Modular core component support for nuclear reactor

Claim 1

In a nuclear reactor core including a grid plate with openings therethrough separating zones of high and low coolant pressure, a plurality of receptacles depending from said grid plate into said high pressure coolant zoNe, each of said receptacles having side wall openings for admitting coolant flow and a top opening aligned with an opening through said grid plate, and core components requiring a coolant flow therethrough supported by said grid plate, the improved combination comprising a plurality of replaceable and interchangeable core component modules each having a coolant inlet portion disposed through an opening in said grid plate into a corresponding one of said receptacles, said coolant inlet portion having side wall openings alignable with said side wall openings in said corresponding receptacle; each module having a vestibule with an internal chamber defined by upper, lower and lateral walls disposed above said grid plate, said lower wall having an opening for admitting coolant flow and being joined to said coolant inlet portion; and each module having a plurality of elongated, vertical socket members connected to and above said vestibule, each of said socket members including an inner receptacle part adapted to receive and support one of said core components, said receptacle part having side wall openings for admitting coolant flow to said core component, and each of said socket members including an outer jacket spaced from and extending over the length of said receptacle part to define a coolant flow passageway to said side wall openings in said receptacle part, each of said outer jackets having a tubular neck at the lower end thereof connected into said upper vestibule wall at spaced apart locations and in communication with said vestibule internal chamber, said tubular necks being attached at peripheral and central locations on the surface of said upper vestibule wall and said tubular necks at said peripheral locations being axially offset on respective socket members and aligned inwardly toward the center of said upper vestibule wall surface to permit close assemblage of core components, said vestibule including said internal chamber for containing coolant, extending over and shielding said grid plate at locations beneath and intermediate said locations of tubular neck attachment from upwardly originating radiation.