US3873419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow-throttling orifice nozzle
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A series-parallel-flow type throttling apparatus to restrict coolant flow to certain fuel assemblies of a nuclear reactor is comprised of an axial extension nozzle of the fuel assembly, the nozzle having a series of concentric tubes with parallel-flow orifice holes in each tube. Flow passes from a high pressure plenum chamber outside the nozzle through the holes in each tube in series to the inside of the innermost tube where the coolant, having dissipated most of its pressure, flows axially to the fuel element.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold L Sletten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:14
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/322; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
In a nuclear reactor having at least a primary fuel assembly and at least a low power fuel assembly relative thereto, said assemblies obtaining their supply of coolant from a common high pressure plenum chamber of said reactor, a flow-throttling nozzle communicating said coolant flow from said high pressure plenum chamber of said reactor through said nozzle to an array of fuel elements of said relatively low power fuel assembly, said fuel elements being located downstream from the coolant flow leaving said nozzle, while dissipating a high pressure differential between said plenum chamber and said array of fuel elements so as to substantially reduce the rate of coolant flow from said plenum chamber through said nozzle to said array of fuel elements, said nozzle comprising: a first elongated housing spaced between a pair of grid plates, said grid plates defining said high pressure plenum chamber, said housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced and ordered arrays, and at least a second elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said first housing to provide a continuous annular space defining a continuous fluid flow path within said annulus of said nozzle, said second housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment in both an axial and circumferential direction with respect to said arrays of said orifices as defined by said first elongated housing, whereby fluid is caused to follow a tortuous path in series from said first elongated housing circumferentially and axially through said continuous annular space and then through said second elongated housing, said plurality of orifices in said first and second housing being so sized and positioned as to minimize their plugging by debris in the coolant while still serving to dissipate said high pressure differential between said high pressure plenum and said array of fuel elements so as to provide a substantial reduction in the rate of coolant flow through said nozzle to said array of fuel elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
In a nuclear reactor having at least a primary fuel assembly and at least a low power fuel assembly relative thereto, said assemblies obtaining their supply of coolant from a common high pressure plenum chamber of said reactor, a flow-throttling nozzle communicating said coolant flow from said high pressure plenum chamber of said reactor through said nozzle to an array of fuel elements of said relatively low power fuel assembly, said fuel elements being located downstream from the coolant flow leaving said nozzle, while dissipating a high pressure differential between said plenum chamber and said array of fuel elements so as to substantially reduce the rate of coolant flow from said plenum chamber through said nozzle to said array of fuel elements, said nozzle comprising: a first elongated housing spaced between a pair of grid plates, said grid plates defining said high pressure plenum chamber, said housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced and ordered arrays, and at least a second elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said first housing to provide a continuous annular space defining a continuous fluid flow path within said annulus of said nozzle, said second housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment in both an axial and circumferential direction with respect to said arrays of said orifices as defined by said first elongated housing, whereby fluid is caused to follow a tortuous path in series from said first elongated housing circumferentially and axially through said continuous annular space and then through said second elongated housing, said plurality of orifices in said first and second housing being so sized and positioned as to minimize their plugging by debris in the coolant while still serving to dissipate said high pressure differential between said high pressure plenum and said array of fuel elements so as to provide a substantial reduction in the rate of coolant flow through said nozzle to said array of fuel elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
210 words
A flow throttling device for use in a nuclear reactoR to dissipate a high pressure differential between a plenum chamber and an array of fuel elements comprising: a first elongated housing spaced between a pair of grid plates, said grid plates defining a high pressure plenum chamber, said housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending completely around said housing in equidistantly spaced and ordered arrays, a second elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said first housing, said second housing forming a plurality or orifices therethrough, said orifices extending completely around said housing in equidistantly spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment with said arrays of said orifices defined by said first elongated housing, and a third elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said second elongated housing, said third housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending completely around said housing in equidistantly spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment with said arrays of orifices in said second elongated housing, whereby fluid is caused to follow a tortuous path in series from said first elongated housing through said third elongated housing, thereby dissipating said high pressure differential between said high pressure plenum and said array of fuel elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
210 words
A flow throttling device for use in a nuclear reactoR to dissipate a high pressure differential between a plenum chamber and an array of fuel elements comprising: a first elongated housing spaced between a pair of grid plates, said grid plates defining a high pressure plenum chamber, said housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending completely around said housing in equidistantly spaced and ordered arrays, a second elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said first housing, said second housing forming a plurality or orifices therethrough, said orifices extending completely around said housing in equidistantly spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment with said arrays of said orifices defined by said first elongated housing, and a third elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said second elongated housing, said third housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending completely around said housing in equidistantly spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment with said arrays of orifices in said second elongated housing, whereby fluid is caused to follow a tortuous path in series from said first elongated housing through said third elongated housing, thereby dissipating said high pressure differential between said high pressure plenum and said array of fuel elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first, second, and third elongated housings comprise three concentric tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said orifices defined by said first elongated housing are in a group positioned at one end of said first housing, said orifices defined by said second elongated housing positioned within said first housing are in a group positioned at an end opposite to said group of orifices in said first housing, and said orifices defined by said third elongated housing positioned within said second housing are in a group positioned at an end opposite to said group of orifices in said second housing, whereby fluid is caused to pass through said first array of orifices in said first housing, then axially traverse an annulus between said first and second elongated housings through said group of orifices positioned in said second housing, thence axially traverse an annulus between said second and third elongated housings through said group of orifices positioned in said third housing, thereby dissipating the pressure differential between said high pressure plenum and the array of fuel elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4, wherein said second elongated housing is axially translatable relative to said first and third elongated housings, thereby positioning said group of orifices defined by said second housing away from or towards said group of orifices in said first and third housings, thus regulating the flow of fluid through said throttling device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
227 words
A flow-throttling device for use in a nuclear reactor to dissipate a high pressure differential between a plenum chamber and an array of fuel elements comprising: a first elongated housing spaced between a pair of grid plates, said grid plates defining a high pressure plenum chamber, said housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced and ordered arrays, and at least a second elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said first housing to provide an annular space defining a fluid flow path, said second housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment with said arrays of said orifices defined by said first elongated housing, whereby fluid is caused to follow a tortuous path in series from said first elongated housing circumferentially and axially through said annular space and then through said second elongated housing, thereby dissipating said high pressure differential between said High pressure plenum and said array of fuel elements, said flow-throttling device further comprising an annular sleeve spaced from and surrounding said first elongated housing, said sleeve being connected to one of said grid plates at its base, said annular sleeve extending axially part way over said first elongated housing to further restrict flow of said fluid into said first housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
227 words
A flow-throttling device for use in a nuclear reactor to dissipate a high pressure differential between a plenum chamber and an array of fuel elements comprising: a first elongated housing spaced between a pair of grid plates, said grid plates defining a high pressure plenum chamber, said housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced and ordered arrays, and at least a second elongated housing spaced from and positioned within said first housing to provide an annular space defining a fluid flow path, said second housing forming a plurality of orifices therethrough, said orifices extending around said housing in spaced, ordered arrays, said arrays being positioned out of alignment with said arrays of said orifices defined by said first elongated housing, whereby fluid is caused to follow a tortuous path in series from said first elongated housing circumferentially and axially through said annular space and then through said second elongated housing, thereby dissipating said high pressure differential between said High pressure plenum and said array of fuel elements, said flow-throttling device further comprising an annular sleeve spaced from and surrounding said first elongated housing, said sleeve being connected to one of said grid plates at its base, said annular sleeve extending axially part way over said first elongated housing to further restrict flow of said fluid into said first housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |