US3839150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling nuclear reactor fuel
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1973-03-06
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1993-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear reactor core has a supplementary or alternative means of cooling the fuel in addition the main coolant. This means is termed auxiliary and relies upon a source independent of the main coolant. To obtain maximum benefit from auxiliary coolant this is injected as a series of intermittent high velocity jets from perforated conduits extending parallel with the fuel rods. For instance the velocity of a jet which operates for one-half second every 2 seconds would be quadrupled with no increase in average water usage.
Inventors
- 👤 W Porter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:53
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C15/00; G21C15/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
An auxiliary cooling system in a nuclear reactor core comprising at least one perforated conduit extending into the core, a supply of auxiliary coolant, a pump arranged to deliver auxiliary coolant from the supply to the perforated conduit and an intermittent flow inducing means causing the auxiliary coolant to be dispersed through the conduit perforations as intermittent jets of coolant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
An auxiliary cooling system in a nuclear reactor core comprising at least one perforated conduit extending into the core, a supply of auxiliary coolant, a pump arranged to deliver auxiliary coolant from the supply to the perforated conduit and an intermittent flow inducing means causing the auxiliary coolant to be dispersed through the conduit perforations as intermittent jets of coolant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An auxiliary cooling system for a nuclear reactor as claimed in claim 1 in which the intermittent flow inducing means comprises a rotary valve arranged to deliver the auxiliary coolant to a number of perforated conduits in turn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An auxiliary cooling system for a nuclear reactor as claimed in claim 1 in which the intermittent flow inducing means comprises a bistable fluidic switch arranged to switch the pump delivery to a number of perforated conduits in turn.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A nuclear reactor the reactor having a core including a coolant channel enclosing a nuclear fuel assembly, an entry for main coolant at one end of the channel and an exit for main coolant at the other, at least one perforated conduit extending lengthwise in the channel, perforations in the conduit wall facing said fuel assembly, a supply of auxiliary coolant and means delivering said coolant to said perforated conduit in a manner such that intermittent jets of auxiliary coolant are injected into the fuel assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A nuclear reactor the reactor having a core including a coolant channel enclosing a nuclear fuel assembly, an entry for main coolant at one end of the channel and an exit for main coolant at the other, at least one perforated conduit extending lengthwise in the channel, perforations in the conduit wall facing said fuel assembly, a supply of auxiliary coolant and means delivering said coolant to said perforated conduit in a manner such that intermittent jets of auxiliary coolant are injected into the fuel assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
A nuclear reactor plant including a reactor core containing nuclear fuel assemblies in the form of clusters of elongated fuel rods supported in spaced apart positions to define channels there between for the passage of main coolant, at least one perforated conduit extending parallel to but spaced from the fuel rods, a supply of auxiliary coolant, and a means connecting said supply with said perforated conduit and delivering auxiliary coolant there through to emerge from the perforations in the perforated conduit as intermittent jets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A nuclear reactor plant including a reactor core containing nuclear fuel assemblies in the form of clusters of elongated fuel rods supported in spaced apart positions to define channels there between for the passage of main coolant, at least one perforated conduit extending parallel to but spaced from the fuel rods, a supply of auxiliary coolant, and a means connecting said supply with said perforated conduit and delivering auxiliary coolant there through to emerge from the perforations in the perforated conduit as intermittent jets.
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) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |