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:
Dec. 12, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 16, 2004
Paul M. Evans, Lexington, SC (US);
Gary C. Crabtree, Columbia, SC (US);
Kevin G. Guthrie, Duncansville, PA (US);
Phillip L. Hazlett, Columbia, SC (US);
Paul M. Evans, Lexington, SC (US);
Gary C. Crabtree, Columbia, SC (US);
Kevin G. Guthrie, Duncansville, PA (US);
Phillip L. Hazlett, Columbia, SC (US);
Westinghouse Electric Co LLC, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A method of fabricating a fuel assembly grid that includes providing a plurality of interconnected straps that form a lattice pattern, wherein the lattice pattern of the straps defines a plurality of cells, providing a sleeve that has a cylindrical portion and a flared portion, and inserting the sleeve into at least one of the cells. When inserted, at least a portion of the cylindrical portion of the sleeve will reside inside the cell and the flared portion will extend above the top end of the cell and overhang the perimeter of the cell. The flared portion is melted and flows over and fuses to the straps that define the cell. The straps may include weld tabs over which the melted material flows and to which it fuses. The melting and fusing steps also preferably cause any loose straps surrounding the cell to become attached to the sleeve.