Terrapower, LLC

Ge-hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC

Sean T Mosier

Calen Kaneko

Christopher A Martin

Charles Gregory Freeman

Mark R Werner

Derek Bass

Philip M Schloss

Brian C Johnson

Nathan Smith

Jesse R Cheatham, Iii

Pavel Hejzlar

Bret E Nelson

Mark D Sumner

Harold C Lowe

Nicholas Kandabarow

Michael F Dimitri

Samuel T Kratt

A nuclear reactor is designed to couple the load path of the control elements with the reactor core, thus reducing the opportunity for differential movement between the control elements and the reactor core. A cartridge core barrel can be fabricated in a manufacturing facility to include the reactor core, control element supports, and control element drive system. The cartridge core barrel can be mounted to a reactor vessel head. Thus, any movement, such as through seismic forces, transmits an equal direction and magnitude to the control elements and the reactor core. This arrangement reduces the opportunity for differential movement between the control elements and the reactor core.

Method of constructing a nuclear reactor having reactor core and control elements supported by reactor vessel head

A nuclear reactor is designed to allow efficient packing of components within the reactor vessel, such as by offsetting the core, and/or vertically stacking components. The in-vessel storage system can be separate from the support cylinder and these components can be fabricated and shipped separately and coupled together at the construction site. Furthermore, the in-vessel storage system can be located adjacent to the core rather than being located circumferentially around it, and may also be located beneath the heat exchanger to further improve packing of components within the vessel. Through these, and other changes, the delicate components can be manufactured in a manufacturing facility, assembled, and shipped by commercial transportation options without exceeding the shipping envelope.

Modular manufacture, delivery, and assembly of nuclear reactor core systems

Systems enhance stand pipe alignment and security with braces docking to the stand pipes. A link connects pairs of braces so the braces and stand pipes docked thereby cannot move relative to each other when fully secured. Partially securing braces allows adjustment of the braces and distance between the same and thus stand pipe position. Fully securing the braces makes the entire system rigid without need for a tie bar. Braces and links can be installed and secured to the stand pipes and among each other at an axial position from above the stand pipes, so that overhead, simple tooling may be used. A crimp nut or other resilient connector may be used to secure the systems from that single dimension with simple tooling. Any number of braces, joining to any number of other braces, may be used in the system, and several systems may be used at various levels.

Systems and methods for steam separator tie bar repair or replacement

A nuclear reactor is designed to couple the load path of control elements with the reactor core, thus reducing opportunity for differential movement between the control elements and the reactor core. A core barrel can be fabricated in a manufacturing facility to include the reactor core, control element supports, and control element drive system. The core barrel can be mounted to a reactor vessel head. Movement, such as through seismic forces, transmits an equal direction and magnitude to the control elements and the reactor core, thus inhibiting the opportunity for differential movement.

A nuclear reactor is constructed in sub-modules and super modules which are manufactured, packaged, and shipped to a construction site. At least some of the modules are packaged in suitable shielding containers or portions of containers, which may be steel. The modules are assembled on-site, and some of the modules remain within their respective shipping containers after assembly. One or more of the shipping containers may be used as concrete forms to support the pouring of concrete in between selected modules. The concrete may be used for structural support, shielding, or both.

Modular manufacture, delivery, and assembly of nuclear reactor building systems

A nuclear reactor is designed to couple the load path of the control elements with the reactor core, thus reducing the opportunity for differential movement between the control elements and the reactor core. A cartridge core barrel can be fabricated in a manufacturing facility to include the reactor core, control element supports, and control element drive system. The cartridge core barrel can be mounted to a reactor vessel head, and any movement, such as through seismic forces, transmits an equal direction and magnitude to the control elements and the reactor core, thus inhibiting the opportunity for differential movement.

Reactor core and control elements supported by a reactor vessel head

Systems repair jet pump elbow joining structures like RS1 and RS2 welds. Systems include a base having legs that secure to ends of the elbow in different directions, and a drive plate that joins to flow conduits where they meet the elbow. The drive plate and base may then be pushed together, resulting in compression or joining of the elbow and flow conduit. Multiple drive plates may be used with a single base to compress multiple flow conduits to the base. The base and the drive plates can be driven together with a driving bolt extending through the base and driving plate. To provide a better fit, grooves can be created in the flow conduits through machining from the installed base. The drive plate may be seated into the groove to achieve a desired orientation with less slippage. Example embodiments and methods do not require welding or a welding base.

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Wilmington, NC, United States of America

Sean T Mosier