Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A vented nuclear fission fuel module system, comprising:a valve body associated with a nuclear fission fuel element, said nuclear fission fuel element capable of generating a gaseous fission product, and said valve body defining a plenum therein for receiving the gaseous fission product; anda reclosable valve in operative communication with the plenum, the reclosable valve capable of controllably venting the gaseous fission product from the plenum, wherein said valve body comprises a flexible diaphragm coupled to said valve and capable of moving said valve to a closed position. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:a cap mounted on said valve; anda manipulator extendable to said cap for manipulating said cap. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a manipulator extendable to said valve for manipulating said valve. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:an articulated manipulator arm extendable to the plenum; anda receptacle carried by said articulated manipulator arm and engageable with the plenum for receiving the gaseous fission product controllably vented from the plenum. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said valve is responsive to at least one parameter chosen from a group comprising pressure in the plenum and a type of gaseous fission product in the plenum. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor in operative communication with the plenum. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said sensor is capable of determining at least one parameter chosen from a group comprising pressure, a type of fission product, a type of gaseous fission product, and a radioactive fission product. 8. The system of claim 6, wherein said sensor comprises a sensor chosen from a radiation sensor, a chemical sensor, and an optical sensor. 9. The system of claim 6, wherein said sensor comprises a transmitter. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said transmitter is configured to transmit an identification signal identifying said valve body. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a canister capable of surrounding said fuel element. 12. The system of claim 11,wherein said canister has a bottom portion defining a first opening; andwherein said canister has a side portion defining a second opening. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said canister comprises a tube sheet therein having a contour shaped for guiding a coolant along a coolant flow path extending from the first opening and through the second opening. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein said canister comprises a ceramic tube sheet therein for dissipating heat and having a contour shaped for guiding a coolant along a coolant flow path extending from the first opening and through the second opening. 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir coupled to said valve for receiving the gaseous fission product vented by said valve. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said reservoir comprises a filter for separating a condensed phase fission product from the gaseous fission product. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said filter comprises a filter chosen from a group comprising a HEPA filter, a semi-permeable membrane, an electrostatic collector, and a cold trap. 18. The system of claim 15,wherein said reservoir is capable of being coupled to a reactor vessel; andwherein said reservoir is capable of being decoupled from the reactor vessel for removing the gaseous fission product from the reactor vessel. 19. The system of claim 15,wherein said reservoir is capable of being coupled to a reactor vessel; andwherein said reservoir is capable of remaining coupled to the reactor vessel for storing the gaseous fission product at the reactor vessel. 20. The system of claim 1, wherein said reclosable valve is sealably reclosable. 21. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to said reclosable valve for controlling operation of said reclosable valve. 22. A vented nuclear fission fuel module system, comprising:a nuclear fission fuel element capable of generating a gaseous fission product;a valve body associated with said nuclear fission fuel element, said valve body defining a plenum therein for receiving the gaseous fission product; anda reclosable valve in operative communication with the plenum for controllably venting the gaseous fission product from the plenum, wherein said valve body comprises a flexible diaphragm coupled to said valve for moving said valve to a closed position. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein said nuclear fission fuel element, said valve body and said valve define a vented nuclear fission fuel module, and further comprising a canister surrounding said fuel element. 24. The system of claim 23,wherein said canister has a bottom portion defining a first opening; andwherein said canister has a side portion defining a second opening. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein said canister comprises a tube sheet therein having a contour shaped for guiding a coolant along a coolant flow path extending from the first opening and through the second opening. 26. The system of claim 24, wherein said canister comprises a ceramic tube sheet therein for dissipating heat and having a contour shaped for guiding a coolant along a coolant flow path extending from the first opening and through the second opening. 27. The system of claim 22, further comprising a reservoir coupled to said valve for receiving the gaseous fission product vented by said valve. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein said reservoir comprises a filter for separating a condensed phase fission product from the gaseous fission product. 29. The system of claim 27,wherein said reservoir is capable of being coupled to a reactor vessel; andwherein said reservoir is capable of being decoupled from the reactor vessel for removing the gaseous fission product from the reactor vessel. 30. The system of claim 27,wherein said reservoir is capable of being coupled to a reactor vessel; andwherein said reservoir is capable of remaining coupled to the reactor vessel for storing the gaseous fission product at the reactor vessel.