Spacer grid welding fixture
US-11338398-B2 · May 24, 2022 · US
Spacer grid welding fixture
US11738416B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-11738416-B2 |
| Application number | US-202217750661-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | May 23, 2022 |
| Priority date | Mar 14, 2013 |
| Publication date | Aug 29, 2023 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2023 |
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- Title
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- Abstract
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Abstract
Official abstract text for this publication.
A spacer grid welding fixture comprises a frame sized to receive an assembled spacer grid comprising a first set of parallel straps and a second set of parallel straps oriented orthogonally to the first set of parallel straps, the first and second sets of parallel straps interlocked together by slots cut into the straps. A first set of grid engagement bars is placed on a first side of the spacer grid with each grid engagement bar arranged parallel with the straps of the first set of parallel straps and engaging the straps of the second set of parallel straps. A second set of grid engagement bars is placed on an opposite second side of the spacer grid with each grid engagement bar arranged parallel with the straps of the second set of parallel straps and engaging the straps of the first set of parallel straps.
First claim
Opening claim text (preview).
The invention claimed is: 1. A spacer grid welding fixture comprising: a frame sized to receive an assembled spacer grid comprising a first set of parallel straps and a second set of parallel straps oriented orthogonally to the first set of parallel straps, the first and second sets of parallel straps interlocked together by slots cut into the straps; a first set of grid engagement bars placed on a first side of the spacer grid, each grid engagement bar of the first set of grid engagement bars being arranged parallel with the straps of the first set of parallel straps and engaging the straps of the second set of parallel straps; and a second set of grid engagement bars placed on an opposite second side of the spacer grid, each grid engagement bar of the second set of grid engagement bars being arranged parallel with the straps of the second set of parallel straps and engaging the straps of the first set of parallel straps. 2. The spacer grid welding fixture of claim 1 wherein ends of the grid engagement bars nest into slots of the frame. 3. The spacer grid welding fixture of claim 2 further comprising: retaining bars securing the ends of the grid engagement bars to the frame. 4. A method comprising: securing an assembled spacer grid comprising a first set of parallel straps and a second set of parallel straps oriented orthogonally to the first set of parallel straps in a spacer grid welding fixture as set forth in claim 1 ; welding the assembled spacer grid while secured in the spacer grid welding fixture to form a welded spacer grid; and removing the welded spacer grid from the spacer grid welding fixture. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the securing comprises: (i) placing the assembled spacer grid in the frame of the spacer grid welding fixture with the first side of the spacer grid exposed; (ii) placing the first set of grid engagement bars on the first side of the spacer grid and securing the ends of the first set of grid engagement bars to the frame of the spacer grid welding fixture; and (iii) placing the second set of grid engagement bars on the second side of the spacer grid and securing the ends of the second set of grid engagement bars to the frame of the spacer grid welding fixture. 6. The method of claim 5 including flipping the frame over between placement operations (ii) and (iii).
Assignees
Inventors
Classifications
- B23K37/0408Primary
for planar work · CPC title
Jigs · CPC title
Frameworks · CPC title
- B23K37/04Primary
for holding or positioning work · CPC title
Fixtures for other work · CPC title
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Frequently asked questions
Answers are generated from the same data shown on this page.
- What does patent US11738416B2 cover?
- A spacer grid welding fixture comprises a frame sized to receive an assembled spacer grid comprising a first set of parallel straps and a second set of parallel straps oriented orthogonally to the first set of parallel straps, the first and second sets of parallel straps interlocked together by slots cut into the straps. A first set of grid engagement bars is placed on a first side of the space…
- Who is the assignee on this patent?
- Bwxt Mpower Inc
- What technology area does this patent fall under?
- Primary CPC classification B23K37/0408. Mapped technology areas include Operations & Transport.
- When was this patent published?
- Publication date Tue Aug 29 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
- What related patents are in patentsdb?
- We list 3 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).