US3816245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency core coolant system utilizing an inactive plenum
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-27
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1992-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An emergency core coolant system for cooling the nuclear core of a nuclear reactor. A storage tank having a supply of coolant fluid therein is positioned outside of the reactor vessel and communicates through conduit means to an inactive plenum within the reactor vessel. Two distribution means are provided within the reactor vessel to flow couple the inactive plenum to the nuclear core, the two distribution means communicating with the inactive plenum at two different vertical elevations. Normally closed valve means is interposed in the conduit means and is operable to be opened in the event of an emergency to introduce coolant fluid in the tank means into the inactive plenum. The coolant fluid in the inactive plenum is then distributed to the nuclear core by the two distribution means.
Inventors
- 👤 F Bevilacqua
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:22
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C15/00; G21C15/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A nuclear reactor system comprising, in combination: a nuclear reactor vessel having a nuclear core therein comprised of a plurality of fuel assemblies; at least one coolant flow inlet opening and at least one coolant flow outlet opening in said reactor vessel; at least one fluid circulating loop coupled to said inlet opening and said outlet opening; a guide structure positioned vertically above said nuclear core comprised of an upper plate and a lower plate spaced apart and rigidly interconnected; an outlet plenum within said reactor vessel defined between said upper and lower spaced plates and flow coupled to said outlet opening; an inactive plenum within said reactor vessel defined above said upper plate; at least one tank means positioned outside of said reactor vessel for storing a supply of coolant fluid; conduit means for said tank means flow coupling said tank means to said inactive plenum within said reactor vessel; valve means interposed in said conduit means, said valve means being normally closed and operable to be opened to introduce the coolant fluid in said tank means into said inactive plenum; a first distribution means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said nuclear core for distributing a portion of the coolant fluid introduced into said inactive plenum to said nuclear core, said first distribution means communicating with said inactive plenum at a first vertical elevation above said upper plate; and a second distribution means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said nuclear core for distributing a portion of the coolant fluid introduced into said inactive plenum to said nuclear core, said second distribution means communicating with said inactive plenum at a second vertical elevation above said upper plate, said second vertical elevation being different from said first vertical elevation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
290 words
A nuclear reactor system comprising, in combination: a nuclear reactor vessel having a nuclear core therein comprised of a plurality of fuel assemblies; at least one coolant flow inlet opening and at least one coolant flow outlet opening in said reactor vessel; at least one fluid circulating loop coupled to said inlet opening and said outlet opening; a guide structure positioned vertically above said nuclear core comprised of an upper plate and a lower plate spaced apart and rigidly interconnected; an outlet plenum within said reactor vessel defined between said upper and lower spaced plates and flow coupled to said outlet opening; an inactive plenum within said reactor vessel defined above said upper plate; at least one tank means positioned outside of said reactor vessel for storing a supply of coolant fluid; conduit means for said tank means flow coupling said tank means to said inactive plenum within said reactor vessel; valve means interposed in said conduit means, said valve means being normally closed and operable to be opened to introduce the coolant fluid in said tank means into said inactive plenum; a first distribution means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said nuclear core for distributing a portion of the coolant fluid introduced into said inactive plenum to said nuclear core, said first distribution means communicating with said inactive plenum at a first vertical elevation above said upper plate; and a second distribution means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said nuclear core for distributing a portion of the coolant fluid introduced into said inactive plenum to said nuclear core, said second distribution means communicating with said inactive plenum at a second vertical elevation above said upper plate, said second vertical elevation being different from said first vertical elevation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination of claim 1 further including a third distribution means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said nuclear core for distributing a portion of the coolant fluid introduced into said inactive plenum to said nuclear core, said third distribution means communicating with said inactive plenum at a third vertical elevation above said upper plate, said third vertical elevation being different from both said first and second vertical elevations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein: said first distribution means comprises means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said outlet plenum and means flow coupling said outlet plenum to said nuclear core, said means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said outlet plenum communicating with said inactive plenum at said first vertical elevation above said upper plate; said second distribution means comprises direct communication means providing a flow communication path between said inactive plenum and said nuclear core which bypasses said outlet plenum, said direct communicaion means communicating with said inactive plenum at said second vertical elevation above said upper plate; and said third distribution means comprising indirect cooling means providing a flow communication path between said inactive plenum and the lower portion of said nuclear core which bypasses said outlet plenum and the upper portion of said nuclear core, said indirect cooling means communicating with said inactive plenum at said third vertical elevation above said upper plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said first vertical elevation is lower than said second and said third vertical elevations and said second vertical elevation is lower than said third vertical elevation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein: said means flow coupling said inactive plenum to said outlet plenum comprises apertures in said upper plate; said means flow coupling said outlet plenum to said nuclear core comprises apertures in said lower plate; said direct communication means comprises hollow tubes extending between and through both of said spaced upper and lower plates, said hollow tubes being open at both ends; and said indirect cooling means comprises: a. a plurality of hollow tubes extending between and through both of said spaced upper and lower plates, said hollow tubes being open at both ends; b. means forming longitudinally extending channels within at least some of said fuel assemblies; c. alignment means for each of said channels, each of said alignment means being in registry with the upper portion of one of said channels and in registry with the lower portion of one of said hollow tubes; and d. at least one hole for each of said channel forming means in the lower portion thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination of claim 5 further including steam relief means providing flow communication between said outlet plenum and said inactive plenum, said steam relief means communicating with said inactive plenum at a fourth vertical elevation above said upper plate, said fourth vertical elevation being higher than said first, second and third vertical elevations.
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) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |