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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Tag gas capsule with magnetic piercing device

Patent ·
OSTI ID:862580

An apparatus for introducing a tag (i.e., identifying) gas into a tubular nuclear fuel element. A sealed capsule containing the tag gas is placed in the plenum in the fuel tube between the fuel and the end cap. A ferromagnetic punch having a penetrating point is slidably mounted in the plenum. By external electro-magnets, the punch may be caused to penetrate a thin rupturable end wall of the capsule and release the tag gas into the fuel element. Preferably the punch is slidably mounted within the capsule, which is in turn loaded as a sealed unit into the fuel element.

Research Organization:
Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-2170
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
3,964,967
Application Number:
05/552398
OSTI ID:
862580
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English