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. 13, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 27, 1991
Willem J Oosterkamp, San Jose, CA (US);
General Electric Company, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A fuel bundle for a natural-circulation boiling-water reactor includes at least one coolant bypass tube which is at least partially open at both its top and bottom and extends about 2/3 of the bundle height. Water within the bypass tube remains liquid. As it exits the top of the bypass tubes, it merges with and 'cools' the flow exterior to the tube. This arrangement reduces the pressure drop across the core, increasing coolant flow. In addition, the merging coolant helps improve heat transfer at the maximum heat flux levels within the core. Lateral holes through the bypass tube can further enhance with heat transfer distribution in the core. The reduced pressure drop in the core and the more uniform heat flux distribution both permit a reactor to operate at higher power ratings.