Patent classifications
G21C3/33
Small modular reactor fuel assembly
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) comprises a pressure vessel containing primary coolant water. A nuclear reactor core is disposed in the pressure vessel and includes a plurality of fuel assemblies. Each fuel assembly includes a plurality of fuel rods containing a fissile material. A control system includes a plurality of control rod assemblies (CRA's). Each CRA is guided by a corresponding CRA guide structure. A support element is disposed above the CRA guide structures and supports the CRA guide structures. The pressure vessel may be cylindrical, and the support element may comprise a support plate having a circular periphery supported by the cylindrical pressure vessel. The CRA guide structures suitably hang downward from the support plate. The lower end of each CRA guide structure may include alignment features that engage corresponding alignment features of the upper end of the corresponding fuel assembly.
Nuclear fuel assembly debris filtering bottom nozzle
A base portion for use in a bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly in a nuclear reactor includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of vertical wall portions arranged in a generally squared grid-like pattern which extend between the bottom surface and the top surface and which define a plurality of non-circular passages passing between the bottom surface and the top surface through the base portion.
Filter zones with different filtering efficiencies for a fuel assembly of a nuclear water reactor
A fuel assembly for a nuclear water reactor having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a flow interspace between the upstream and downstream ends. Fuel rods are provided in the flow interspace between the upstream and downstream ends. The flow interspace permits a flow of coolant through the fuel assembly along a flow direction from the upstream end to the downstream end. A filter device is provided to catch debris particles in the flow of coolant. The filter device has a first filter zone for a major part of the flow of coolant, and a second filter zone for a minor part of the flow of coolant. The first filter zone has a first filtering efficiency and the second filter zone has a second filtering efficiency. The second filtering efficiency is higher than the first filtering efficiency.
Hybrid drive module having an electric motor
A hybrid drive module, comprising an electric motor (110) and a power electronics module (300) operatively connected to the electric motor (110) whereby the power electronics module is integral to the electric motor (110).
MODULAR WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
A modular water purification system for a nuclear power plant includes a plurality of modules that may be selectively connected together directly or through the use of intermediary adapters in a plurality of arrangements. The modules may include a pump module, a FOSAR module, a particulate filtration module, a cross-flow filtration module, a degasification module, and/or a demineralization module, among other possible modules. The modules may have common interfaces so that they can be interconnected (directly or through intermediary adapters) in a variety of configurations for different purposes within the context of the nuclear power plant (e.g., filtering pool water; collecting large objects via vacuuming). Various modules may have form factors and/or mounting structures that are similar enough to the fuel assemblies of the plant that (1) the plant's fuel assembly handling equipment can grab, move, and reposition the modules, and/or (2) the modules may be stored in the fuel pool's storage rack.
NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURING METHOD, NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURING PLANT AND METHOD OF EXPANDING SUCH A PLANT
A method is for manufacturing a nuclear fuel assembly (2) comprising nuclear fuel rods (4) arranged in a bundle and a skeleton (6) supporting the fuel rods (4). The method comprise the steps of inserting fuel rods (4) into the skeleton (6) to obtain a fuel assembly (2) and packaging the fuel assembly (2) in view of transportation. The steps are being performed in a same nuclear fuel assembly manufacturing plant (20), preferably in a same nuclear fuel assembly manufacturing building (60).
NUCLEAR FUEL ROD END DISTANCE ADJUSTING DEVICE
Provided is the nuclear fuel rod end distance adjusting device, the device allowing an adjustment of a nuclear fuel rod end distance to be stably and efficiently accomplished and including: an insertion rod including nuclear fuel rod tongs and linearly moving forward and backward; a housing having a hollow space; insertion power means installed inside the housing, and moving in a longitudinal direction of the housing by converting a rotational motion into a linear motion; a connector connected between the insertion power means and an insertion rod; and an anti-rotation tool installed between the insertion power means and the connector, being capable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the housing by being interlocked with the linear motion of the insertion power means, but preventing rotational force of the insertion power means from being transmitted to the connector.
NUCLEAR FUEL ROD END DISTANCE ADJUSTING DEVICE
Provided is the nuclear fuel rod end distance adjusting device, the device allowing an adjustment of a nuclear fuel rod end distance to be stably and efficiently accomplished and including: an insertion rod including nuclear fuel rod tongs and linearly moving forward and backward; a housing having a hollow space; insertion power means installed inside the housing, and moving in a longitudinal direction of the housing by converting a rotational motion into a linear motion; a connector connected between the insertion power means and an insertion rod; and an anti-rotation tool installed between the insertion power means and the connector, being capable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the housing by being interlocked with the linear motion of the insertion power means, but preventing rotational force of the insertion power means from being transmitted to the connector.
NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY TOP NOZZLE HAVING IN-CORE INSTRUMENT INSERTION STRUCTURE USING UPPER CORE PLATE GUIDE PIN
The present invention relates to a top nozzle and a nuclear reactor in which an in-core instrument, which is supposed to be inserted through a top head of a nuclear reactor, is inserted through a guide pin for an upper core plate. In a nuclear reactor including guide pins for aligning a top nozzle for a nuclear fuel assembly with an upper core plate of a nuclear reactor, a guide hole (210) is axially formed through the guide pins (200) and in-core instruments (10) are inserted through the guide holes (210).
System for Separating and Coupling Top Nozzle of Nuclear Fuel Assembly
Disclosed is a system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly. There is provided a lock insert configured to support the top nozzle of the nuclear fuel assembly by being coupled to a guide hole provided in a flow channel plate of the top nozzle, the lock insert including: a body in a hollow shape; and an insertion part provided on a top portion of the body and inserted into the guide hole, wherein a circumference of the insertion part is variable in size, thereby being capable of being inserted into the guide hole. Accordingly, disassembly and reassembly of the top nozzle of the nuclear fuel assembly and the lock insert are simplified, thereby simplifying and reducing the number of processes involved therein. Accordingly, the system is effective for maintenance and repair of the nuclear fuel assembly.