US3627633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unique metal hydride controlled reactors
Assignee: Teledyne Inc
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Filing: 1967-11-06
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Granted: 1971-12-14
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Expires: 1987-11-06
Abstract
Abstract Metal hydride controlled nuclear reactors involving thermally isolated, first and second sealed containers carrying metal hydride, one including nuclear fuel material and the other acting as a hydrogen reservoir. Means are provided to facilitate reactor startup. In different embodiments, they take the form of electrical heaters for the core and reservoir elements, chemical heaters for these elements and an additional source of hydrogen for these elements. Hydrogen disassociation is utilized to perform a cooling function during atmospheric reentry of reactors in spatial applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Magladry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:12
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21D; G21D5/00; G21D5/02; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/02; G21C7/26; G21D7/00; G21D7/04; G21C7/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In an nuclear reactor of the passive metal hydride control type including thermally and environmentally isolated reactor core and reservoir portions of metal hydride material and first passage means comprising a tube for fluid coupling said portions to allow disassociated hydrogen to flow reversibly therebetween, the improvement comprising: second means operatively disposed on said core and reservoir metal hydride portions for simultaneously raising the threshold temperature of said core and reservoir hydride material portions, said second means comprising an electrical heater carried within said tube and operatively disposed with respect to said core metal hydride portion and said reservoir portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a nuclear reactor of the passive metal hydride control type including thermally and environmentally isolated reactor core and reservoir portions of metal hydride material and first passage means fluid coupling said portions to allow disassociated hydrogen to flow reversibly therebetween, the improvement comprising: second means operatively disposed on said core and reservoir metal hydride portions for simultaneously raising the threshold temperature of said core and reservoir hydride material portions, said second means comprising low temperature hydridable material carried within at least said reactor core portion, an independent source of hydrogen, and means for selectively coupling said source to at least said reactor core portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reactor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said electrical heater is in rod form and has a diameter less than the internal diameter of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The reactor as claimed in claim 3 wherein said independent source of hydrogen comprises a sealed container carrying said hydrogen under pressure, and said reactor further including a tube coupling said sealed container to said reservoir metal hydride portion and valve means carried by said tube for controlling flow from said sealed container to said reservoir metal hydride portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The nuclear reactor as claimed in claim 4 wherein said reactor core and reservoir metal hydride portions are carried in sealed containers and said sealed containers are coupled in axial alignment by said connecting tube, said reactor furtheR including a copper heat sink and neutron reflector surrounding said reactor core container and thermal insulation means surrounding said reservoir container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The nuclear reactor as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sealed metal hydride core container is spherical in configuration and said reservoir container is pancake in configuration with said threshold heater passing through the center of said pancake-shaped reservoir container and said reactor further includes; a plurality of control heaters in rod form carried by said pancake-shaped reservoir containers in contact with the outer surface thereof and extending radially outward from said threshold heater.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB963161A
Cited
US3351534A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-13 | 1975-06-14 | 1975-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-13 | 1979-06-14 | 1979-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-13 | 1983-06-14 | 1983-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |