Patent US3841035A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3841035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Concrete pressure vessel
Assignee: General Atomics Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-19
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1991-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A concrete pressure containment vessel for a nuclear reactor is described wherein an access opening therein is sealed by a concrete closure member. Clearance is provided between the closure member and the pressure vessel, and the space between the closure member and the pressure vessel is sealed near the outer terminus of the penetration so that the closure member may be placed in compression by the pressure within the pressure vessel. A flow restrictor may be provided in the space between the closure member and the pressure vessel to limit flow of gas therethrough in the event of failure of the sealing means. Primary and secondary retaining means are provided, with the secondary retaining means acting to transfer axial forces on the closure member to the main body of the pressure vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 H Amtmann
- 👤 T Macken
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:32
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C13/00; G21C13/02; G21C13/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A concrete pressure vessel for a nuclear reactor, comprising, a main vessel portion defining a pressure chamber, said main vessel portion having at least one penetration therein communicating with said chamber from outside said main vessel portion, a metal penetration liner for said penetration, said penetration liner having at least one anchor extending therefrom for transferring axial forces to said main vessel portion, a concrete closure plug for closing said penetration, said closure plug being of a size to fit within said penetration with a clearance space between said penetration liner and said plug, means for sealing the space between said plug and said penetration liner near the outer terminus of said penetration to allow said plug to be compressively loaded about its periphery by the pressure within said pressure chamber, primary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces, and secondary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces in the event of failure of said primary retaining means, said secondary retaining means including a plurality of interengageable members on both said plug and said penetration liner to transfer axial forces on said plug to said penetration liner, at least some of said interengageable members being displaceable to disengage and permit removal and insertion of said plug.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A concrete pressure vessel for a nuclear reactor, comprising, a main vessel portion defining a pressure chamber, said main vessel portion having at least one penetration therein communicating with said chamber from outside said main vessel portion, a metal penetration liner for said penetration, said penetration liner having at least one anchor extending therefrom for transferring axial forces to said main vessel portion, a concrete closure plug for closing said penetration, said closure plug being of a size to fit within said penetration with a clearance space between said penetration liner and said plug, means for sealing the space between said plug and said penetration liner near the outer terminus of said penetration to allow said plug to be compressively loaded about its periphery by the pressure within said pressure chamber, primary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces, and secondary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces in the event of failure of said primary retaining means, said secondary retaining means including a plurality of interengageable members on both said plug and said penetration liner to transfer axial forces on said plug to said penetration liner, at least some of said interengageable members being displaceable to disengage and permit removal and insertion of said plug.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 1 including flow restrictor means between said sealing means and said chamber in the space between said penetration liner and said plug for inhibiting the flow of gas through said space in the event of failure of said sealing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 2 wherein said flow restrictore means comprise at least one segmented ring surrounding said plug, and means for biasing the segments of said ring outwardly of said plug to engage said liner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 2 wherein said flow restrictor means comprise a ring secured to said penetration liner adjacent said sealing means on the side thereof toward said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 4 wherein said ring is comprised of three layers, namely, two outer layers comprised of a plurality of metal segments, and an inner layer of packing material sandwiched therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 4 wherein said ring has a generally L-shaped cross section with one leg of said L abutting a surface of said plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 4 wherein said ring is of generally frustoconical shape having an outer rim engaging said penetration liner and having an inner rim engaging said plug.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A concrete pressure vessel according to claim 1 wherein said interengageable members comprise a plurality of shear blocks secured to said penetration liner and said plug at peripherally spaced intervals, said intervals being such as to allow said shear blocks on said plug to pass between said shear block on said liner with said plug at a first angular position in said penetration, and to align with each other with said plug at said second angular position in said penetration, said shear blocks on said plug being axially located to be on the chamber side of said shear blocks on said liner when said plug is in the second angular position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 1 wherein said interengageable members comprise a plurality of slidable pins mounted to extend radially from said plug at peripherally spaced intervals, and wherein a plurality of sockets are provided in said penetration liner for receiving said slidable pins when said plug is in said penetration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 1 wherein said main vessel portion includes a seat extending about the periphery of said penetration for engaging and supporting said plug to prevent same from being inadvertently dropped into said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 10 including an annular flow restrictor of L-shaped cross section having one leg of the L mounted to said seat and having the other leg of the L abutting the periphery of said plug to inhibit the flow of gas through the space between said penetration liner and said plug in the event of failure of said sealing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 1 wherein said penetration liner includes a plurality of shear anchors comprising annular flanges extending radially outward and embedded in the concrete of said main vessel portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 1 wherein said plug includes a metal cladding surrounding same, said metal cladding having a plurality of shear anchors comprising annular flanges extending radially inward and embedded in the concrete of said plug.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A pressure vessel for a nuclear reactor, comprising, a main vessel portion defining a pressure chamber, said main vessel portion having at least one penetration therein communicating with said chamber from outside said main vessel portion, a metal penetration liner for said penetration, said penetration liner having at least one anchor extending therefrom for transferring axial forces to said main vessel portion, a closure plug for closing said penetration, primary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces, and secondary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces in the event of failure of said primary retaining means, said secondary retaining means including a plurality of interengageable members on both said plug and said penetration liner to transfer axial forces on said plug to said penetration liner, at least some of said interengageable members being displaceable to disengage and permit removal and insertion of said plug.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A pressure vessel for a nuclear reactor, comprising, a main vessel portion defining a pressure chamber, said main vessel portion having at least one penetration therein communicating with said chamber from outside said main vessel portion, a metal penetration liner for said penetration, said penetration liner having at least one anchor extending therefrom for transferring axial forces to said main vessel portion, a closure plug for closing said penetration, primary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces, and secondary retaining means for securing said plug against axial forces in the event of failure of said primary retaining means, said secondary retaining means including a plurality of interengageable members on both said plug and said penetration liner to transfer axial forces on said plug to said penetration liner, at least some of said interengageable members being displaceable to disengage and permit removal and insertion of said plug.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A concrete pressure vessel according to claim 14 wherein said interengageable members comprise a plurality of shear blocks secured to said penetration liner and said plug at peripherally spaced intervals, said intervals being such as to allow said shear blocks on said plug to pass between said shear blocks on said liner with said plug at a first angular position in said penetration, and to align with each other with said plug at said second annular position in said penetration, said shear blocks on said plug being axially located to be on the chamber side of said shear blocks on said liner when said plug is in the second angular position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A pressure vessel according to claim 14 wherein said interengageable members comprise a plurality of axially movable pins mounted to extend radially from said plug at peripherally spaced intervals, and wherein a plurality of sockets are provided in said penetration liner for receiving said pins when said plug is in said penetration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |