Passive visual fuel temperature indicator
AssigneeGE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
InventorsElizabeth UMHOEFER, Scott PFEFFER, Maria PFEFFER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel bundle temperature sensing device may include an indicating rod made of a first material; an outer housing having an upper opening, the outer housing being made of a second material and surrounding at least a portion of the indicating rod; and a rod holder attached to an inner surface of the outer housing, the rod holder being made of a third material and being configured to support the indicating rod such that a top surface of the rod extends out of the upper opening of the outer housing, the third material having a lower melting point than the first and second materials.
Claims16
A temperature indicator comprising:
- an indicating rod made of a first material;
- an outer housing having an upper opening, the outer housing being made of a second material and surrounding at least a portion of the indicating rod;
- and
- a rod holder attached to an inner surface of the outer housing, the rod holder being made of a third material and being configured to support the indicating rod such that a top surface of the rod extends out of the upper opening of the outer housing, the third material having a lower melting point than the first and second materials.
A nuclear reactor system comprising:
- a fuel bundle;
- and
- a temperature indicator inside the fuel bundle, the temperature indicator including
- an indicating rod made of a first material,
- an outer housing having an upper opening, the outer housing being made of a second material and surrounding at least a portion of the indicating rod, and
- a rod holder attached to an inner surface of the outer housing, the rod holder being made of a third material and being configured to support the indicating rod such that a top surface of the rod extends out of the upper opening of the outer housing, the third material having a lower melting point than the first and second materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.