Patent · US Expired

Instrument thimble tube shroud

US5215707A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
21References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 10, 1991
Grant dateJun 1, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 10, 2011

Classification

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

Abstract

An instrument thimble tube shroud is disclosed which has a central cup surrounding an instrument thimble tube to prevent fluid flow about the thimble tube from causing excessive vibration and wear. A plurality of arms extend radially from the cup and have locking pads disposed at the end of each arm, springs extending from the pads engaging recesses in an adjacent fuel assembly nozzle to lock the shroud in position and prevent movement of the shroud or rotation due to aggressive fluid flow. Utilizing the inventive shroud prevents vibration and damage to the instrument thimble tube passing therethrough, enhancing life of the instrumentation and allowing continued observation of dynamics within a nuclear reactor.

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