Roy Zocher Phones & Addresses
-
9441 Coral Ct, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 (206) 842-2425
-
Bainbridge Is, WA
-
24062 Seatter Rd, Kingston, WA 98346 (360) 297-1634
-
Los Alamos, NM
-
Bainbridge Is, WA
Publications
Us Patents
Nuclear Fuel Element
View pageUS Patent:
50027239, Mar 26, 1991
Filed:
Apr 6, 1989
Appl. No.:
7/333934
Inventors:
Roy W. Zocher - Los Alamos NM
Assignee:
The United States fo America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC
Department of Energy - Washington DC
International Classification:
B21C 300
US Classification:
376412
Abstract:
A nuclear fuel element and a method of manufacturing the element. The fuel element is comprised of a metal primary container and a fuel pellet which is located inside it and which is often fragmented. The primary container is subjected to elevated pressure and temperature to deform the container such that the container conforms to the fuel pellet, that is, such that the container is in substantial contact with the surface of the pellet. This conformance eliminates clearances which permit rubbing together of fuel pellet fragments and rubbing of fuel pellet fragments against the container, thus reducing the amount of dust inside the fuel container and the amount of dust which may escape in the event of container breach. Also, as a result of the inventive method, fuel pellet fragments tend to adhere to one another to form a coherent non-fragmented mass; this reduces the tendency of a fragment to pierce the container in the event of impact.