Hanging core support system for a nuclear reactor

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866155

Burelbach, James P ^[1]; Kann, William J ^[2]; Pan, Yen-Cheng ^[3]; Saiveau, James G ^[4]; Seidensticker, Ralph W ^[5]

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1. Glen Ellyn, IL
2. Park Ridge, IL
3. Naperville, IL
4. Hickory Hills, IL
5. Wheaton, IL

For holding the reactor core in the confining reactor vessel, a support is disclosed that is structurally independent of the vessel, that is dimensionally accurate and stable, and that comprises tandem tension linkages that act redundantly of one another to maintain stabilized core support even in the unlikely event of the complete failure of one of the linkages. The core support has a mounting platform for the reactor core, and unitary structure including a flange overlying the top edge of the reactor vessels, and a skirt and box beams between the flange and platform for establishing one of the linkages. A plurality of tension rods connect between the deck closing the reactor vessel and the platform for establishing the redundant linkage. Loaded Belleville springs flexibly hold the tension rods at the deck and separable bayonet-type connections hold the tension rods at the platform. Motion or radiation sensing detectors can be provide at the lower ends of the tension rods for obtaining pertinent readings proximate the core.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4645638
• OSTI ID: 866155
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

hanging
core
support
nuclear
reactor
holding
confining
vessel
disclosed
structurally
independent
dimensionally
accurate
stable
comprises
tandem
tension
linkages
redundantly
maintain
stabilized
unlikely
event
complete
failure
mounting
platform
unitary
structure
including
flange
overlying
top
edge
vessels
skirt
box
beams
establishing
plurality
rods
connect
deck
closing
redundant
linkage
loaded
belleville
springs
flexibly
hold
separable
bayonet-type
connections
motion
radiation
sensing
detectors
provide
obtaining
pertinent
readings
proximate
reactor vessels
radiation sensing
unlikely event
unitary structure
structure including
reactor vessel
nuclear reactor
reactor core
belleville springs
core support
sensing detector
rods connect
stabilized core
/376/976/