IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FUEL ELEMENTS FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS

Patent · Wed Jul 31 00:00:00 EDT 1963

OSTI ID:4660235

Stockdale, J T; Taylor, A F

An improvement in the design of sheathed reactor fuel elements is patented. The sheaths are closed to each end by an end cap having a plain skirt, which is a close fit on the end of the sheath, and a circumferential sealing weld is made between the end of the sheath and the end-cap skirt. A circumferential groove containing nuclear fuel is located in the skirt of each end cap to provide early warning of faulty welds by the escape of fission products into the coolant. The patented improvement consists of one or more longitudinal grooves connecting the circumferential groove with the interior of the fuel element sheath. This prevents trapped gas in the circumferential groove from escaping during welding and making blow holes in the molten weld metal. (M.P.G.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-17-036908
• OSTI ID: 4660235
• Report Number(s): GB 932623
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COOLANTS
FISSION PRODUCTS
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
GASES
LEAKS
PLANNING
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
SEALS
TRAPS
WELDING