Other

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC

Calvin L Kinney

Martin H Cooper

Suresh Krishnaji Bhate

Richard F Guardiani

Delmar R Riffe

Todd M Wetherill

Martin E Duga

A control rod drive mechanism includes a first tubular member having a first threaded portion and a first generally cylindrical outer surface, the first tubular member including a first plurality of slots spaced circumferentially on the first outer surface and extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the first tubular member, and a second tubular member having a second threaded portion and a second generally cylindrical outer surface, the second tubular member including a second plurality of slots spaced circumferentially on the second outer surface and extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the second tubular member. The first and second tubular members are axial aligned with the first and second threaded portions being engaged with each other to form a threaded joint therebetween. A locking sleeve overlaps at least a portion of the first outer surface of the first tubular member and at least a portion of the second outer surface of the second tubular member. The sleeve includes a generally cylindrical interior wall with deformed portions of the wall extending into said first and second plurality of slots. The deformed portions of the wall conform to an internal surface of each of the slots to evenly distribute circumferential loads on the locking sleeve. The invention also encompasses the method of assembling the control rod drive mechanism.

Method and apparatus for preventing relative rotation of tube members in a control rod drive mechanism

The pump isolation valve provides a means by which the pump may be selectively isolated from the remainder of the coolant system while being compatible with the internal hydraulic arrangement of the pump during normal operation of the pump. The valve comprises a valve cylinder disposed around the pump and adjacent to the last pump diffuser with a turning vane attached to the lower end of the valve cylinder in a manner so as to hydraulically match with the discharge diffuser. The valve cylinder is connected to a drive means for sliding the valve cylinder relative to the diffuser support cylinder so as to block flow in either direction through the discharge diffuser when the valve is in the closed position and to aid in the flow of the coolant from the discharge diffuser by means of the turning vane when the valve is in the open position.

Pump isolation valve

An inherent shutdown system for a nuclear reactor having neutron absorbing rods affixed to an armature which is held in an upper position by a magnetic flux flowing through a Curie temperature material. The Curie temperature material is fixedly positioned about the exterior of an inner duct in an annular region through which reactor coolant flows. Elongated fuel rods extending from within the core upwardly toward the Curie temperature material are preferably disposed within the annular region. Upon abnormal conditions which result in high neutron flux and coolant temperature, the Curie material loses its magnetic permeability, breaking the magnetic flux path and allowing the armature and absorber rods to drop into the core, thus shutting down the fissioning reaction. The armature and absorber rods are retrieved by lowering the housing for the electromagnet forming coils which create a magnetic flux path which includes the inner duct wall. The coil housing then is raised, resetting the armature.

Nuclear reactor shutdown system

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Penn Hills, PA, United States of America

Calvin L Kinney