High temperature control rod assembly
- Solana Beach, CA
A high temperature nuclear control rod assembly comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical segments flexibly joined together in succession by ball joints. The segments are made of a high temperature graphite or carbon-carbon composite. The segment includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve which has an opening for receiving neutron-absorbing material in the form of pellets or compacted rings. The sleeve has a threaded sleeve bore and outer threaded surface. A cylindrical support post has a threaded shaft at one end which is threadably engaged with the sleeve bore to rigidly couple the support post to the sleeve. The other end of the post is formed with a ball portion. A hollow cylindrical collar has an inner threaded surface engageable with the outer threaded surface of the sleeve to rigidly couple the collar to the sleeve. the collar also has a socket portion which cooperates with the ball portion to flexibly connect segments together to form a ball and socket-type joint. In another embodiment, the segment comprises a support member which has a threaded shaft portion and a ball surface portion. The threaded shaft portion is engageable with an inner threaded surface of a ring for rigidly coupling the support member to the ring. The ring in turn has an outer surface at one end which is threadably engageably with a hollow cylindrical sleeve. The other end of the sleeve is formed with a socket portion for engagement with a ball portion of the support member. In yet another embodiment, a secondary rod is slidably inserted in a hollow channel through the center of the segment to provide additional strength. A method for controlling a nuclear reactor utilizing the control rod assembly is also included.
- Research Organization:
- General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-88SF17367
- Assignee:
- General Atomic (San Diego, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5075072
- OSTI ID:
- 868100
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
control
rod
assembly
nuclear
comprises
plurality
substantially
cylindrical
segments
flexibly
joined
succession
ball
joints
graphite
carbon-carbon
composite
segment
hollow
sleeve
receiving
neutron-absorbing
material
form
pellets
compacted
rings
threaded
bore
outer
surface
support
post
shaft
threadably
engaged
rigidly
couple
formed
portion
collar
inner
engageable
socket
cooperates
connect
socket-type
joint
embodiment
coupling
engageably
engagement
secondary
slidably
inserted
channel
center
provide
additional
strength
method
controlling
reactor
utilizing
included
threaded surface
neutron-absorbing material
temperature control
hollow cylindrical
rod assembly
assembly comprises
provide additional
surface portion
absorbing material
control rod
nuclear reactor
outer surface
carbon composite
substantially cylindrical
reactor utilizing
threadably engaged
segment comprises
shaft portion
cylindrical sleeve
nuclear control
hollow channel
temperature nuclear
temperature graphite
threadably engage
sorbing material
ball joint
carbon-carbon composite
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