Kathryn J Martin

US Patent:

20140064434, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Sep 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/603184

Inventors:

Kathryn M. Martin - Wilmington NC, US

Assignee:

Global Nuclear Fuel - Americas, LLC - Wilmington NC

International Classification:

G21C 3/336

US Classification:

376441, 2645

Abstract:

Nuclear fuel spacers include a deflection-limited elastic rod contact. Spacers may additionally include a rigid contact without elastic functionality. A degree of deflection may be chosen based on plastic deformation threshold, maximum fuel rod movement, anticipated transverse loads related to fuel assembly, inspection, handling, transportation, operation, accidents, and/or any other operating characteristic. Spacers include deflection-limited elastic contacts and/or rigid contacts in several arrangements within the spacer and/or on a single fuel rod. Spacers are compatible with a simple fabrication method that forms rigid, deflection-limiting, and elastic components from a single substrate. Nuclear fuel spacers are useable with several fuel assembly types.

US Patent:

20130251088, Sep 26, 2013

Filed:

Mar 23, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/429217

Inventors:

Kathryn M. Martin - Wilmington NC, US
David Grey Smith - Leland NC, US
Thomas J. Rambach - Wilmington NC, US

International Classification:

G21C 3/34
B23P 11/00
B21D 31/00

US Classification:

376442, 72362, 723792, 29428

Abstract:

Fuel spacers include at least one specialized bathtub on an outer perimeter band. Specialized bathtubs include an elastic resistive extension and a corresponding deflection limiter on a same outer face of the perimeter band. The elastic resistive extension provides flexible resistance to the channel, and the deflection limiter provides rigid movement limitation beyond a particular threshold between channel and spacer. The positioning, spring constant, length, number, and other properties of the specialized bathtub can be chosen based on the desired fuel assembly properties and expected transverse loads in fuel shipping and operation against which specialized bathtubs resiliently protect. The specialized bathtubs can be formed from a simplified stamp operation out of the perimeter band. Bathtubs can be placed on any position(s) on the perimeter band of example embodiment spacers used in nuclear fuel assemblies.