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Title: Support arrangement for core modules of nuclear reactors

Abstract

A support arrangement is provided for the core modules of a nuclear reactor which provides support access through the control drive mechanisms of the reactor. This arrangement provides axial support of individual reactor core modules from the pressure vessel head in a manner which permits attachment and detachment of the modules from the head to be accomplished through the control drive mechanisms after their leadscrews have been removed. The arrangement includes a module support nut which is suspended from the pressure vessel head and screw threaded to the shroud housing for the module. A spline lock prevents loosening of the screw connection. An installation tool assembly, including a cell lifting and preloading tool and a torquing tool, fits through the control drive mechanism and provides lifting of the shroud housing while disconnecting the spline lock, as well as application of torque to the module support nut.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Schenectady, NY
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), Niskayuna, NY (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
866146
Patent Number(s):
4643868
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
DOE Contract Number:  
AC12-76SN00052
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
support; arrangement; core; modules; nuclear; reactors; provided; reactor; provides; access; control; drive; mechanisms; axial; individual; pressure; vessel; head; manner; permits; attachment; detachment; accomplished; leadscrews; removed; module; nut; suspended; screw; threaded; shroud; housing; spline; lock; prevents; loosening; connection; installation; tool; assembly; including; cell; lifting; preloading; torquing; fits; mechanism; disconnecting; application; torque; tool assembly; control drive; vessel head; drive mechanism; arrangement provides; nuclear reactors; pressure vessel; nuclear reactor; reactor core; support arrangement; provides support; drive mechanisms; core modules; installation tool; screw thread; /376/294/976/

Citation Formats

Bollinger, Lawrence R. Support arrangement for core modules of nuclear reactors. United States: N. p., 1987. Web.
Bollinger, Lawrence R. Support arrangement for core modules of nuclear reactors. United States.
Bollinger, Lawrence R. Thu . "Support arrangement for core modules of nuclear reactors". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/866146.
@article{osti_866146,
title = {Support arrangement for core modules of nuclear reactors},
author = {Bollinger, Lawrence R},
abstractNote = {A support arrangement is provided for the core modules of a nuclear reactor which provides support access through the control drive mechanisms of the reactor. This arrangement provides axial support of individual reactor core modules from the pressure vessel head in a manner which permits attachment and detachment of the modules from the head to be accomplished through the control drive mechanisms after their leadscrews have been removed. The arrangement includes a module support nut which is suspended from the pressure vessel head and screw threaded to the shroud housing for the module. A spline lock prevents loosening of the screw connection. An installation tool assembly, including a cell lifting and preloading tool and a torquing tool, fits through the control drive mechanism and provides lifting of the shroud housing while disconnecting the spline lock, as well as application of torque to the module support nut.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1987},
month = {1}
}