System for controlling destructive vibration of a nuclear control rod

Patent · Tue Apr 22 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5825306

Formanek, F J

A nuclear control rod system is described having control rods and means for controlling the transverse vibration of the control rods, consisting of: a guide tube aligned axially below a reciprocable control rod while the rod is in its stored position, a tube sheet tube in the form of a cylinder mounted on the upper discharge end of the guide tube and axially oriented with the guide tube, means for controlling the flow of liquid coolant up into the lower end of the guide tube for discharge from the upper end of the guide tube, a bypass tube mounted concentrically within the tube sheet tube and receiving the control rod therein, mounting structure between the lower end of the bypass tube and the tube sheet tube formed and arranged to provide a first path for a first portion of coolant discharged from the guide tube into the annular space between the bypass tube and the tube sheet tube and a second flow path for a second portion of coolant in the annular space between the control rod and the bypass tube, and an upper attachment between the upper portion of the bypass tube and the tube sheet tube formed and arranged to provide for coolant discharge passages from the upper end of the tube sheet tube, whereby any turbulence in the first portion of the coolant is isolated from direct contact with the control rod and the bypass tube mechanically limits the transverse vibration of the control rod to avoid destructive contact between the lower end of the control rod and the guide tube while the rod is in the stored position.

• Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT
• Patent Number(s): US 4584168
• OSTI ID: 5825306
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220400* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Control Systems
ANNULAR SPACE
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL ELEMENTS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
COOLANTS
CYLINDERS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
POSITIONING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SPACE
SUPPORTS
TURBULENCE