Patent US3741167A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3741167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sodium heated steam generator
Assignee: Foster Wheeler Inc
•
Filing: 1971-03-02
•
Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1991-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A sodium heated steam generator in which the likelihood of tube failure from such factors as thermal growth is reduced and in which in the event of a tube failure the products of a sodium water reaction are quickly exhausted out of the steam generator. Water is generated to steam in bayonet tube assemblies extending downward into a vessel down through which liquid sodium flows and into which a central relief pipe extends to provide means for the escape of the products of an accidental sodium water reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 J Polcer
- 👤 R Barratt
- 👤 A Musterer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:49
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B1/00; F22B1/02; F22B1/06; F22B1/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A sodium heated steam generator comprising an elongated vertically extending pressure vessel, a plurality of bayonet tube assemblies extending longitudinally of and within said pressure vessel, said bayonet tube assemblies each having an outer tube closed at its lower end and open at its upper end and an inner tube open at both ends positioned within said outer tube, an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, said inner tubes extending to said upper tube sheet, said outer tubes extending to said lower tube sheet, a water inlet above said upper tube sheet and a steam outlet between said upper tube sheet and said lower tube sheet, a liquid sodium inlet below said lower tube sheet and a liquid sodium outlet at the lower portion of said generator, means located along the longitudinal axis of said generator for releasing the products of an accidental sodium water reaction, said bayonet tube assemblies being positioned radially of said means, a plurality of annular baffles extending outwardly from said means with said bayonet tubes extending loosely through said baffles, said baffles including inner baffles permitting sodium to flow downward in substantial quantity only when spaced from said means, and outer baffles spaced alternately with respect to said first defined baffles and permitting said sodium to flow downwardly only when adjacent to said means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A sodium heated steam generator comprising an elongated vertically extending pressure vessel, a plurality of bayonet tube assemblies extending longitudinally of and within said pressure vessel, said bayonet tube assemblies each having an outer tube closed at its lower end and open at its upper end and an inner tube open at both ends positioned within said outer tube, an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, said inner tubes extending to said upper tube sheet, said outer tubes extending to said lower tube sheet, a water inlet above said upper tube sheet and a steam outlet between said upper tube sheet and said lower tube sheet, a liquid sodium inlet below said lower tube sheet and a liquid sodium outlet at the lower portion of said generator, means located along the longitudinal axis of said generator for releasing the products of an accidental sodium water reaction, said bayonet tube assemblies being positioned radially of said means, a plurality of annular baffles extending outwardly from said means with said bayonet tubes extending loosely through said baffles, said baffles including inner baffles permitting sodium to flow downward in substantial quantity only when spaced from said means, and outer baffles spaced alternately with respect to said first defined baffles and permitting said sodium to flow downwardly only when adjacent to said means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The steam generator defined in claim 1 wherein said other baffles have a plurality of webs extending inwardly to said means the spaces between said webs permitting said sodium to flow downwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The steam generator defined in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of tie rods secured to said lower tube sheet and extending downwardly through said baffles, said baffles being connected to said tie rods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The steam generator defined in claim 3 further comprising a flow shroud, said flow shroud extending vertically and spaced outwardly from said means, the upper end of said flow shroud extending above said sodium inlet so that sodium flowing into said generator through said inlet will flow upwardly over said shroud and then downwardly over said baffles and said bayonet tube assemblies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The steam generator defined in claim 4 further comprising a pressure vessel, said flow shroud being positioned within said vessel with a small vertical annular space between said shroud and said vessel so that a portion of said sodium coming through said sodium inlet will flow downward in said space until said space is filled with sodium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The steam generator defined in claim 5 wherein said outer baffles are joined at their outer periphery with said flow shroud.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The steam generator defined in claim 6 wherein said means is a centrally positioned relief pipe with a plurality of openings spaced longitudinally thereof and a burst disk bridging each of said openings and adapted to rupture at a predetermined pressure to allow the products of a liquid sodium reaction to enter said relief pipe and be directed out of said generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The steam generator defined in claim 7 wherein said flow shroud and pressure vessel are flared inwardly at the bottoMs thereof and further comprising a ferrule extending downwardly from the bottom of said flow shroud to direct sodium to said sodium outlet, a bellows extending downwardly from the bottom of said shroud to a flange, and a spring positioned between said flow shroud and said flange to urge said flange downwardly against the bottom of said pressure vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The steam generator defined in claim 8 further comprising a flange on said bottom of said pressure vessel adapted to be engaged by said first defined flange.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |