US3715270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactors
Assignee: IKAEA
•
Filing: 1969-01-13
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1989-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A large power-producing nuclear reactor of the liquid metal cooled fast breeder type with its coolant circuitry submerged in a liquid metal pool in a vault, has an enclosed core and coolant circuit loops communicating with the core enclosure at opposed ends, the core enclosure also containing radial neutron shielding and one end neutron shielding and being constituted by an opentopped vessel whose top is closed by a lid which incorporates a part of neutron shielding for the other end, the remaining part of said other end neutron shielding being constituted by the vault roof or a part thereof. The vessel lid is preferably connected to a co-axial rotatable part of said vault roof for rotation and outward axial movement therewith. The reactor tank preferably has a minimum width in the region where the core is disposed so as to provide hold-down structure with minimum span.
Inventors
- 👤 G Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:39
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C1/00; G21C1/02; G21C1/03; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A large power-producing nuclear reactor comprising a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor having its coolant circuitry submerged in a liquid metal pool in a tank disposed in a vault, the reactor including, in combination, an enclosure for the core of the reactor and constituted by an open-topped vessel containing the reactor core, radial neutron shield and lower end neutron shield and a lid closing the top of said vessel, a portion of upper end neutron shield incorporated in said lid, a roof of said vault constituting the remaining portion of upper end neutron shield, and a plurality of coolant circuit loops each comprising outflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the upper end region thereof, inflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the lower end thereof, and heat exchange means and liquid metal circulating means in closed circuit relative to the liquid metal pool between said outflow and inflow ducts such that the liquid metal pool is not normally included in the circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A large power-producing nuclear reactor comprising a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor having its coolant circuitry submerged in a liquid metal pool in a tank disposed in a vault, the reactor including, in combination, an enclosure for the core of the reactor and constituted by an open-topped vessel containing the reactor core, radial neutron shield and lower end neutron shield and a lid closing the top of said vessel, a portion of upper end neutron shield incorporated in said lid, a roof of said vault constituting the remaining portion of upper end neutron shield, and a plurality of coolant circuit loops each comprising outflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the upper end region thereof, inflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the lower end thereof, and heat exchange means and liquid metal circulating means in closed circuit relative to the liquid metal pool between said outflow and inflow ducts such that the liquid metal pool is not normally included in the circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
162 words
A large power-producing nuclear reactor comprising a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor having its coolant circuitry submerged in a liquid metal pool in a tank disposed in a vault, the reactor including, in combination, an enclosure for the core of the reactor and constituted by an open-topped vessel containing the reactor core, radial neutron shield and lower end neutron shield and a lid closing the top of said vessel, a portion of upper end neutron shield incorporated in said lid, a roof of said vault constituting the remaining portion of upper end neutron shield, and a plurality of coolant circuit loops each comprising outflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the upper end region thereof, inflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the lower end thereof, and heat exchange means and liquid metal circulating means in closed circuit relative to the liquid metal pool between said outflow and inflow ducts such that the liquid metal pool is not normally included in the circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
A large power-producing nuclear reactor comprising a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor having its coolant circuitry submerged in a liquid metal pool in a tank disposed in a vault, the reactor including, in combination, an enclosure for the core of the reactor and constituted by an open-topped vessel containing the reactor core, radial neutron shield and lower end neutron shield and a lid closing the top of said vessel, a portion of upper end neutron shield incorporated in said lid, a roof of said vault constituting the remaining portion of upper end neutron shield, and a plurality of coolant circuit loops each comprising outflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the upper end region thereof, inflow ducting penetrating said vessel at the lower end thereof, and heat exchange means and liquid metal circulating means in closed circuit relative to the liquid metal pool between said outflow and inflow ducts such that the liquid metal pool is not normally included in the circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 1, wherein the said vault roof includes a part which is rotatable relative to the reactor core and is co-axial therewith, and said vessel lid is connected to the co-axial roof part for rotation therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 2, wherein said vessel lid includes equipment and instrumentation associated with the reactor core and including control rod mechanism, coolant sample pipes for monitoring for failed fuel elements, and thermocouples for core coolant outflow temperature monitoring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 2, wherein the co-axial roof part and the vessel lid connected thereto are together movable outwardly relative to said reactor core, whereby equipment associated with monitoring of said core and supported by said vessel lid can be withdrawn from said reactor core.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A nuclear reactor according to claim 1, including at least one manually operable valve for joining each coolant circuit loop to the liquid metal pool for providing a heat sink for decay heat from the reactor core in the event of failure of coolant circulating means.
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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) | 1976-02-06 | 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 |