Wilfred Thomas Ross

US Patent:

39934535, Nov 23, 1976

Filed:

Jun 13, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/586747

Inventors:

Wilfred T. Ross - Wilmington NC
Harold E. Williamson - San Jose CA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

International Classification:

B23P 300

US Classification:

291912

Abstract:

A nuclear fuel element for use in the core of a nuclear reactor is disclosed and has disposed therein an improved getter capable of gettering reactive gases including a source of hydrogen. The getter comprises a composite with a substrate having thereon a coating capable of gettering reactive gases. The substrate has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than does the coating, and over a period of time at reactor operating temperatures any protective film on the coating is fractured at various places and fresh portions of the coating are exposed to getter reactive gases. With further passage of time at reactor operating temperatures a fracture of the protective film on the coating will grow into a crack in the coating exposing further portions of the coating capable of gettering reactive gases.

US Patent:

39691853, Jul 13, 1976

Filed:

May 9, 1973

Appl. No.:

5/358736

Inventors:

Wilfred T. Ross - Wilmington NC
Harold E. Williamson - San Jose CA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G21C 316

US Classification:

176 68

Abstract:

A nuclear fuel element for use in the core of a nuclear reactor is disclosed and has disposed therein an improved getter capable of gettering reactive gases including a source of hydrogen. The getter comprises a composite with a substrate having thereon a coating capable of gettering reactive gases. The substrate has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than does the coating, and over a period of time at reactor operating temperatures any protective film on the coating is fractured at various places and fresh portions of the coating are exposed to getter reactive gases. With further passage of time at reactor operating temperatures a fracture of the protective film on the coating will grow into a crack in the coating exposing further portions of the coating capable of gettering reactive gases.