Stuck fuel rod capping sleeve

Patent · 31 December 1987

OSTI ID:866539

Gorscak, Donald A ^[1]; Maringo, John J ^[2]; Nilsen, Roy J ^[3]

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1. Bethel Park, PA
2. McKeesport, PA
3. Upper St. Clair, PA

A stuck fuel rod capping sleeve to be used during derodding of spent fuel assemblies if a fuel rod becomes stuck in a partially withdrawn position and, thus, has to be severed. The capping sleeve has an inner sleeve made of a lower work hardening highly ductile material (e.g., Inconel 600) and an outer sleeve made of a moderately ductile material (e.g., 304 stainless steel). The inner sleeve may be made of an epoxy filler. The capping sleeve is placed on a fuel rod which is then severed by using a bolt cutter device. Upon cutting, the capping sleeve deforms in such a manner as to prevent the gross release of radioactive fuel material

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-76PN00014
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4732730
• OSTI ID: 866539
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/376/220/976/
304
600
active fuel
assemblies
bolt
capping
capping sleeve
cutter
cutting
deforms
derodding
device
ductile
epoxy
filler
fuel
fuel assemblies
fuel material
fuel rod
gross
hardening
highly
inconel
inner
inner sleeve
manner
material
moderately
outer
outer sleeve
partially
placed
position
prevent
radioactive
radioactive fuel
release
rod
rod cap
rod capping
severed
sleeve
spent
spent fuel
stainless
stainless steel
steel
stuck
stuck fuel
withdrawn
withdrawn position