AREVA awarded boiling water reactor tool patent

AREVA Inc. announced on Monday that they have been awarded a patent for a tool that helps boiling water nuclear reactors run safely.
   
“Incremental improvements are usually the best patents,” Piotr Kolodziejczyk, intellectual property manager for AREVA Inc., said. “[Jason Cooke's] new tool is simple, but very efficient, and a good example of AREVA’s commitment to offer the most innovative solutions to our customers.”

The tool is a shroud head bolt retainer. The bolts secure steam separator mechanisms in the core shroud, for, over the course of regular usage, spring mechanisms in the bolts can wear down or collect buildup. The retainer makes sure that these components stay in place. According to the company, this will allow longer lifespans for these components and fewer replacement costs for operators.

AREVA holds approximately 206 patents on equipment and components that are geared toward improving performance, quality and safety for the nuclear industry. These are credited to 406 AREVA employees in the U.S.

AREVA Inc. is an international company that specializes in many areas within the nuclear energy industry, offering the design and manufacture of nuclear reactors, fuel storage equipment and components, as well as site management, maintenance and other related services.