Dale H Klahn

41294777, Dec 12, 1978

Dec 8, 1976

5/748652

Eric B. Johansson - San Jose CA
Dale H. Klahn - Berkeley CA
Mickey O. Marlowe - Livermore CA

General Electric Company - San Jose CA

G21C 302

176 73

The invention is directed to an axially alignable nuclear fuel pellet of the type stacked in end-to-end relationship within a tubular cladding. Experience has shown that fuel cladding failures can occur at pellet interface locations due to mechanical interaction between misaligned fuel pellets and the cladding. Mechanical interaction between the cladding and the fuel pellets loads the cladding and causes increased cladding stresses. Nuclear fuel pellets constructed according to the invention are provided with an end structure that increases plastic deformation of the pellets at the interface between pellets so that lower alignment forces are required to straighten axially misaligned pellets. Plastic deformation of the pellet ends results in less interaction between the cladding and the fuel pellets and significantly lowers cladding stresses. The geometry of pellets constructed according to the invention also reduces alignment forces required to straighten fuel pellets that are tilted within the cladding.

41516745, May 1, 1979

Jun 14, 1976

5/696086

Dale H. Klahn - Berkeley CA
Gary L. Upham - San Jose CA

A63H 3318

46 74R

An improved flying cylinder and method of constructing the cylinder is disclosed. The cylinder includes a hollow cylindrical body having a leading end and a trailing end, the center of gravity of the cylindrical body being located relatively toward the leading end. The cylinder is adapted to be propelled through the air with axial spin. A boundary layer tripping mechanism is located circumferentially around the exterior surface of the leading end of the cylindrical body. This mechanism provides the cylinder with a turbulent boundary layer as it is propelled through the air to reduce drag and improve the flying characteristics of the cylinder.