Internal core tightener

Patent · Tue Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:862581

Brynsvold, Glen V ^[1]

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1. San Jose, CA

An internal core tightener which is a linear actuated (vertical actuation motion) expanding device utilizing a minimum of moving parts to perform the lateral tightening function. The key features are: (1) large contact areas to transmit loads during reactor operation; (2) actuation cam surfaces loaded only during clamping and unclamping operation; (3) separation of the parts and internal operation involved in the holding function from those involved in the actuation function; and (4) preloaded pads with compliant travel at each face of the hexagonal assembly at the two clamping planes to accommodate thermal expansion and irradiation induced swelling. The latter feature enables use of a "fixed" outer core boundary, and thus eliminates the uncertainty in gross core dimensions, and potential for rapid core reactivity changes as a result of core dimensional change.

• DOE Contract Number: AT(04-3)-830
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 3964969
• OSTI ID: 862581
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

internal
core
tightener
linear
actuated
vertical
actuation
motion
expanding
device
utilizing
minimum
moving
perform
lateral
tightening
function
key
features
contact
transmit
loads
reactor
operation
surfaces
loaded
clamping
unclamping
separation
involved
holding
preloaded
pads
compliant
travel
hexagonal
assembly
planes
accommodate
thermal
expansion
irradiation
induced
swelling
latter
feature
enables
fixed
outer
boundary
eliminates
uncertainty
gross
dimensions
potential
rapid
reactivity
changes
result
dimensional
change
radiation induced
thermal expansion
reactor operation
induced swelling
feature enables
accommodate thermal
irradiation induced
core reactivity
dimensional change
vertical actuation
internal core
device utilizing
key feature
core tightener
/376/976/