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US3633784A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Hydrostatic reactor cavity seal

Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1968-02-09
•
Granted: 1972-01-11
•
Expires: 1988-02-09
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Abstract

Abstract A reactor cavity seal comprises a large flat ring used to cover and seal the annulus around the reactor vessel during the refueling time period in which the area is flooded with water. The seal is effected by compressing large diameter O-rings between the flat ring and machined surfaces on the reactor vessel and on a ring set in the surrounding concrete. The O-rings are compressed by using the hydrostatic pressure of the water above the seal ring. Because an absolute seal must be maintained at all times during refueling, auxiliary clamps are utilized to provide the seal compression force required during the low water pressure periods when the refueling canal is being flooded or being drained. These clamps are also utilized to lift and support the seal ring a sufficient distance above the seal surface during plant operation to permit the flow of reactor cavity cooling air.

Inventors

  • 👤 William G Taft

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 22:45
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C13/00; G21C13/02; G21C13/028; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 127 words
In a nuclear reactor containment which is flooded with liquid during refueling of the reactor, in combination, an enclosing structure having a generally circular cavity therein, an open ended reactor vessel disposed in the cavity and spaced from the wall of the cavity, a cover means for said vessel, an inner annular seal surface on the vessel, an outer annular seal surface on the enclosing structure, a generally flat seal ring disparate from said cover means spanning the space between the vessel and the cavity wall, a plurality of clamps for compressing the seal ring against said inner and outer seal surfaces, and said clamps being operable to lift the seal ring from said surfaces and support it in the raised position during operation of the reactor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 127 words
In a nuclear reactor containment which is flooded with liquid during refueling of the reactor, in combination, an enclosing structure having a generally circular cavity therein, an open ended reactor vessel disposed in the cavity and spaced from the wall of the cavity, a cover means for said vessel, an inner annular seal surface on the vessel, an outer annular seal surface on the enclosing structure, a generally flat seal ring disparate from said cover means spanning the space between the vessel and the cavity wall, a plurality of clamps for compressing the seal ring against said inner and outer seal surfaces, and said clamps being operable to lift the seal ring from said surfaces and support it in the raised position during operation of the reactor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination defined in claim 1, including compressible seal rings disposed in said inner and outer surfaces underneath the flat seal ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 58 words
The combination defined in claim 2, wherein the area of the flat seal ring exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid in the containment is greater than the area engaged by the compressible seal rings to enable the liquid pressure to assist the clamps in compressing the flat seal ring against the inner and outer seal surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The combination defied in claim 1, wherein the outer seal surface includes a metal ring mounted on the enclosing structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The combination defined in claim 4, wherein the clamps are attached to said metal ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
The combination defined in claim 4, wherein each clamp comprises a generally L-shaped bracket having one leg attached to the metal ring, and a stud threaded through the outer leg to engage the flat seal ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The combination defined in claim 6, wherein one end of the stud is attached to the flat seal ring with a swivel connection.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1519766A Cited
US2983659A Cited
US3270906A Cited
US3445971A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-01-10 1975-07-12 1976-01-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-01-10 1979-07-12 1980-01-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-01-10 1983-07-12 1984-01-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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