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:
Nov. 18, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2006
Patrick A. Hellandbrand, Jr., East Hartford, CT (US);
Stephen C. Kereakoglow, Columbia, SC (US);
Michael O. Bausch, Lexington, SC (US);
Richard P. Broders, Grandbury, CT (US);
Patrick A. Hellandbrand, Jr., East Hartford, CT (US);
Stephen C. Kereakoglow, Columbia, SC (US);
Michael O. Bausch, Lexington, SC (US);
Richard P. Broders, Grandbury, CT (US);
Westinghouse Electric Co. LLC, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A secure connection between the bottom nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly and the control rod guide thimbles having two or four crimped pockets in the side wall of a bottom nozzle leg counterbore which are formed by drilling two or four blind holes through the top surface of the bottom nozzle. After attaching the bottom nozzle to the fuel assembly with a crimp bolt a pneumatic tool is then inserted into a flanged cup feature on the crimp bolt head and the flanged portion of the cup feature of the crimp bolt is deformed into the crimp pockets. The crimp pockets are contained within the leg counterbore and prevent the screw from rotating or falling out of the assembly in the event of preload loss or screw fracture.