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:
Jul. 26, 1977
Filed:
Nov. 03, 1975
Ralph A Pugh, Richland, WA (US);
Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc., Bellevue, WA (US);
Abstract
A nuclear power reactor fuel bundle having a plurality of fuel rods disposed between two end plates positioned by tie rods extending therebetween. The assembled bundle is secured by one or more locking forks which pass through slots in the tie rod ends. Springs mounted on the fuel rods and tie rods are compressed by assembling the bundle and forcing one end plate against the locking fork to maintain the fuel rods and tie rods in position between the end plates. Downward pressure on the end plate permits removal of the locking fork so that the end plates may be removed, thus giving access to the fuel rods. This construction facilitates disassembly of an irradiated fuel bundle under water.