公开(公告)号：US11289215B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-29

申请号：US16711922

申请日：2019-12-12

Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, LLC

Inventor： Yasir Arafat

IPC: G21C9/02 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C7/24 ,  G21C9/00 ,  G21C9/033 ,  G21C15/18 ,  G21D3/04

Abstract: A system for use in shutting down a nuclear reactor includes a housing that defines a region therein sealed from an ambient environment and a gate member disposed within the region in a manner such that the gate member segregates the region into a first compartment and a second compartment isolated from the first compartment. The gate member is formed from a material having a predetermined melting point. The system further includes a neutron absorbing material disposed within the first compartment and a dispersion mechanism disposed within the region. The dispersion mechanism structured to encourage the neutron absorbing material from the first compartment into the second compartment.

公开(公告)号：US20210257118A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-19

申请号：US16973132

申请日：2019-06-10

Applicant: Claudio Filippone

Inventor： Claudio Filippone

IPC: G21D3/16 ,  G21C1/30 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C7/34

Abstract: A nuclear power reactor may include a plurality of power modules, each including a nuclear fuel and a power conversion system configured to convert heat generated from the nuclear fuel to electricity, where the nuclear fuel of the plurality of power modules collectively forms a reactor core. The nuclear power reactor may also include a sleeve being disposed between the plurality of power modules, where the sleeve has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The nuclear power reactor may further include a reactivity booster having a neutron source and a reactivity quencher having a neutron absorber. The reactivity booster may be movable between a first location adjacent the first end of the sleeve and a second location adjacent the reactor core, and the reactivity quencher may be movable between a third location adjacent the second end and the second location adjacent the reactor core.

公开(公告)号：US20210210223A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-08

申请号：US17081976

申请日：2020-10-27

Applicant: TerraPower, LLC

Inventor： Jesse R. Cheatham, III

IPC: G21C7/12 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C1/02 ,  G21C7/18 ,  G21D3/08

Abstract: A control assembly for a nuclear reactor includes a first reactivity control assembly having a first neutron modifying material, a second reactivity control assembly having a second neutron modifying material, and at least one drive mechanism coupled to the first neutron modifying material and the second neutron modifying material. The first neutron modifying material and the second neutron modifying material are selectively repositionable relative to a fuel region of the nuclear reactor. The at least one drive mechanism is configured to provide the first neutron modifying material and the second neutron modifying material in different directions through the fuel region thereby shifting a flux distribution within the fuel region away from the second neutron modifying material.

公开(公告)号：US20210183530A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US16711922

申请日：2019-12-12

Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, LLC

Inventor： YASIR ARAFAT

IPC: G21C7/24 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C15/18 ,  G21C9/00

Abstract: A system for use in shutting down a nuclear reactor includes a housing that defines a region therein sealed from an ambient environment and a gate member disposed within the region in a manner such that the gate member segregates the region into a first compartment and a second compartment isolated from the first compartment. The gate member is formed from a material having a predetermined melting point. The system further includes a neutron absorbing material disposed within the first compartment and a dispersion mechanism disposed within the region. The dispersion mechanism structured to encourage the neutron absorbing material from the first compartment into the second compartment.

公开(公告)号：US10755822B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-25

申请号：US15612743

申请日：2017-06-02

Applicant: TerraPower, LLC

Inventor： Peter W. Gibbons ,  Stephen W. Hiller ,  Calen Kaneko ,  Owen Dean Nelson ,  Ashok Odedra ,  P. Harley Park

IPC: G21C19/00 ,  G21C7/10 ,  G21C19/20 ,  G21C19/06 ,  G21C19/07 ,  G21C1/02 ,  G21C7/32 ,  G21C17/04 ,  G21C19/50 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C7/34

Abstract: A rod transfer assembly has an outer rotating plug. A pick-up arm assembly extends from the outer rotating plug and includes a pivoting arm. An inner rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the outer rotating plug and is rotatable independent of a rotation of the outer rotating plug. An access port rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the inner rotating plug and is rotatable independent of rotation of the outer and inner rotating plugs. A pull arm extends from the access port rotating plug.

公开(公告)号：US10535435B2

公开(公告)日：2020-01-14

申请号：US15536581

申请日：2015-12-04

Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.

Inventor： Kiyoshi Fujimoto ,  Shirou Takahashi

IPC: G21C3/33 ,  G21C5/06 ,  G21C7/08

Abstract: It is possible to achieve self-support of the fuel assembly without an upper grid plate when the fuel assembly is mounted or replaced, and it is also possible to prevent the fuel assembly from floating during a reactor operation. According to the present invention, the lower portion of the lower tie plate 7 as a part of the fuel assembly 3, which is inserted into the fuel support 9, extends, and a stable member 21 is provided around the extension portion 20, and thereby it is possible to achieve the self-support of the fuel assembly without the upper grid plate. In addition, since an increase in a weight due to extension of the lower portion of the lower tie plate 7 can prevent the floating during the reactor operation, a floating preventing mechanism using the upper grid plate is not necessary. Hence, it is possible to achieve the self-support of the fuel assembly without an upper grid plate when the fuel assembly is mounted or replaced, and it is also possible to prevent the fuel assembly from floating during the reactor operation.

公开(公告)号：US20190066855A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-28

申请号：US16153289

申请日：2018-10-05

Applicant: BWXT mPower, Inc.

Inventor： Scott J. Shargots

IPC: G21C7/08 ,  G21C17/116 ,  G21C15/243 ,  G21C13/00 ,  G21C7/36 ,  G21C1/32

Abstract: A power distribution plate (PDP) sits on top of a support plate. Control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) units are mounted on top of the PDP, but the PDP is incapable of supporting the weight of the CRDM units and instead transfers the load to a support plate. The PDP has receptacles which receive cable modules each including mineral insulated (MI) cables, the MI cables being connected with the CRDM units. The PDP may further include a set of hydraulic lines underlying the cable modules and connected with the CRDM units. The cable modules in their receptacles define conduits or raceways for their MI cables and for any underlying hydraulic lines.

公开(公告)号：US10186333B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-22

申请号：US15016051

申请日：2016-02-04

Applicant: TerraPower, LLC

Inventor： Charles E. Ahlfeld ,  John Rogers Gilleland ,  Roderick A. Hyde ,  Muriel Y. Ishikawa ,  David G. McAlees ,  Nathan P. Myhrvold ,  Charles Whitmer ,  Lowell L. Wood, Jr. ,  George B. Zimmerman

IPC: G21C1/02 ,  G21C5/20 ,  G21C7/06 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C7/34 ,  G21C19/50 ,  G21C3/07 ,  G21C7/02

Abstract: A traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, fuel assembly, and a method of controlling burnup therein. In a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly comprises a plurality of nuclear fission fuel rods that are exposed to a deflagration wave burnfront that, in turn, travels through the fuel rods. The excess reactivity is controlled by a plurality of movable neutron absorber structures that are selectively inserted into and withdrawn from the fuel assembly in order to control the excess reactivity and thus the location, speed and shape of the burnfront. Controlling location, speed and shape of the burnfront manages neutron fluence seen by fuel assembly structural materials in order to reduce risk of temperature and irradiation damage to the structural materials.

公开(公告)号：US10102932B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-16

申请号：US13832443

申请日：2013-03-15

Applicant: BWXT mPower, Inc.

Inventor： Scott J Shargots

IPC: G21C1/32 ,  G21C7/12 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C7/36 ,  G21C13/00 ,  G21C15/243 ,  G21C17/116 ,  G21C1/08

Abstract: A power distribution plate (PDP) sits on top of a support plate. Control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) units are mounted on top of the PDP, but the PDP is incapable of supporting the weight of the CRDM units and instead transfers the load to a support plate. The PDP has receptacles which receive cable modules each including mineral insulated (MI) cables, the MI cables being connected with the CRDM units. The PDP may further include a set of hydraulic lines underlying the cable modules and connected with the CRDM units. The cable modules in their receptacles define conduits or raceways for their MI cables and for any underlying hydraulic lines.

公开(公告)号：US09620251B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-11

申请号：US13704587

申请日：2011-06-16

Applicant: Maxime Zabiego ,  Patrick David ,  Alain Ravenet ,  Denis Rochais

Inventor： Maxime Zabiego ,  Patrick David ,  Alain Ravenet ,  Denis Rochais

IPC: G21C7/08 ,  G21C7/10 ,  G21C21/18

CPC classification number: G21C7/10 ,  G21C7/08 ,  G21C21/18 ,  Y02E30/39

Abstract: A new interface between the cladding and the stack of pellets in a nuclear control rod. According to the invention, an interface joint made of a material transparent to neutrons, in the form of a structure with a high thermal conductivity and open pores, adapted to deform by compression across its thickness, is inserted between the cladding and the stack of pellets made of B4C neutron absorber material over at least the height of the stack. The invention also relates to associated production methods.