System providing improved guidance support with restricted coolant flow for control rods in the upper head plenum of a nuclear reactor
US5053189A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1989 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A new system is provided for control rod guidance support with wear mitigating features in a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The upper guide tube and the lower guide tube structures house the control rod when it is withdrawn from the fuel core. The upper guide tube has a top enclosure plate with a drive rod opening therethrough sized to provide a predetermined clearance space between the drive rod and the top enclosure plate and to direct coolant flow between the upper and outlet plenums and through the guide tube assembly to allow transmittal of upper plenum bypass cooling flow to the outlet plenum. Structure is provided for restricting coolant flow through the top plate clearance space to reduce control rod wear. A coupler secures the drive and control rods in end-to-end relation within the guide tube assembly. The coupler is located just below the top guide tube enclosure plate with the control rod fully withdrawn. The coolant restricting structure includes a flow restricting sleeve secured to the coupler and extending upwardly over the drive rod through the top guide tube enclosure plate. A flow restrictor is located above and secured to the top guide tube enclosure plate, and…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.