US2950238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Silicon carbide bodies for use in nuclear reactors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1955-09-29
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Granted: 1960-08-23
•
Expires: 1975-09-29
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth C Nicholson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:05
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/42; G21C3/58; G21C3/62; G21C3/64; C; C01; C01B; C01B32/00; C01B32/90; C01B32/914; C01B32/956; C01B32/963; C01B32/984; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A METHOD OF MAKING A NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT HAVING A DENSITY OF ABOUT 3-GRAMS PER CUBIC CENTIMETER WHICH COMPRISES PROVIDING A POROUS BODY CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF SILICON CARBIDE AND CONTAINING A THERMAL NEUTRON FISSIONABLE MATERIAL, IMPREGNATING SAID BODY WITH A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF CARBON TO REACT WITH SILICON TO FORM ENOUGH SILICON CARBIDE TO SUBSTANTIALLY FILL THE PORES OF THE BODY, HEATING THE CARBON-CHARGED BODY IN THE PRESENCE OF SILICON TO A TEMPERATURE OF 2100-2300*C. TO CAUSE THE SILICON TO PENETRATE THE BODY AND REACT WITH THE CARBON IN THE PORES TO FORM SILICON CARBIDE, AND HOLDING THE BODY AT SAID HIGH TEMPERATURE A SUFFICIENT LENGTH OF TIME TO CONVERT THE SILICON CARBIDE FORMED WITHIN THE PORES OF THE ARTICLE TO SILICON CARBIDE OF THE HEXAGONAL CRYSTAL FORM.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A METHOD OF MAKING A NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT HAVING A DENSITY OF ABOUT 3-GRAMS PER CUBIC CENTIMETER WHICH COMPRISES PROVIDING A POROUS BODY CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF SILICON CARBIDE AND CONTAINING A THERMAL NEUTRON FISSIONABLE MATERIAL, IMPREGNATING SAID BODY WITH A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF CARBON TO REACT WITH SILICON TO FORM ENOUGH SILICON CARBIDE TO SUBSTANTIALLY FILL THE PORES OF THE BODY, HEATING THE CARBON-CHARGED BODY IN THE PRESENCE OF SILICON TO A TEMPERATURE OF 2100-2300*C. TO CAUSE THE SILICON TO PENETRATE THE BODY AND REACT WITH THE CARBON IN THE PORES TO FORM SILICON CARBIDE, AND HOLDING THE BODY AT SAID HIGH TEMPERATURE A SUFFICIENT LENGTH OF TIME TO CONVERT THE SILICON CARBIDE FORMED WITHIN THE PORES OF THE ARTICLE TO SILICON CARBIDE OF THE HEXAGONAL CRYSTAL FORM.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A DENSE SILICON CARBIDE BODY CONTAINING A MINOR AMOUNT OF A THERMAL NEUTRON FISSIONABLE MATERIAL, SAID ELEMENT HAVING BEEN MADE ACCORDING TO THE PROCESS OF CLAIM 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2431326A
Cited
GB707065A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1963-08-23 | 1964-02-22 | 1964-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1967-08-23 | 1968-02-22 | 1968-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1971-08-23 | 1972-02-22 | 1972-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |