Nuclear fuel rods having cladding tubes with varying diameters
Variable-diameter fuel rods with flared regions address the pressure issue by increasing void volume, improving fuel rod durability and burnup efficiency.
JP7877361B2Active Publication Date: 2026-06-22WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023571630
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-05-19
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-05-17
Smart Images
Figure 0007877361000001 
Figure 0007877361000002 
Figure 0007877361000003
Abstract
A variable diameter fuel rod for a nuclear reactor assembly is disclosed. The nuclear reactor assembly includes an elongated cladding tube configured to accommodate a plurality of fuel pellets including fissile material arranged toward a fuel stack. The elongated cladding tube includes first and second axial reflector regions, a medial axial region therebetween, a cladding outer diameter of the medial axial region defined as d1, a cladding outer diameter of at least one of the first and second axial reflector regions defined as d2, and a transition region located between the second diameter d1 of the medial axial region and a larger diameter d2 of the axial reflector region. The diameter d2 of the axial reflector region is greater than the diameter d1 of the medial axial region.
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Citation Information
Patent Citations
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Combustible absorbent covered nuclear fuel
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