Pressure surge attenuator

Claim 1

A pressure surge attenuating system for piping which carries liquid coolant for a nuclear reactor and which attenuating system is operable to attenuate maximum expected pressure surges while maintaining the integrity of said piping to prevent escape of coolant from said piping, said attenuating system comprising: a pipe section of said piping having a wall portion with a fluted cross-sectional configuration which can deform by radially expanding without plastic deformation under pressure surges which could be hazardous; an enlarged container surrounding said fluted wall pipe section and spaced from said fluted wall pipe section; and a crushable metal foam filling the space between said fluted wall pipe section and said surrounding container, said crushable metal foam exhibiting controlled energy absorption upon crushing thereof, and said pressure surge attenuating system operable to attenuate the maximum expected pressure surges which may be encountered while limiting the expansion of said fluted wall section so that it does not exhibit plastic deformation.