Fuel cladding covered by a mesh
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsCenk Guler, Kathryn E. Metzger, Benjamin R. Maier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In various aspects, a nuclear fuel rod cladding is disclosed. The cladding can include a base tube and a mesh structure including gaps therein. The base tube can include an elongated tubular wall and can be configured to house nuclear fuel therein. The mesh structure can be positioned along at least a portion of the elongated tubular wall and can be configured to provide structural support to the base tube. In one aspect, the gaps of the mesh structure are designed to permit neutrons emitted by the nuclear fuel to pass therethrough to escape the fuel rod cladding.
Claims11
A nuclear fuel rod cladding, the nuclear fuel rod cladding comprising:
- a base tube comprising an elongated tubular wall, the base tube configured to house nuclear fuel therein, wherein the base tube consists of a zirconium or a zirconium alloy material;
- and
- an oxidation-resistant mesh coating comprising mesh segments, wherein the mesh coating is formed directly on an outer surface of the elongated tubular wall, and wherein gaps are defined between the mesh segments corresponding to portions of the outer surface of the tubular wall that are uncoated by the mesh coating;
- wherein the mesh coating is configured to limit oxidation formed on the elongated tubular wall to provide structural support to the base tube;
- and
- wherein the gaps of the mesh coating are designed to permit neutrons emitted by the nuclear fuel to pass therethrough to escape the fuel rod cladding.
A nuclear fuel rod cladding, the nuclear fuel rod cladding comprising:
- a base tube comprising an elongated tubular wall, the base tube configured to house nuclear fuel therein, wherein the base tube consists of a zirconium or a zirconium alloy material;
- and
- a porous coating directly on an outer surface of the elongated tubular wall, wherein the porous coating comprises pores therein, and wherein the pores define portions of the outer surface of the elongated tubular wall that are uncovered by the porous coating;
- wherein the porous coating is configured to limit oxidation formed on the elongated tubular wall to provide structural support to the base tube;
- and
- wherein the pores of the porous coating are designed to permit neutrons emitted by the nuclear fuel to pass therethrough to escape the fuel rod cladding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.