Patent US3517983A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3855059A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3855059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hydraulic system for nuclear reactors with hydraulically driven control rods
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-05-11
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulic control system for hydraulically driven nuclear reactor control rods is described. Hydraulic lines from a plurality of control rods are grouped together and exit through a nozzle in the reactor vessel head. Each hydraulic line is connected to a separate valve and these valves are connected to a common return line. The common return line extends back down through the nozzle and into the reactor vessel. A plurality of these common return lines are connected to a manifold which is connected to a line which exits the reactor vessel through another nozzle in the reactor vessel head. These exit lines are connected to a lift pump which provides the differential pressure for raising the control rods. Differential pressure transducers are also included which provide a means for indicating control rod position. Disconnects are provided so that the reactor vessel head may be readily removable and so that valve and transducer coils may be readily replaced.
Inventors
- 👤 F Bevilacqua
- 👤 D Ferris
- 👤 M Groves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:46
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/06; G21C7/08; G21C7/12; G21C7/16; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
In a nuclear reactor including fissionable fuel elements, neutron absorber elements movable with respect to said fuel elements and fluid responsive actuators for positioning said absorber elements, said fuel elements, absorber elements and actuators all being positioned within reactor vessel having a main portion and a removable head, the improvement comprisng: a. housing means attached to the exterior of said reactor vessel; b. aperture means in said reactor vessel providing communication between the inside of said housing means and the inside of said reactor vessel; c. a plurality of valves attached to said housing means; d. a first plurality of conduit means commensurate in number with said plurality of valves each of said conduit means connecting one of said valves to at least one of said actuators and comprising: i. a first conduit having a first and second end, the first end of said first conduit connected to at least one of said actuators, said first conduit extending through said aperture means into said housing means; and ii. means in said housing means connecting the second end of said first conduit to one side of said one valve; e. a common conduit means connected to the other side of said plurality of valves; f. means for applying fluid lift forces; and g. means connecting said common conduit means to said means for applying fluid lift forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a nuclear reactor including fissionable fuel elements, neutron absorber elements movable with respect to said fuel elements and fluid responsive actuators for positioning said absorber elements, said fuel elements, absorber elements and actuators all being positioned within reactor vessel having a main portion and a removable head, the improvement comprisng: a. housing means attached to the exterior of said reactor vessel; b. aperture means in said reactor vessel providing communication between the inside of said housing means and the inside of said reactor vessel; c. a plurality of valves attached to said housing means; d. a first plurality of conduit means commensurate in number with said plurality of valves each of said conduit means connecting one of said valves to at least one of said actuators and comprising: i. a first conduit having a first and second end, the first end of said first conduit connected to at least one of said actuators, said first conduit extending through said aperture means into said housing means; and ii. means in said housing means connecting the second end of said first conduit to one side of said one valve; e. a common conduit means connected to the other side of said plurality of valves; f. means for applying fluid lift forces; and g. means connecting said common conduit means to said means for applying fluid lift forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said common conduit means comprises: a. a return conduit extending from inside said housing into said reactor vessel; b. means connecting said other side of said plurality of valves to one end of said return conduit; c. manifold means located inside said reactor vessel, the other end of said return conduit being connected to said manifold means; and d. a line leading from said manifold means through said reactor vessel to said means for applying fluid lift forces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and further including pressure transducer means connected across each of said first plurality of conduit means and the interior of said reactor vessel whereby each of said transducer means has the differential pressure between the first conduit means to which it is connected and the pressure in said reactor vessel applied thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said reactor vessel contains an inlet region and an outlet region and wherein said pressure transducer means are connected with the interior of said reactor vessel in said outlet region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 4 and further including means connecting each of said first conduits to a pressure source higher than the pressure in said outlet region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said higher pressure source comprises said fluid inlet region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said means connecting each of said first conduits to said fluid inlet region includes orifices to restrict the flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of first conduits each include means for accommodating changes in the distance between said coupled first ends and said second ends of said first conduits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for accommodating changes in distance comprise coils in each of said first conduits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and further including a mounting device attached to said housing means, said valves being attached to said mounting device and said means connecting said second ends of said first conduits to one side of said valves includes channels in said mounting devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second ends of said first conduits terminate at and are attached to a terminal block, said terminal block including channels therethrough, said terminal block channels comprising a part of said means connectinG said second ends of said first conduits to one side of respective valves and communicating with respective ones of said first conduits and said channels in said mounting device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and further including sealing means surrounding each of said channels between said mounting device and said terminal block.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 and further including a means for drawing said mounting device and said terminal block together whereby said sealing means is sealed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for drawing said mounting device and said terminal block together comprises a tube attached to and extending longitudinally from said mounting device, an elongated member extending longitudinally through said tube, means associated with said rod adapted to engaged said terminal block and draw said terminal block toward said mounting device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said mounting device has a longitudinal aperture therethrough and wherein said means for drawing said mounting device and said terminal block together extends through said aperture, said aperture comprising at least a portion of said means connecting said other side of said plurality of valves to one end of said return conduit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said terminal block includes a further channel therethrough, said further channel comprising a portion of said means connecting said other side of said plurality of valves to one end of said return conduit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said further channel and said longitudinal aperture are in communication and further including sealing means between said mounting device and said terminal block surrounding said aperture and said further channel.
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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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |