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:
Oct. 02, 1984
Filed:
Jul. 26, 1982
Stanley Kmonk, Plum Borough, PA (US);
John M Shallenberger, O'Hara Township, Allegheny County, PA (US);
Stephen J Ferlan, Wilkins Township, Allegheny County, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and method for providing on-site storage of all spent fuel rods removed from a nuclear reactor during its lifetime. Spent fuel rods are removed from spent fuel assemblies and stored in a container in a vertical position, and on a pitch which is less than the pitch of the fuel rods when in a fuel assembly. The removed fuel rods preferably are positioned in a triangular array, and with most fuel rods having line contact along their length with adjacent fuel rods. This arrangement imparts support to all fuel rods in the container and thereby maximizes the available storage space for fuel. To facilitate the loading process, the vertically disposed fuel rods may be installed on steps in the container or on a flat bottom plate therein, all with the assistance of a guidance plate which orients and directs each fuel rod into the container. Skeleton components in the fuel assembly, such as grids, used for holding the fuel rods in position are either cut or squeezed into small volume sections and stored in similar containers at the reactor site, or alternatively, shipped to burial sites.