Fuel cladding covered by a mesh
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsCenk GULER, Kathryn E. METZGER, Benjamin R. MAIER
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims24
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;
- and
- a mesh structure comprising gaps therein, the mesh structure positioned along at least a portion of the elongated tubular wall;
- wherein the mesh structure is configured to provide structural support to the base tube;
- and
- wherein 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.
A method for manufacturing a nuclear fuel rod cladding, the method comprising:
- providing a base tube comprising an elongated tubular wall, the elongated tubular wall having an outer surface, the base tube configured to house nuclear fuel therein;
- and
- forming a mesh structure on the outer surface of the elongated tubular wall, the mesh structure configured to provide structural support to the base tube.
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;
- and
- a porous layer comprising gaps therein, the porous layer positioned along at least a portion of the elongated tubular wall;
- wherein the porous layer is configured to provide structural support to the base tube;
- and
- wherein the gaps of the porous layer 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.