Automatic coolant flow control device for a nuclear reactor assembly

Patent · Tue May 13 00:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5465921

Hutter, E

For a nuclear reactor assembly through which coolant flows, a coolant flow control device is described which consists of: a substantially cylindrical baffle extending lengthwise over the coolant exit of the assembly, the baffle having cylindrical walls and orifices therein for coolant flow; and a cylindrical sleeve of lesser length than the cylindrical baffle, disposed coaxially outside in contact with a lengthwise portion of the baffle to block only a portion of the orifices, the sleeve including an outer layer of a first metallic material contiguous throughout its length with an inner layer of a second metallic material, the second metallic material of the inner layer having a higher thermal coefficient of expansion than the first metallic material of the outer layer, the sleeve further including a slit through the first and second layers along the entire length thereof to be capable of assuming a first position in contact along its entire length with substantially the full cylindrical circumference of the baffle at a first temperature and to be capable of assuming a second position in contact with less than substantially the full circumference of the cylindrical baffle leaving space therebetween at a second temperature higher than the first temperature wherein less orifices are blocked in the second than the first position of the sleeve to achieve coolant flow control responsive to temperature.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4588549
• Application Number: TRN: 86-024031
• OSTI ID: 5465921
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 27 Jan 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
BAFFLES
ORIFICES
COOLANTS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRAULICS
LAYERS
METALS
SLEEVES
SPACE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMAL EXPANSION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
COOLING SYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
EXPANSION
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID MECHANICS
MECHANICS
OPENINGS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
220200* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Components & Accessories