US4090087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation shield for nuclear reactors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-09-08
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Granted: 1978-05-16
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Expires: 1996-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A shield for use with nuclear reactor systems to attenuate radiation resulting from reactor operation. The shield comprises a container preferably of a thin, flexible or elastic material, which may be in the form of a bag, a mattress, a toroidal segment or toroid or the like filled with radiation attenuating liquid. Means are provided in the container for filling and draining the container in place. Due to its flexibility, the shield readily conforms to irregularities in surfaces with which it may be in contact in a shielding position.
Inventors
- 👤 John Andrew Weissenfluh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:19
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C11/00; G21C11/02; G21C11/028; G21F; G21F1/00; G21F1/02; G21F1/023; G21F3/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
In a nuclear reactor system comprising a reactor vessel, a biological shield surrounding said vessel and spaced therefrom, said vessel and said shield having adjacent upper surfaces defining an upper opening for the space between said vessel and said biological shield, the improvement comprising a radiation shield covering said upper opening, said radiation shield comprising a reusuable flexible container, and a liquid radiation attenuating material in said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a nuclear reactor system comprising a reactor vessel, a biological shield surrounding said vessel and spaced therefrom, said vessel and said shield having adjacent upper surfaces defining an upper opening for the space between said vessel and said biological shield, the improvement comprising a radiation shield covering said upper opening, said radiation shield comprising a reusuable flexible container, and a liquid radiation attenuating material in said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nuclear reactor system of claim 1 wherein said liquid radiation attenuating material contains boron compounds in solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nuclear reactor system of claim 1 wherein said radiation shield is in the form of a toroid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The nuclear reactor system of claim 1 and including means for filling and draining said reusable container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nuclear reactor of claim 1 and including means for recirculating the liquid radiation attenuating material in said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A radiation shield for use in installations containing sources of radiation, comprising a reusable flexible container, a liquid radiation attenuating material in said container, and inlet and outlet means for filling and draining said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A radiation shield for use in installations containing sources of radiation, comprising a reusable flexible container, a liquid radiation attenuating material in said container, and inlet and outlet means for filling and draining said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The radiation shield of claim 6 and including retaining means for retaining said container in shielding relationship in said installations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The shield of claim 6 wherein said liquid radiation attentuating material contains boron compounds in solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The shield of claim 6 wherein said container is of rectangular form.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The shield of claim 6 and including means for recirculating the attenuating material in said container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The shield of claim 6 wherein said liquid radiation attenuating material is at least as dense as water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The shield of claim 6 wherein said liquid radiation attenuation material is less dense than water.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of shielding radiation comprising the steps of emplacing a reusable flexible container in the line-of-sight between a radiation source and an area to be shielded from radiation, and filling said flexible container with a liquid material which attenuates radiation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of shielding radiation comprising the steps of emplacing a reusable flexible container in the line-of-sight between a radiation source and an area to be shielded from radiation, and filling said flexible container with a liquid material which attenuates radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the filling of said container is controlled from a location remote from said shield and away from the area affected by said radiation.
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) | 1981-05-15 | 1981-11-14 | 1982-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-15 | 1985-11-14 | 1986-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-15 | 1989-11-14 | 1990-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |