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:
Apr. 19, 1988
Filed:
Nov. 21, 1986
John F Wilson, Murrysville, PA (US);
Robert K Gjertsen, Columbia, SC (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A nuclear reactor fuel assembly bottom nozzle to guide thimble attachment system and method allowing bottom nozzle removal and replacement without inverting the fuel assembly. At manufacture, a bottom-insertable, two-headed bolt secures the bottom nozzle adaptor plate to the guide thimble bottom end plug. The two-headed bolt is unthreadable in the guide thimble from the top of the upright fuel assembly. At reconstitution, a top-insertable bolt fastener secures the replacement or original bottom nozzle adaptor plate to the guide thimble bottom end plug. The bolt fastener is inserted in the guide thimble from the top of the upright fuel assembly. The bolt fastener is unthreadable in the guide thimble from the top of the upright fuel assembly for a second reconstitution. Less preferably, the bolt fastener also can be used for original manufacture (in place of the two-headed bolts previously discussed).