US3840432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulverulent absorbent safety rod for a nuclear reactor
Assignee: Groupement Atomique Alsacienne Atlantique SA
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Filing: 1973-06-04
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1993-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A pulverulent absorbent safety rod for a nuclear reactor comprising a reservoir having three, superposed compartments. The lower compartment is situated in the core of the reactor and is filled with gas under pressure by way of a hollow, disconnectable rod. The intermediate compartment situated just above the core contains the absorbent and communicates with the lower compartment. The upper compartment situated in the reactor communicates with the intermediate compartment. When the hollow rod is disconnected, all the pulverulent absorbent falls into the lower compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 C Malaval
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:06
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C9/00; G21C9/02; G21C9/027; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod for a nuclear reactor, comprising: a vertical, cylindrical reservoir divided into three, superposed compartments, the lower compartment being situated in the core of the reactor and communicating with the space above the reservoir via a first vertical pipe coaxial with the reservoir, the intermediate compartment being situated just above the core of the reactor, means communicating the upper part of this intermediate compartment with the lower part of the lower compartment via an annular conduit limited externally by the inner wall of the reservoir and being provided with at least one helicoidal fin, the upper compartment being situated in the reactor and communicating with the lower part of the intermediate compartment via an annular conduit situated between the first vertical pipe and a second vertical pipe acting as the support for a helicoidal fin located in the intermediate compartment, said safety rod further comprising means for pressurizing and depressurizing the lower compartment to enable the pulverulent absorbent to be displaced between the intermediate compartment and the lower compartment and vice versa.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod for a nuclear reactor, comprising: a vertical, cylindrical reservoir divided into three, superposed compartments, the lower compartment being situated in the core of the reactor and communicating with the space above the reservoir via a first vertical pipe coaxial with the reservoir, the intermediate compartment being situated just above the core of the reactor, means communicating the upper part of this intermediate compartment with the lower part of the lower compartment via an annular conduit limited externally by the inner wall of the reservoir and being provided with at least one helicoidal fin, the upper compartment being situated in the reactor and communicating with the lower part of the intermediate compartment via an annular conduit situated between the first vertical pipe and a second vertical pipe acting as the support for a helicoidal fin located in the intermediate compartment, said safety rod further comprising means for pressurizing and depressurizing the lower compartment to enable the pulverulent absorbent to be displaced between the intermediate compartment and the lower compartment and vice versa.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety bar according to claim 1, wherein: the pressurization and depressurization means comprise at least one valve means discharging into a cylindrical body, a piston slidably disposed in said body, said piston being provided with a central orifice opening into a hollow rod integral with the piston, and the upper end of said hollow rod being semi-spherical in shape and engaging in a lowered position with a junction element situated at the top of a vertical pipe extending through the upper compartment of the reservoir to connect the lower compartment with the outside.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 2, wherein the top of the reservoir is provided with a sealing dish against which the periphery of the semi-spherical end of the hollow rod abuts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 1, wherein: the pressurization and depressurization means further comprises a two-way valve for conveying the pulverulent absorbent towards the intermediate compartment and a rapid opening valve for the rapid introduction of pulverulent absorbent into the lower compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 2, wherein: the junction element with the vertical pipe connecting the lower compartment with the outside is a bell having the same axis as said pipe and being movable along said axis, and the edge of said bell being provided with a dish-shaped sealing joint, which in the raised position of the bell, abuts against the periphery of the top of the pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 5, wherein: the hollow rod is enclosed by a hollow shaft having the same axis and also being integral with the piston and acting as a guide for the gas escaping from the lower compartment of the reservoir to the space containing the reactor covering gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety device according to claim 6, wherein: the lower end of the hollow rod is provided with a ball valve which allows the passage of the gas when the ball is in a raised position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 5, wherein: the bell is provided with a vertical teat for raising the ball of said valve in the lowered position of the piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 2, wherein: the central orifice of the piston is provided with a ball valve allowing the passage of the gas in the lowered position of the ball thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 1, wherein: the absorbent is boron carbide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 1, wherein: the reservoir is disposed in a casing identical to those used for the fuel of the reactor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 2, wherein the pressurization and depressurization means further comprises a two-way valve for conveying the pulverulent absorbent towards the intermediate compartment and a rapid opening valve for the rapid introduction of pulverulent absorbent into the lower compartment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 3, wherein the pressurization and depressurization means further comprises a two-way valve for conveying the pulverulent absorbent towards the intermediate compartment and a rapid opening valve for the rapid introduction of pulverulent absorbent into the lower compartment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pulverulent absorbent safety rod according to claim 7, wherein: the bell is provided with a vertical teat for raising the ball of said valve in the lowered position of the piston.
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) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |