Patent · US Expired

Control blade for nuclear reactor

US5276718A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
2References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 26, 1991
Grant dateJan 4, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 26, 2011

Classification

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

Abstract

In a field of commercial nuclear reactors, a control blade, which is inserted into and withdrawn from the core of a nuclear reactor so as to start/shut-down the operation thereof and to control the reactor power, must have soundness, high reactivity and long life. The control blade for nuclear reactors is arranged to prevent swelling of a neutron absorber so as to improve the soundness. Furthermore, even if the swelling takes place, the soundness of the control blade can be maintained. The control blade is arranged to prevent the swelling phenomenon in such a manner that boron exhibiting excellent neutron absorbing performance absorbs hydrogen which is produced as a result of reactions with the neutrons. The control blade for nuclear reactors has an upper structure member, a lower structure member, a central tie member disposed between the upper and lower structure members, a plurality of wings connected to each other by the central tie member, and neutron absorber enclosed in the wing. Each of the wings is constituted by a plate member made of hafnium metal, a hafnium alloy or an alloy the main component of which is zirconium or titanium. The neutron absorber comprises a long-live…

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