neutron flux, and a process for producing such a component. The invention is useful for making metal components for use in nuclear reactors, particularly fuel assembly cantilever grid springs (12). By cold working a portion (40) of a cantilever spring on the convex side of the curved region of the spring, a spring can be provided which has a smaller reduction in preload upon exposure to radiation than a conventional cantilever spring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.