The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 2025
Filed:
Apr. 08, 2021
Terrapower, Llc, Bellevue, WA (US);
Jesse R. Cheatham, Iii, Seattle, WA (US);
David L. Major, Hampstead, NC (US);
Samuel J. Miller, Kirkland, WA (US);
Owen Dean Nelson, Richland, WA (US);
Shirly I Rodriguez Rojas, Wilmington, NC (US);
John E. Truax, Bellevue, WA (US);
TERRAPOWER, LLC, Bellevue, WA (US);
Abstract
A method of handling spent nuclear fuel assemblies immerses the spent nuclear fuel assemblies in water in a relatively short time period when compared to traditional methods. A spent nuclear fuel assembly is removed from a nuclear reactor, an inert gas is applied to the fuel assembly, moisture content in the inert gas is gradually increased as it is applied to the fuel assembly, and the fuel assembly is immersed in water. The fuel assembly is immersed relatively quickly, within about 2 hours or less, which improves safety and allows normal processing and handling equipment to care for the fuel assembly. The fuel assembly may then be loaded into a cask for long-term storage and/or disposal.