US3920512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shield plug access enclosure for a nuclear reactor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-17
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1993-04-17
Abstract
Abstract The shield plug of a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor which uses a hot cell refueling system has a metal access enclosure sealed to its upper surface. The enclosure contains the control rod drive mechanisms, reactor closure bolts and other components as are generally mounted on a shield plug, and an air atmosphere is provided within the enclosure. A horizontally extending bellows-like structure allows personnel access to the enclosure from the exterior of the hot cell.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Sutherland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:55
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C13/00; G21C13/02; G21C13/028; G21C13/0285; G21C13/06; G21C13/073; G21C13/0735; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF A LIQUID METAL COOLED NUCLEAR REACTOR COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A SEALED CHAMBER HAVING SIDE WALLS, A CEILING, AND A FLOOR, SAID CHAMBER BEING FILLED WITH AN INERT GAS, SAID CHAMBER FURTHER HAVING AN OPENING IN A SIDE WALL THEREOF; A NUCLEAR REACTOR INCLUDING A PRESSURE VESSEL, A HEAD CLOSURE REMOVABLY SEALED TO SAID PRESSURE VESSEL, AND CONTROL ROD DRIVE MECHANISMS MOUNTED ON SAID CLOSURE HEAD, SAID NUCLEAR REACTOR BEING SEALED IN AND THROUGH THE FLOOR OF SAID CHAMBER WITH THE PRESSURE VESSEL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM; AN ACCESS ENCLOSURE WITHIN SAID SEALED CHAMBER AND FORMING A SEALED ENCLOSURE OVER SAID REACTOR, CLOSURE HEAD, AND MECHANISMSM SAID ACCESS CHAMBER HAVING AN OPENING, NORMALLY CLOSED BY A DOOR, THEREIN SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE THE OPENING IN THE CHAMBER; AND A BELLOWS-LIKE MEMBER SEALED OVER SAID OPENING IN SAID CHAMBER AND EXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER, SAID BELLOWSLIKE MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO BE EXTENDED TO AND INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ACCESS ENCLOSURE ABOUT SAID DOOR.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF A LIQUID METAL COOLED NUCLEAR REACTOR COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A SEALED CHAMBER HAVING SIDE WALLS, A CEILING, AND A FLOOR, SAID CHAMBER BEING FILLED WITH AN INERT GAS, SAID CHAMBER FURTHER HAVING AN OPENING IN A SIDE WALL THEREOF; A NUCLEAR REACTOR INCLUDING A PRESSURE VESSEL, A HEAD CLOSURE REMOVABLY SEALED TO SAID PRESSURE VESSEL, AND CONTROL ROD DRIVE MECHANISMS MOUNTED ON SAID CLOSURE HEAD, SAID NUCLEAR REACTOR BEING SEALED IN AND THROUGH THE FLOOR OF SAID CHAMBER WITH THE PRESSURE VESSEL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM; AN ACCESS ENCLOSURE WITHIN SAID SEALED CHAMBER AND FORMING A SEALED ENCLOSURE OVER SAID REACTOR, CLOSURE HEAD, AND MECHANISMSM SAID ACCESS CHAMBER HAVING AN OPENING, NORMALLY CLOSED BY A DOOR, THEREIN SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE THE OPENING IN THE CHAMBER; AND A BELLOWS-LIKE MEMBER SEALED OVER SAID OPENING IN SAID CHAMBER AND EXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER, SAID BELLOWSLIKE MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO BE EXTENDED TO AND INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ACCESS ENCLOSURE ABOUT SAID DOOR.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the access enclosure is mounted on and sealed to the head closure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the bellows-like member, when extended, is oriented generally parallel to the floor of said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3282793A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |