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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 08, 2008
Keith J. Drudy, New Kensington, PA (US);
William R. Carlson, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Michael E. Conner, Elgin, SC (US);
Mark Goldenfield, Columbia, SC (US);
Michael J. Hone, New Alexandria, PA (US);
Carroll J. Long, Jr., Columbia, SC (US);
Jerod Parkinson, Lexington, SC (US);
Radu O. Pomirleanu, Monroeville, PA (US);
Keith J. Drudy, New Kensington, PA (US);
William R. Carlson, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Michael E. Conner, Elgin, SC (US);
Mark Goldenfield, Columbia, SC (US);
Michael J. Hone, New Alexandria, PA (US);
Carroll J. Long, Jr., Columbia, SC (US);
Jerod Parkinson, Lexington, SC (US);
Radu O. Pomirleanu, Monroeville, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US);
Abstract
An advanced gray rod control assembly (GRCA) for a nuclear reactor. The GRCA provides controlled insertion of gray rod assemblies into the reactor, thereby controlling the rate of power produced by the reactor and providing reactivity control at full power. Each gray rod assembly includes an elongated tubular member, a primary neutron-absorber disposed within the tubular member said neutron-absorber comprising an absorber material, preferably tungsten, having a 2200 m/s neutron absorption microscopic capture cross-section of from 10 to 30 barns. An internal support tube can be positioned between the primary absorber and the tubular member as a secondary absorber to enhance neutron absorption, absorber depletion, assembly weight, and assembly heat transfer characteristics.