US3709781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Space nuclear plant
Assignee: European Atomic Energy Community Euratom
•
Filing: 1969-05-12
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1989-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear power plant for space stations having a heating core, a reflector at least partially pivotal about the core and a system of heat pipes penetrating into the core. The heat pipes supply reaction heat to thermionic converters disposed in the reflector zone with heat reflected from the converters being dissipated into space by cooling means.
Inventors
- 👤 P Fiebelmann
- 👤 H Neu
- 👤 U Buzzi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21D; G21D7/00; G21D7/04; G21C; G21C15/00; G21C15/24; G21C15/257; G21D5/00; G21D5/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A nuclear power plant for a space station comprising a heat generating nuclear core, a reflector surrounding said core, a portion of said reflector being pivotable between open and closed positions for controlling the reactor a first heat pipe system comprising a plurality of heat pipes penetrating into the core in at least two directions and extending outwardly through said reflector, a plurality of thermionic converters disposed adjacent the reflector, each said converter having an emitter and a collector with the emitter of each said converter being thermally coupled to one of the heat pipes of said first system, a radiation shield disposed behind a non-pivotable portion of said reflector and a second heat pipe system comprising a plurality of heat pipes extending substantially parallel to each other and from the reflector where each pipe of the second system is coupled to the collector of at least one converter such that cooling portions of said second heat pipes constitute in common a hollow truncated cooling cone which has an increasing diameter at the reactor distal side and which has its smallest diameter within said radiation shield.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A nuclear power plant for a space station comprising a heat generating nuclear core, a reflector surrounding said core, a portion of said reflector being pivotable between open and closed positions for controlling the reactor a first heat pipe system comprising a plurality of heat pipes penetrating into the core in at least two directions and extending outwardly through said reflector, a plurality of thermionic converters disposed adjacent the reflector, each said converter having an emitter and a collector with the emitter of each said converter being thermally coupled to one of the heat pipes of said first system, a radiation shield disposed behind a non-pivotable portion of said reflector and a second heat pipe system comprising a plurality of heat pipes extending substantially parallel to each other and from the reflector where each pipe of the second system is coupled to the collector of at least one converter such that cooling portions of said second heat pipes constitute in common a hollow truncated cooling cone which has an increasing diameter at the reactor distal side and which has its smallest diameter within said radiation shield.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A nuclear power plant according to claim 1, further comprising a third system of heat pipes which extend from the reflector and the radiation shield and are adapted to withdraw heat from the reflectOr and the shield structures, respectively, outwardly such that cooling portions of said third heat pipes constitute a prolongation of the cooling cone on the reactor proximal side of the radiation shield.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A nuclear power plant according to claim 2, in which the radiation shield is cooled by said third system of heat pipes only in a zone disposed near to the core and further comprising a thermal transfer structure provided in the shield adapted to transfer the heat produced in the core-distal zone of the shield into the zone of said third heat pipes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A nuclear plant according to claim 1, further comprising meteorite baffle plates which cover the heat pipes forming the cooling cone, each said plate being mounted on that side which faces outer space, and resilient, thermally conducting elements mounting said baffle plates in spaced relation from said heat pipes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A nuclear power plant according to claim 4, in which baffle plates for adjacent heat pipes overlap without being in direct physical contact with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A nuclear power plant according to claim 5, further comprising ceramic insulators provided as spacers between overlapping baffle plates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |