Temperature actuated shutdown assembly for a nuclear reactor
Three identical bimetallic disks, each shaped as a spherical cap with its convex side composed of a layer of metal such as molybdenum and its concave side composed of a metal of a relatively higher coefficient of thermal expansion such as stainless steel, are retained within flanges attached to three sides of an inner hexagonal tube containing a neutron absorber to be inserted into a nuclear reactor core. Each disk holds a metal ball against its normally convex side so that the ball projects partially through a hole in the tube located concentrically with the center of each disk; at a predetermined temperature an imbalance of thermally induced stresses in at least one of the disks will cause its convex side to become concave and its concave side to become convex, thus pulling the ball from the hole in which it is located. The absorber has a conical bottom supported by the three balls and is small enough in relation to the internal dimensions of the tube to allow it to slip toward the removed ball or balls, thus clearing the unremoved balls or ball so that it will fall into the reactor core. 7 claims, 5 figures.
- Assignee:
- Energy Research and Development Administration
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3976543
- Application Number:
- TRN: 77-011312
- OSTI ID:
- 7311771
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 14 Nov 1975; Other Information: PAT-APPL-631,969
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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