Hafnium stainless steel absorber rod for control rod
US4853176A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 5, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S376/90
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a control rod construction for moderating and controlling a reaction of a nuclear reactor, a control rod structure is disclosed in which hafnium is welded to stainless steel. Typically, the control rod is confined for movement axially along its length into and out of the reactor. The hafnium is surrounded in the control rod structure by a sheath of stainless steel to inhibit movement relative to the control rod structure other than in the axial direction of control rod movement. The hafnium is friction welded to the stainless steel of the control rod so as to stress the weld in either tension or compression due to dynamic loading occurring from control rod movement. The stainless steel to which the hafnium is welded is in turn conventionally welded or mechanically connected to the remaining steel components of the control rod. There results a secure control rod structure having welded hafnium that can withstand the dynamic loadings of fast insertion of control rods such as those loadings which commonly occur under rapid control rod acceleration and deceleration due to SCRAM of a reactor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.