US3715269A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control rod drive units for nuclear reactors
Assignee: Interatom Internationale Atomreaktorbau GmbH
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Filing: 1969-05-21
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1989-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A control rod drive unit for use with nuclear reactors having a motor for effecting movement of a drive rod coupled to the control rod between positions corresponding to full insertion and full withdrawal of the control rod with respect to the reactor. There is also provided a seal for providing a gas tight sealing between the drive rod and the cover of the nuclear reactor with the motor connected to the drive rod, and a further seal for sealing the drive rod to the reactor operative upon the means for disconnecting the motor from the drive rod, and a further means for partially disengaging the first seal from the reactor cover.
Inventors
- 👤 F Mehren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:00
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/06; G21C7/08; G21C7/12; G21C13/00; G21C13/02; G21C13/028; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
358 words
In a control rod drive in a nuclear reactor for controlling the axial movement of a control rod between positions corresponding to full insertion and full withdrawal of the control rod with respect to the core of the nuclear reactor, the reactor being of a type including a reactor vessel, liquid disposed within the reactor vessel around the cores, and a reactor cover having an opening disposed in its top surface for admitting the control rod to the reactor vessel, the combination comprising; a motor for controlling the movement of the control rod, a drive rod coupled to said motor, a lifting unit coupled to said drive rod, a lifting rod coupled to the control rod, means for coupling said lifting unit to said lifting rod, including a socket and ball lock joint coUpled to said lifting unit, and a frusto-conical member affixed to said lifting rod which is received by said socket and ball lock joint, a cylindrical housing affixed to the cover of the nuclear reactor, encompassing said motor, drive rod, lifting unit, lifting rod, and said coupling means, said housing having one end disposed in the opening in the reactor cover, and including an annular flange affixed to its outer surface at one end for securing said housing on the reactor cover, an elongated bellows disposed within said cylindrical housing and coupled at one end to said lifting unit and at the other end, to the inside surface of said cylindrical housing for sealing said lifting unit to said cylindrical housing, and permitting axial movement of said lifting unit between the full insertion and full withdrawal positions while maintaining said seal, and a first ring seal disposed between the reactor cover and said annular flange on said cylindrical housing, and a second ring seal disposed between the end of said cylindrical housing disposed within the opening in the reactor cover, and the inside surface of the opening, said ring seals preventing, in conjunction with said bellows, the egress of gases from the reactor vessel of the nuclear reactor, and additional means for preventing egress of gases from the reactor vessel upon removal of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
358 words
In a control rod drive in a nuclear reactor for controlling the axial movement of a control rod between positions corresponding to full insertion and full withdrawal of the control rod with respect to the core of the nuclear reactor, the reactor being of a type including a reactor vessel, liquid disposed within the reactor vessel around the cores, and a reactor cover having an opening disposed in its top surface for admitting the control rod to the reactor vessel, the combination comprising; a motor for controlling the movement of the control rod, a drive rod coupled to said motor, a lifting unit coupled to said drive rod, a lifting rod coupled to the control rod, means for coupling said lifting unit to said lifting rod, including a socket and ball lock joint coUpled to said lifting unit, and a frusto-conical member affixed to said lifting rod which is received by said socket and ball lock joint, a cylindrical housing affixed to the cover of the nuclear reactor, encompassing said motor, drive rod, lifting unit, lifting rod, and said coupling means, said housing having one end disposed in the opening in the reactor cover, and including an annular flange affixed to its outer surface at one end for securing said housing on the reactor cover, an elongated bellows disposed within said cylindrical housing and coupled at one end to said lifting unit and at the other end, to the inside surface of said cylindrical housing for sealing said lifting unit to said cylindrical housing, and permitting axial movement of said lifting unit between the full insertion and full withdrawal positions while maintaining said seal, and a first ring seal disposed between the reactor cover and said annular flange on said cylindrical housing, and a second ring seal disposed between the end of said cylindrical housing disposed within the opening in the reactor cover, and the inside surface of the opening, said ring seals preventing, in conjunction with said bellows, the egress of gases from the reactor vessel of the nuclear reactor, and additional means for preventing egress of gases from the reactor vessel upon removal of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises; a first, elongated tubular cylinder rigidly affixed to said lifting unit, and having a socket affixed at one end thereof for receiving said frusto-conical coupling member affixed to said lifting rod, and a second elongated tubular cylinder disposed about said first cylinder, and slidably coupled to said lifting unit, said second cylinder having radially disposed recesses provided at one end thereof for receiving the ball members of said socket and ball lock joint when the end of said cylinder is moved adjacent said socket and ball lock joint, thereby releasing said frusto-conical member from said socket and permitting said lifting rod and the control rod to free-fall to the full insertion position relative to the nuclear reactor core, and thereby effect a rapid shut-down of the nuclear reactor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said lifting unit includes an annular coupling member coupled to said second tubular cylinder of said coupling means, and slidably disposed about said lifting unit so as to be slidable vertically upwardly and downwardly, and a solenoid, rigidly affixed to said lifting unit adjacent said coupling member for controlling the vertically upward and downward movement of said coupling unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
210 words
The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein said additional means comprises; a cylindrically shaped guide tube, disposed within the opening in the reactor cover below said cylindrical housing, a cylindrically shaped sealing tube disposed within said guide tube and surrounding said lifting rod, a frusto-conical collar affixed to said lifting rod below said frusto-conical coupling member and disposed within said cylindrical sealing tube, means for detachably coupling said sealing tube to said cylindrical housing, spring means disposed below and engaging the bottom end of said sealing tube for forcing said sealing tube vertically upwardly in said guide tube so as to engage the end of said cylindrical housing, and a first ring seal disposed on the outside surface of said sealing tube so as to engage said guide tube, and a second ring seal disposed within said sealing tube on the inside surface thereof below said frusto-conical collar, for engaging said frusto-conical collar on said lifting rod when said cylindrical housing is detached from said sealing tube and said spring means forces said sealing tube vertically upwardly within said guide tube, said first and second ring seals preventing egress of gases from the nuclear reactor vessel through the opening in the reacTor cover, when said cylindrical housing is removed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
The combination as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for detachably coupling said cylindrical housing to said sealing tube comprises a socket and ball lock joint, including a plurality of ball members disposed within apertures provided in the end of said cylindrical housing, and an annular groove disposed circumferentially about one end of said sealing tube adjacent said apertures and ball members in said cylindrical housing, said ball members being forced radially inwardly by said guide tube, thereby locking said cylindrical housing to said sealing tube, and said spring means forcing said sealing tube vertically upwardly within said guide tube and thereby biasing said socket and ball lock joint on said housing towards an unlocked position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination as recited in claim 5 further comprising shock absorbing means disposed about said lifting rod below said frusto-conical collar within said sealing tube, for cushioning the control rod during movement to its fully inserted position during quick shutdown of the nuclear reactor, and thereby preventing damage to the control rod and said lifting unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination as recited in claim 6, wherein said guide tube further comprises a cylindrically shaped counter-bore, disposed vertically upwardly within said guide tube around said lifting rod, and having its lower end connected to said guide tube so as to form an annular base between said guide tube and counter-bore, and wherein said shock absorbing means comprises a plurality of spring rings disposed about said lifting rod within said counter-bore between said frusto-conical collar and said base of said counter-bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination as recited in claim 7, wherein said drive rod is an axially restrained spindle coupled to said motor, and wherein a spindle is affixed to said lifting unit for receiving said drive rod spindle, thereby providing axial movement of said lifting unit in vertically upward and downward directions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |