Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Reactor structures – Circulating fluid within reactor
Patent
1998-04-29
2000-09-05
Jordan, Charles T.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Reactor structures
Circulating fluid within reactor
376446, 376440, 376438, 376434, G21C 1502, G21C 332, G21C 3334, G21C 334
Patent
active
061154407
ABSTRACT:
The adaptor plate of a top nozzle assembly is removably secured to selected thimble tubes in a nuclear fuel assembly by quick release couplings. The openings in the adaptor plate aligned with the selected thimble tubes are counterbored from above to form shoulders with diametrically opposed slots extending downward through the shoulders. The quick release couplings include a sleeve secured to the upper end of the thimble tube. A support plate fixed to the sleeve has a pair of upwardly extending bosses engaging the slots in the adaptor plate. A latch member with a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly projecting latch ears rotates on the sleeve between a first position in which the latch ears are aligned with the slots and are positioned over the bosses so that the adaptor plate may be lifted off, and a second position with the latch ears overlaying the shoulder to latch the adaptor plate to the thimble tube. A spring member with a cylindrical body has a pair of diametrically opposed radially compliant projections formed by bulges in strips defined by circumferential slits spaced from the bottom edge of the cylindrical body which engage detents in the bosses to latch the latch member in the first, unlatched position even with the adaptor plate removed, and which engage detents in the opening in the adaptor plate to latch the latch member in the second, latched position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3382153 (1968-05-01), Bigge et al.
patent: 3608933 (1971-09-01), Lee
patent: 3769158 (1973-10-01), Winders
patent: 3864211 (1975-02-01), King et al.
patent: 3953287 (1976-04-01), Long et al.
patent: 3992259 (1976-11-01), Anthony et al.
patent: 4064004 (1977-12-01), Long et al.
patent: 4219386 (1980-08-01), Osborne et al.
patent: 4381284 (1983-04-01), Gjertsen
patent: 4452755 (1984-06-01), Hylton
patent: 4552427 (1985-11-01), Landgreen
patent: 4631168 (1986-12-01), Shallenberger et al.
patent: 4637914 (1987-01-01), Boyle et al.
patent: 4687619 (1987-08-01), Wison et al.
patent: 4687631 (1987-08-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 4863396 (1989-09-01), Johnson
patent: 5015435 (1991-05-01), Petit
patent: 5131687 (1992-07-01), Marchou
patent: 5133927 (1992-07-01), Kadano et al.
patent: 5268948 (1993-12-01), Church et al.
patent: 5361283 (1994-11-01), Attix
patent: 5363423 (1994-11-01), Brashier et al.
patent: 5367548 (1994-11-01), Attix
patent: 5844958 (1998-12-01), Leroux et al.
Newman, B & W Aims for 50GWd/tU and more, Nuc. Eng. Int., p. 28 figure, Aug. 1987.
DeMario Edmund Emory
Evans Paul Marcus
Seel David Douglas
Sloop Michael Thomas
Jordan Charles T.
Keim Jack
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
LandOfFree
Quick release, removable top nozzle assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Quick release, removable top nozzle assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quick release, removable top nozzle assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2220504