Carbide-based fuel assembly for thermal propulsion applications

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America

PATENT NO 12249435
APP PUB NO 20230317305A1
SERIAL NO

18206302

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material (e.g., SiC—SiC composite), insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material (e.g., zirconium carbide with open-cell foam structure or fibrous zirconium carbide), and interior structural member of refractory ceramic-graphite composite material (e.g., zirconium carbide-graphite or niobium carbide-graphite). Spacer structures between various layers provide a defined and controlled spacing relationship. A fuel element bundle positioned between support meshes includes a plurality of distributively arranged fuel elements or a solid, unitary fuel element with coolant channels, each having a fuel composition including high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU). Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block and the upper end of the outer structural member is attached to a metallic inlet tube for hydrogen propellant and the lower end of the outer structural member is interfaced with a support plate, forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • BWXT NUCLEAR ENERGY, INC.

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Ales, Matt Puyallup, US 4 11
Barringer, Eric A Rustburg, US 21 414
Bergman, Joshua J Valensole, FR 20 409
Galicki, Danny Knoxville, US 4 11
Gustafson, Jeremy L Lynchburg, US 4 11
Inman, James B Forest, US 27 139
Jensen, Russell R Lynchburg, US 6 90
Krecicki, Matt Winter Park, US 4 11
Ridgeway, Roger Hurt, US 4 11
Swanson, Ryan T Lynchburg, US 4 11
Witter, Jonathan K Forest, US 10 26

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
3.5 Year Payment $1600.00 $800.00 $400.00 Sep 11, 2028
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Sep 11, 2032
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Sep 11, 2036
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 3.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00