Title: Resistance pressure weld for nuclear reactor fuel rod tube end plug

Abstract

A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor, including a cladding tube having a first end with an annular end face, a second end with an annular end face, and a cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, and a first tube end plug including a front portion, an annular lip with an annular end face, and a substantially straight cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, wherein the surface area of the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are substantially equal, and the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are connected by a resistance pressure weld.

Inventors:

Barger, Earl Brian; Fitzner, Scott L.; Lee, Jeffrey T.; Ridgeway, Roger D.

Issue Date:

2019-09-10

Research Org.:

BWXT mPower, Inc., Charlotte, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1576349

Patent Number(s):

10410754

Assignee:

BWXT mPower, Inc. (Charlotte, NC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B23 - MACHINE TOOLS B23K - SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B23 - MACHINE TOOLS B23K - SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING

B23K11/002 - {specially adapted for particular articles or work}
B23K11/093 - for curved planar seams
B23K2101/06 - Tubes
B23K33/006 - {for cylindrical workpieces}

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C21/02 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings
G21C3/10 - End closures {

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

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DOE Contract Number:  

NE0000583

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2016 Oct 11

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English