US4098224A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas coating apparatus
Assignee: General Atomics Corp
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Filing: 1976-12-13
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1996-12-13
Abstract
Abstract Three embodiments of apparatus for gas coating particles suspended in a fluidized bed within a coating chamber are illustrated, each having a base plate with a center opening, an extension nozzle assembly arranged in the opening and mounted on a movable two-piece internally cooled gas probe for supplying reactant gas to the nozzle and an annular unloading passage surrounding the probe and in communication with a side unloading chute. In the three embodiments, different means are provided for raising and lowering the nozzle assembly to permit unloading of coated particles and provide access to the nozzle assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Noren
- 👤 Michael H. Spritzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:24
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/42; G21C3/58; G21C3/62; G21C3/626; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for coating particles with a substance contained in a reactant gas, the particles being suspended in a fluidized bed within a coating chamber, comprising a base plate having a center opening for gravity unloading of coated particles from the coating chamber, a gas probe assembly including a reactant gas nozzle extending upwardly into said coating chamber through the center opening in said base plate, said gas probe assembly having means for closing said opening, said gas probe assembly further including an elongated gas probe secured thereto and including gas passage means for communicating reactant gas to said nozzle and a coolant circulating shell means surrounding said passage means, said probe being movable relative to said base plate in order to form an annular unloading opening between said base plate and said closing means on said gas probe assembly, housing means forming an annular passage about a portion of said probe for communication with said annular unloading opening, and a side unloading chute in communication with a lower portion of said annular passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for coating particles with a substance contained in a reactant gas, the particles being suspended in a fluidized bed within a coating chamber, comprising a base plate having a center opening for gravity unloading of coated particles from the coating chamber, a gas probe assembly including a reactant gas nozzle extending upwardly into said coating chamber through the center opening in said base plate, said gas probe assembly having means for closing said opening, said gas probe assembly further including an elongated gas probe secured thereto and including gas passage means for communicating reactant gas to said nozzle and a coolant circulating shell means surrounding said passage means, said probe being movable relative to said base plate in order to form an annular unloading opening between said base plate and said closing means on said gas probe assembly, housing means forming an annular passage about a portion of said probe for communication with said annular unloading opening, and a side unloading chute in communication with a lower portion of said annular passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas passage means in said gas probe comprises a plurality of passages for communicating a plurality of gas streams to said nozzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of passages are formed by concentric tubes, said coolant circulating shell means including coolant supply and return passages also formed by concentric tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hood secured to said gas probe, said hood having a downwardly and outwardly extending conical surface forming said closing means and an annular flange therebelow overlapping an annular portion of said housing means forming said annular passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 4 wherein a peripheral portion of said housing means forming said annular passage extends upwardly to support said coating chamber base plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 5 wherein said gas probe comprises a central portion forming said gas passage means and a concentric portion forming said coolant circulating shell means with enclosed coolant supply and coolant return passages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas probe comprises a central portion forming said gas passage means and a concentric portion forming said coolant circulating shell means with enclosed coolant supply and coolant return passages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 7 wherein said gas passage means in said gas probe comprises a plurality of passages for communicating a plurality of gas streams to said nozzle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas probe and nozzle are movable together relative to said coating chamber base plate for forming said annular unloading opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 9 wherein said gas probe is movable relative to said housing means forming said annular passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a hood secured to said gas probe, said hood having a downwardly and outwardly extending conical surface forming said closing means and an annular flange therebelow overlapping an annular portion of said means forming said annular passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a hood secured to said gas probe, said hood having a downwardly and outwardly extending conical surface forming said closing means and an annular flange therebelow overlapping an annular portion of said means forming said annular passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 12 wherein said probe, hood, and nozzle are movable relative to said housing means for forming said annular unloading opening, said probe, hood, and nozzle also being movable relative to said housing means in order to provide access for maintenance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 13 wherein said housing means include a separable peripheral annular portion secured to said base plate, and further comprising means for selectively retaining said peripheral annular portion of said housing means during movement of the remainder of said housing means together with said probe, hood, and nozzle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 1 adapted for the coating of nuclear fuel particles, the coating chamber being a reactor portion of a high temperature furnace.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The particle coating apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cylindrical skirt extending downwardly from said housing means for forming an enclosed region to facilitate interconnection of gas and coolant conduits with said gas probe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |