US3247706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak testing of nuclear reactor fuel elements
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1962-07-19
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Granted: 1966-04-26
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Expires: 1982-07-19
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Rose Kenneth Miles
- 👤 Mann Charles Alan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:30
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/06; G21C17/07; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202; G01M3/205; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0001; G01L9/0004; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3272; G21C21/00; G21C21/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A METHOD OF TESTNG NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENTS OF THE TYPE COMPRISING FISSILE FUEL MATERIAL ENCLOSED IN A PROTECTIVE SHEATH, SAID METHOD RELATING TO THE DETECTION OF DEFECTS ALLOWING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PROTECTIVE SHEATHS OF SUCH FUEL ELEMENTS AND COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CAUSING HELIUM TO ENTER THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH OF THE FUEL ELEMENT BY IMMERSION OF THE FUEL ELEMENT IN HELIUM, TRANSFERRING THE FUEL ELEMENT TO A CHAMBER FILLED WITH A GAS OTHER THAN HELIUM AT A PRESSURE GREATER THAN THE PRESSURE BELOW WHICH HELIUM DESORBS FROM THE FUEL ELEMENT SHEATH, AND FINALLY TESTING THE GAS FROM THE CHAMBER FOR HELIUM CONTENT, GAS BEING DRAWN OFF FROM THE CHAMBER, FOR TESTING, THROUGH A LEAK ORIFICE OF A SIZE SUCH THAT THE GAS IN THE CHAMBER IS MAINTAINED AT A PRESSURE SUCH THAT HELIUM CAN DIFFUSE THROUGH DEFECTS IN THE SHEATH BUT GREATER THAN THE PRESSURE BELOW WHICH HELIUM DESORBS FROM THE FUEL ELEMENT SHEATH.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A METHOD OF TESTNG NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENTS OF THE TYPE COMPRISING FISSILE FUEL MATERIAL ENCLOSED IN A PROTECTIVE SHEATH, SAID METHOD RELATING TO THE DETECTION OF DEFECTS ALLOWING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PROTECTIVE SHEATHS OF SUCH FUEL ELEMENTS AND COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CAUSING HELIUM TO ENTER THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH OF THE FUEL ELEMENT BY IMMERSION OF THE FUEL ELEMENT IN HELIUM, TRANSFERRING THE FUEL ELEMENT TO A CHAMBER FILLED WITH A GAS OTHER THAN HELIUM AT A PRESSURE GREATER THAN THE PRESSURE BELOW WHICH HELIUM DESORBS FROM THE FUEL ELEMENT SHEATH, AND FINALLY TESTING THE GAS FROM THE CHAMBER FOR HELIUM CONTENT, GAS BEING DRAWN OFF FROM THE CHAMBER, FOR TESTING, THROUGH A LEAK ORIFICE OF A SIZE SUCH THAT THE GAS IN THE CHAMBER IS MAINTAINED AT A PRESSURE SUCH THAT HELIUM CAN DIFFUSE THROUGH DEFECTS IN THE SHEATH BUT GREATER THAN THE PRESSURE BELOW WHICH HELIUM DESORBS FROM THE FUEL ELEMENT SHEATH.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1969-04-25 | 1969-10-25 | 1970-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-04-25 | 1973-10-25 | 1974-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-04-25 | 1977-10-25 | 1978-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |