Thermionic switched self-actuating reactor shutdown system
- San Jose, CA
- Livermore, CA
A self-actuating reactor shutdown system incorporating a thermionic switched electromagnetic latch arrangement which is responsive to reactor neutron flux changes and to reactor coolant temperature changes. The system is self-actuating in that the sensing thermionic device acts directly to release (scram) the control rod (absorber) without reference or signal from the main reactor plant protective and control systems. To be responsive to both temperature and neutron flux effects, two detectors are used, one responsive to reactor coolant temperatures, and the other responsive to reactor neutron flux increase. The detectors are incorporated into a thermionic diode connected electrically with an electromagnetic mechanism which under normal reactor operating conditions holds the the control rod in its ready position (exterior of the reactor core). Upon reaching either a specified temperature or neutron flux, the thermionic diode functions to short-circuit the electromagnetic mechanism causing same to lose its holding power and release the control rod, which drops into the reactor core region under gravitational force.
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Boston, MA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT03-76SF71032
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4880596
- OSTI ID:
- 867176
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Thermionic switched self-actuating reactor shutdown system
Self-actuating reactor-shutdown system. [LMFBR]
Related Subjects
switched
self-actuating
reactor
shutdown
incorporating
electromagnetic
latch
arrangement
responsive
neutron
flux
changes
coolant
temperature
sensing
device
directly
release
scram
control
rod
absorber
reference
signal
main
plant
protective
systems
effects
detectors
temperatures
increase
incorporated
diode
connected
electrically
mechanism
normal
operating
conditions
holds
position
exterior
core
reaching
specified
functions
short-circuit
causing
lose
holding
power
drops
region
gravitational
force
reactor operating
coolant temperature
control systems
temperature change
temperature changes
reactor coolant
operating conditions
control rod
reactor core
neutron flux
reactor shutdown
specified temperature
operating condition
core region
reactor plant
normal reactor
connected electrically
self-actuating reactor
thermionic device
diode connected
thermionic switched
thermionic switch
gravitational force
magnetic latch
/376/313/337/361/374/976/