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:
Jan. 24, 1989
Filed:
May. 06, 1987
John M Shallenberger, Fox Chapel Borough, PA (US);
Stephen J Ferlan, Wilkins Township, Allegheny County, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to apparatus and a method for facilitating a scratchless insertion of a fuel rod into cellular grids of a nuclear fuel assembly. The apparatus comprises a thin-walled tubular member having an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of a fuel rod, and having a longitudinal slit formed in its wall so as to render the latter resiliently deflectable in a diameter-reducing sense. The method comprises the steps of mounting the thin-walled tubular member in position for protectively enveloping the fuel rod during insertion thereof; inserting the fuel rod into the grids while the tubular member is in place to envelope it; and withdrawing the tubular member from the inserted fuel rod.