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:
Mar. 10, 1981
Filed:
Nov. 01, 1977
Thomas R Robbins, Crofton, MD (US);
Other;
Abstract
An improved reactor and fuel assembly design is disclosed wherein a light water reactor is initially run with undermoderated fuel assemblies to take advantage of increased conversion ratio, and after a suitable period of operation, the neutron spectrum for the undermoderated assemblies is shifted to lower energies to increase reactivity by withdrawing a number of fuel rods from the assemblies. The increased reactivity allows for continued operation of the modified assembly, and the fuel rods which are removed are used to construct similar assemblies which are also capable of continued operation. The improved reactor and fuel assembly design results in improved fuel utilization and neutron economy and reduced control requirements for the reactor.