The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 15, 2023

Filed:

Nov. 30, 2020
Applicant:

Ge-hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas Llc, Wilmington, NC (US);

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Morgan, Wilmington, NC (US);

David L. Major, Wilmington, NC (US);

Randy M. Brown, Wilmington, NC (US);

Gerald A. Deaver, Wilmington, NC (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G21C 7/14 (2006.01); G21C 7/12 (2006.01); G21C 9/02 (2006.01); F16B 1/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G21C 7/14 (2013.01); G21C 7/12 (2013.01); G21C 9/02 (2013.01); F16B 2001/0035 (2013.01); Y02E 30/30 (2013.01);
Abstract

Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through secured magnetic elements subject to magnetic fields. Induction coils may generate magnetic fields and be moveable across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. A motor may spin a linear screw to move the induction coils on a vertical travel nut. A control rod assembly may house the magnetic elements and directly, removably join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Operation includes moving the induction coils with a linear screw to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization. No direct connection may penetrate the isolation barrier.


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