ASTR rod-drive replacement. Technical report, 1 October 1963-31 December 1964

Technical Report · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1965

OSTI ID:5146716

Pancoast, J T; Dickenson, C W

The 10-MW ASTR rod-drive mechanisms, originally designed for an airborne environment, were becoming difficult to repair because of high radiation levels and inability to procure direct-replacement spare parts. Failure of the original mechanism is attributed to (1) misalignment, (2) component failure, (3) water damage, and (4) radiation damage. With the reactor environment considerably different from that existing during the flight program, the mechanisms were no longer exposed to the g forces, extreme vibrations, and low temperatures for which they were designed. However, the mechanisms were required to function under varying depths of water of from 0 to 30 ft, under a core pressure of 75 psi, and at water temperatures of up to 185 F. Therefore, a program was initiated to develop a replacement-drive mechanism. This program involved prototype design and fabrication, testing, and installation and checkout on the ASTR. The new rod-drive mechanism basically is a 115-V, 60-cycle-powered rack and pinion type. The reactor operational checkout program resulted in several design changes being made in the mechanical interlock, shaft seals, electrical harness, and magnet-not-in-contact switch. These changes were incorporated in the nine mechanisms that were fabricated. The rod-drive mechanisms in their final configuration performed well throughout reactor operation.

• Research Organization: General Dynamics Corp., Fort Worth, TX (USA). Nuclear Aerospace Research Facility
• OSTI ID: 5146716
• Report Number(s): AD-469554/0/XAB; FZK-226
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
220600* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Research
Test & Experimental Reactors
ASTR REACTOR
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL ROD DRIVES
DAMAGE
DESIGN
ELECTRIC MOTORS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MAINTENANCE
MOTORS
OPERATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVITY
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
REDUCTION
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
TEST REACTORS
WATER
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS