General Electric Company

Richard E Kingston

James E Holden

Gary S Martin

Michael J Sullivan

Robert B Elkins

Thomas G Dunlap

James F McLeod

Ararat Pogosian

Locksley V Hampton

Dennis D Kessen

Thomas F Carter

John G Pistolis

The control rod includes an upper absorber section and a lower velocity limiter comprised of a socket, a vane, a transition piece and a set of fins. To adjust the weight of the control rod, lighter and heavier sets of fins, as well as lighter and heavier transition pieces are provided. By suitable selection of the lighter and heavier sets of fins and the lighter and heavier transition pieces, the weight of the velocity limiter can be selectively adjusted in accordance with the weights of differently designed sections to obtain a predetermined control rod weight. Additionally, the heavier transition piece may have material removed therefrom to decrease its weight to provide an infinite adjustment of weight within a predetermined range of weights for the velocity limiter.

Apparatus and method for adjusting the weight of a velocity limiter for a control rod of a nuclear reactor

A control rod includes four panels in cruciform section each containing a plurality of absorber tubes. The absorber tubes are mounted between upper and lower mounting structures having generally T-shaped slots opening toward one another. The absorber tubes have generally T-shaped end plugs for reception in the slots. The slots and end plugs are configured to permit limited axial movement of each absorber tube relative to the control rod and to adjacent tubes. The absorber tubes are maintained in tension during all nuclear operations including during a scram.

Control rod for a nuclear reactor having mounting structures for

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Wilmington, NC, United States of America

Richard E Kingston