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, 1980
Filed:
Nov. 21, 1977
Felix S Jabsen, Lynchburg, VA (US);
The Babcock & Wilcox Company, New Orleans, LA (US);
Abstract
A typical embodiment of the invention combines a novel cellular end fitting for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly with a new design for a fuel rod end cap and a radiation sensing device probe to provide a means for swiftly and accurately distinguishing sound fuel rods from those rods that have developed leaks. For example, a somewhat thinner than usual fuel rod end cap is accessible through the open cellular structure of the end fitting to permit a hollow metal probe to contact the fuel rod end cap. This direct contact excludes most of the water, metal and other shielding materials from the volume between the interior of the fuel rod and the radiation detector, thereby improving the quality of the fuel rod examination. A bridge and trolley structure for accurately positioning the probe also is described.