Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Handling of fission reactor component structure within... – Fuel component
Reexamination Certificate
1952-04-23
2001-04-24
Behrend, Harvey E. (Department: 3641)
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Handling of fission reactor component structure within...
Fuel component
C376S414000, C376S416000, C427S006000, C427S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222898
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to protective metallic coatings for uranium. More particularly it is concerned with the bonding of an aluminum jacket to a uranium body for protection against corrosion.
Uranium is highly reactive in oxidizing media. This fact requires that uranium be coated with a protective covering which is resistant to oxidizing agents. Accordingly, a process of bonding an aluminum jacket to a uranium body or slug has been developed to protect the uranium from corrosion during its exposure within a neutronic reactor as that disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 568,904, filed on Dec. 19, 1944 by Fermi et al (now Pat. No. 2,708,656).
Heretofore the process of inserting a cylindrical slug of uranium into a cylindrical container has required the use of an outer jacket for protecting the container from the corrosive action of the bonding agent used to bond the slug within the container. After the container is inserted into a protective jacket in a fluid-tight manner, the container is filled with a suitable bonding agent. The cylindrical slug is then inserted into the jacket, whereby the bonding agent is displaced except for the part remaining at the interface of the jacket and the slug. In addition, a cap of material similar to the container is placed over the open end of the jacket through which the slug has been inserted. The cap is there bonded in place both to the slug and the jacket. A uranium body or slug or rod is thereby created having a corrosion resistant jacket completely covering it. After completion of the bonding, the outer protective jacket, such as stainless steel, is removed.
An object of this invention is to provide a protective covering for a jacket which has an external contour of any shape and which may or may not have integral fins or ribs extending therefrom. Another object is to provide a protected jacket having greater thermal conductivity when inserting the slug in order to derive better seating and bonding characteristics. Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.
This invention was conceived to overcome the expense of using an outer jacket preparatory to placement in a neutronic reactor. It has been found that the outer sleeve or jacket may be eliminated by applying a coating of graphite to the outer surface of the container prior to the bonding process. In general, before the bonding agent, which can metallurgically dissolve the container, is brought into contact with the container, a coating of graphite is applied to the exterior surface thereof and permitted to dry in a uniform, continuous layer. The container is then filled with the bonding agent at the proper temperature with care being taken to remove all gas bubbles. Immediately thereafter the uranium body or slug is inserted into the cylindrical container and a cover or cap of material similar to it is placed over the end thereof, forming a fluid-tight seal therewith. The assembly is then quenched in water which causes the graphite to flake off.
REFERENCES:
patent: 158790 (1875-01-01), Ferguson
patent: 2335958 (1943-12-01), Parker
patent: 2588625 (1952-03-01), Ferner et al.
Hackett Donald W.
Kelman Leroy R.
Yaggee Frank L.
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