Thermal shield of a nuclear reactor

Claim 2

A nuclear reactor including, in combination: an elongated upstanding pressure vessel; an elongated upstanding nuclear core within said pressure vessel comprising a plurality of fuel assemblies, said fuel assemblies being situated in side-by-side relationship such that the core has a generally rectangular configuration in plan view with some portions of the core closer to the inner side wall of the pressure vessel than other portions; supportive and shielding structures being interposed between the nuclear core and the pressure vessel and coextending at least in part with the longitudinal dimension of said elongated core, the coextending parts of said interposed structures having an increased thickness adjacent said some portions.

Claim 3

The nuclear reactor of claim 1 wherein the interposed structure includes a cylindrical core-barrel supported by said pressure vessel and surrounding said nuclear core and wherein the core-barrel is of an increased thickness adjacent said some portions.

Claim 4

The nuclear reactor of claim 2 wherein the increased thickness of the core-barrel is achieved by affixing plates to the core-barrel adjacent said some portions.

Claim 5

The nuclear reactor of claim 3 wherein blocks are interposed between the core-barrel and the plates to provide coolant channels therebetween.

Claim 6

A nuclear reactor including, in combination: an upstanding pressure vessel; an elongated upstanding nuclear core within said pressure vessel comprising a plurality of fuel assemblies, said fuel assemblies being situated in side-by-side relationship such that the core has a generally rectangular configuration in plan view with some portions of the core closer to the inner side wall of the pressure vessel than other portions; means for supporting and positioning said nuclear core within said vessel; thermal shield means interposed between said vessel and said core and positioned outwardly of the periphery of said core, said thermal shield means coextending with the longitudinal dimension of said core and said thermal shield means having portions of increased thickness along its dimension which coextends with said longitudinal dimension of said core, said portions of said thermal shield means being positioned adjacent said some portions of said core.

Claim 7

A nuclear reactor including, in combination: an upstanding pressure vessel; an elongated upstanding nuclear core within said pressure vessel comprising a plurality of fuel assemblies, said fuel assemblies being situated in side-by-side relationship such that the core has a generally rectangular configuration in plan view with some portions of the core closer to the inner side wall of the pressure vessel than other portions; means for supporting and positioning said nuclear core within said vessel; thermal shield means interposed between said vessel and said core and positioned outwardly of the periphery of said core, said thermal shield means coextending with the longitudinal dimension of said core and said thermal shield means having portions of increased thickness along its dimension which coextends with said longitudinal dimension of said core, said portions of said thermal shield means being positioned adjacent said some portions of said core.

Claim 8

The nuclear reactor of claim 5 including: means for supporting and positioning said nuclear core within said vessel; said thermal shield means being formed at least in part by said supporting and positioning means to shield said vessel from said core.

Claim 9

The nuclear reactor of claim 3 wherein said plates are metallic.