EP0054787A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spectral shift controlled nuclear reactor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1981-12-04
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2001-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical spectral shift reactor comprises a reactive core (34) having fuel assemblies (32) accommodating both water displacer elements (40) and neutron absorbing control rods for selectively changing the volume of water-moderator in the core (34). The fuel assemblies (32) with displacer and control rods are arranged in alternating fashion so that one displacer element drive mechanism (36) may move displacer elements. (40) in_ more than one fuel assembly (32) without interfering with the movement of control rods of a corresponding control rod drive mechanisms (38).
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Wilson
- 👤 Donald G. Sherwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:31
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/32; G21C7/26; G21C7/27; G21C7/06; G21C7/08; G21C7/10; G21C7/117; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A pressurized water nuclear reactor having a reactive core (34) disposed in a vessel (22), comprising a plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies (32) disposed in said core (34) adjacent each other and capable of accommodating reactor control elements (40), characterized in that some of said assemblies (32) have water displacement control elements (40) associated therewith and some of said assemblies (32) have neutron absorbing control rods associated therewith for controlling the reactivity of said core (34).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A pressurized water nuclear reactor having a reactive core (34) disposed in a vessel (22), comprising a plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies (32) disposed in said core (34) adjacent each other and capable of accommodating reactor control elements (40), characterized in that some of said assemblies (32) have water displacement control elements (40) associated therewith and some of said assemblies (32) have neutron absorbing control rods associated therewith for controlling the reactivity of said core (34).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 1, wherein said fuel assemblies (32) are arranged in a rectangular array with displacer element and control rod drive means (36, 38) mounted on top of the reactor vessel (22) and connected to said displacer elements (40) and control rods for insertion or withdrawal thereof are connected to said drive means (36) in groups movable together and extending over more than one fuel assembly (32) with portions extending at least into adjacent control rod assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that said displacer element assemblies (32) and said control rod assemblies (32) are arranged in said core (34) in alternating fashion, and at least one of said groups of displacer elements (40) extends from one of said displacer element assemblies (32) into the four adjacent control rod assemblies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said displacer element drive means (36) has forty-one displacer elements (32) associated therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that said displacer element and control rod assemblies (34) comprise fuel elements (48) containing nuclear fuel arranged in a substantially regular array, hollow metal guide tubes (56) arranged among said fuel elements (48) for accommodating one of said displacer elements (32) and control rods, and grids (50) connected to said guide tubes (56) for supporting and aligning said fuel elements (48) with respect to said guide tubes (56).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 5, characterized in that said displacer element drive means (36) comprises a spider (58) to which said displacer elements (32) are attached for moving said displacer elements (32) simultaneously, a drive shaft (64) attached to said spider (58) and extending through said closure head (24), and that said drive mechanism (36) mounted on said closure head (22) is connected to said drive shaft (64) for inserting and withdrawing said displacer elements (40) from said fuel assemblies (32).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.