US 2026/0229377 A1 · STACKABLE FUEL BLOCK AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING SAME

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a stackable fuel block may include: forming, using three-dimensional (3D) printing, a first structure as a single piece of non-fissile material, wherein forming the first structure includes: forming, using the 3D printing, a plurality of channels configured to receive guide thimbles and/or instrument tubes; forming, using the 3D printing, a plurality of fissile material enclosures including a top fuel cap and a bottom fuel cap, where the fissile material enclosures are configured to enclose fissile material; and forming, using the 3D printing, a plurality of enclosure connectors, each enclosure connector extending between adjacent fissile material enclosures. The method may further include disposing fissile material inside the plurality of fissile material enclosures.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A method of manufacturing a stackable fuel block, the method comprising:

forming, using three-dimensional (3D) printing, a first structure as a single piece of non-fissile material, wherein forming the first structure comprises:
forming, using the 3D printing, a plurality of channels configured to receive guide thimbles and/or instrument tubes;
forming, using the 3D printing, a plurality of fissile material enclosures including a top fuel cap and a bottom fuel cap, wherein the fissile material enclosures are configured to enclose fissile material;
and
forming, using the 3D printing, a plurality of enclosure connectors, each enclosure connector extending between adjacent fissile material enclosures;
and
disposing fissile material inside the plurality of fissile material enclosures.

4 more elements

A fuel assembly comprising a plurality of stackable fuel blocks,

each fuel block comprising:
a 3D-printed single piece comprising a first material, the 3D-printed single piece further comprising:
a plurality of 3D-printed channels configured to receive guide thimbles and/or instrument tubes;
a plurality of 3D-printed fissile material enclosures including a top fuel cap and a bottom fuel cap and configured to enclose fissile material;
and
a plurality of 3D-printed enclosure connectors, each 3D-printed enclosure connector disposed at a top end or a bottom end of the 3D-printed fissile material enclosures and connecting adjacent 3D-printed fissile material enclosures;
and
the fissile material disposed in each fissile material enclosure,
each of the plurality of stackable fuel blocks being stackable with another stackable fuel block top to bottom in a complementary manner.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stackable fuel block and method of constructing same

Life of this patent

Stackable fuel block and method of constructing same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25