Bwxt Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.

Bwxt Mpower, Inc.

Rwxt Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.

Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.

Brett T Goodyear

Christopher Douglas Dodd

Matthew W Ales

Michael J Edwards

Paul K DeSantis

Kevin J Stambaugh

William H Yeadon

John P McLaughlin

Allan R Mackovjak

Robert W Emond

Paul K Desantis

John P Mclaughlin

Christopher D Dodd

An electromagnet comprises a plurality of nested freestanding electrically insulating former layers, and electrically conductive wire wrapped around the outsides of the freestanding electrically insulating former layers to define a multilayer electrical coil in which adjacent layers of the multilayer electrical coil are spaced apart by intervening freestanding electrically insulating former layers. Electrically energizing the multilayer electrical coil generates a magnetic field inside the multilayer electrical coil. In some embodiments the electrically conductive wire is bare wire not having electrical insulation. In some embodiments the former layers comprise a ceramic material. In some such embodiments the electromagnet further comprises a ferromagnetic core disposed inside the multilayer electrical coil. An electric motor employing such an electromagnet as a stator pole is also disclosed. Control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) and coolant pump embodiments are also disclosed employing such a motor, for use in a nuclear reactor.

Environmentally robust electromagnets and electric motors employing same for use in nuclear reactors

A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) includes a lifting rod supporting a control rod and a holding mechanism comprising an electromagnetic circuit with magnetic poles drawn together when the electromagnetic circuit is energized to hold the lifting rod. The hold is released upon de-energizing the electromagnetic circuit. A translation mechanism linearly translates the lifting rod held by the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism may include a non-magnetic spacer between the magnetic poles that defines a gap between the drawn together magnetic poles. The translation mechanism may include latches configured to engage an upper end of the lifting rod, and the holding mechanism draws the magnetic poles together to hold the latches engaged with the upper end of the lifting rod. A four-bar cam assembly may be used to cam the latches closed in response to a vertical actuation force applied to the cam bars.

CRDM designs with separate SCRAM latch engagement and locking

A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.

CRDM with separate scram latch engagement and locking

CRDM with separate SCRAM latch engagement and locking

A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.

Positional encoder and control rod position indicator for nuclear reactor using same

Growing community of inventors

Twinsburg, OH, United States of America

Brett T Goodyear