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DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING INSERTION OF ROD

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4273892
A device for rapidly inserting a safety rod into a nuclear reactor upon a given signal or in the event of a power failure in order to prevent the possibility of extensive damage caused by a power excursion is described. A piston is slidably mounted within a vertical cylinder with provision for an electromagnetic latch at the top of the cylinder. This assembly, with a safety rod attached to the piston, is mounted over an access port to the core region of the reactor. The piston is normally latched at the top of the cylinder with the safety rod clear of the core area, however, when the latch is released, the piston and rod drop by their own weight to insert the rod. Vents along the side of the cylinder permit the escape of the air entrapped under the piston over the greater part of the distance, however, at the end of the fall the entrapped air is compressed thereby bringing the safety rod gently to rest, thus providing for a rapid automatic insertion of the rod with a minimum of structural shock.
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-13-008357
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2855899
OSTI ID:
4273892
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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