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公开(公告)号：US11817225B2
公开(公告)日：2023-11-14
申请号：US17852434
申请日：2022-06-29
Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC
Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher , John R. Salasin , Craig D. Gramlich , Jonathan K. Witter
CPC classification number: G21C3/044 , G21C3/04 , G21C3/42 , G21C3/28 , G21C3/30 , G21C21/02 , G21D5/02
Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
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公开(公告)号：US12159726B2
公开(公告)日：2024-12-03
申请号：US18378680
申请日：2023-10-11
Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC
Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher , John R. Salasin , Craig D. Gramlich , Jonathan K. Witter
Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
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Patent Agency Ranking
公开(公告)号：US11424041B2
公开(公告)日：2022-08-23
申请号：US16835388
申请日：2020-03-31
Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC
Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher , John R. Salasin , Craig D. Gramlich , Jonathan K. Witter
Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
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公开(公告)号：US12159727B2
公开(公告)日：2024-12-03
申请号：US18378691
申请日：2023-10-11
Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC
Inventor： Benjamin D. Fisher , John R. Salasin , Craig D. Gramlich , Jonathan K. Witter
Abstract: Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
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公开(公告)号：US11728044B2
公开(公告)日：2023-08-15
申请号：US17399822
申请日：2021-08-11
Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC , BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc.
Inventor： Eric A. Barringer , Russell R. Jensen , Jeremy L. Gustafson , Matt Ales , Joshua J. Bergman , Ryan T. Swanson , Jonathan K. Witter , Danny Galicki , James B. Inman , Matt Krecicki , Roger Ridgeway
CPC classification number: G21C3/07 , G21C3/64 , G21C5/126 , B64G1/408 , F02K9/425 , G21C3/322 , G21C3/324 , G21C5/02
Abstract: Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material, the interior surface of which is lined in higher temperature regions with an insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material. Continuous insulation layer extends the length of the fuel assembly or separate insulation layer sections have a thickness increasing step-wise along the length of the fuel assembly from upper (inlet) section towards bottom (outlet) section. A fuel element positioned inward of the insulation layer and between support meshes has a fuel composition including HALEU and the form of a plurality of individual elongated fuel bodies or one or more fuel monolith bodies containing coolant flow channels. Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block, with upper end of the outer structural member attached to an inlet for propellant and lower end of the outer structural member operatively interfaced with a nozzle forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.
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公开(公告)号：US12249435B2
公开(公告)日：2025-03-11
申请号：US18206302
申请日：2023-06-06
Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC , BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc.
Inventor： Eric A. Barringer , Russell R. Jensen , Jeremy L Gustafson , Matt Ales , Joshua J. Bergman , Ryan T. Swanson , Jonathan K. Witter , Danny Galicki , James B. Inman , Matt Krecicki , Roger Ridgeway
Abstract: Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material (e.g., SiC—SiC composite), insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material (e.g., zirconium carbide with open-cell foam structure or fibrous zirconium carbide), and interior structural member of refractory ceramic-graphite composite material (e.g., zirconium carbide-graphite or niobium carbide-graphite). Spacer structures between various layers provide a defined and controlled spacing relationship. A fuel element bundle positioned between support meshes includes a plurality of distributively arranged fuel elements or a solid, unitary fuel element with coolant channels, each having a fuel composition including high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU). Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block and the upper end of the outer structural member is attached to a metallic inlet tube for hydrogen propellant and the lower end of the outer structural member is interfaced with a support plate, forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.
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公开(公告)号：US11710578B2
公开(公告)日：2023-07-25
申请号：US17399881
申请日：2021-08-11
Applicant: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC , BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc.
Inventor： Eric A. Barringer , Russell R. Jensen , Jeremy L. Gustafson , Matt Ales , Joshua J. Bergman , Ryan T. Swanson , Jonathan K. Witter , Danny Galicki , James B. Inman , Matt Krecicki , Roger Ridgeway
Abstract: Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material (e.g., SiC—SiC composite), insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material (e.g., zirconium carbide with open-cell foam structure or fibrous zirconium carbide), and interior structural member of refractory ceramic-graphite composite material (e.g., zirconium carbide-graphite or niobium carbide-graphite). Spacer structures between various layers provide a defined and controlled spacing relationship. A fuel element bundle positioned between support meshes includes a plurality of distributively arranged fuel elements or a solid, unitary fuel element with coolant channels, each having a fuel composition including high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU). Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block and the upper end of the outer structural member is attached to a metallic inlet tube for hydrogen propellant and the lower end of the outer structural member is interfaced with a support plate, forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.
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