Description
This class provides for patents directed to processes involvinginduced nuclear reactions and structures which implement such processes.
(1)Note. For purposes of classification in this class, an inducednuclear reaction is defined as a change in the nucleus of an atombrought about by subjecting it (the nucleus) to (a) an impact withother nuclei of the same or different type, or (b) an impact with,or bombardment by, subatomic particles or high energy electromagneticradiations.
(2)Note. Reactions of type (a) in (1) Note, above, include thosewhich cause or result in the combining or uniting of at least two nucleito form a different nucleus which reactions are generally referredto as fusion reactions. Reactions of type (b) in (1) Note, above,include (1) those which cause a splitting or subdivision of thenucleus (usually a heavy nucleus) into a plurality of differentnuclei and are generally referred to as fission reactions, and (2)those which result in a single but different nucleus of the sameor a different element and are generally referred to as transmutations.
(3)Note. A basis for placing a patent into this class is thata nuclear reactor be claimed or that it be utilized to obtain anuclear reaction even though the sole or primary aim of the patentin regard to the reactor is to obtain useful nuclear energy or toutilize such nuclear energy yielding system for conversion intoother forms of useful energy or power. This is true even though froma chemical view there may be nothing novel, or from an economicalview, nothing of value, with respect to the products or materialsresulting from the nuclear reaction.
(4)Note. Patents to processes are not segregated from patentsto the structure, but are classified together depending upon thetype of structure claimed or used in the claimed process.Included within the scope of the class are patents directedto (a) the nuclear reactor as a system of elements or parts so interrelated asto produce induced nuclear reactions and to (b) such elements orparts, per se, as are essential and peculiar components of nuclearreactors. Included among (a), for example, are neutron detectorswherein the detection takes place by means of an induced nuclearreaction. Included among (b), for example, are fuel element structures (includingfuel "targets" or "pellets"),control component structures, moderator component structures, fuelelement storage structures, and refueling machines.