公开(公告)号：US06212250B1

公开(公告)日：2001-04-03

申请号：US04472759

申请日：1965-07-13

Applicant: George Korton ,  Cyril C. Hussey

Inventor： George Korton ,  Cyril C. Hussey

IPC: G21C304

CPC classification number: G21C3/32 ,  Y02E30/40 ,  Y10T29/49373

Abstract: A method for providing a leak-tight metal enclosure to a fuel matrix penetrated by coolant channels, wherein the mutually contacting surfaces of said metal enclosure and said fuel matrix are metallurgically bonded, comprising placing a metal cladding about the lateral surface of said fuel matrix; disposing metal coolant tubes within said coolant channels; placing a perforated header plate having tubular extensions at each end of the fuel matrix from which the coolant tube ends protrude, said coolant tubes passing through said perforated header plate and said tubular extensions and terminating even with the ends of said extensions; welding, under vacuum, said cladding to said header plates, and the ends of said coolant tubes to the ends of said tubular extensions; exposing the assembly comprising the fuel matrix and enclosure to a gas at high temperature and pressure; and machining said header plates to provide a finished fuel element.

Abstract translation: 一种用于向由冷却剂通道穿透的燃料矩阵提供不透漏金属外壳的方法，其中所述金属外壳和所述燃料基体的相互接触的表面是冶金结合的，包括围绕所述燃料基体的侧表面放置金属包层; 将金属冷却剂管置于所述冷却剂通道内; 在所述燃料基体的每个端部处放置具有管状延伸部的穿孔集管板，所述冷却剂管端从所述端部突出，所述冷却剂管穿过所述多孔集管板和所述管状延伸部，甚至在所述延伸部的端部终止; 在真空下将所述包层焊接到所述集管板，并将所述冷却剂管的端部焊接到所述管状延伸部分的端部; 将包括燃料基体和外壳的组件暴露在高温和高压下的气体中; 并加工所述集管板以提供成品燃料元件。

公开(公告)号：US06697448B1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-24

申请号：US04594943

申请日：1966-11-16

Applicant: George Korton

Inventor： George Korton

IPC: G21C304

CPC classification number: G21C3/04 ,  G21C3/07 ,  G21C3/60 ,  G21C21/02 ,  G21Y2002/302 ,  G21Y2004/201 ,  G21Y2004/301 ,  Y02E30/35 ,  Y02E30/38 ,  Y10T29/49373

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for metallurgically bonding a complete leak-tight enclosure to a matrix-type fuel element penetrated longitudinally by a multiplicity of coolant channels. Coolant tubes containing solid filler pins are disposed in the coolant channels. A leak-tight metal enclosure is then formed about the entire assembly of fuel matrix, coolant tubes and pins. The completely enclosed and sealed assembly is exposed to a high temperature and pressure gas environment to effect a metallurgical bond between all contacting surfaces therein. The ends of the assembly are then machined away to expose the pin ends which are chemically leached from the coolant tubes to leave the coolant tubes with internal coolant passageways. The invention described herein was made in the course of, or under, a contract with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. It relates generally to fuel elements for neutronic reactors and more particularly to a method for providing a leak-tight metal enclosure for a high-performance matrix-type fuel element penetrated longitudinally by a multiplicity of coolant tubes. The planned utilization of nuclear energy in high-performance, compact-propulsion and mobile power-generation systems has necessitated the development of fuel elements capable of operating at high power densities. High power densities in turn require fuel elements having high thermal conductivities and good fuel retention capabilities at high temperatures. A metal clad fuel element containing a ceramic phase of fuel intimately mixed with and bonded to a continuous refractory metal matrix has been found to satisfy the above requirements. Metal coolant tubes penetrate the matrix to afford internal cooling to the fuel element while providing positive fuel retention and containment of fission products generated within the fuel matrix. Metal header plates are bonded to the coolant tubes at each end of the fuel element and a metal cladding or can completes the fuel-matrix enclosure by encompassing the sides of the fuel element between the header plates.