US4432934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Displacer rod for use in a mechanical spectral shift reactor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1980-12-16
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Granted: 1984-02-21
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Expires: 2000-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A displacer rod for use in a mechanical spectral shift pressurized water nuclear reactor comprises a sectioned substantially hollow low neutron absorbing metal rod capable of displacing reactor coolant without absorbing a high amount of neutrons. The tubular sections can be made of stainless steel or Zircaloy tubing and may contain pellets for weighting the displacer rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K. Gjertsen
- 👤 John F. Wilson
- 👤 Raymond A. George
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:08
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/06; G21C7/08; G21C7/10; G21C7/117; G21C7/26; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A pressurized water nuclear reactor having low neutron absorbing displacer rods for selectively displacing reactor coolant, said displacer rods comprising: a top end plug; a hollow stainless steel first tube attached at one end to said top end plug; a solid Zircaloy mid rod extension attached at one end to said first tube; a hollow Zircaloy second tube attached at one end to said mid rod extension; and a bottom end plug attached to said second tube for displacing said reactor coolant when inserted into the core of said reactor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A pressurized water nuclear reactor having low neutron absorbing displacer rods for selectively displacing reactor coolant, said displacer rods comprising: a top end plug; a hollow stainless steel first tube attached at one end to said top end plug; a solid Zircaloy mid rod extension attached at one end to said first tube; a hollow Zircaloy second tube attached at one end to said mid rod extension; and a bottom end plug attached to said second tube for displacing said reactor coolant when inserted into the core of said reactor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 1 wherein said bottom end plug is a Zircaloy metal plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 2 wherein said displacer rods further comprise a plurality of pellets disposed in said second tube for weighting said displacer rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 3 wherein said pellets are annular pellets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 4 wherein said pellets are stabilized zirconia annular pellets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 3 wherein said pellets are solid zirconia pellets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 2 wherein said displacer rods further comprise a spring disposed in said second tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 7 wherein said spring is a coil spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nuclear reactor according to claim 2 wherein said second tube is a thick walled tube and is pressurized with an inert gas.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-20 | 1987-08-22 | 1988-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-20 | 1991-08-22 | 1992-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-20 | 1995-08-22 | 1996-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |