Patent US3718539A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3718539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passive nuclear reactor safeguard system
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-31
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A safeguard system for a nuclear power plant is disclosed that incorporates means for containing the effects of a reactor accident to protect the environs of the plant against the release of harmful contaminants. The system includes particular containment structure housing the plant and a vapor suppression pool for condensing vaporous elements released from the plant. Various core cooling apparatus are integrated into the system to provide immediate and long term cooling of the reactor following a serious accident.
Inventors
- 👤 J West
- 👤 W Fletcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:04
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C9/00; G21C15/00; G21C15/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A safeguard system for a nuclear reactor plant including a reactor, at least one vapor generator operatively connected to said reactor and a containment structure sealedly enclosing said reactor and vapor generator, said safeguard system including: a. a body of cooling liquid disposed externally of said containment structure; b. duct means operative to conduct fluids liberated within said containment structure to said body of liquid, said duct means having its inlet end in open communication with the interior of said containment structure and its outlet end submersed in said body of cooling liquid; c. means forming a catch tank disposed adjacent to said cooling liquid body and arranged to receive liquid overflow therefrom; and d. tube means connecting with said catch tank for conducting overflow liquid received thereby into heat exchange relation with said reactor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A safeguard system for a nuclear reactor plant including a reactor, at least one vapor generator operatively connected to said reactor and a containment structure sealedly enclosing said reactor and vapor generator, said safeguard system including: a. a body of cooling liquid disposed externally of said containment structure; b. duct means operative to conduct fluids liberated within said containment structure to said body of liquid, said duct means having its inlet end in open communication with the interior of said containment structure and its outlet end submersed in said body of cooling liquid; c. means forming a catch tank disposed adjacent to said cooling liquid body and arranged to receive liquid overflow therefrom; and d. tube means connecting with said catch tank for conducting overflow liquid received thereby into heat exchange relation with said reactor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said body of cooling liquid is retained in a tank having an upstanding wall and an open top and wherein said catch tank comprises wall means forming a trough that is generally rectangular in section, said wall means including one wall that is common in with the upstanding wall of said cooling liquid retention tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said containment structure includes a pair of concentrically spaced substantially sealed enclosures, said reactor and associated vapor generators being contained within the inner of said enclosures and said body of cooling liquid and said catch tank is contained in the intermediate space between said enclosures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said cooling liquid retention tank and said catch tank are annular members disposed in surrounding relation to said inner enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 including means for maintaining the pressure within said intermediate space at subatmospheric levels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 including means for supplying cooling liquid for the removal of decay heat from said reactor, said means comprising: a. a source of cooling liquid for supplying liquid to said reactor plant at a pressure greater than atmospheric; b. conduit means connecting said source to the primary coolant system of said reactor; and c. check valve means disposed in said conduit means and arranged to open when the pressure in said primary coolant system is reduced to a level below the fluid pressure in said conduit means upstream of said check valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said source of cooling liquid comprises a closed tank and includes means for pressurizing the contents of said tank to a fluid pressure less than the normal operating pressure of said primary coolant system but greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said source of cooling liquid comprises tank means disposed in said intermediate space and in open communication therewith and including vacuum siphon means operatively connected to said tank means for supplying cooling liquid to said conduit means when the pressure in said intermediate space increases a predetermined amount.
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) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |