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. 19, 1993
Filed:
Mar. 25, 1991
Applicant:
Inventor:
Thomas J Smentek, Forest, VA (US);
Assignee:
B&W Fuel Company, Lynchburg, VA (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G21C / ; G21F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
376261 ; 376272 ;
Abstract
A nuclear fuel rod consolidation structure. A storage canister has a grid structure positioned in its interior. The grid structure is provided with a plurality of hexagonally shaped individual cells in a triangular pitch array. This provides nearly a two to one consolidation ratio. The grid structure provides positive radial support to the fuel rods to maintain the triangular pitch array if the canister is not fully loaded or some of the fuel rods are removed. The positive guidance allows use of the existing rod pulling device for loading fuel rods into the structure.