Patent · US Expired

Control rod drive with upward removable drive internals

US4904443A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
2References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 2, 1988
Grant dateFeb 27, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 2, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The control rod drive is removed from the top of the reactor. The control rod drive is attached at its upper end to the bottom end of the control rod drive guide tube. The control rod guide tube in turn couples at a rotationally locked bayonet fitting to the top of the control rod drive housing. Locking of the bayonet fitting occurs thru the orificed fuel support casting. The orificed fuel support casting, is locked from rotation at a pin located on the reactor core plate. The control rod guide tube in turn locks rotationally to the orificed fuel support casting. During refueling, the fuel bundles and the orificed fuel support casting are removed, freeing the control rod guide tube and its depending drive for rotation. Thereafter, a fitting captures the control rod guide tubes at coolant inflow apertures and rotates the guide tubes and the depending drives. Uncoupling of the control rod guide tube occurs at a bayonet fitting between the top of the control rod drive housing and the bottom of the control rod guide tube. Thereafter, upward removal of the control rod guide tube and, of necessity, the depending attached control rod drive occurs. Replacement of the drive occurs with the …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.