Fast-acting nuclear reactor control device
A fast-acting nuclear reactor control device is described for controlling a safety control rod within the core of a nuclear reactor, the reactor controlled by a reactor control system, the device comprising: a safety control rod drive shaft and an electromagnetic clutch co-axial with the drive shaft operatively connected to the safety control rod for driving and positioning the safety control rod within or without the reactor core during reactor operation, the safety rod being oriented in a substantially vertical position to allow the rod to fall into the reactor core under the influence of gravity during shutdown of the reactor; the safety control rod drive shaft further operatively connected to a hydraulic pump such that operation of the drive shaft simultaneously drives and positions the safety control rod and operates the hydraulic pump such that a hydraulic fluid is forced into an accumulator, filling the accumulator with oil for the storage and supply of primary potential energy for safety control rod insertion such that the release of potential energy in the accumulator causes hydraulic fluid to flow through the hydraulic pump, converting the hydraulic pump to a hydraulic motor having speed and power capable of full length insertion and high speed driving of the safety control rod into the reactor core; a solenoid valve interposed between the hydraulic pump and the accumulator, said solenoid valve being a normally open valve, actuated to close when the safety control rod is out of the reactor during reactor operation; and further wherein said solenoid opens in response to a signal from the reactor control system calling for shutdown of the reactor and rapid insertion of the safety control rod into the reactor core, such that the opening of the solenoid releases the potential energy in the accumulator to place the safety control rod in a safe shutdown position.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5232656; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-841109
- OSTI ID:
- 6335280
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 25 Feb 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CONTROL ROD DRIVES
DESIGN
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
GRAVITATION
HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATORS
HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT
HYDRAULIC FLUIDS
MACHINE PARTS
MOTORS
POSITIONING
POTENTIAL ENERGY
REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR SHUTDOWN
SCRAM RODS
VALVES
ACCUMULATORS
CONTAINERS
CONTROL ELEMENTS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
OPERATION
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SHUTDOWN
TANKS
WORKING FLUIDS
220400* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems